Aquatic Parasite Observatory

Tetrabothrius spp. (Rudolphi, 1819)

    • Species Name: Tetrabothrius spp. (Rudolphi, 1819)
    • Synonyms: None
    • Taxonomy: (Rudolphi, 1819) Animalia, Platyhelminthes, Cestoda, Eucestoda, Tetrabothriidae, Tetrabothrius spp.
    • Life Cycle: Little is known about the life cycle of Tetrabothriidae parasites, however it is thought that the lifecycle involves planktonic cephalopods (Robert et al., 1970). Hoberg 1987 found unique plerocercoid larvae from Tetrabothriidae (Wardle et al., 1970).
    • Description:
      2. Lacking intestine. Oral sucker and pharynx are vestigial. Tegument covered with microtriches. Adults are polyzoic. Larval cercomer has 6 hooks that is lost during ontogeny.
    • Sources: Roberts and Janovy. 2009. Foundations of Parasitology. p 205.
      Wardle, R.A., McLeod, J.A., and Radinovsky, S. 1970. Advances in the zoology of tapeworms, 1950-1970. University of Minnesota Press. p. 130.
    • APO Parasite Records: (by Life Cycle)
      1. Host SpeciesHost Common NameSite(s) of Infection
        Larus sp.Gull 
  • University of Colorado Boulder