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Linguatula serrata


Taxonomy

  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Pentastomida
  • Family Linguatulidae
  • Genus Linguatula

Final host

  • Dog, cat, fox

    Morphology

  • Adults: are up to ≈ 20 mm long in males and ≈ 80-120 mm long in females
  • The body is shaped like an elongated tongue and has a transversely striated surface
  • Anteriorly there are five small openings, one bearing a small mouth and the others, tiny claws
  • The eggs (≈ 90 x 70 µm) are ovoid and yellowish or brown
  • The larval stage (up to 500 µm) lack annulations and mouthparts

    Cycle

  • Indirect with herbivorous (commonly sheep, cattle, horse or rabbits) as intermediate hosts

    Location

  • Nasal cavity, sinuses

    Feeding

  • Histophagous

    Diagnostic

  • Eggs (sputum or faeces of final host)

    Transmission

  • Encysted larvae in viscera of herbivorous intermediate hosts
  • Embryonated eggs in sputum or faeces of final hosts