Trichuris suis

  

Contents

  

Rev: 10/14/2025

SwineWhipworm Classification Biology and Ecology
Morphology and Anatomy Life Cycle
Return to Trichuris Menu Ecosystem Functions and Services
Distribution Management
Return to Trichuridae Menu Feeding  References
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Classification:

Enoplea
Dorylaimia
       Trichinellida
Trichinellina
Trichinelloidea
Trichuridae
Trichuris suis Schrank, 1788
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Morphology and Anatomy:

Stichosomes occur in two orders of the Nematoda: Trichinellida, with at least six families, and Mermithida, with two families. Recent phylogenetic analysis based on a synthesis of molecular and morphological data suggest that the stichosome may be an example of parallel evolution in the Trichinellida and Mermithida (De Ley and Blaxter, 2002; Ferris, 2007).

The pharynx is narrow and thin-walled anteriorly and which, posteriorly, is surrounded by unicellular, glandular stichocytes, each with a duct into the pharyngeal lumen.

The pharynx extends one-fourth to nine-tenths of the body length in various taxa and is almost devoid of musculature. The region of the pharynx surrounded by stichocytes is known as the stichosome.

Females:

  • Length 35-50 mm
  • body  shaped like a buggy whip with a stout body and heavy lash that is the anterior end, not the tail
 A portion of the stichosome of the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura
Photomicrograph by Sung-Jong Hong (The Korean Society for Parasitology).

Males:

Ref: Marchiondo et al., 2020

Reported median body size for this species (Length mm; width micrometers; weight micrograms) - Click:


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Distribution:

A parasite of the caecum and colon of domestic and wild swine, worldwide.

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Economic Importance:

Soil becomes contaminated by fecal material of infected animal hosts.

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Hosts:

Pigs: parasite of the caecum and colon

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Feeding:

The anterior filamentous end of the female whipworm is characteristically embedded in the mucosa, and the stout posterior end is free in the lumen of the large intestine.

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Life Cycle:

The life cycle is direct. Females lay as many as 5000 eggs per day with eggs which pass in the feces and developing to the infective stage in about 3 weeks.

Eggs are highly resistant to environmental conditions and can remain infective for 6 years

Eggs are ingested by suitable hosts and development occurs in the mucosa of the caecum and colon. The prepatent period is about 2 months. (Marchiondo et al., 2020

 

For Ecophysiological Parameters for this species, click If species level data are not available, click for genus level parameters
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Damage:

Infections of young pigs cause cattarhal enteritis and may lead to death.

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Management:

Sanitation in production systems.


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References:

Bethony, J., Brooker, S., Albonico, M., Geiger, S.M., Loukas, A., Diemert, D., Hotez, P.J.  2006. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. The Lancet 9521:1521-1532.

Chitwood, B.G. 1930. The structure of the esophagus in the Trichuroidea. Journal of Parasitology 17:35-42.

Marchiondo, A.A., Cruthers, L.R., Zarlenga, D.S., Yazwinski, T,A,  2020. Nematoda, Trichinelloidea. Chapter 2 in Marchiondo, Cruthers and Fourie (eds) Parasiticide Screening Vol 2. Academic Press.
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