Rev. 01/20/25
Diocotphymatida Pearse, 1942
Animal parasitic species
Very large nematodes, often red colored. For example, females of Dioctophyma(e) renale, which are parasites of kidneys of minks and ferrets, may reach lengths of 100 cm.
Parasites of birds and terrestrial mammals.
All use oligochaete annelids as intermediate hosts.
Characterized by thick-shelled eggs, each with one or two polar opercula.
Males with a bell-shaped bursa and single spicule.
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