Cycloneuralia is a proposed clade of ecdysozoan animals including the Scalidophora (Kinorhynchans, Loriciferans, Priapulids), the Nematoida (nematodes, Nematomorphs), and the extinct Palaeoscolecida.[1][2] It may be paraphyletic, or may be a sister group to Panarthropoda. Or perhaps Panarthropoda is paraphyletic with respect to Cycloneuralia.[3] The group has also been considered a single phylum, sometimes given the old name Nemathelminthes.[4] The uniting character is the nervous system organization with a circumpharyngeal brain and somata–neuropil–somata pattern.[5] The name derives from the position of the brain around the pharynx.[6]
Cycloneuralia Temporal range:
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Priapulus caudatus | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Superphylum: | Ecdysozoa |
Clade: | Cycloneuralia |
Subclades | |