Plauridae

Plauridae is a small family of acanthocephalan parasites. Acanthocephalans, commonly known as thorny-headed worms, are a phylum of obligate parasitic invertebrates. Plauridae are characterized by their proboscis, a muscular, eversible organ armed with hooks, which they use to attach to the host's intestinal wall. The family currently contains only one genus, Plaurus, and a single recognized species, Plaurus intestinalis.

Plaurus intestinalis has been found in the intestines of various marine fish species, particularly those inhabiting coastal waters. The life cycle of Plauridae involves at least two hosts. The eggs are shed in the feces of the definitive host (the fish) and are consumed by an intermediate host, typically a small crustacean. Within the intermediate host, the acanthocephalan larva develops until it is ingested by a predatory fish, completing the cycle.

While the ecological impact of Plauridae on their host populations is not extensively studied, they represent a component of the biodiversity within marine food webs. Research into Plauridae is limited, with most available information stemming from taxonomic descriptions and occasional parasitological surveys of marine fish. Further studies are needed to fully understand their distribution, host specificity, and the broader implications of their parasitic relationships in marine ecosystems.