Round 1 - Phylum Micrognathozoa
(sources - 1, 2, 3)
Remember when I said Cycliophora was the newest descriped phylum? I lied. I was a fool.
The real newest described phylum, only described in 2000, is Micrognathozoa. It is so new that it only contains one species, Limnognathia maerski, which was once considered a rotifer.
With an average length of 100 micrometers, Limnognathia is one of the smallest known animals. Yet, it has very complex jaws and a brain! The animal can extend part of its jaw structure outside its mouth while eating or regurgitating. It has cilia for moving food towards its mouth, as well for moving itself and for sensing its environment. It feeds on bacteria, blue-green algae, and diatoms. All adults studied so far have had female organs, yet some of the youngest individuals collected seemed to have male organs, suggesting they change sex with age. They lay two kinds of eggs: thin-walled eggs that hatch quickly, and thick-walled eggs that may be resistant to freezing and thus intended to overwinter and hatch in the Spring.
Discovered in 1994 in the cold springs of Disko Island, Greenland, Limnognathia has since been found in other cold areas including Antarctica and the British Isles. There are likely more species yet to be described.
How do you feel about this phylum?
This is one of my favorite animals!
I love this animal
I like this animal
I am neutral about this animal
I dislike this animal
I hate this animal
Propaganda under the cut:
