How can flatworms affect humans?
Hundreds to thousands of eggs are produced daily by each female worm. And, once they become trapped in human organs, these eggs induce chronic complications including inflammation, tissue scarring, fluid imbalances, anaemia and, eventually, death.
How are flatworms harmful?
The worm can secrete toxins that can trigger allergic reactions. It can also carry the rat lungworm parasite — which, in rare cases, can cause life-threatening meningitis in humans.
Which are the diseases caused due to flatworms and in whom?
Cestodes (tapeworms) and digeneans (flukes) cause diseases in humans and their livestock, whilst monogeneans can cause serious losses of stocks in fish farms. Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is the second-most devastating parasitic disease in tropical countries, behind malaria.
Do flatworms have a purpose?
Role in Food Chain. Flatworms may regulate population dynamics of zooplankton in ponds. They are also consumers of protozoans, rotifers, and algae, and help to regulate populations of these organisms.
What are predators of flatworms?
Flatworms have a number of natural predators, including the Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia), the Yellow Wrasse, and the Spotted Mandarin. The biggest drawback to ridding your tank of flatworms with this method is that the fish will not consume every flatworm in the tank.
How do parasitic flatworms move?
Movement in some flatworms is controlled by longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers of muscle. Others move along slime trails by the beating of epidermal cilia. The development of directional movement is correlated with cephalization.
How do flatworms respond to the environment?
To adapt to marine life this flatworm uses diffusion to breathe and to distribute nutrients to other parts of the body. Diffusion is where elements move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. A hydrostatic skeleton makes it easy for flatworms to adapt to aquatic life.