Physaloptera is a genus of parasitic nematodes in the family Physalopteridae.
Systematics Species include: Physaloptera dilatataMuniz-Pereira et al., 2009, p. 11 Physaloptera disparSantana et al., 2010, p. 106 Physaloptera hispidaKinsella, 1974, p. 9 Physaloptera losseni Physaloptera maxillarisDragoo and Sheffield, 2009, p. 5 Physaloptera murisbrasiliensis Physaloptera ngoci Physaloptera preputialisMirzayans, 1971 Physaloptera retusa Physaloptera rara
Undescribed or unidentified species have been found on the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) in the southern United States, the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) in Florida,Kinsella, 1988, table 1 and Leontopithecus rosalia, Physalaemus soaresi, Cacajao calvus, and Lagothrix lagotricha in Brazil.
Physaloptera spp. as human parasites
Most species utilize insects such as crickets, cockroaches, and beetles as intermediate hosts. Several species of Physaloptera can parasitize primates, including humans. This rare disease is known as spiruridiasis. Human infection is considered to be ancient; eggs of Physaloptera sp. were found in a grave of the Bronze Age in Iran.
References
Literature cited
Kinsella, J.M. 1988. Comparison of helminths of rice rats, Oryzomys palustris, from freshwater and saltwater marshes in Florida. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington 55(2):275–280.