Gongylonema | |
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Head of male Gongylonema pulchrum, from human infection; [1] note characteristic bosses | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nematoda |
Class: | Chromadorea |
Order: | Rhabditida |
Family: |
Gongylonematidae Hall, 1916 |
Genus: |
Gongylonema Molin, 1857 |
Synonyms | |
|
Gongylonema is a genus of thread-like nematode that was described by Molin in 1857. It is the only currently valid genus in the family Gongylonematidae, though the mysterious Spiruroides – usually placed in the Subuluridae, which are not closely related to Gongylonema among the Spiruria – might actually belong here. They are parasites of birds and mammals, transmitted by insects (especially beetles). [2] Some 38 species are known, about 12 of which have been recorded in Europe. [3] [4]
Several species are significant parasites of domestic animals, causing gongylonemiasis. Human infection by these nematodes is very rare: since its discovery fewer than 100 people have been reported to be infected with these parasites, [5] always with the species G. pulchrum. [1] [6]
Gongylonema | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Head of male Gongylonema pulchrum, from human infection; [1] note characteristic bosses | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nematoda |
Class: | Chromadorea |
Order: | Rhabditida |
Family: |
Gongylonematidae Hall, 1916 |
Genus: |
Gongylonema Molin, 1857 |
Synonyms | |
|
Gongylonema is a genus of thread-like nematode that was described by Molin in 1857. It is the only currently valid genus in the family Gongylonematidae, though the mysterious Spiruroides – usually placed in the Subuluridae, which are not closely related to Gongylonema among the Spiruria – might actually belong here. They are parasites of birds and mammals, transmitted by insects (especially beetles). [2] Some 38 species are known, about 12 of which have been recorded in Europe. [3] [4]
Several species are significant parasites of domestic animals, causing gongylonemiasis. Human infection by these nematodes is very rare: since its discovery fewer than 100 people have been reported to be infected with these parasites, [5] always with the species G. pulchrum. [1] [6]