Echinorhynchidae

Echinorhynchus sp.

The Echinorhynchidae are a family within those forming part of the scratch Palaeacanthocephala worms that live as adult animals in marine and freshwater fish as well as amphibians and reptiles, and trigger a Acanthocephalose these.

Features

When the representatives of the genus Echinorhynchidae is small to medium sized species of scratch worms that hold most noticeable mark no spines on the trunk. The trunk ( proboscis ) is more or less with them cylindrical to ovoid or club-shaped. The lacunar of the tegument is very well developed and has two lateral main channels. The two Lemiski, projecting into the hull of the syncytial tegument cones are formed only briefly or tongue-shaped. The testes of males are oval, they also have 6 to 8 cement glands at the rear end of the fuselage. The eggs can be oval or spindle-shaped.

Way of life

The types of Echinorhynchidae live as adult animals as intestinal parasite in marine and freshwater fish as well as amphibians and reptiles. As intermediate hosts act small crustaceans such as amphipods or isopods living water.

Taxonomy

The most common genera of Echinorhynchidae are Echinorhynchus and Acanthocephalus with numerous types, which are also relevant as parasites of pet and farm animals. These are classified together with the genera Pseudoacanthocephalus and pilus in the subfamily Echinorhynchinae. This are the Yamaguitisentinae with Yamaguitisentis the only genus opposite.