POROCEPHALUS DENTICULATUS Meaning and
Definition
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Porocephalus denticulatus is a species of parasitic worm belonging to the family Porocephalidae. It is commonly known as the "largemouthed sandfish" or "thorny-headed worm." This species has a complex life cycle and is typically found infecting the digestive tracts of reptiles, particularly snakes and lizards.
The adult Porocephalus denticulatus worm has a cylindrical body covered in numerous spines or "thorns," giving it a distinctive appearance. The mouth is large and surrounded by denticles or tooth-like structures, hence the species name "denticulatus." These adaptations aid in their attachment to the intestinal wall of their host.
Porocephalus denticulatus starts its life as an egg, which hatches into a free-swimming larva. This larva actively seeks out and infects small crustaceans or insects living in freshwater environments. Once inside the intermediate host, the larva undergoes a series of developmental stages. The infected intermediate host is then usually consumed by a suitable reptile host, allowing the parasite to complete its life cycle.
The presence of Porocephalus denticulatus in reptiles can lead to various symptoms, including weight loss, gastrointestinal disturbances, and even death in severe cases. Infections can be diagnosed through fecal examination or necropsy. Treatment options for infected reptiles typically involve anti-parasitic medications.
Understanding the life cycle and characteristics of Porocephalus denticulatus is important for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections in reptiles, particularly those kept in captivity.
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The larva of Linguatula rhinaria.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for POROCEPHALUS DENTICULATUS
- oorocephalus denticulatus
- lorocephalus denticulatus
- -orocephalus denticulatus
- 0orocephalus denticulatus
- pirocephalus denticulatus
- pkrocephalus denticulatus
- plrocephalus denticulatus
- pprocephalus denticulatus
- p0rocephalus denticulatus
- p9rocephalus denticulatus
- poeocephalus denticulatus
- podocephalus denticulatus
- pofocephalus denticulatus
- potocephalus denticulatus
- po5ocephalus denticulatus
- po4ocephalus denticulatus
- poricephalus denticulatus
- porkcephalus denticulatus
- porlcephalus denticulatus
- porpcephalus denticulatus
Etymology of POROCEPHALUS DENTICULATUS
The word "Porocephalus" has its origins in Greek. "Poro" comes from the Greek word "poros", meaning pore or channel, and "cephalus" is derived from the Greek word "kephalē", meaning head. Therefore, "Porocephalus" can be translated as "pore-headed".
"Denticulatus" comes from the Latin word "denticulus", which means small tooth or toothed. So "Porocephalus denticulatus" can be translated as "pore-headed with small teeth". This likely describes a particular characteristic of the species.
