1. Polystoma integerrimum The monogenetic trematode
Michelle Stanek
Megan Larson

2. Taxonomic Considerations
Class: monogenoidea
Subclass: polystomatoinea

3. 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.

4. 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?

5. Polystoma integerrimum
The Life Cycle

6. 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 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.

7. 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 days and begin to hatch within 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

8. Polystoma integerrimum
The Life Cycle

9. 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

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

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

12. Work Cited
Schmidt, GD; Roberts, LS. Foundations of Parasitology. Seventh ed. P
Williams, JB. Phylogeny of the Polystomatidae (Platyhelmenthes, monogea) with particular refence to Polystoma integerrimum. International Journal of Parasitology: vol. 25:
eans.pdf

13. 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?