Order Dioctophymatida

Rev. 10/05/22

Diocotphymatida Pearse, 1942

• Animal parasitic species

• Very large nematodes, 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.

References:

• De Ley, P., W. Decraemer & Eualem-Abebe. 2006. Introduction: Summary of present knowledge and research addressing the ecology and taxonomy of freshwater nematodes. [in] Eualem-Abebe et al. (eds.). Freshwater Nematodes: Ecology and Taxonomy: 3-30.
• Chitwood, B.G. & M.W. Allen. 1959. Nemata. [in] W.T. Edmondson (ed.). Ward & Whipple Fresh-Water Biology, 2nd edition: 368-401.

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