Vertical transmission of helminths: Hypobiosis and amphiparatenesis.
Vertical transmission has evolved in at least five lines of helminths and involves prenatal or, more commonly, transmammary pathways to the offspring. In this article, vertical transmission, hypobiosis and paratenesis are combined in a strategy for transmission called amphiparatenesis. Although many believe that vertical transmission of parasites is rare, Wesley Shoop suggests that it is not only significant in the evolution of certain helminths but it may have been one of the pivotal adaptations in the evolution of the eukaryotes and is essential in their continued existence.
Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research, Merck & Co., Inc., PO Box 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
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