Cestoda are parasitic flatworms that range in size from 0.04 inches to over 50 feet in length. They have a head, neck, and body, and lack a circulatory and respiratory system. They have a single opening for both ingestion and excretion. Cestoda are found in a variety of habitats, including freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments. They typically have a lifespan of one to three years, but some species can live up to 10 years. The current population of Cestoda is unknown, but they are considered to be abundant in many areas.
Name Origin: Cestoda is a class of parasitic flatworms, commonly known as tapeworms. The name Cestoda is derived from the Greek word kēstōdēs, meaning "tape-shaped". This is in reference to the flattened, ribbon-like shape of the worms.
Related Species: Taenia solium, Diphyllobothrium latum, Hymenolepis nana, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis