Platyhelminthes The Flatworms Pechenik: 34,000 spp (Brusca & Brusca: 20,000 spp) Characteristics: Triploblastic Ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm Acoelomate Bilateral symmetry (w some cephalization) Protonephridia = Organs for excretion/osmoregulation Flatness allows diffusion for gas exchange 80% are parasitic Simultaneous hermaphrodites (monoecious)
Phylum Platyhelminthes Opisthaptor Ectoparasite One host Trematoda Acetabulum endoparasite Mollusc/vertebrate life cycle Cestoda Monogenea Turbellaria Free living Microtriches Scolex Proglottids Cilia lost from ectoderm (parasitic lifestyle) Phylum Platyhelminthes
Class Turbellaria
Class Turbellaria
Class Turbellaria
Class Turbellaria
Class Turbellaria
Class Turbellaria Most are free living Marine & FW Sensory receptors Chemical (auricles) Tactile Light Dugesia sp.
Class Turbellaria Most are free living Marine & FW Sensory receptors Chemical Tactile Light Cephalized Crawl on substrate using cilia Dugesia sp.
Class Turbellaria Incomplete digestive tract Pharynx
Class Monogenea haptor opisthaptor
Class Monogenea Ectoparasites of fish skin and gills Only 1 host
Monogenea Reproduction: Eggs → oncomiracidium larva → attach to fish Larva similar to cestode oncosphere Adults resemble digene trematoda (convergent evolution – life cycles very different)