Pentastomida

views updated May 18 2018

Pentastomida (Linguatulida, tongue worms) A phylum, or subphylum in the phylum Lobopodia of about 90 species of organisms that live parasitically (parasitism) in the lungs and nasal passages of vertebrates, mainly reptiles but also birds and mammals. They are worm-like, 2–13 cm long, with five anterior protuberances (hence the name ‘pentastomid’, ‘five mouths). Four of these protuberances are leg-like, and the central one bears the mouth.