Lecanicephaloidea is an order of

tapeworm Eucestoda, commonly referred to as tapeworms, is the larger of the two subclasses of flatworms in the class Cestoda (the other subclass being Cestodaria). Larvae have six posterior hooks on the scolex (head), in contrast to the ten-hooked Ce ...

s of the subclass

Cestoda Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, commonly known as tapeworms. Their bodies co ...

. Species in the order consist of intestinal parasites of

elasmobranch Elasmobranchii () is a subclass of Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fish, including modern sharks ( division Selachii), and batomorphs (division Batomorphi, including rays, skates, and sawfish). Members of this subclass are characterised by h ...

fishes.

Anatomy

The order is distinguished in that the

scolex Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, commonly known as tapeworms. Their bodies consi ...

consists of two parts. The lower half forms a neck bearing four small suckers. The upper half is either globular or tentacle-bearing, and shows glandular structures. The anatomy of the order is similar to that of the Proteocephaloidea.

Taxonomy

The order currently contains the following families, according to WoRMS:WoRMS (2023)
Lecanicephalidea
Accessed 2023-06-17. Additionally, the order contains the following accepted ''

incertae sedis or is a term used for a taxonomy (biology), taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...

'' genera: The order additionally contains several genera that are considered to be '' taxa inquirenda'':

References

Parasitic helminths of fish Cestoda Platyhelminthes orders {{cestoda-stub