Rev. 12/27/23
Muspiceina
Animal parasitic species
Small nematodes
Parasites of skin, eyes, vascular systems and muscles of vertebrates - mice and bats.
Head without cuticular straition, papillae or bristles.
Dorsal esophageal gland large and transformed into an osmo-regulatory cell which is connected to lateral longitodinal excretory canals and discharges into the esophagus.
Intestine is replaced by a trophosome as in the Mermithida.
Vulva either functional and near mid-body, or atrophied.
Most genera are protandrous hermaphrodites. However, in Pennisia males are present although they lack spicules.
Genera:
Ref: Spratt, 2013.
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