Aspidogastrea
Aspidogastrea
Aspidogastrea (pronunciation: as-pi-do-gas-tre-a) is a class of parasitic flatworms that are found in a variety of marine and freshwater hosts. The term "Aspidogastrea" is derived from the Greek words "aspis" (shield), "gaster" (stomach), and "treia" (three), referring to the three distinct parts of the worm's body: the anterior, middle, and posterior.
Etymology
The name "Aspidogastrea" comes from the Greek words "aspis" meaning shield, "gaster" meaning stomach, and "treia" meaning three. This is in reference to the three distinct parts of the worm's body: the anterior, middle, and posterior.
Description
Aspidogastrea are characterized by a large, ventral sucker that covers a significant portion of the body. They are typically small, ranging from 1 to 30 mm in length. The body is divided into three parts: the anterior, middle, and posterior. The anterior part contains the mouth and pharynx, the middle part contains the digestive and reproductive organs, and the posterior part contains the adhesive disc.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Aspidogastrea involves two hosts: a mollusk and a fish. The adult worms live in the digestive tract of fish, where they lay eggs that are passed out with the fish's feces. These eggs are then ingested by mollusks, where they hatch into larvae and develop into juvenile worms. The juvenile worms are then ingested by fish, completing the life cycle.
Related Terms
- Parasitology: The study of parasites and their hosts.
- Flatworms: A group of parasitic and free-living worms that are characterized by their flat bodies.
- Mollusk: A group of invertebrate animals that includes snails, clams, and octopuses.
- Fish: A group of aquatic vertebrate animals that are characterized by their gills and fins.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aspidogastrea
- Wikipedia's article - Aspidogastrea
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