pentastomid; tongue worm
A technical zoological term for any worm of the phylum Pentastomida. Also referred to as 舌虫 (したむし).
See also: シタムシ
Pentastomids mainly parasitize the respiratory tracts of reptiles.
Synonymous; 舌虫 is an alternative Japanese name for the same group.
Compound of 舌 (tongue) + 形 (shape) + 動物 (animal), referring to the tongue-like body shape of these parasites.