Galactosomum

Galactosomum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Trematoda
Order: Opisthorchiida
Family: Heterophyidae
Genus: Galactosomum
Looss, 1899
Species

Galactosomum is a genus of flukes within the family Heterophyidae, which is part of the order Opisthorchiida. There are currently twenty-one recognised species within the genus. They mainly infect aquatic birds, but often infest fish as larvae.[1] Three species are known to use marine mammals as hosts.

Description

The excised spherical metacercaria is 2.7–4.9 mm long.[2] Generally, only one is found per fish.[3]

Life cycle

Some species of Galactosomum that cause infected fish to swim closer to the surface and colorfully flash their underbellies.[4] Gastropods hosting select species suffer from sensory impairment due to infestation. This makes these prey animals more likely to be consumed by aquatic birds, providing a host for the parasite to reach the mature stage of its life cycle. Galactosomum cannot survive in human hosts.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Hoffman, Glenn L. (1999). "Some North American Fish Parasites Listed by Location in the Fish". Parasites of North American Freshwater Fishes. 512 East State St., Ithaca, NY 14850: Cornell University Press. p. 11. ISBN 0-8014-3409-2.
  2. ↑ Kamegai, S.; N. Yasunaga; S. Ogawa; S. Yasumoto (1982). "Galactosomum sp. from intestine of Larus carassirostris from Nagasaki, Japan". Jpn. J. Parasit. (in Japanese): 31.
  3. ↑ Kimura, M.; Endo, M. (1979). "Whirling disease caused by metacercaria of a fluke". Fish Pathol. (in Japanese). 13 (4): 211–213. doi:10.3147/jsfp.13.211.
  4. 1 2 "Database of Parasites in Fish and Shellfish". Retrieved 2008-07-03.

WoRMS. "Galactosomum". World Register of Marine Species. 

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