Capillaria spp.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Nematoda
Class Adenophorea
Sub-class Enoplia
Order Trichurida
Family Trichinellidae
Genus Capillaria
Species Many

Overview

Capilaria - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Similar to Trichuris, but the difference between anterior and posterior ends of the body is not so pronounced
  • Some species have direct life-cycles, others use intermediate or transport hosts
  • Species have different predilection sites
  • Of greatest importance in birds, although species do occur in the urinary bladder and liver of cats and dogs