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Philometridae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nematoda |
Class: | Secernentea |
Order: | Camallanida |
Family: | Philometridae |
Philometridae is a family of nematodes belonging to the order Rhabditida.[1] All Philometridae are obligate tissue parasites of fish.
Philometridae cycle between two hosts: Cyclopoida (small crustaceans) as an intermediate host, and various fish as a definitive host.[2] First-stage larvae are ejected into the water, and develop to the third stage if they're eaten by a cyclopoid. Once the copepod is eaten by a fish, the larvae develop into adults and mate. Pregnant females migrate to a final site just under the fish's skin, in the swim bladder, or in the coelom; males die soon after mating and in many Philometridae species they have never been described.[2]