Gordiidae Explained

Gordiidae is a family of parasitic horsehair worms belonging to the order Gordioidea.^[1]

Description

To date only two genera have been identified in the Gordiidae. These horsehair worms are characterized by a post-cloacal crescent located at the base of the two tail lobes. The genera are distinguished by the distinctly pointed tips on male Acutogordius tail lobes in comparison with Gordius.^[2] Recorded hosts are usually Polyneopteran insects such as Orthoptera and Mantodea.

Genera

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility lists:

1. Acutogordius Heinze, 1952
2. Gordius Linnaeus, 1758

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gordiidae . www.gbif.org . 4 November 2021 . en.
2. Schmidt-Rhaesa A (2002) Are the genera of Nematomorpha monophyletic taxa? Zoologica Scripta 31: 185–200. DOI