| Heptamegacanthus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Archiacanthocephala |
| Order: | Oligacanthorhynchida |
| Family: | Oligacanthorhynchidae |
| Genus: | Heptamegacanthus Spencer-Jones, 1990[1] |
| Species: | H. niekerki
|
| Binomial name | |
| Heptamegacanthus niekerki Spencer-Jones, 1990
| |
  H. niekerki | |
Heptamegacanthus is a genus of acanthocephalans (thorny-headed or spiny-headed parasitic worms) containing a single species, Heptamegacanthus niekerki, that is a parasite of the endangered giant golden mole. It is found only in isolated forests in the Transkei and near East London, both in South Africa. The worms are about 4 mm long and 2 mm wide with minimal sexual dimorphism. Its body consists of a short, wide trunk and a tubular feeding and sucking organ called the proboscis which is covered with hooks. The hooks are used to pierce and hold the rectal wall of its host. There are 40 to 45 of these hooks arranged in rings surrounding the proboscis. They are not radially symmetrical. There are seven large anterior hooks; the hooks in the anterior ring are twice as large as those in the second ring and the remaining hooks decrease progressively in size posteriorly.
The life cycle of H. niekerki remains unknown; however, like other acanthocephalans, it likely involves complex life cycles with at least two hosts. Although the intermediate host for Heptamegacanthus is not definitively identified, it is presumed to be an arthropod such as an insect. In this host, the larvae develop into an infectious stage known as a cystacanth. These are then ingested by the definitive host, where they mature and reproduce sexually within the intestines. The resulting eggs are expelled and hatch into new larvae.