Gyrocotylidea

tapeworm order

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June 29, 2026

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The Gyrocotylidea are an order of unsegmented tapeworms that are parasitic in the intestine of fish of the genus Chimaera. These tapeworms are characterized by testes confined to the anterior region and genital pores located near the anterior end. The genus Gyrocotyle itself features a flattened body with an anterior sucker and a posterior organ that appears as a frilled rosette, though in some related worms, this rosette is replaced by a contractile cylindrical structure. The term "gyrocotylid" refers to anything related to the genus Gyrocotyle or its family, Gyrocotylidae.123

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flatworm
Annotated classification
Order Gyrocotylidea Testes confined to anterior region; genital pores near anterior end; parasitic in intestine of fish of the genus Chimaera; 105 species. Subclass Eucestoda Polyzoic tapeworms with scolex (head) of varying structure; body usually with distinct external segmentation; parasitic in intestine of vertebrates. Known
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Order Gyrocotylidea Testes confined to anterior region; genital pores near anterior end; parasitic in intestine of fish of the genus Chimaera; 105 species. Subclass Eucestoda Polyzoic tapeworms with scolex (head) of varying structure; body usually with distinct external segmentation; parasitic in intestine of vertebrates. Known
Read More