Linguatula serrata | |
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Female | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Ichthyostraca |
Order: | Porocephalida |
Family: | Linguatulidae |
Genus: | Linguatula |
Species: | L. serrata
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Binomial name | |
Linguatula serrata Frölich, 1789
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Linguatula serrata is a species of cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite, belonging to the tongueworm order Pentastomida. They are wormlike parasites of the respiratory systems of vertebrates. They live in the nasopharyngeal region of mammals. Cats, dogs, foxes, and other carnivores are normal hosts of this parasite. Apparently, almost any mammal is a potential intermediate host.