Transvena
Transvena is a genus of acanthocephalans containing a two species, T. annulospinosa and T. pichelinae, which parasitizes vertebrate hosts.
Taxonomy
The genus and its type species, T. annulospinosa, were described by Pichelin & Cribb in 2001. Genetic analysis has been conducted.Description
Transvena possess a cylindrical trunk and an armed proboscis bearing multiple rows of hooks.Species
There are two valid species in the genus Transvena.Transvena annulospinosa Pichelin & Cribb, 2001Transvena pichelinae Lisitsyna, Kudlai, Cribb & Smit, 2019Distribution
The distribution of T. annulospinosa and T. pichelinae depends on that of its vertebrate hosts, as the parasite completes its life cycle within them.Hosts
The life cycle of an acanthocephalan consists of three stages beginning when an infective acanthor is released from the intestines of the definitive host and then ingested by an arthropod, the intermediate host. Although the intermediate hosts of Transvena are arthropods. When the acanthor molts, the second stage called the acanthella begins. This stage involves penetrating the wall of the mesenteron or the intestine of the intermediate host and growing. The final stage is the infective cystacanth which is the larval or juvenile state of an Acanthocephalan, differing from the adult only in size and stage of sexual development. The cystacanths within the intermediate hosts are consumed by the definitive host, usually attaching to the walls of the intestines, and as adults they reproduce sexually in the intestines. The acanthor is passed in the feces of the definitive host and the cycle repeats. There may be paratenic hosts for Transvena.Transvena parasitizes animals. There are no reported cases of Transvena species infesting humans in the English language medical literature.