Up to what point are cercariogenesis and sporocystogenesis reversible in schistosomes?
A study of larval development of Schistosoma haematobium in the snail Planorbarius metidjensis infected by transplanted sporocysts showed that some embryos in daughter sporocysts have characters intermediate between cercariae and sporocysts. These embryos are interpreted to be nearly mature cercariae that have partially reverted to be secondary sporocysts. If this explanation is correct, it would mean that the embryos which develop within trematode daughter sporocysts can differentiate either into cercariae or into a new generation of sporocysts, but originate from a single type of germinal cell.
Kechemir
N
N
Service de Parasitologie, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Alger.
Combes
C
C
D000818:Animals; D009024:Morphogenesis; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000254:growth & development*; D012908:Snails