| Bolbosoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Proboscis, neck and trunk spines of a juvenile Bolbosoma turbinella. Bars is 200um. [1] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Palaeacanthocephala |
| Order: | Polymorphida |
| Family: | Polymorphidae |
| Genus: | Bolbosoma Porta, 1908 |
| Type species | |
| Bolbosoma | |
Bolbosoma is a genus in Acanthocephala (thorny-headed worms, also known as spiny-headed worms). [2]
The genus was described by Porta in 1908 . Phylogenetic analysis has been published on Bolbosoma species. [3]
Bolbosoma species consist of a proboscis covered in hooks and a long trunk.
The genus Bolbosoma contains twelve species. [4]
Found in the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). [5]
Found in the South American fur seal, (Arctocephalus australis). [6]
The distribution of Bolbosoma is determined by that of its hosts. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution. [2]
The life cycle of an acanthocephalan consists of three stages beginning when an infective acanthor (development of an egg) is released from the intestines of the definitive host and then ingested by an arthropod, the intermediate host. Although the intermediate hosts of Bolbosoma are arthropods. When the acanthor molts, the second stage called the acanthella begins. This stage involves penetrating the wall of the mesenteron or the intestine of the intermediate host and growing. The final stage is the infective cystacanth which is the larval or juvenile state of an Acanthocephalan, differing from the adult only in size and stage of sexual development. The cystacanths within the intermediate hosts are consumed by the definitive host, usually attaching to the walls of the intestines, and as adults they reproduce sexually in the intestines. The acanthor is passed in the feces of the definitive host and the cycle repeats. There may be paratenic hosts (hosts where parasites infest but do not undergo larval development or sexual reproduction) for Bolbosoma. [9]
Bolbosoma parasitizes animals. There are reported cases of Bolbosoma infesting humans. [10]
Gigantorhynchus is a genus of Acanthocephala that parasitize marsupials, anteaters, and possibly baboons by attaching themselves to the intestines using their hook-covered proboscis. Their life cycle includes an egg stage found in host feces, a cystacanth (larval) stage in an intermediate host such as termites, and an adult stage where cystacanths mature in the intestines of the host. This genus is characterized by a cylindrical proboscis with a crown of robust hooks at the apex followed by numerous small hooks on the rest of the proboscis, a long body with pseudosegmentation, filiform lemnisci, and ellipsoid testes. The largest known specimen is the female G. ortizi with a length of around 240 millimetres (9.4 in) and a width of 2 millimetres (0.08 in). Genetic analysis on one species of Gigantorhynchus places it with the related genus Mediorhynchus in the family Gigantorhynchidae. Six species in this genus are distributed across Central and South America and possibly Zimbabwe. Infestation by a Gigantorhynchus species may cause partial obstructions of the intestines, severe lesions of the intestinal wall, and may lead to death.
Moniliformis moniliformis is a parasite of the Acanthocephala phylum in the family Moniliformidae. The adult worms are usually found in intestines of rodents or carnivores such as cats and dogs. The species can also infest humans, though this is rare.
Cucullanorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans. It contains a single species, Cucullanorhynchus constrictruncatus, which infests leopards in Vietnam.
Tchadorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans. It contains a single species, Tchadorhynchus quentini, which infests hyenas in Chad.
Multisentis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans. It contains a single species, Multisentis myrmecobius , parasite of the numbat from which it derives its species name. It was found in south-western Australia.
Floridosentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Eocollis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Golvanacanthus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Golvanacanthus blennii, that infests animals.
Cathayacanthus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Quadrigyrus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Triaspiron is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Triaspiron aphanii.
Femogibbosus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Femogibbosus assi, that infests animals.
Filisoma is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Gracilisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Wolffhugelia is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Wolffhugelia matercula, that infests animals.
Nephridiacanthus is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the family Oligacanthorhynchidae.
Microsentis is a monotypic genus of worms belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Dispiron is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Octospinifer is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Octospiniferoides is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.