Trematoda: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:01, 9 February 2025

Class of parasitic flatworms

Trematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes, commonly known as flukes. These are parasitic flatworms, with a complex life cycle involving multiple hosts. Trematodes are significant as they include species that are important parasites of humans and other animals.

Morphology

Trematodes are typically flattened and leaf-shaped. They possess a tegument, which is a specialized outer covering that protects them from the host's digestive enzymes. Most trematodes have two suckers: an oral sucker, which surrounds the mouth, and a ventral sucker, which is used for attachment to the host.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of trematodes is complex and usually involves multiple hosts. The primary host is typically a vertebrate, where the adult flukes reside. Intermediate hosts are often mollusks, such as snails, where larval stages develop. The life cycle includes several stages: egg, miracidium, sporocyst, redia, cercaria, and metacercaria.

Reproduction

Trematodes are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They can reproduce sexually within the primary host. Some species also exhibit asexual reproduction during their larval stages in the intermediate host.

Ecology

Trematodes are found in a variety of environments, from freshwater to marine ecosystems. They play a role in the ecosystem as parasites, affecting the population dynamics of their hosts.

Human Health

Several species of trematodes are of medical importance, causing diseases such as schistosomiasis, liver fluke infections, and lung fluke infections. These diseases are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and are associated with significant morbidity.

Related pages

References

Roberts, L. S., & Janovy, J. (2009). Foundations of Parasitology. McGraw-Hill.
Smyth, J. D., & Halton, D. W. (1983). The Physiology of Trematodes. Cambridge University Press.

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-'''Trematoda''' is a class within the phylum [[Platyhelminthes]]. It includes two groups of parasitic flatworms, known as flukes. They are commonly referred to as '''trematodes'''. The class Trematoda is divided into two subclasses, [[Digenea]] and [[Aspidogastrea]], which are morphologically distinct.
+{{Short description|Class of parasitic flatworms}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Trematoda
+| image = Botulus_microporus.jpg
+| image_caption = ''Botulus microporus''
+| image2 = TrematodesFig9_EncBrit1911.png
+| image2_caption = Various trematodes
+| regnum = [[Animalia]]
+| phylum = [[Platyhelminthes]]
+| classis = '''Trematoda'''
+}}
-== Morphology ==
+'''Trematoda''' is a class within the phylum [[Platyhelminthes]], commonly known as flukes. These are parasitic flatworms, with a complex life cycle involving multiple hosts. Trematodes are significant as they include species that are important parasites of humans and other animals.
-Trematodes are flattened oval or worm-like animals, usually no more than a few centimeters in length, although species as small as 1 millimeter (0.039 in) are known. Their most distinctive external feature is the presence of two suckers, one close to the mouth, and the other on the underside of the animal.
-== Life Cycle ==
+==Morphology==
-The life cycle of a typical trematode begins with an egg. After the egg hatches, it releases a larval form, the miracidium, which invades a suitable [[snail]] intermediate host. The miracidium transforms into a sporocyst, which produces rediae, from which cercariae are derived. These are released from the snail and encyst as metacercariae on vegetation, or directly on the skin of the definitive host, where they lie in wait to be eaten or, in the case of skin-penetrating species, to burrow into the host.
+Trematodes are typically flattened and leaf-shaped. They possess a tegument, which is a specialized outer covering that protects them from the host's digestive enzymes. Most trematodes have two suckers: an oral sucker, which surrounds the mouth, and a ventral sucker, which is used for attachment to the host.
-== Classification ==
+==Life Cycle==
-The class Trematoda is divided into two subclasses. The [[Digenea]], the majority of trematode species, are complex internal parasites, infecting all classes of vertebrates, including humans. The [[Aspidogastrea]], a much smaller group, are internal parasites of molluscs and vertebrates.
+The life cycle of trematodes is complex and usually involves multiple hosts. The primary host is typically a vertebrate, where the adult flukes reside. Intermediate hosts are often mollusks, such as snails, where larval stages develop. The life cycle includes several stages: egg, miracidium, sporocyst, redia, cercaria, and metacercaria.
-== Human Health ==
+==Reproduction==
-Trematodes are responsible for serious human diseases including [[schistosomiasis]], [[clonorchiasis]], [[opisthorchiasis]], [[fascioliasis]], and [[paragonimiasis]]. The diseases are caused by the adult stage of the fluke in the human body.
+Trematodes are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They can reproduce sexually within the primary host. Some species also exhibit asexual reproduction during their larval stages in the intermediate host.
-== See Also ==
+==Ecology==
+Trematodes are found in a variety of environments, from freshwater to marine ecosystems. They play a role in the ecosystem as parasites, affecting the population dynamics of their hosts.
+==Human Health==
+Several species of trematodes are of medical importance, causing diseases such as [[schistosomiasis]], [[liver fluke]] infections, and [[lung fluke]] infections. These diseases are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and are associated with significant morbidity.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Platyhelminthes]]
+* [[Parasitism]]
 * [[Schistosomiasis]]
-* [[Clonorchiasis]]
-* [[Opisthorchiasis]]
-* [[Fascioliasis]]
-* [[Paragonimiasis]]
+==References==
+* Roberts, L. S., & Janovy, J. (2009). ''Foundations of Parasitology''. McGraw-Hill.
+* Smyth, J. D., & Halton, D. W. (1983). ''The Physiology of Trematodes''. Cambridge University Press.
+[[Category:Trematoda]]
 [[Category:Parasitic animals]]
-[[Category:Platyhelminthes]]
-{{stub}}