| Koronacantha | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Palaeacanthocephala |
| Order: | Echinorhynchida |
| Family: | Leptorhynchoididae |
| Genus: | Koronacantha Monks & Ponce de Leon, 1996 [1] |
Koronacantha is a genus in Acanthocephala (thorny-headed worms, also known as spiny-headed worms).
The genus was described by Monks & Ponce de Leon in 1996. [1] The National Center for Biotechnology Information does not indicate that any phylogenetic analysis has been published on any Koronacantha species that would confirm its position as a unique genus in the family Leptorhynchoididae. [2]
Koronacantha species consist of a proboscis covered in hooks and a trunk.
The genus Koronacantha contains two species.
The distribution of Koronacantha is determined by that of its hosts. It is found in Chamela Bay, Jalisco, Mexico. [1]
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 Koronacantha 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 Koronacantha. [6]
Koronacantha parasitizes marine fish by attaching to the wall of the intestine. [1] There are no reported cases of Koronacantha infesting humans in the English language medical literature. [5]
Cucullanorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans. It contains a single species, Cucullanorhynchus constrictruncatus, which infests leopards in Vietnam.
Eocollis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Cathayacanthus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Pyriproboscis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans. It is the only genus in the family Pyriprobosicidae.
Quadrigyrus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Southwellina is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Cavisoma is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Cavisoma magnum, that infests animals.
Caballerorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Caballerorhynchus lamothei, that infests animals.
Filisoma is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Rhadinorhynchoides is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Rhadinorhynchoides miyagawai, that infests animals.
Neorhadinorhynchus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Ardeirhynchus is a monotypic genus of parasitic worms belonging to the family Polymorphidae. Its sole described species is Ardeirhynchus spiralis(Rudolphi, 1809), which is found in Northern America.
Gracilisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Brentisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Dispiron is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Bolbosoma is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Octospinifer is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Owilfordia is a genus of Acanthocephala belonging to the family Plagiorhynchidae.
Paulisentis 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.