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Fecampiida is an order of
flatworms The flatworms, flat worms, Platyhelminthes, or platyhelminths (from the Greek πλατύ, ''platy'', meaning "flat" and ἕλμινς (root: ἑλμινθ-), ''helminth-'', meaning "worm") are a phylum of relatively simple bilaterian, unsegment ...
in the class
Rhabditophora Rhabditophora (from ''rhabdito''-, rhabdite + Greek -φορος ''phoros'' bearer, i.e., "rhabdite bearers") is a class of flatworms. It includes all parasitic flatworms (clade Neodermata) and most free-living species that were previously groupe ...
. It is a considerably recent clade, erected after molecular studies.


Description

The order Fecampiida, as currently defined, was erected based on molecular studies. They all are parasitic organisms and are united by a similar development of the
basal bodies A basal body (synonymous with basal granule, kinetosome, and in older cytological literature with blepharoplast) is a protein structure found at the base of a eukaryotic undulipodium (cilium or flagellum). The basal body was named by Theodor Wi ...
during
spermiogenesis Spermiogenesis is the final stage of spermatogenesis, during which the spermatids develop into mature spermatozoa. At the beginning of the stage, the spermatid is a more or less circular cell containing a nucleus, Golgi apparatus, centriole and ...
.


Classification

Three families of Fecampiida were initially classified in different flatworm orders: Urastomatidae and Genostomatidae were considered
prolecithophora The ''Prolecithophora'' are an order consisting of an estimated 300 species of small (typically 0.2 – 12 mm, one species up to 50 mm), active, aquatic flatworms. The order lacks a common English name. Most species are shaped like an e ...
ns, while Fecampiidae was considered a rhabdocoel. When the genus '' Notentera'' was discovered, its relationship with Fecampiidae was clear based on morphology, and both groups were united under Fecampiida. Further
ultrastructural Ultrastructure (or ultra-structure) is the architecture of cells and biomaterials that is visible at higher magnifications than found on a standard optical light microscope. This traditionally meant the resolution and magnification range of a co ...
studies suggested that Urastomatidae and Genostomatidae were closely related to Fecampiidae and Notenteridae, which was confirmed by molecular studies. Due to similarities in the protonephridial flame bulb, sperm and spermiogenesis, as well as the parasitic lifestyle, fecampiids were thought to be closely related to
neodermata Neodermata is a clade of rhabditophoran flatworms containing the parasitic groups Trematoda, Monogenea and Cestoda. Description All neodermatans are parasites, in many groups having a free-swimming larval stage. The most striking feature unit ...
ns, but molecular studies revealed them to be more closely related to triclads and
prolecithophora The ''Prolecithophora'' are an order consisting of an estimated 300 species of small (typically 0.2 – 12 mm, one species up to 50 mm), active, aquatic flatworms. The order lacks a common English name. Most species are shaped like an e ...
ns.


References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10494503 Rhabditophora