Acanthodelta (acanthocephalan)

Acanthodelta is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the phylum Acanthocephala, commonly known as thorny-headed worms. These worms are characterized by their cylindrical bodies and the presence of a proboscis, or retractable "head," armed with hooks. This proboscis is used to attach to the intestinal wall of their definitive host.

As members of the Acanthocephala, Acanthodelta species exhibit complex life cycles that typically involve at least two hosts: an intermediate host, which is usually an arthropod such as an insect or crustacean, and a definitive host, which is a vertebrate like a fish, bird, or mammal.

The adult Acanthodelta worm lives and reproduces within the intestine of the definitive host. Eggs containing the larvae, called acanthors, are released into the environment via the host's feces. These eggs are then ingested by the intermediate host, where the acanthor develops into a cystacanth, the infective stage for the definitive host. When the intermediate host is eaten by the definitive host, the cystacanth excysts in the intestine, everts its proboscis, and attaches to the intestinal wall, completing the life cycle.

Acanthodelta, like other acanthocephalans, can cause pathology in their definitive hosts, ranging from mild irritation to severe intestinal damage depending on the worm burden and the host's immune response. Specific species within the Acanthodelta genus can be distinguished by the morphology of their proboscis hooks and other anatomical features.