Classification
Scientific Name—Loa loa
Common Name—African Eye Worm
Domain—Eukarya
Kingdom—Animalia
Phylum—Nematoda
Class—Chromadorea
Order—Spirurida
Family—Onchocercidae
Genus—Loa
Species—loa
A closer look into the taxonomy of Loa
loa
Domain—Eukarya:
members of the domain Eukarya have membrane bound organelles in
cells (Roberts and Janovy 2000).
Kingdom—Animalia:
members of the kingdom Animalia are multicellular and
heterotrophic, and strive for nutrient acquisition via
ingestion (Roberts and Janovy 2000).
Phylum—Nematoda:
members of the phylum Nematoda are roundworms that do not have
segmented bodies (Roberts and Janovy 2000).
Figure 1. Phylogenetic tree based upon the morphology, physiology, and DNA of organisms. Information modified from Cambell and Reece 2008.
Class—Chromadorea:
members of the class Chromadorea have bulblike esophagi with 3
to 5 esophageal glands (Roberts and Janovy 2000).
Order—Spirurida:
members of the order Spirurina are parasites that have thick
shelled eggs which develop from first to third stage larva
within an arthropod host and then live within the intestine and
other tissues of members from the vertebrates (Roberts and Janovy
2000).
Family—Onchocercidae:
members of the family Onchocercidae can be found living in the
tissues of
amphibians,
reptiles,
birds, and
mammals (Roberts and Janovy
2000).
Genus—Loa: The word Loa derives from African dialect (Roberts and Janovy 2000).
Species— Loa
loa: The Species name Loa loa was givin to this
organism because of its African descent.
