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The larvae need to be ingested by suitable species of voracious predatory crustacean, Cyclops or water fleas which measure 1–2 mm and widely abundant worldwide. In the cyclops, larvae develop to infective third-stage in 14 days at 26°C.

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-human body
-parasite
-reproduction
-aquatic
-larvae
-cyclops
- multicellular
-heterotrophic
-worm
-skin

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-Dracunculus medinensis avoids detection from pain in the body by secreting opiates and from the immune system by covering themselves with human proteins
-On the Aeskulap stick (ancient medical symbol), the so called snake is actually the Guinea Worm
-Dracunculus medinensis and Dracunculus oesophageal are morphologically identical, but have been genetically distinguished as different species
-The World Health Organization has made complete removal of guinea worm disease a goal in 1986
-It is thought that the eradication of human infection of Guinea Worm Disease will completely eradicate the disease

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Dracunculus medinensis  is an obligate parasite found mostly in the African region spreading to areas as far as eastern India

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Living Things Respond to their Environment 

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Living Things Respond to their Environment 

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In order to release larvae the Dracunculus medinensis has adapted by protruding the uterus through the skin of the host. It causes irritation inside of the host and that creates a blister which bursts and creates a burning sensation. When cooled, the worm detects the temperature change, and then expels its larvae through the uterus.

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Living Things Obtain & use matierals & energy

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Living Things Obtain & use matierals & energy

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medinensis is a multicellular organism that is heterotrophic, meaning that its energy is derived from the consumption of other organisms.  Due to D. medinensis being a parasite, it receives nutrition from its host.

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Gene Counts
Coding Genes: 10,969
Gene Transcripts: 10,969

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The specific life cycle of this organism begins when L1 larvae are ingested by copepods where they become infectious after undergoing two molts within the copepod to become L3 larvae .  Because of limited access to clean water, humans often drink water from sources with infected copepods such as stagnant ponds and dugouts .  Once within the human host, the copepods die and the larvae are released.  The L3 larvae then penetrate the stomach, then the intestinal wall, and then enter the abdominal cavity.  Once both the male and female worm mature, they mate resulting in the male’s death and the migration of the female to the subcutaneous tissues near the surface of the skin .  After roughly a year, the female causes a blister to form usually on the foot, but can occur on other areas of the body.  Once the blister breaks open, it causes discomfort which leads to the human host dipping the blister in water.  Once in the presence of water, the female surfaces and releases L1 larvae into the water where they can later be ingested by copepods and start the cycle over again .

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Dracunculus medinensis is an organism in which each cell contains a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

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Scientific Name: Dracunculus medinensis                    Common Name: Guinea Worm Named by Linnaeus in 1758

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Scientific Name: Dracunculus medinensis                    Common Name: Guinea Worm Named by Linnaeus in 1758