| Acanthocephalus | |
|---|---|
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| Acanthocephalus parallelcementglandatus from Clarias batrachus. 15) Holotype male. Note the piercing of the incomplete outer proboscis receptacle posteriorly with retractor muscles. 16) A typical hook near the middle of the proboscis 17. Proboscis 18) Posterior part of the reproductive system showing detail of the parallel cement glands, common cement ducts, and sperm duct system (dotted). | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Palaeacanthocephala |
| Order: | Echinorhynchida |
| Family: | Echinorhynchidae |
| Genus: | Acanthocephalus Koelreuter, 1771 |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Acanthocephalus is a genus of parasitic worms. One of the species in this genus is Acanthocephalus anguillae (Mueller, 1780),[citation needed] a fish parasite. Acanthocephalans are also found in humans and primates, causing a common zoonotic infection called "human acanthocephaliasis". While pathogens can be transferred among animals and humans, the main source of human acanthocephaliasis is the diet of infected raw fish and insects (Lotfy, 2020).[citation needed] Because they are lacking circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems, Acanthocephalus are exceptionally well-adapted to a symbiotrophic existence (Margulis & Chapman, 2009).[citation needed]