What Are Rotifers?

Rotifers are said to make up a phylum of microscopic or near microscopic Pseudocoelomate animals. These animals were first described in the year 1969 by John Harris, however by mistake the credit was given to Leeuwenhoek for describing the rotifers. Most of the Rotifers are mainly around 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm long, these rotifers are very common in fresh waters through out the world with a few species of saltwater. It is said that Rotifers are free swimming and planktonic. Some rotifers are sessile; they live inside tubes or in certain gelatinous hold fasts. There are around 25 colonial species of either planktonic or sessile rotifers.


The name rotifers has been derived from Latin, which means 'wheel bearer', these animals have also been called as 'wheel animalcules'. The rotifers are composed of various ciliated around their mouth, and when in motion they resemble a wheel.

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