Moniliformidae

Last updated

Moniliformidae
Moniliformis moniliformis.jpg
Adult Moniliformis moniliformis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Acanthocephala
Class: Archiacanthocephala
Order: Moniliformida
Schmidt, 1972
Family: Moniliformidae
Van Cleave, 1924 [1]

Moniliformidae is a family of parasitic spiny-headed (or thorny-headed) worms. It is the only family in the Moniliformida order and contains three genera: Australiformis containing a single species, Moniliformis containing eighteen species and Promoniliformis containing a single species. Genetic analysis have determined that the clade is monophyletic despite being distributed globally. These worms primarily parasitize mammals, including humans in the case of Moniliformis moniliformis , and occasionally birds by attaching themselves into the intestinal wall using their hook-covered proboscis. The intermediate hosts are mostly cockroaches. The distinguishing features of this order among archiacanthocephalans is the presence of a cylindrical proboscis with long rows of hooks with posteriorly directed roots and proboscis retractor muscles that pierce both the posterior and ventral end or just posterior end of the receptacle. Infestation with Monoliformida species can cause moniliformiasis, an intestinal condition characterized as causing lesions, intestinal distension, perforated ulcers, enteritis, gastritis, crypt hypertrophy, goblet cell hyperplasia, and blockages.

Contents

Taxonomy and description

Species of the family Moniliformidae are usually pseudosegmented and have a cylindrical proboscis with longitudinal rows of hooks that have posteriorly directed roots. Moniliformidae are further characterized by the presence of a simple, double-walled proboscis receptacle with the outer wall having spirally aligned muscle fibers (with the exception of Australiformis), brain at posterior end of receptacle, and dorsal and ventral lacunar canals. [2] [3] The proboscis retractor muscles pierce both the posterior and ventral end or just posterior end of the receptacle. [4] The cerebral ganglion is in the mid to posterior region, and the lemnisci are long and flat and not bound to the body wall. These worms also lack protonephridia and males have eight cement glands, each with a giant nucleus, which are used to temporarily close the posterior end of the female after copulation. [2] [3] [5] Genetic analysis has been conducted on four species: Moniliformis moniliformis, M. saudi, M. cryptosaudi and M. kalahariensis. [6] [7] Based on these results, Moniliformidae has been determined to be monophyletic. [6] [7]

Archiacanthocephala
Archiacanthocephala
Phylogenetic reconstruction for select species in the class Archiacanthocephala [8] [9]

Genera

There are three genera and twenty living species in the order Moniliformida. [6] [10] [11] [lower-alpha 1]

Australiformis

Australiformis is a monotypic genus that infest marsupials in Australia and New Guinea. It was described by Schmidt and Edmonds in 1989. [2] Its body consists of a proboscis armed with hooks which it uses to pierce and hold the gut wall of its host, and a long trunk. It contains a single species, Australiformis semoni. This genus resembles species in the genus Moniliformis but is characterized by a lack of spiral muscles in the outer wall of the proboscis receptacle. The proboscis is armed with 12 rows of 13 to 15 hooks which are used to attach themselves to the small or large intestines of the host. The female worms range from 95 to 197 millimetres, long virtually all of which is the trunk, and 1.75 to 3.5 millimetres wide. There is pronounced sexual dimorphism in this species as females are around twice the size of the males whose trunks range from 46 to 80 millimetres long and 2 millimetres wide. [2] Infestation of marsupials by A. semoni may cause debilitating inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) with granulomatous ulcers. [12]

Moniliformis

The genus MoniliformisTravassos, 1915 contains eighteen species. Description of the genus is the same as the family Moniliformidae with the exception of possessing spiral muscles in the outer wall of the proboscis receptacle [2] and a single distinct kind of proboscis hooks. [13]

Promoniliformis

The genus Promoniliformis Dollfus and Golvan, 1963 [14] is characterized by possessing two distinct kinds of proboscis hooks. [13] There is only one species in this genus. It contains a single species P. ovocristatus.

