Host records and geographical distribution of , and (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae).

A literature survey was conducted to investigate the host and geographical distribution patterns of three species (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae), , and . All three species appear to be restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Occurrence records of are limited to the Northern Atlantic coasts, while has a circumpolar distribution. The geographical range of encompasses the distributions of the other two species, but also extends into warmer southern regions. Some populations are living with their definitive hosts in very isolated locations, such as in the brackish Baltic Sea or different freshwater lakes (e.g. Lake Saimaa). All three species have a heteroxenous life cycle, comprising a peracaridan intermediate host, a fish paratenic host and a mammalian definitive host. Occasionally, an acanthocephalan may enter an accidental host, from which it is unable to complete its life cycle. The host records reported here are categorised by type, intermediate, paratenic, definitive or accidental. While most of the definitive hosts are shared amongst the three species, showed the broadest range of paratenic hosts, which reflects its more extensive geographical distribution. One aim of this study and extensive literature summary is to guide future sampling efforts and therewith contribute to throw more light on the on-going species and morphotype discussion for this interesting parasite species.