Rev. 02/26/24
In the classifiaction system of DeLey et al., 2006 and De Ley and Blaxter, 2002, 2004 the suborder Rhabditina comprises 3 infraorders:
Infraorder Diplogasteromorpha
Superfamilies: Diplogastroidea, Cylindrocorporoidea, Odontopharyngoidea
Infraorder Rhabditomorpha
Superfamilies: Strongyloidea, Trichostrongyloidea Molineoidea, Helimosomoiodea, Metastronguloidea, Ancylostomatoidea, Mesorhabditoidea, Rhabditoidea. The families in these superfamilies (see Rhabditida Menu) are approximately equivalent to the neatodes more classically referred to as the Strongylida.
The "Strongylida" or “bursate nematodes” are a diverse group of parasitic nematodes recognized by the distinctive patterns of rays in the male bursa. The supporting rays of the strogylid bursa are channels through which nerve tissue runs to the sensory papillae at the extremities. Molecular studies have provided support for recognition of the Strongylida as a monophyletic group. The patterns of rays are used as diagnostic morphological characteristics of species; in may cases the species are difficult to differentiate based on female characteristics.
Bursa of Orloffia
orloffi (Sankin,
1930) (Haemonchidae, Ostertagiinae), ventral view. Rays numbered per
Chabaud et al (1970): 0, unpaired pre-cloacal papilla; 1, pre-bursal
papilla; 2, ventro-ventral ray; 3, ventro-lateral ray; 4, 5, 6, lateral
trident of rays composing the lateral trunk; 4, externo- (or antero-)
lateral ray; 5, medio-lateral ray; 6, postero-lateral ray; 7, paired
papillae on dorsal opening of cloaca; 8, externo-dorsal ray. Width of bursa approx. 0.5 mm Adapted from Beveridge et al., 2013 |
Infraorder Bunanematomorpha
Superfamily Bunonematoides
Strongylid nematodes occur as parasites in all classes of terrestrial vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) on all continents.
They are primarily parasites of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small and large intestines and rarely the esophagus) with the pulmonary system as the second most important site of occurrence. Some genera (Metastrongylina) occur in the pulmonary artery, the subdural sinuses and the intermuscular connective tissues of mammals Generally they are species use the pulmonary system as a means of distributing larvae and eggs into the environment.
Most life cycles of the Rhabditomorpha (Strongylida) are direct (involving a single host) and infection occus most commonly by ingestion of the third-stage larva; in some cases infection occurs by skin penetration followed by a tracheal migration,
Beveridge, I., Spratt, D.M., Durette-Desset, M-C. 2013. Order Strongylida (Railliet & Henry, 1913). Handbook Of Zoology Online. De Gruyter
Chabaud, A. G., Puylaert, F., Bain, O., Petter, A. J., Durette-Desset, M.-C. 1970. Remarques sur l’homologie entre les papilles cloacales des Rhabditides et les cotes dorsales des Strongylida. C. R. Hebd. Seances Acad. Sci. 271: 1771-1774.