Diminutive Trematode [Ascocotyle diminuta]
Description
The Ascocotyle diminuta or Diminutive Trematode is a small parasitic fluke that inhabits the blood vessels of certain marine fish. It has a simple life cycle, with fish serving as the intermediate host and birds as the definitive host. It is distinguished by its small size and its ability to cause disease in humans who consume infected, raw or undercooked fish.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Flatworms
Platyhelminthes
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Trematoda
Trematoda
|
| Order |
Digenetic Flukes
Digenea
|
| Family |
Heterophyidae
Heterophyidae
|
| Genus |
Ascocotyle
Ascocotyle
|