ABSTRACT
The history of the higher classification of nematodes spans just a little more than 100 years when Orley proposed grouping similar nematode genera into families. Chitwood, recognizing his earlier error, accepted the phylum designation Nemates as proposed by Cobb but amended the spelling to Nemata in order to conform with the Pearse system for nomenclatorial endings; however, his classification essentially remained the same. In Nemata the phytoparasitic nematodes of the orders Dorylaimida and Tylenchida are among the most taxonomically abused groups in the phylum. The phylum Nemata is sometimes listed as a class in the phylum Nemathelminthes or Aschelminthes, groups whose membership or status is continuously being challenged. The subclass is divided into two superorders: Marenoplica and Terrenoplica. The superfamily contains seven families: Tylenchidae, Anguinidae, Dolichodoridae, Belonolaimidae, Pratylenchidae, Hoploaimidae, and Heteroderidae. Classifications are constructed from the foundation rank up, from the top down; however, systematists are obliged to write classifications from the top down.
