A phylum of worms formerly considered to be a class of the phylum Aschelminthes; commonly called the hairworms, and closely allied to the nematodes. The adults are free-living in aquatic habitats, while the juveniles are parasitic in arthropods. The nematomorphs are found all over the world. They are divided into two classes, the Nectonematoidea and Gordioidea, with a total of 225 species.