1. A parasitic worm of the phylum Acanthocephala, characterized by a spiny, hook-bearing proboscis used to attach to the intestines of vertebrate hosts.
Usage: biology; zoology

1. Of, relating to, or belonging to the phylum Acanthocephala.
Usage: biology; zoology

Examples

• The acanthocephalan was identified in the fish's digestive tract during the parasitology examination.
• Researchers studied acanthocephalan infections in wild bird populations.
• The acanthocephalan proboscis contains rows of hooks that anchor the parasite to the host intestine.
• Several acanthocephalan species are known to infect freshwater crustaceans.
• The student learned about acanthocephalan morphology in her invertebrate biology course.