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Acanthocephala

Phylum

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Acanthocephala is a phylum of parasitic worms known as acanthocephalans, or thorny-headed worms, characterized by an eversible proboscis armed with spines that they use to pierce and hold the gut wall of their host. Acanthocephalans have complex life cycles involving at least two hosts, which may include invertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds and mammals, and about 1,420 species have been described.

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