Atractis

 

Contents

  

Rev: 08/10/2025

  Classification Biology and Ecology
Morphology and Anatomy Life Cycle
Return to Atractis Menu Ecosystem Functions and Services
Distribution Management
Return to Atractidae Menu Feeding  References
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Classification:

Chromadorea

Chromadoria

Rhabditida

Spirurina

Cosmocercoidea

Atractidae

                          Atractis Dujardin, 1845

Type species of the genus:  Atractis dactyluris (??)

    Synonyms:
     

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Morphology and Anatomy:

 
 
 

Males:  


Females:

  • Vulva separate from anus, unlike some other Atractidae where digestive and reproductive tracts open through a common cloaca.

    • Ref: Moravec et al., 2025

 
Body size range for the species of this genus in the database - Click:
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Distribution:

Atractis Dujardin, 1845 is one of six genera of the cosmocercoid family Atractidae which include species parasitizing fishes. The genus includes many species parasitic in reptiles (turtles and lizards) and one is known from amphibians (toads) (Moravec et al., 2025)

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Feeding:

Food Sources and Feeding strategies for the genus Atractis

Parasites of the digective tract of their hosts; often in huge numbers.

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Biology and Ecology:

 

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Life Cycle:

Atractis spp., as well as other atractid nematodes are ovoviviparous. Their third-stage larvae develop within the uterus of the female nematode and are released into the digestive tract of the host, where they complete the life cycle without passing out into the external environment. That life cycle contributes to their ernormouse numbers in host tissues (as many as 4000 per fish) (Moravec et al., 2025; Petter 1966).

For Ecophysiological Parameters for this genus, click 
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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

 

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Management:

 
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References:

Moravec, F., Salgado-Maldonado, G., Gonzalez-Solis, D. 2025. Some nematodes from fishes of the Lacantún River in the Lacandon rain forest of Chiapas State, southern Mexico, including Cucullanus potamarii sp. n. (Cucullanidae) from the endemic catfish Potamarius usumacintae (Ariidae). Folia Parasitologica 2025, 72: 020 doi: 10.14411/fp.2025.020

Petter A.J. 1966: Equilibre des especes dans les populations de nematodes parasites du colon des tortues terrestres. Mem. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. Zool. 39: 1-245

 
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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: August 10, 2025.