VPA 211: General Veterinary Parasitology and Helminthology (3+1)

MORPHOLOGY OF MACRACANTHORYNCHUS HIRUDINACEUS

Genus	Macracanthorynchus
Species	M.hirudinaceus
Host	Pig
Location	S.I and also occurs in stomach
I/H	Dung beetle

Morphology

• The worms are more or less curved.
• The proboscis is small and armed with 6 rows of recurved hooks.
• The cuticle is transversely wrinkled.
• Female – 10 cm; Male – 35cm.
• Tail end of male is coiled and has 2 testes.
• In the female the ovary discharge the ova into the body cavity, where fertilization occurs. After fertilization the embryo develop and covered with 3 to 4 layer. The female has special organ called uterine bell. This uterine bell swallows the immature egg through its anterior opening.
• After maturation of egg they will be passed to vagina. The eggs contain larva called “ACANTHOR”. It has hooks at anterior end. The eggs are covered with 3 layers and are passed in the faeces of the host.