Hosts

Moniliformidae species are found in the intestines parasitizing mammals and occasionally birds. [4] Intermediate hosts are mostly cockroaches but also other insect groups. [6] Infestation can cause moniliformiasis, which is characterized as lesions in the intestines, intestinal distension, perforated ulcers, enteritis, crypt hypertrophy, goblet cell hyperplasia, and occlusions of the intestinal tract in the gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). [15]

Notes

  1. A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than the present genus.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acanthocephala</span> Group of parasitic thorny-headed worms

Acanthocephala is a group of parasitic worms known as acanthocephalans, thorny-headed worms, or spiny-headed worms, characterized by the presence of an eversible proboscis, armed with spines, which it uses to pierce and hold the gut wall of its host. Acanthocephalans have complex life cycles, involving at least two hosts, which may include invertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. About 1420 species have been described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert hedgehog</span> Species of mammal

The desert hedgehog is a species of mammal in the family Erinaceidae.

Apororhynchus is a genus of small parasitic spiny-headed worms. It is the only genus in the family Apororhynchidae, which in turn is the only member of the order Apororhynchida. A lack of features commonly found in the phylum Acanthocephala suggests an evolutionary branching from the other three orders of class Archiacanthocephala; however no genetic analysis has been completed to determine the evolutionary relationship between species. The distinguishing features of this order among archiacanthocephalans is a highly enlarged proboscis which contain small hooks. The musculature around the proboscis is also structured differently in this order. This genus contains six species that are distributed globally, being collected sporadically in Hawaii, Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. These worms exclusively parasitize birds by attaching themselves around the cloaca using their hook-covered proboscis. The bird hosts are of different orders, including owls, waders, and passerines. Infestation by an Apororhynchus species may cause enteritis and anemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giganthorhynchidae</span> Order of thorny-headed worms

Gigantorhynchida is an order containing a single family, Gigantorhynchidae of Acanthocephala that parasitize vertebrates by attaching themselves to the intestinal wall of their host. There are over 60 species classified into three genera in GigantorhynchidaGigantorhynchus, Intraproboscis, and Mediorhynchus.

<i>Gigantorhynchus</i> Genus of parasitic worms

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.

Mediorhynchus is a genus of small parasitic spiny-headed worms. Phylogenetic analysis has been conducted on two known species of Mediorhynchus and confirmed the placement along with the related genus Gigantorhynchus in the family Gigantorhynchida. The distinguishing features of this order among archiacanthocephalans is a divided proboscis. This genus contains fifty-eight species that are distributed globally. These worms exclusively parasitize birds by attaching themselves around the cloaca using their hook-covered proboscis. The bird hosts are of different orders.

<i>Moniliformis</i> Genus of worms

Moniliformis is a genus of parasitic worms in the Acanthocephala phylum.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oligacanthorhynchidae</span> Order of thorny-headed worms

Oligacanthorhynchida is an order containing a single parasitic worm family, Oligacanthorhynchidae, that attach themselves to the intestinal wall of terrestrial vertebrates.

Arhythmacanthidae is a family of parasitic worms from the order Echinorhynchida.

Dendronucleata is a genus of small parasitic spiny-headed worms. It is the only genus in the family Dendronucleatidae. This genus contains three species that are distributed globally, being collected in North America and Asia. The distinguishing features of this genus among Archiacanthocephalans is the presence of randomly distributed dendritically branched giant hypodermic nuclei. Dendronucleata parasitize freshwater fish and a salamander by attaching themselves in the intestines using their hook covered proboscis and adhesives secreted from cement glands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhadinorhynchidae</span> Family of worms

Rhadinorhynchidae is a family of parasitic worms from the order Echinorhynchida.

<i>Moniliformis moniliformis</i> Species of thorny-headed worm

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.

