• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2016

Horsehair or gordian worms (Nematomorpha) were identified with 22 genera (Gordiida) and 5 marine species (Nectonema) until now. During juvenile phase in development, they gain parasitic activity in arthropods. In this study, a gordian worm was detected in the feces of a dog living in Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. Using this worm, we evaluated the morphological characteristics by light microscopic analysis. Furthermore, the morphological classification was re-evaluated by scanning and transverse electron microscopes. The worm was determined that it is male adult having a bi-lobed tail and male gonads in cross sections. Based on the morphological characteristics including cross sections of body and areole on the cuticle, the parasite was also identified as Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiidae).

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.719-724
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• 2015

Nematomorpha, horsehair or Gordian worms, include about 300 freshwater species in 22 genera (Gordiida) and 5 marine species in 1 marine genus (Nectonema). They are parasitic in arthropods during their juvenile stage. In the present study, the used gordian worm was found in the feces of a dog (5-month old, male) in July 2014. Following the worm analysis using light and scanning electron microscopes, the morphological classification was re-evaluated with molecular analysis. The worm was determined to be a male worm having a bi-lobed tail and had male gonads in cross sections. It was identified as Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiidae) based on the characteristic morphologies of cross sections and areole on the cuticle. DNA analysis on 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements was also carried out, and the gordiid worm was assumed to be close to the genus Gordius based on a phylogenic tree analysis.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2003

One new species of horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) from Korea, Poruchordodes megareolatus, is described. The specimen is reported from the human urinary system. The significance of this and other reports from the urinary system is discussed. The characteristics of the new species are clusters of a small type of cuticular structures, the areoles, which are associated with a second type of areoles, the large megareoles. Another character unique for the genus Parachordodes is the fusion of rows of cuticular bristles on the ventral side anterior of the cloacal opening.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.221-228
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• 1993

This study on the genus Chordodes was based on the specimens collected from four areas in Korea during the period October 1988 to October 1992. As a result, a new species is described using a scanning electron microscope and conventional method, under the name of Chordodes koreensis. And It was identified that C. japonensis Inoue, 1952 is synonymous with C. ferganensis Kirjanova and Spiridonova, 1989. This genus is reported for the first time from Korea.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 1992

The present study of hourse-hair worms was based on the materials collected from 17 areas in Korea during the period from October 1986 to June 1992. As a result the identified Korean horse-hair worms consist of 2 species in 1 genus. One is new species, Gordius lineatus n. sp. and the other, Gordius robustus Leidy, 1851 is newly recorded in South Korea. Total 6 species in 2 genera are now listed for the gordioidean fauna of Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.263-267
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• 2012

The present study was performed to describe 2 human cases infected by the horsehair worm, Parachordodes sp., in Japan. Two gordiid worms were collected in the vomit and excreta of an 80-year-old woman in November 2009 in Kyoto city, and in the mouth of 1-year-old boy in December 2009 in Nara city, Japan, respectively. Both worms were males having bifurcated posterior ends and male gonads in cross sectional specimens. They were identified as Parachordodes sp. (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) based on the characteristic morphologies of cross sections and areoles in the cuticle. DNA analysis on 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements was also carried out and both worms were assumed to be close to the genus Paragordionus based on tree analysis, and far from Gordius sp. which has already been reported in humans in Japan. DNA sequencing of the Parachordodes worm does not appear on the database; therefore, more information on the gene sequences of the genus Parachordodes from humans, animals, or intermediates is required.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• no.spc9
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

We surveyed the freshwater invertebrates of Jindo Island twice on July and September 2016, as part of a joint faunal survey conducted to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Korean Society of Systematic Zoology. Aquatic insects were not included in this study. We found 38 freshwater species from seven phyla: Porifera, Platyhelminthes, Nematomorpha, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, and Bryozoa. Twenty-one of the 38 species (55.3%) represented the first record of their respective species on Jindo Island. Among these species, a freshwater shrimp-parasitic isopod, Tachaea n. sp., was identified as a new species.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.348-352
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• 2009

This report deals with the morphology of the horsehair worm isolated in canine vomitus. We received a worm in living status. The worm was investigated by using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for species determination. Grossly, the worm was blackish brown in color and 215 mm in length and 1.2 mm in maximum width. Microscopically, the worm was composed of epicuticle, cuticle, epidermis, muscle, mesenchyme, pseudocoel, nerve cord and gut. But the genital organ was not developed. The SEM study revealed that the cuticle contains five types of elevated structures called areoles. The cuticular surface of the parasite is covered by an abundant type of areoles: simple areole, tubercle areole, bulging areole, crowned areole, circumcluster areole. The observed characteristics of the specimen in this study are same to those of genus Chordodes. And we concluded that it is a male of Chordodes koreensis belong to Gordiida. Only nine species of freshwater Nematomorpha are known from Korea, two of which belong to the genus Chordodes. But the case of parasitic horsehair worm in dogs do not recorded, and this is a first gordiosis of dog in Korea.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 2001

We describe tubular structures on the cuticle of two representatives of the genus Gordius by scanning electron microscopy. One female from Korea could not be identified further while a male from New Zealand belonged to Gordius paranensis. Other male specimens of G. paranensis did not show tubular structures or the corresponding pores on the cuticle. Therefore it is assumed that tubular structures are not species-specific structures, but also no artifacts or contaminations. They might be glandular products, but this has to be verified by further documentations and investigation of the inner structure of it.