| Gongylonema | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Head of maleGongylonema pulchrum, from human infection;[1] note characteristic bosses | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Nematoda |
| Class: | Chromadorea |
| Order: | Rhabditida |
| Suborder: | Spirurida |
| Superfamily: | Spiruroidea |
| Family: | Gongylonematidae Hall, 1916 |
| Genus: | Gongylonema Molin, 1857 |
| Synonyms | |
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Gongylonema is agenus of thread-likenematode that was described byMolin in 1857. It is the only currently valid genus in thefamilyGongylonematidae, though the mysteriousSpiruroides – usually placed in theSubuluridae, which are not closely related toGongylonema among theSpiruria – might actually belong here. They areparasites of birds and mammals, transmitted by insects (especiallybeetles).[2] Some 38species are known, about 12 of which have been recorded in Europe.[3][4]
Several species are significant parasites ofdomestic animals, causinggongylonemiasis. Human infection by these nematodes is very rare: since its discovery fewer than 100 people have been reported to be infected with these parasites,[5] always with the speciesG. pulchrum.[1][6]
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