Dracunculus (nematode)

Larvae of Dracunculus medinensis, the Guinea worm

Dracunculus (Latin dracunculus small serpent, diminutive of draco dragon) is a genus of roundworms ( nematodes), whose species occur as parasites in tissues and body cavities of reptiles and mammals including humans. The genus name is homonymous to the genus Dracunculus ( Araceae family ).

Species with snakes or other reptiles as host

The following species are described (in brackets the distribution region is indicated in each case ):

• Dracunculus alii (India)
• Dracunculus coluberensis (India)
• Dracunculus dahomensis ( West and Central Africa)
• Dracunculus doi (India)
• Dracunculus houdemeri (Vietnam)
• Dracunculus ophidensis (Italy, USA)
• Dracunculus oesophageus (Italy, Madagascar)
• Dracunculus sp. (England, Brazil, Trinidad, United States)
• Dracunculus Globocephalus; Turtles ( USA)
• Dracunculus mulbus (Australia, Papua New Guinea)
• Dracunculus brasiliensis (Brazil )

Species with mammals as host

The following species are described for mammals:

• Dracunculus fuellebornius; Opossums (Brazil )
• Dracunculus insignis; Domestic dogs, wild carnivores (Canada, USA )
• Dracunculus lutrae; Otter (Canada)
• Guinea worm ( Dracunculus medinensis ); many mammals including humans (Africa, America, Asia)