Changes

Morphological differences in the cuticle are regularly used to identify different species of nematodes, though the functions of these are not all completely understood.

Morphological differences in the cuticle are regularly used to identify different species of nematodes, though the functions of these are not all completely understood.

*'''Annulations''' - Transverse lines in cuticle, possibly used as anchoring points in locomotion

*'''Annulations''' - Transverse lines in cuticle, possibly used as anchoring points in locomotion

*'''Longitudinal Ridges''' - also known as 'synlophe', seen in some [[Trichostrongylidea]] species such as ''[[Nematodirus]]''.

*'''Longitudinal Ridges''' - also known as 'synlophe', seen in some Trichostrongylidea species such as ''[[Nematodirus]]''.

*'''Alae''' or '''wings''' - Projections of the outer cuticle layer. Can appear either just at the anterior or posterior or along the entire length of the worm. In bursate males posterior alae for part of the copulatory bursa.

*'''Alae''' or '''wings''' - Projections of the outer cuticle layer. Can appear either just at the anterior or posterior or along the entire length of the worm. In bursate males posterior alae for part of the copulatory bursa.

*'''Spines''' - Protrusions of the cuticle on the surface of the nematode. Function unknown, could be in self defense or attachment to host.

*'''Spines''' - Protrusions of the cuticle on the surface of the nematode. Function unknown, could be in self defense or attachment to host.