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Cyclophyllidea

Tapeworms of the order (biology) Cyclophyllidea (the cyclophyllid cestodes) are the most important important cestode parasites of humans and domesticated animals. All have multiple proglottid "segments," and all have four suckers on their scolex ("head"), though some may have other structures as well. Proglottids of this order have genital openings on one side (except in the family Dilepididae , which has genital openings on both sides), and a compact yolk gland or vitellarium posterior to the ovary.

Families include:

  • Taeniidae , which consists of livestock parasites in the genus Taenia and parasites that encyst in humans of the genus Echinococcus
  • Dilepididae , the most important member of which is Dipylidium caninum, also called the "cucumber tapeworm" or the "double-pore tapeworm"
  • Hymenolepididae, with the most important genus being Hymenolepis .


07-14-2008 23:18:10
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