• Adult dracunculoid nematodes are parasites occurring in tissues and body cavities of mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

• The biology and host-parasite relationships of the Guinea Worm (Dracunculus medinensis) are quite well known but there is a lack of general life history knowledge of many other species.

• In many cases, species descriptions are based on characteristics of males, which are often difficult to find because of their smaller size and lower abundance than females.

•  Recently, host-switching has been reported in dracunculids and that will require further study of the biology of the genus.

• Two of the species in the family are: Dracunculus, parasites of mammals and reptiles, and Avioserpens, parasites of birds.
                  

    Go To Dictionary of Terminology 

References

Cleveland, C.A., Garrett, K.B., Cozad, R.A., Williams, B.M.. Murray, M.H., Yabsley, M.J. 2018. The wild world of Guinea Worms: A review of the genus Dracunculus in wildlife. Int. J. Parasitology: Parasites and wildlife 7:289-300.

Return to Dracunculidae Menu

Return to Rhabditida Menu

 Want more information about nematodes? Go to Nemaplex Main Menu.