Galactosomum is a genus of flukes in the family Heterophyidae. There are currently 28 recognised species within the genus. They mainly infect aquatic birds, but often infest fish as larvae.[1] Three species are known to use marine mammals as hosts.

Galactosomum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Trematoda
Order: Plagiorchiida
Family: Heterophyidae
Genus: Galactosomum
Looss, 1899

Description

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The excised spherical metacercaria is 2.7–4.9 mm long.[2] Generally, only one is found per fish.[3]

Life cycle

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Some species of Galactosomum cause infected fish to swim closer to the surface and colorfully flash their underbellies.[4] In fish, symptoms can be similar to those of whirling disease caused by the unrelated parasite Myxobolus cerebralis.[3] Gastropods hosting select species suffer from sensory impairment due to infestation. This makes these prey animals more likely to be consumed by aquatic birds, providing a host for the parasite to reach the mature stage of its life cycle. Galactosomum cannot survive in human hosts.[4]

Species

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References

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  1. ^ Hoffman, Glenn L. (1999). "Some North American Fish Parasites Listed by Location in the Fish". Parasites of North American Freshwater Fishes. 512 East State St., Ithaca, NY 14850: Cornell University Press. p. 11. ISBN 0-8014-3409-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. ^ Kamegai, S.; N. Yasunaga; S. Ogawa; S. Yasumoto (1982). "Galactosomum sp. from intestine of Larus carassirostris from Nagasaki, Japan". Jpn. J. Parasit. (in Japanese): 31.
  3. ^ a b Kimura, M.; Endo, M. (1979). "Whirling disease caused by metacercaria of a fluke". Fish Pathol. (in Japanese). 13 (4): 211–213. doi:10.3147/jsfp.13.211.
  4. ^ a b "Database of Parasites in Fish and Shellfish". Retrieved 2008-07-03.
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"Galactosomum". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species.