title: Abandoning the ship: spontaneous mass exodus of Clinostomum complanatum (Rudolphi, 1814) progenetic metecercariae from the dying intermediate host Trichogaster fasciatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801).
abstract: The dramatic and spontaneous exodus of live Clinostomum complanatum progenetic metacercaria from the gill slits of the dying intermediate host, Trichogaster fasciatus is reported. Basic water parameter tests for dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature revealed slightly lower level of dissolved oxygen in tank water used for water change. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report of a digenean metacercariae, en mass leaving their intermediate host, upon its death in search of an alternative host to support their survival and help in continuing their life cycle.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Md Maroof
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Saltanat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parveen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saleemuddin
authors.forename: S M A
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abidi
keywords: Clinostomum complanatum; Evolution; Mass exodus; Metacercaria; Trichogaster fasciatus
references.citation: J Helminthol. 2004 Dec;78(4):373-6
references.pmid: 15575998