acanthocephalan

== English == === Alternative forms === acanthocephalid === Etymology === From acantho- + Ancient Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ, “head”) + -an. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /əˌkæn.θəˈsɛf.ə.lən/, /əˌkænt.θəˈsɛf.ə.lən/, /əˌkæn.θoʊˈsɛf.ə.lən/ Rhymes: -ɛfələn === Noun === acanthocephalan (plural acanthocephalans) Any of parasitic intestinal worms comprising the phylum Acanthocephala. [First attested late 19th c.] 2006, B. B. Nickol, Phylum Acanthocephala, P. T. K. Woo (editor), Fish Diseases and Disorders, Volume 1: Protozoan and Metazoan Infections, 2nd Edition, page 458, Clearly acanthocephalans contain large amounts of lipid and possess enzyme systems for lipid metabolism (Filipponi et al., 1994; Weber et al., 1995); however, use of these lipid deposits in energy metabolism is yet to be demonstrated. ==== Synonyms ==== (any species of Acanthocephala): spiny-headed worm, thorny-headed worm ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === acanthocephalan In a manner similar to Acanthocephala. [First attested late 19th c.] === References ===