[2] These worms are defined by their parasitic nature which involves hook structures found at their front end.

They have a cuticle, hypodermal layer with lacunar canals (which gives them the wrinkled appearance), and a long ribbon-like lemniscus that extends to the posterior end of the organism.

Not much is known about the importance of the lemniscus, but it is thought that it aids in the transport of fluids to the proboscis and houses secondary sensory fibers.

[13] This species was described by a sample infecting the intestine of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Venezuela, where it gets its name.

Cystacanths were present in Other intermediate hosts including in subcutaneous nodules of lizards (Anolis cristatellus and Anolis stratulus), in the greater omentum of small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata), and embedded in mesenteries of pearly-eyed thrashers (Margarops fuscatus).

[16] Species belonging to the genus Oncicola can make a host of a wide variety of animals.

The worms use the hooks within their proboscis to attach deep to the intestinal wall of their host, most of the time they penetrate the muscle layer.

Infections by this worm seem to cause little clinical symptoms, but some can cause moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhaging, and fibrosis in some connective tissues within the host.

Although rare, infections by Oncicola could potentially cause problems in the host’s reproductive system because of the inflammation and fibrosis the parasite can cause.

[17] The eggs of this organism are typically found within the feces of the host, which is how they are spread, and they can be discovered using flotation techniques such as zinc sulfate treatments and Sheather’s sugar.

The life cycle begins as females lay thick-shelled oval eggs that are brown in color and around 43-50 x 67-72 mcm.

They have delicate and clear external shell membranes and can survive a multitude of environmental conditions and for several months without being in a host.

Inside the intestine of these hosts, or within the soil or manure, the larvae, also called the acanthor, develops into an acanthella.