Australiformis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Australiformis semoni, that infests marsupials in Australia and New Guinea. Its body consists of a proboscis armed with hooks which it uses to pierce and hold the gut wall of its host, and a long trunk. This genus resembles species in the genus Moniliformis but is characterized by a lack of spiral muscles in the outer wall of the proboscis receptacle. The proboscis is armed with 12 rows of 13 to 15 hooks which are used to attach themselves to the small or large intestines of the host. The female worms range from 95 to 197 millimetres long, virtually all of which is the trunk, and 1.75 to 3.5 millimetres wide. There is pronounced sexual dimorphism in this species as females are around twice the size of the males whose trunks range from 46 to 80 millimetres long and 2 millimetres (0.079 in) wide. Infestation by A. semoni may cause debilitating inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) with granulomatous ulcers.

<i>Pachysentis</i> Genus of worms

Pachysentis is a genus in Acanthocephala that parasitize primates and carnivorans. They are distributed across Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Pachysentis species attach themselves to the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract of their hosts 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 the Egyptian cobra, and an adult stage where cystacanths mature in the intestines of the host. This genus appears identical to the closely related Oncicola apart from a greater number of hooks on the proboscis. There are eleven species assigned to this genus, although P. septemserialis is of uncertain taxonomic status. The female worms range from 12 millimetres (0.47 in) long and 1.6 millimetres (0.063 in) wide in P. lauroi to 50 millimetres (2.0 in) long and 4 millimetres (0.16 in) wide in P. dollfusi. Virtually all of the length is the trunk, with a short proboscis. There is pronounced sexual dimorphism in this species as females are around twice the size of the males.

<i>Oncicola</i> Genus of worms

Oncicola is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the family Oligacanthorhynchidae. Oncicola belongs to the phylum Acanthocephalans that include many thorny-headed worms. This family contains 12 genera including the genus Oncicola. Oncicola is a part of the phylum Acanthocephalans that include many thorny-headed worms. The name comes from the prefix onc- meaning “barbed” and -cola meaning “to inhabit” in Latin. It was named and discovered in 1916 by Travassos. These worms are defined by their parasitic nature which involves hook structures found at their front end.

<i>Macracanthorhynchus</i> Genus of thorny-headed worms

Macracanthorhynchus, also known as the giant thorny-headed worm of swine, is a member of the Oligacanthorhynchidae which contains four species.

Neoncicola is a genus of parasitic worms containing nine species and belongs to the family Oligacanthorhynchidae.

Oligacanthorhynchus is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the family Oligacanthorhynchidae.

Intraproboscis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans that infest African black-bellied pangolin in the Central African Republic. Its body consists of a proboscis armed with hooks which it uses to pierce and hold the gut wall of its host, and a long trunk. It contains a single species, Intraproboscis sanghae. This genus resembles species in the genus Mediorhynchus but is characterized by infesting a mammal instead of birds, and having a simple proboscis receptacle that is completely suspended within the proboscis, the passage of the retractor muscles through the receptacle into the body cavity posteriorly, absence of neck, presence of a parareceptacle structure, and a uterine vesicle. The proboscis is armed with 34–36 rows of 6 to 7 hooks anteriorly and 15–17 spinelike hooks posteriorly which are used to attach themselves to the intestines of the host. The female worms are up to 180 millimetres long, virtually all of which is the trunk, and 2 millimetres wide.

