''Laxus'' is a genus of

nematode The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...

worms from the subfamily

Stilbonematinae Stilbonematinae is a subfamily of the nematode worm family Desmodoridae that is notable for its symbiosis with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Systematics Stilbonematinae Chitwood, 1936 belongs to the family Desmodoridae in the order Desmodorida. ...

of the family

Desmodoridae Desmodoridae is a family of nematodes belonging to the order Desmodorida Desmodorida is an order of nematodes belonging to the class Adenophorea. Families: * Ceramonematidae * Choniolaimidae * Chromadoridae * Comesomatidae * Cyatholaimidae * ...

. Like other members of this subfamily, they are covered by a layer of

symbiotic Symbiosis (from Greek , , "living together", from , , "together", and , bíōsis, "living") is any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be it mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasit ...

sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which in ''Laxus'' are coccoid in shape. They are distinguished from other stilbonematine genera by the finely-annulated somatic cuticle, thickened cephalic cuticle, small and coiled amphidial fovea, and lack of male structures. There are at least five species in the genus.

References

Chromadorea genera Chemosynthetic symbiosis {{Chromadorea-stub