Diurodrilus is a genus of tiny marine animals that has traditionally been assigned to theannelid worms, although thisaffinity is not certain. With a maximum length of 0.45 mm, it has an unusual morphology with many traits not found in other annelids, including a ventral creeping foot.[1][2] Analyses of DNA have both refuted and supported placement within the annelids,[2][3] with the unusual morphology perhaps due to evolutionaryprogenesis, in which organisms develop sexual maturity while retaining the larval traits of their ancestors.[3]
^Kristensen, R. M.; Niilonen, T. (1982). "Structural Studies on Diurodrilus Remane (Diurodrilidae fam.n.), with Description of Diurodrilus westheidei sp.n. From the Arctic Interstitial Meiobenthos, W. Greenland".Zoologica Scripta.11:1–12.doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.1982.tb00514.x.S2CID84404993.
^abGolombek, Anja; Tobergte, Sarah; Nesnidal, Maximilian P.; Purschke, Günter; Struck, Torsten H. (2013). "Mitochondrial genomes to the rescue – Diurodrilidae in the myzostomid trap".Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.68 (2):312–326.doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.03.026.PMID23563272.
