From the Greek for false, Latin for earth and new, and Japanese for sea lion. First identified in 1878 as a parasite in pinnipeds by Danish scientist Harald Krabbe, who suggested the name Ascaris decipiens, the taxonomic designation for these nematodes changed as knowledge of the life cycles and morphologic features of members of the order Ascaridida expanded. In 1998, molecular examination found Pseudoterranova decipiens, long thought to be a monotype, consisted of genetically distinct sibling species. Mattiucci et al. proposed Pseudoterranova azarasi for 1 of the 5 sibling species, incorporating part of the name Porrocaecum azarasi, previously considered a synonym for P. decipiens.

Sources: Berland B. Anisakis spp. In: Akuffo H, Linder E, Ljungström I, Wahlgren M, editors. Parasites of the colder climates. London: Taylor & Francis; 2003. p. 160–8; Krabbe, H. On the ascarides of the seals and toothed whales. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 1878; 5-S, 2(11):430–2; Mattiucci S, Paggi L, Nascetti G, Ishikura H, Kikuchi K, Sato N, et al. Allozyme and morphological identification of Anisakis¸ Contracaecum and Pseudoterranova from Japanese waters (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea). Syst Parasitol. 1998;40:81–92. DOI: 10.1023/A:1005914926720