cyclophyllidean

Cyclophyllidea is an order of tapeworms belonging to the class Cestoda. These are endoparasitic flatworms that inhabit the digestive tracts of vertebrates. A defining characteristic of cyclophyllideans is their scolex, which is equipped with four muscular suckers, and often a protrusible rostellum armed with hooks. The body of a cyclophyllidean is divided into a scolex, a short neck, and a strobila composed of numerous segments called proglottids. Each mature proglottid contains both male and female reproductive organs.

Reproduction in cyclophyllideans is typically hermaphroditic, with self-fertilization or cross-fertilization occurring within a single host. The fertilized eggs are passed in the feces of the definitive host. These eggs must be ingested by an intermediate host, which is often an arthropod or a vertebrate, for their life cycle to continue. Within the intermediate host, the larval stage, known as a cysticercus or hydatid, develops. The definitive host becomes infected by consuming the infected intermediate host.

Cyclophyllideans are of significant medical and veterinary importance, as many species are parasitic to humans and domestic animals. Examples of medically significant cyclophyllideans include Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), and Echinococcus granulosus (dog tapeworm), which can cause hydatid disease in humans. Control strategies focus on proper sanitation, meat inspection, and treatment of infected animals and humans.