Abstract
This chapter discusses the biology of the acanthocephala. The morphology, functional anatomy, histology, cytology, ultrastructure development, biochemistry, host-parasite relationships, epidemiology, and medical and veterinary helminthology of acanthocephala are briefly discussed. A combination of experimental physiology and histology has given a clearer understanding of how the uterine bell apparatus and proboscis work in comparison to work based on earlier purely histological studies. The movement of the acanthor is also elucidated. The fine structure of acanthocephalan spermatozoa is given. The relationship between acanthocephala and cestoda can now be better understood as a result of advances in knowledge of biochemistry and fine structure. Other comparisons between these two groups are made in relation to intermediary metabolism and finally there is a phylogenetic explanation of peculiarities of acanthocephalan embryonic and larval development.
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