Revised 02/02/26
Lungworms
Recent Clessification |
Alternative Classification |
Relationships among species, genera, and even families, within the Nematoda are becoming clearer as morphological, morphometric, and life history features are considered along with molecular-based phylogenies. However, there remain differences of opinion among experts regarding classifications above the family level. Such differences are apparent in the classification in the Order Strongylida or the consideration of suborders of the Strongylida as suborders of the Rhabditida. |
| Order Rhabditida | Strongylida | |
| Suborder Rhabditina | Metastrongylina | |
| Rhabditomorpha | ||
| Superfamily Metastrongyloidea | Metastrongyloidea | |
Metastrongyloidea Lane, 1917
Many species of lungworms are significant pathogens of humans, dometsic and wild mammals. The superfamily Metastrongyloidea is represented by more than 180 species. Most of the species use terrestrial gastropod molluscs as intermediate hosts (Lesage et al., 2015).
Classifications differ among authorities but a recently used scheme recognizes seven families (Anderson, 2009):
Metastrogylidae: Lung parasites of swine.
Skrjabingylidae: Parasites of the frontal sinuses of mustelids
Protostrongylidae: Parasites of ruminants and lagomorphs
Crenosomatidae: Lungworm parasites of carnivorous and insectvorous mammals
Pseudaliidae: and archeic group of parasites of toothed whales
Filaroididae: Males abursate and females with a posterior vulva.
Angisostongylidae: : Parasites of respiratory and vascular systems of marsupials, rodents, felids, canids, lemurs, insectivores.
Anderson, R.C. 2009. Keys to the nematode parasites of vertebrates: archival volume. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845935726.0178
Beveridge, I., Spratt, D.M. and Durette-Desset, M-C. 2014. Order Strongylida (Railliet and Henry, 1913). In Schmidt-Raesa, A. (ed). Handbook of Zoology: Gastroctricha, Cycloneurelia and Gnathifera. Vol 2. Nematoda. De Gruyter, Berlin
Lesage, C., Patrelle, C., Vrignaud, S., Decors, A., Ferte, H., Jouet, D. 2015. Intermediate hosts of Protostrongylus pulmonalis (Frolich, 1802) and P. oryctolagi Babos, 1955 under natural conditions in France. Parasites and Vectors 8:104. DOI 10.1186/s13071-015-0717-5