Dirofilaria

 

Contents

 

Rev 02/21/2024

  Classification Hosts
Morphology and Anatomy Life Cycle
Return to Dirofilaria Menu Economic Importance Damage
Distribution Management
Return to Onchocercidae Menu Feeding  References
    Nemaplex Home Page   Go to Dictionary of Terminology

Classification:

Chromadorea
Chromadoria

           Rhabditida 

                       Spirurina
                          Filarioidea
                   Onchocercidae
 
  •             Dirofilaria Railliet & Henry, 1911
  •  

    Back to Top

    Morphology and Anatomy:

       
    Body size range for the species of this genus in the database - Click:
    Back to Top

    Distribution:

    As of 2013,  the genus Dirofilaria was considered to have 27 apparently valid species and 15 species of questionable validity.Some species originally described in Dirofilria have been moved to other gtenera (Dantes-Torres and Otranto, 2013)

    The genus is distributed worldwide.
    questionable validity 

    Back to Top

    Economic Importance:

    Lymphatic filariasis is caused by nematodes occupying and disrupting the lymphatic system, often resulting in significant swelling of tissues and elephantiasis.

    Back to Top

    Feeding:

     

    Back to Top

    Hosts:

    Species infest dogs, a wide range of wild animals (foxes, coyotes, wolves, dogs, sea lions, harbour seals, ferrets, horses, bears, wolverines, muskrats, raccoons, bobcats, cats, monkeys, and red pandas), and humans (Dantes-Tores and Otranto, 2013).

    Back to Top

    Life Cycle:

    Transmitted by many species of mosquitos.    

    Two hosts to complete the life cycle, an intermediate host (often an arthropd) and a primary host (usually a vertebrate). The juvenile stages occur in the intermediate host and the reproductive adult in the definitive (primary) host.

    For Ecophysiological Parameters for this genus, click 
    Back to Top

    Damage:

    Damage to the heart, pulomonary nodules in the lungs., and subcutaneous infections.

    Back to Top

    Management:

     
    Back to Top

    References:

    Dantes-Tores, F and Otranto, D. 2013. Dirofilariosis in the Americas: a more virulent Dirofilaria immitis?. Parasites and Vectors, 6:288

    Back to Top

    For more information about nematodes, Go to Nemaplex Main Menu.

    Copyright 1999 by Howard Ferris.
    Revised: February 21, 2024.