Lophotaspis [Lophotaspis]

Description

Lophotaspis is a genus within the family Aspidogastridae, encompassing parasitic flatworms known for their distinctive features. Unlike other genera, members of Lophotaspis possess a body that is elongated and somewhat leaf-shaped, with a series of dorsal and ventral suckers that facilitate attachment to the host's internal organs, typically within the digestive tract. Marine species of Lophotaspis are known to parasitize a variety of hosts, including both bony and cartilaginous fishes. These parasites are adapted to a life of attachment inside their marine hosts, showing complex life cycles that often involve crustaceans or molluscs as intermediate hosts. Their ecology and biology are crucial for understanding host-parasite dynamics in marine environments.

Species

Lophotaspis trilobite [Lophotaspis Friederichsi]

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Taxonomy