Leucochloridium paradoxum - a photo on Flickriver

© WJP Productions'12

Leucochloridium paradoxum
Leucochloridium paradoxum is een parasitair levende platworm (Trematoda, Digenea).

Leucochloridium paradoxum leeft in de cloaca van vogels. De eieren van de worm verlaten de vogel met de uitwerpselen. De eieren zijn met een harde wand omgeven. Als de eieren in oeverland van een zoet water terechtkomen, dan ontwikkelen zich vrijzwemmende 'miracidia'-larven. Deze larven infecteren de in dit biotoop levende amfibische landslak Succinea putris (Barnsteenslak). Door ongeslachtelijke voortplanting die in de slak plaatsvindt, ontstaan honderden cercariën die zich in een langwerpig orgaan bevinden, de sporocyste. Er kunnen zich verschillende van deze sporocysten in de slak bevinden. De sporocysten pulseren en vullen de tentakels van de slak zodanig dat deze ze niet meer kan intrekken. De sporocysten zijn opvallend gekleurd en door deze kleur en de pulserende beweging trekken zij vogels aan die vervolgens de tentakels opeten. De vogel wordt dan besmet met de cercarien die zich in de vogel tot volwassen wormen ontwikkelen. Deze volwassen wormen planten zich seksueel voort met eieren die de vogel met de uitwerpselen verlaten waarop de cyclus opnieuw begint.

bron: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucochloridium_paradoxum

Green-banded broodsac (EN)
The green-banded broodsac, scientific name Leucochloridium paradoxum, is a parasitic flatworm (or "helminth") that uses gastropods as an intermediate host. It is typically found in Succinea that live in Europe and North America where it infects the host’s eyes making them appear as caterpillars that other birds prey on. Various birds consume these infected gastropods, becoming the definitive host for L. paradoxum to mature and release eggs in the rectum that are later found in the feces of the bird host.

The worm in its larval, miracidia stage, travels into the digestive system of a snail to develop into the next stage, sporocyst. The sporocyst grows into long tubes to form swollen "broodsacs" filled with tens to hundreds of cercariae. These broodsacs invade the snail's tentacles (preferring the left, when available), causing a brilliant transformation of the tentacles into a swollen, pulsating, colorful display that mimics the appearance of a caterpillar or grub. The broodsacs seem to pulsate in response to light intensity, and in total darkness do not pulse at all. The infection of the tentacles of the eyes seems to inhibit the perception of light intensity. Whereas uninfected snails seek dark areas to prevent predation, infected snails have a deficit in light detection, and are more likely to become exposed to predators, such as birds. In a study done in Poland, 53% of infected snails stayed in more open places longer, sat on higher vegetation, and stayed in better lit places than uninfected snails. Only 28% of the uninfected snails remained fully exposed for the duration of the observation period. Birds are the definitive hosts where the cercariae develop into adult distomes in the digestive system of the bird. These adult forms sexually reproduce and lay eggs that are released from the host via the bird's excretory system. These droppings are then consumed by snails to complete the life cycle of this parasitic worm.

source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green-banded_broodsac

Taken in: Nederland / Groningen / Slochteren (show map)

Taken on: July 10, 2012

Tags:

God's creation

Leucochloridium paradoxum

Barnsteenslak

Succinea putris

Saugwurm

Platworm

Parasiet

Parasite

Plattwürm

Parasit

Parasitose « less

Sets appears in: • Baggerputten

Groups appears in: • Snail garden • Snail / Chiocciola / Escargot / Caracol / Cargol / Schnecke more » • Slimy snails • Life Sciences Teaching Resource « less

Camera: Canon EOS 550D, f/16.0, 1/80 sec, 60mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 550D
Aperture:	f/16.0
Exposure Time:	0.013 sec (1/80)
Focal Length:	60mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	On, Fired
Exposure Mode:	Manual
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ACD Systems Digital Imaging
Show full info

Stats: 6,015 views