Porrocaecum ensicaudatum

Order: ASCARIDIDA
Family: ASCARIDIDAE
AREA OF ORIGIN: EUROPe
Hosts:
SONGBIRDS

Adult specimens of the nematode Porrocacum ensicaudatum primarily parasitize the gizzard of blackbirds and starlings. Earthworms serve as intermediate hosts in the parasite’s life cycle, where the larvae nestle in the blood vessels and appear to feed on the blood (Osche 1955). The larvae are characterized by their transparent body, through which the dark-colored digestive tract can be seen (Levin 1961).

Human pathogenicity: There are no reported cases of humans being infested with Porrocacum ensicaudatum.

Exemplary Sources
  • Levin, NL (1961)
    Life History Studies on Porrocaecum ensicaudatum (Nematoda), an Avian Nematode. I. Experimental Observations in the Chicken. In: The Journal of Parasitology, vol. 47, n° 1, p. 38.
  • Osche, GR (1955)
    Über Entwicklung, Zwischenwirt und Bau von Porrocaecum talpae, Porrocaecum ensicaudatum und Habronema mansioni (Nematoda). In: Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde, vol. 17, n° 2.

Hosts

Carnivor
Procyon lotor
Raccoon
The raccoon was first released into the wild in Germany in 1934. Since then, it has been spreading increasingly, but its effects are insufficiently studied.