Diplozoon paradoxum

Double animal ( Diplozoon paradoxum )

The double animal ( Diplozoon paradoxum ) belongs to the class Monogenea within the Cercomeromorpha representing also the tapeworms ( Cestoda ) and contain in addition to the flukes ( Trematoda ) the second major parasitic group among the flatworms ( Platyhelminthes ). Diplozoon paradoxum ectoparasitically lives on the gills of freshwater fish, mostly carp -like.

Features

The double animal always comes usually only available as a couple, with two individuals are cross- fused. It reaches a length of six to ten millimeters. On the ventral side is an unpaired Bauchnapf, with the pair may lay eyes on host developing

Way of life

The double animal is oviparous and sets its eggs on the gills of the host, after about 10 days, the larvae hatch ( Oncomiracidien with suction pads and hook ). Copulation takes place after the attachment of the larvae, which have evolved by the loss of eyelashes to Diporpa the gill epithelium by consisting anneal to two individuals by means of pushbutton-type structures from a ventral sucker and a back pin on the cross and form a Dauerkopula. The two hermaphrodite animals grown permanently and inseparably together and live according to the cross-fertilization in pairs on. The vas deferens, that carry sperm from the testes, adherent to the vagina of the partner, making a lifelong mutual insemination is guaranteed.

Source

• Reinhard Rieger: Platyhelminthes, flatworms. In: Wilfried West Heath, Reinhard Rieger (eds): Systematic Zoology. Part 1: protozoa and invertebrates. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart 1996, inter alia, ISBN 3-437-20515-3, pp. 243-247.