The deceptive biology of Ancylostoma: from parasitic worms to the rare bowmouth guitarfish

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The name Ancylostoma appears in two vastly different corners of the natural world. It identifies a genus of parasitic hookworms that plague domestic animals and occasionally humans, yet it also defines the scientific nomenclature of the bowmouth guitarfish, a rare, distinctive ray patrolling the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.

The genus Ancylostoma primarily encompasses nematodes known as hookworms. These parasites are specialized to infect the small intestines of various carnivores. Ancylostoma caninum is the most well-known species in this group, primarily targeting dogs, though it can also infect wolves, foxes, and cats. While infections in humans are rare, the clinical impact on dogs can be severe, ranging from asymptomatic cases to fatal outcomes depending on the host's health status.

Survival outcomes for dogs infected with A. caninum are heavily influenced by environmental and biological factors. Better nourishment, increasing age, and prior exposure to the parasite significantly improve a host's chances of recovery. Vaccination efforts also play a critical role in mitigating the risks posed by these worms. Other species within the genus exhibit different host preferences, such as Ancylostoma braziliense, which is known in Brazil as bicho-geográfico, and Ancylostoma pluridentatum, which targets sylvatic cats.

In a striking linguistic and scientific contrast, the name also appears in the classification of Rhina ancylostoma, the bowmouth guitarfish. This creature is a rare species of ray, also referred to as a shark ray or mud skate. Unlike the parasitic nematodes, this animal inhabits tropical coastal waters in the western Indo-Pacific at depths reaching 90 meters. Its evolutionary history remains a subject of scientific debate, with researchers suggesting potential links to true guitarfishes and skates, highlighting the complexity of biological taxonomy.

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