| Southwellina | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Palaeacanthocephala |
| Order: | Polymorphida |
| Family: | Polymorphidae |
| Genus: | Southwellina Witenberg, 1932 |
Southwellina is a genus in Acanthocephala (thorny-headed worms, also known as spiny-headed worms).
The genus was described by Witenberg in 1932. phylogenetic analysis has been published on Southwellina species. [1] The type species is S. hispida.
Southwellina species consist of a proboscis covered in hooks and a trunk.
The genus Southwellina contains three species.
The distribution of Southwellina is determined by that of its hosts. The species of this genus are found in Northern America and India. [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 Southwellina 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. Some paratenic hosts (hosts where parasites infest but do not undergo larval development or sexual reproduction) for S. hispida is Gillichthys mirabilis . [5]
Southwellina is a generalist parasite that uses a wide range of definitive hosts to complete its life cycle. [6] There are no reported cases of Southwellina infesting humans in the English language medical literature. [4]
Acanthocephaloides is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the family Arhythmacanthidae.
Spiracanthus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Spiracanthus bovichthys, that infests animals.
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.
Machadosentis is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Machadosentis travassosi, 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.
Wolffhugelia is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Wolffhugelia matercula, that infests animals.
Microsentis is a monotypic genus of worms belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Dispiron is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Hexaspiron 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.
Octospiniferoides is a genus in Acanthocephala belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae.
Zeylanechinorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans belonging to the family Neoechinorhynchidae. The only species is Zeylanechinorhynchus longinuchalis.
Paraechinorhynchus is a monotypic genus of acanthocephalans containing a single species, Paraechinorhynchus kalriai, that infests the rohu.
Paralongicollum is a genus in Acanthocephala, the thorny-headed worms, also known as spiny-headed worms.
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