Introduction to Digenean Flukes
Adult Fluke
Adult Bodyplan
Digenean Tegument
Reproductive System
Lifecycle
Other Flukes

The Adult Digenean Fluke

The basic body form of the adult trematode takes a number of different forms, some of which are illustrated below;

Amphistome	Distome	Echinostome	Monostome
These have large fleshy bodies, with a prominent sucker at the posterior of the body (e.g. Gastrodiscoides hominis )	These are the most common type, with the mouth surrounded by the oral sucker and a ventral sucker, present anywhere on the ventral surface except the extreme posterior (e.g. Fasciola hepatica )	Similar to the distomes, except that the oral sucker surrounded by a prominent collar, equiped with spines (e.g. Echinostoma sp.)	In these there is either only one sucker present (usually only the oral sucker), or there are two suckers, but one very reduced, or in some cases no suckers) (e.g. Notocotylus attenuatus )

Schistosome

Elongate trematodes, with separate sexes, the male generally larger, holding the female within a groove formed by a folding of the male body (the gynaecophoric canal). Found within the circulatory system. (e.g.Schistosoma mansoni)

There are other forms as well, for example the 'Holostome' type, where the body of the trematode is divided into two distinct regions, the anterior of which may hold an additional adhesive organ, (e.g. Diplostomum sp.), and the 'Gasterostome', where the gut is a very simple, sac like, structure, attached to a mouth situated near the centre of the body (reminiscent of the arangment of some of the free living platyhelminthes).

Adult Bodyplan