Physaloptera
Genus of roundworms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Physaloptera is a genus of parasitic nematodes in the family Physalopteridae.
| Physaloptera | |
|---|---|
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| P. ngoci, male caudal extremity [1] | |
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| P. ngoci, scanning electron microscopy | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Nematoda |
| Class: | Chromadorea |
| Order: | Rhabditida |
| Family: | Physalopteridae |
| Genus: | Physaloptera Rudolphi, 1819 |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Systematics
Species include:
- Physaloptera dilatata[2]
- Physaloptera dispar[3]
- Physaloptera hispida[4]
- Physaloptera losseni[2]
- Physaloptera maxillaris[5]
- Physaloptera murisbrasiliensis[4]
- Physaloptera ngoci [1]
- Physaloptera preputialis[6]
- Physaloptera retusa[2]
- Physaloptera rara[7]
Undescribed or unidentified species have been found on the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) in the southern United States,[4] the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) in Florida,[8] and Leontopithecus rosalia, Physalaemus soaresi, Cacajao calvus, and Lagothrix lagotricha in Brazil.[2]
Physaloptera spp. as human parasites
Most species utilize insects such as crickets, cockroaches, and beetles as intermediate hosts.[9] Several species of Physaloptera can parasitize primates, including humans.[10][11] This rare disease is known as spiruridiasis. Human infection is considered to be ancient; eggs of Physaloptera sp. were found in a grave of the Bronze Age in Iran.[9]