| Owilfordia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Palaeacanthocephala |
| Order: | Polymorphida |
| Family: | Plagiorhynchidae |
| Genus: | Owilfordia Schmidt & Kuntz, 1967 |
Owilfordia is a genus of Acanthocephala (thorny-headed worms, also known as spiny-headed worms) belonging to the family Plagiorhynchidae. [1]
The genus was described by Schmidt & Kuntz in 1967. The National Center for Biotechnology Information does not indicate that any phylogenetic analysis has been published on any Owilfordia species that would confirm its position as a unique genus in the family Plagiorhynchidae. [2]
Owilfordia species consist of a proboscis covered in hooks and a trunk.
The genus Owilfordiacontains three species.
Parasitizes the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata). [3]
The distribution of Owilfordia is determined by that of its hosts. O. schmidti was found in hosts (small Indian mongoose) living in Lucknow, India. [3]
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 Owilfordia 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 Owilfordia. [7]
Owilfordia parasitizes vertebrates. There are no reported cases of Owilfordia 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.
Euzetacanthus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Tchadorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans. It contains a single species, Tchadorhynchus quentini, which infests hyenas in Chad.
Tanaorhamphus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Tanaorhamphus longirostris, that infests animals.
Eocollis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Cathayacanthus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Sclerocollum is a genus in Acanthocephala containing four species that parasitize fish by attaching themselves to the intestines using their hook-covered proboscis. These species have been found off the coasts of Australia, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Palau.
Quadrigyrus is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Palliolisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Femogibbosus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Femogibbosus assi, that infests animals.
Filisoma is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Pallisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
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.
Brentisentis is a genus in Acanthocephala.
Dispiron is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Octospinifer is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Paraechinorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Paraechinorhynchus kalriai, that infests the rohu.
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