Odontophora (Bütschli, 1874)

The marine nematode genus Odontophora (Bütschli, 1874) is world-wide distributed and commonly found in intertidal and subtidal sediments. Odontophora belongs to the family Axonolaimidae, with over 30 valid species described so far.  Several Odontophora species occur also along the Dutch Coast. These nematodes, with a length of 2 – 3 millimetre, are provided with a funnel-shaped buccal cavity with six impressive teeth (odontia), present in the anterior part of the buccal cavity. The buccal cavity is protrusable by which the odontia, usually inside the mouth cavity, can be observed easily. Almost nothing is known regarding their way of life. We might assume that the odontia play a role in food consumption but if the food consists of algae or animals is still unknown. In contradiction to terrestrial nematodes, marine nematodes as this Odontophora, are often provided with setae (hair-like structures) and horseshoe or loop shaped organs,(amphids).