The trematode life cycle is complex, involving multiple hosts and stages, typically starting with an egg that hatches into a miracidium, which infects a primary molluscan host. This progresses through several larval stages, including sporocysts and rediae, before developing into cercariae that infect a secondary host, eventually maturing into adult flukes in a definitive host where they reproduce sexually.

Trematode Life Cycle

trematode life cycle

multiple hosts

larval stages

primary molluscan host

Miracidium is the free-swimming larval stage of a parasitic flatworm, specifically a trematode, which is responsible for infecting the first intermediate host, usually a snail. It plays a crucial role in the life cycle of trematodes by facilitating the transition from the egg stage to the next larval stage within the snail host.

miracidium

sporocysts

rediae

cercariae

secondary host

adult flukes

A definitive host is an organism in which a parasite reaches its mature form and, if applicable, reproduces sexually. This host plays a crucial role in the life cycle of parasites, determining the transmission dynamics and epidemiology of parasitic diseases.

definitive host

reproduce sexually

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