| Hexaspiron | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Eoacanthocephala |
| Order: | Gyracanthocephala |
| Family: | Quadrigyridae |
| Genus: | Hexaspiron Dollfus & Golvan, 1956 [1] |
Hexaspiron is a genus in Acanthocephala (thorny-headed worms, also known as spiny-headed worms) belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae. [2]
The genus was described by Dollfus & Golvan in 1956. The National Center for Biotechnology Information does not indicate that any phylogenetic analysis has been published on any Hexaspiron species that would confirm its position as a unique order in the family Neoechinorhynchidae. [3]
Hexaspiron species consist of a proboscis covered in hooks and a trunk.
The genus HexaspironDollfus & Golvan, 1956 contains two species.
The distribution of Hexaspiron is determined by that of its hosts. H. nigericum was found in the Niger river. [4]
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 Hexaspiron are and arthropod. 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 Hexaspiron. [7]
Hexaspiron parasitizes Heterosynodontis membranaceus . There are no reported cases of Hexaspiron infesting humans in the English language medical literature. [6]
Promoniliformis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Promoniliformis ovocristatus, that infests tenrecs in Madagascar. The genus PromoniliformisDollfus and Golvan, 1963 is characterized by possessing two distinct kinds of proboscis hooks. There is only one species in this genus.
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 it's species name. It was found in south-western Australia.
Floridosentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Tanaorhamphus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Tanaorhamphus longirostris, that infests animals.
Eocollis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Machadosentis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Machadosentis travassosi, that infests animals.
Quadrigyrus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Caballerorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Caballerorhynchus lamothei, that infests animals.
Femogibbosus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Femogibbosus assi, that infests animals.
Gracilisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Pandosentis 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.
Gorytocephalus is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Octospiniferoides is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Mayarhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Mayarhynchus karlae, that infests animals.
Paraechinorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Paraechinorhynchus kalriai, that infests the rohu.