This genus contains three species that are distributed globally, being collected in North America and Asia.

The distinguishing features of this genus among Archiacanthocephalans is the presence of randomly distributed dendritically branched giant hypodermic nuclei.

Dendronucleata parasitize freshwater fish and a salamander by attaching themselves in the intestines using their hook covered proboscis and adhesives secreted from cement glands.

Dendronucleatidae is a monotypic family created by Sokolovskaya in 1962 to accommodate the only genus, Dendronucleata, which contains two species, D. dogieli and D.

[3] The general appearance, shape of proboscis and number and arrangement of proboscis hooks of the Dendronucleatidae are similar to members of Neoechinorhynchus of the family Neoechinorhynchidae, Dendronucleatidae have randomly distributed dendritically branched giant hypodermic nuclei from which it derives its name.

[5][6] D. americana has been found in the intestine infecting around 5% of the Texas blind salamanders (Typhlomolge rathbuni) sampled in San Marcos (Artesian well at Freeman Aquatic Station), Hays County in central Texas, United States.

Dendritically branched giant hypodermic nuclei irregularly scattered in body wall of entire trunk.

Cement gland syncytial, with several distinct nuclei, forming almost spherical mass below posterior testis.

[7] It has also been found infecting eight species of cyprinid and bagrid fishes from North Vietnam including: the Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), the Sharpbelly (Hemiculter leucisculus), Opsariichthys uncirostris, the Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus), Gymnostomus lepturus, the Black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis), Pseudobagrus vachelli and Hemibagrus elongatus.

Dendronucleata species have been found in North America (Texas),[7] Russia (Amur River),[9] Iran[10] and Vietnam.

This stage involves penetrating the wall of the mesenteron or the intestine of the intermediate host and growing.

[7] There are no reported cases of any Dendronucleata species infesting humans in the English language medical literature.