A review of the helminth parasites using polychaetes as hosts.

An updated review of the helminth parasites using polychaetes as hosts is provided. Fifteen relevant search terms were entered into the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science online database in order to locate papers published since the last review, and subsequent supplementary article, given by Margolis (J Fish Res Board Can 28:1385-1392, 1971, J Fish Res Board Can 30:469-470, 1973), entitled "Polychaetes as intermediate hosts of helminth parasites of vertebrates: a review" and "Additional notes on polychaetes as intermediate hosts of helminth parasites of vertebrates," respectively. The World Register of Marine Species was used to provide the most current scientific names for both helminth parasites and their respective polychaete hosts. A total of 35 new reports were found. Across the taxa examined, digenetic trematodes appear to be the most prominent of the helminth parasites utilizing polychaete annelids as hosts. Nematodes are the second most common helminth grouping--followed by cestodes--using polychaetes as hosts. An incidence of possible parasitism by a turbellarian using a polychaete as a host is also reported.