Cited: “Classification.” UWL Website, http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/zutavern_kris/classification.htm.

This chosen tree is showing the genetic gene and sequences that make up each individual species within the phylum Platyhelminthes and then showing how closely related amongst each class. The class that my species Dipylidium caninum is located in, is the Cestoda class, which is highlighted in green on the image.

Within in this tree, there are four classes being displayed and compared. Within these classes, 24 species or members are listed amongst these class shown. Within the class, Cestoda, that will be mainly focused on, you will see there are eight species included. Of those eight species, Dipylidium caninum seems to be most closely related genetically to Dipylidium oerleyi, but not too far away (genetically speaking) form Austramphilina, Echinococcus, and Gyrocoytle.

The site that displays this tree goes into detail by explaining how they came up with tree that is being dissected. I have included the link to the site, so that it is easier to follow showing the characteristics looked at starting from the Eukarya Domain all the way down to the specific species, Dipylidium caninum. Within the Cestoda class, the tapeworms are all parasitic and have scolex’s containing four suckers. The species that I am studying, shares the same genetic makeup and traits with all Platyhelminthes, but is separated alongside its mostly closely relative Diplidium oerleyi because they are the two species that are “double pored” tapeworms in the Cestoda class. Them being double-pored means that they have two openings for genitalia located on the proglottids. This trait is something the others do not have, which shows because they become branched or separated somewhere along the phylogenic tree.

Link to website of actual tree http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/zutavern_kris/classification.htm

WORKS CITED

“Classification.” UWL Website, http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/zutavern_kris/classification.htm.

Dipylidium caninum are not only very well known in the veterinarian world, but are also well-known to science. According to several sources, they are the only species of the Cestoda class that have been studied karyologically. Sounds fancy? Well, if you aren’t familiar with that term, let me further explain. So the study of Karyology includes looking into the function and characteristics of the cells nucleus. Not sure why other species haven’t had the same opportunity, but my only logical guess would be that D. caninum is so common amongst parasites that infect canines and felines, so it created curiosity across the board. 

Early discoveries as far back as 1945 by AW Jones, determined the diploid number as 2n=10, but then later findings in 1973, 1988, and then 1989, determined that it may actually be 2n=16. I tried to find more recent research, but it appears this is where it stopped for now. This video below will show the cell cycle. I thought it was easier to see it happen in steps with some visuals as well.

Another interesting characteristic more specific to the phylum this species belongs to is that they have two genital parts. One part or hole being a male reproductive organ and the other hole being a female reproductive organ. This has also given this species the name “double-pored” (cdc.gov). If you guessed where I am headed with this, you are probably thinking in the right direction. Dipylidium caninum are considered hermaphrodites. Sometimes two is better than one according to this species.

This figure above helps to visualize the double-pored reference to the species.