Pentastomida
Pentastomida
Pentastomida (pronunciation: pen-ta-sto-mi-da) is a subclass of parasitic crustaceans, often referred to as tongue worms due to their elongated, tongue-like body shape.
Etymology
The term "Pentastomida" is derived from the Greek words "penta" meaning five and "stoma" meaning mouth, referring to the five oral openings of these organisms.
Description
Pentastomida are unique among crustaceans in their worm-like body shape and parasitic lifestyle. They are typically found in the respiratory tracts of reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans. The adult forms are sexually dimorphic, with males being smaller than females.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Pentastomida involves two hosts. The primary host, where the adult Pentastomida live, is usually a carnivorous vertebrate. The intermediate host, where the larvae develop, can be a wide range of vertebrates including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Medical Significance
In humans, infection with Pentastomida, known as Pentastomiasis, is rare but can occur when raw or undercooked meat from an infected intermediate host is consumed. Symptoms can include cough, fever, and chest pain.
Related Terms
- Crustacea: A large group of arthropods, including crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and barnacles.
- Pentastomiasis: A rare parasitic infection caused by Pentastomida.
- Parasitism: A non-mutual symbiotic relationship between species, where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pentastomida
- Wikipedia's article - Pentastomida
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