Echinuria		Contents		Rev: 10/21/2026
		Classification		Biology and Ecology
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Echinuria Menu				Ecosystem Functions and Services
		Distribution		Management
Return to Acuariidae Menu		Feeding		References
		Go to Nemaplex Main Menu		Go to Dictionary of Terminology

Classification:

Chromadorea

  Chromadoria

   Rhabditida

Spirurina

              Acuarioidea

               Acuariidae

Echinuria Soloviov, 1912

Type species of the genus: Echinuria uncinata (Rudolphi, 1819) Soloviov, 1912

    Synonyms:
     

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Morphology and Anatomy:

These spirurid nematodes are characterized by prominent pseudolabia and cordons (cuticular folds in the head). Echinuria has cuticular spines

Ref: Carreno (2008)

Females: Males: .

(a) Dispharynx nasuta, male, anterior, from a Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). Note the recurring cordons (co) and absence of cuticular spines. Scale bar = 50 um. (b) Echinuria uncinata, male, anterior, from a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). Note the cordons (co) and cuticular spines (p). Scale bar = 100 um. (c) Streptocara crassicauda, female, anterior from a King Eider (Somateria spectabilis). Note the collarette (cl), prominent deirids (d), and somewhat inflated cuticle between the collarette and the deirids. Scale bar = 25 um. Drawings fro Carreno, 2008

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Distribution:

Species reported form Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

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Feeding:

Food Sources and Feeding strategies for the genus Echinuria

Species of these nematodes parasitize the upper alimentary tract of birds, particularly the proventriculus (glandular stomach) and ventriculus (gizzard).

Echinuria uncinata is an important pathogenic species.

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Biology and Ecology:

Hosts of species of this genus are primarily waterfowl (Anseriformes).

The nematodes cause inflammatory and nodular lesions in the upper digestive tract of aquatic birds.

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Life Cycle:

Indirect life cycle with invertebrate intermediate hosts.

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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

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Management:

In captive bird populations, eliminate intermediate hosts.

Anthelminthics may be effective.

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References:

Carreno, R.A. 2008. Dispharynx, Echinuria and Streptocara. Chapter 18 in Atkinson, C.T., Thomas, N.J., Hunter, D.B. Parasitic Diseases of Wild Birds. Wiley-Blackwell.

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Revised by Howard Ferris: October 21, 2026.