Ribeiroia ondatrae
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| Ribeiroia ondatrae | ||||||||||||||
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| Ribeiroia ondatrae Looss, 1907 |
Ribeiroia ondatrae is a parasite in the class Trematoda, Phylum Platyhelminthes, believed to be responsible for most of the recent increase in frog deformalities, particulary missing or extra hind legs. Exact mechanism of deformation has not been determined but it has been theorized that deformation results from mechanical disruption of the cells involved in limb bud formation during the amphibian larval stage.
[edit] Life Cycle
First intermediate host are planorbid snails. Second intermediate host are fish and larval amphibians including frogs and salamanders. Inside of amphibians, cercariae are attracted to region where hind limbs are formed and large numbers of metacercariae encyst near base of the hind legs. Definitive host are predators such as hawks, herons and badgers.
[edit] References
- Roberts, Larry and Janovy, John (2005). Foundations of Parasitology seventh edition. New York, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Johnson, P. T. J. and D. R. Sutherland. 2003. Amphibian deformities and Ribeiroia infection: an emerging helminthiasis. Trends Parasitol. 19:332-335
