Class Cestoidea- The Tapeworms
*General Charactristics
-there are approximately 3,500 species.
-they are endoparasitic.
-they usually resides in a vertebrate digestive system.
-often called the "Ultimate Parasite".
-they are monoecious
-they lack a mouth and digestive tract (absorbs nutrients through the tegument).
-most adults consist of a long series of repeating units called proglottids (each one has one or two complete sets of reproductive structures and excretory structures).
-they are endoparasitic.
-they usually resides in a vertebrate digestive system.
-often called the "Ultimate Parasite".
-they are monoecious
-they lack a mouth and digestive tract (absorbs nutrients through the tegument).
-most adults consist of a long series of repeating units called proglottids (each one has one or two complete sets of reproductive structures and excretory structures).
*Scolex
-a holdfast structure with circular leaflike suckers and sometimes rostellem (small projection) of hooks.
-holds the animal to the host.
-holds the animal to the host.