Polystoma integerrimum The monogenetic trematode Michelle Stanek Megan Larson

Taxonomic Considerations Class: monogenoidea Subclass: polystomatoinea

Polystoma integerrimum Characteristics Reproductive cycles are in sync between the frog and parasite due to hormones that appear in the frog’s urine This ensures that there are a steady supply of hosts for the oncomiracidia hatchlings Host: old world frogs Geographic location: Europe Size: 10mm at adult stage Infection site: the urinary bladder of old world frogs and the gills of tadpoles I made the image myself using the snipping tool: I included an interesting quote from the article, and then pasted it onto the cover image via photoshop cs4. some alterations in contrast, brightness, and color were also made.

Polystoma integerrimum Characteristics Interesting fact: P. integerrimum has TWO adult stages! Normal Neotenic Forms in the urinary bladder by entering through the cloaca Where is the cloaca located? Aka “the gill form” Matures and reproduces on the gills until the from matures It has gills and a functioning reproductive system (most creatures have one or the other) Think about mud puppies Is it facultative or obligatory?

Polystoma integerrimum The Life Cycle

Polystoma integerrimum Life cycle: continued (1) Hormones appearing in the frog’s urinary bladder trigger the parasite to lay eggs in the bladder (2) The eggs are voided into the water in the frog’s spawning area. (3) The eggs hatch into oncomiracidia in 20-50 days (depending on water temperature). (4) The oncomiracidia will either continue to the normal adult stage or to the neotenic adult stage depending on where the tadpole is at in it’s life cycle.

Life Cycle: Continued Neotenic Life Cycle Normal Life Cycle (1) The oncomiracidia attaches to the gills of the tadpole upon contact in the water. (2) Metamorphosis occurs in the parasite leading to the development of reproductive organs. (3) Eggs are produced by the parasite within 20-25 days and begin to hatch within 15-20 days. (4) When the tadpole begins to mature and reabsorb its gills, the parasite will move on to the normal life cycle stage (1) Polystoma leaves the gills and migrates on the ventral side of the tadpole to the cloaca. (2) It enters the cloaca and migrates to the urinary bladder. (3) Worms slowly develop for 4-5 years before production of eggs occurs during spawning season. (4) The cycle repeats itself

Polystoma integerrimum The Life Cycle

Polystoma integerrimum Neotenic Normal The body is more narrow Opisthaptor is not set off from the body Intestine has fewer lateral branches Ovary is a different shape There is no uterus of genitointestinal canal

Polystoma Integerrimum Period of Activity Is Polystoma Integerrimum more active during the winter or spring season? What do you think?

Polystoma integerrimum Economical impact There is no significant economical impact because the frog is not significantly effected by the parasite.

Work Cited Schmidt, GD; Roberts, LS. Foundations of Parasitology. Seventh ed. P. 306-307. Williams, JB. Phylogeny of the Polystomatidae (Platyhelmenthes, monogea) with particular refence to Polystoma integerrimum. International Journal of Parasitology: vol. 25:4. 1995. http://faculty.evansville.edu/de3/b43403/PDFs/19_Monogen eans.pdf

Pop Quiz 8^[ Would it be more or less beneficial to the parasite if the oncomiracidia hatched right away after being voided into the spawning area? What is the active season for Polystoma integerrimum? Why might there be two different adult life cycles for this parasite? What does Polystoma integerrimum do if it infects humans? If Polystoma integerrimum attaches to the gills of a tadpole, which life cycle will it go through?