tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094038346173044955.post2288837693690115866..comments2024-03-27T19:39:11.723-04:00Comments on Parasite of the Day: July 28 - Unnamed zygocercous cercaria (trematode)Susan Perkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05944116263349266952noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094038346173044955.post-2346036269163425622010-07-29T00:19:02.363-04:002010-07-29T00:19:02.363-04:00@ cmassey: There's plenty of inspiration from ...@ cmassey: There's plenty of inspiration from parasites which makes most horror stories look tame!<br /><br />@ Andy: No benefits at all for poor little snail. The snail loses out completely and gets castrated. Most species of digenean trematodes use a gastropod as the first intermediate host where they asexually multiply (i.e: clone themselves), there a few families that use bivalves and even one that uses a polychaete, but most use a snail. Having that mollusc first intermediate host is a common trait to all digeneans, just like what lactating is for mammal. Considering there are an estimated 24000 extant species of trematodes, it's not surprising that snails show up so often as an intermediate host in a parasite (in this case digenean) life-cycle.<br /><br />Actually...you'll need a whole "Digenean of the Day blog" to run for about 60 years to feature all the digenean species currently in existence! How's that for biodiversity!Tommy Leunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06421993204602775597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094038346173044955.post-61894144489666589132010-07-28T14:03:03.408-04:002010-07-28T14:03:03.408-04:00It seems like snails are part of so many different...It seems like snails are part of so many different parasite life cycles. Are there any known benefits to the snails?Andy Inoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094038346173044955.post-27797635074553901072010-07-28T10:48:17.207-04:002010-07-28T10:48:17.207-04:00Amazing!Amazing!Warrenhttp://facebook.com/warrenlaurdenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094038346173044955.post-23003739826316994662010-07-28T10:18:38.300-04:002010-07-28T10:18:38.300-04:00"It would be like you eating a handful of pop..."It would be like you eating a handful of popcorn only to find in mid-chew that the popcorns are drilling their way into your throat!"<br /><br />Dr. Leung could always have a second career in writing horror stories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com