acanthocephalan

noun

1. any parasitic worm of the phylum or class Acanthocephala, having a proboscis covered with recurved hooks.

adjective

2. belonging or pertaining to the Acanthocephala.

noun

1. any of the parasitic wormlike invertebrates of the phylum Acanthocephala, the adults of which have a spiny proboscis and live in the intestines of vertebrates

adjective

2. of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala

1. Any of various, mostly small worms of the phylum Acanthocephala that live parasitically in arthropods as juveniles and in the intestines of vertebrates (especially fish) as adults. Acanthocephalans have a cylindrical, retractile proboscis that has rows of hooked spines and is used for attachment to a host. Also called spiny-headed worm