References

  1. Van Cleave, H. J. (1924). "A Critical Study of the Acanthocephala Described and Identified by Joseph Leidy". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 76: 279–334. JSTOR   4063926.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Schmidt, Gerald D.; Edmonds, Stanley J. (1989). "Australiformis semoni (Linstow, 1898) n. Gen., n. Comb. (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) from Marsupials of Australia and New Guinea". The Journal of Parasitology. 75 (2): 215–7. doi:10.2307/3282769. JSTOR   3282769. PMID   2926590.
  3. 1 2 Kükenthal, W (2014). Gastrotricha and Gnathifera. Göttingen, Germany: Walter de Gruyter. p. 322. ISBN   978-3110274271.
  4. 1 2 Amin, O. M. (1987). "Key to the families and subfamilies of Acanthocephala, with the erection of a new class (Polyacanthocephala) and a new order (Polyacanthorhynchida)". Journal of Parasitology. 73 (6): 1216–1219. doi:10.2307/3282307. JSTOR   3282307. PMID   3437357.
  5. Bush, Albert O.; Fernández, Jacqueline C.; Esch, Gerald W.; Seed, J. Richard (2001). Parasitism : the diversity and ecology of animal parasites. Cambridge, UK New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. p. 203. ISBN   0-521-66278-8. OCLC   44131774.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Amin, Omar M.; Heckmann, Richard A.; Osama, Mohammed; Evans, R. Paul (2016). "Morphological and molecular descriptions of Moniliformis saudi sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) from the desert hedgehog, Paraechinus aethiopicus (Ehrenberg) in Saudi Arabia, with a key to species and notes on histopathology". Folia Parasitologica. 63. doi: 10.14411/fp.2016.014 . ISSN   0015-5683. PMID   27189420.
  7. 1 2 Amin, Omar M.; Heckmann, Richard A.; Sharifdini, Meysam; Albayati, Nagham Yaseen (2019). "Moniliformis cryptosaudi n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) from the Long-eared Hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus (Gmelin) (Erinaceidae) in Iraq; A Case of Incipient Cryptic Speciation Related to M. saudi in Saudi Arabia". Acta Parasitologica. 64 (1): 195–204. doi: 10.2478/s11686-018-00021-9 . PMID   30666546. S2CID   58572640.
  8. Nascimento Gomes, Ana Paula; Cesário, Clarice Silva; Olifiers, Natalie; de Cassia Bianchi, Rita; Maldonado, Arnaldo; Vilela, Roberto do Val (December 2019). "New morphological and genetic data of Gigantorhynchus echinodiscus (Diesing, 1851) (Acanthocephala: Archiacanthocephala) in the giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae)". International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife. 10: 281–288. doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.09.008. PMC   6906829 . PMID   31867208.
  9. Amin, O.M.; Sharifdini, M.; Heckmann, R.A.; Zarean, M. (2020). "New perspectives on Nephridiacanthus major (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) collected from hedgehogs in Iran". Journal of Helminthology. 94: e133. doi:10.1017/S0022149X20000073. PMID   32114988. S2CID   211725160.
  10. Amin, Omar M. (September 19, 2013). "Classification of the Acanthocephala". Folia Parasitologica. 60 (4): 273–305. doi: 10.14411/fp.2013.031 . PMID   24261131.
  11. "Moniliformida Schmidt, 1972". Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). November 23, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  12. Lenhaus, Cornelius; Obendorf, David; Wright, Frank H. (1990). "Veterinary aspects of Perameles gunnii biology with special reference to species conservation". In Clark, Tim W.; Seebeck, John H. (eds.). Management and conservation of small populations. Chicago Zoological Society. pp. 89–108. ISBN   0-913934-16-X . Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  13. 1 2 Ward, Helen L.; Nelson, Diane R. (1967). "Acanthocephala of the Genus Moniliformis from Rodents of Egypt with the Description of a New Species from the Egyptian Spiny Mouse (Acomys cahirinus)". The Journal of Parasitology. 53 (1): 150–156. doi:10.2307/3276638. JSTOR   3276638. PMID   6066757.
  14. Dollfus, Robert-Ph.; Golvan, Yves-J. (1963). "Sur un singulier Métacanthocéphale parasite d'insectivores (Tenrecinae) de Madagascar et des Comores". Annales de Parasitologie Humaine et Comparée. 38 (5): 793–806. doi: 10.1051/parasite/1963385793 .
  15. Singleton, Jeurel; Richardson, Dennis J.; Lockhart, J. Mitchell (January 1993). "Severe Moniliformiasis (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) in a Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, from Arkansas, USA". Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 29 (1): 165–168. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-29.1.165. PMID   8445783. S2CID   10220897.