b. Phylum. A phylum is a major division of a kingdom. There are four phyla
(plural of phylum) that contain human parasites: PROTOZOO from the subkingdom
EUCARYOTA, and phyla PLATYHELMINTHES, ASCHELMINTHES, and
ACANTHOCEPHAHELMINTHES from the kingdom ANIMALIA.
c. Class. A phylum is divided into classes. The name of the class should end
in "a." Some examples are Cestoda and Nematoda.
d. Order. Several orders may be contained within a class. This name ends in
"ea." Some examples are Filaroidea, Pseudophyllidea.
e. Family. An order may be subdivided into families. The family's ending is
"ae." Some examples are Heterophyidae and Endamoebidae.
f. Genus. Each family is made up of various genera (plural of Genus). The
genus name may have various endings. The first letter of the genus is capitalized and
the name is underlined. The first letter may be used as an abbreviation. Some
examples are Macracanthorhynchus and Entamoeba.
g. Species. Each genus is composed of species. The species' name may also
have various endings. All letters are small case and the name is underlined. However,
the species' name should never be abbreviated. Some examples are E. histolytica and
M. hirudinaceus.
h. Identification. Parasitic organisms identified by laboratory procedures are
reported by using the genus and species names. Some examples are Giardia lamblia
and Enterobius vermicularis.
MD0841
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