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Galactosomum

provided by wikipedia EN

Galactosomum is a genus of flukes in the family Heterophyidae. There are currently 28 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 cause infected fish to swim closer to the surface and colorfully flash their underbellies.[4] In fish, symptoms can be similar to those of whirling disease caused by the unrelated parasite Myxobolus cerebralis.[3] 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]

Species

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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Database of Parasites in Fish and Shellfish". Retrieved 2008-07-03.

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Galactosomum: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Galactosomum is a genus of flukes in the family Heterophyidae. There are currently 28 recognised species within the genus. They mainly infect aquatic birds, but often infest fish as larvae. Three species are known to use marine mammals as hosts.

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Wikipedia authors and editors
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visit source
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Identification

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Galactosomum sp.

Reference

Gibson, D.I. (2001). Digenea, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 136-142

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Simon Claus [email]