The phylum Platyhelminthes comprises about 20,000 species. They are commonly known as flatworms and include free-living aquatic flatworms (class Turbellaria), as well as the mostly parasitic flukes and tapeworms (classes Monogenea, Trematoda, and Cestoda). Collectively, they are primitive organisms that are flat, soft-bodied, and symmetrical.
Recent molecular studies suggest that the Platyhelminthes as a whole may have arisen as two independent groups from different ancestral groups. If this is correct, most of the flatworms may belong to the Lophotrochozoa, a large group within the animal kingdom that includes molluscs and earthworms, while the rest are much more primitive.
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One page about a planarian and one page about the life cycle of the digenean Cryptocotyle lingua, with a few photographs.
Information and images of different types of Platyhelminthes (flatworms). [Javascript required]
Introduction to the Platyhelminthes, the flatworms: life in two dimensions. One page of text with a few photographs.
Information on the minute intestinal fluke, Metagonimus yokogawai, which can parasitize the human gut, and a diagram and information on its life cycle.
An introduction to the phylum with more pages about the Turbellaria, Monogenea, Digenea and Cestoda, from Animal Diversity Web.
Much information on the flatworms and the characteristics that distinguish them from other worm-like creatures, with photographs and diagrams.
Information on the digenetic blood trematodes of the genus Schistosoma which can infect humans, and a diagram and information on their complex life cycle.
An introduction to the phylum with more pages about the Turbellaria, Monogenea, Digenea and Cestoda, from Animal Diversity Web.
Information on the minute intestinal fluke, Metagonimus yokogawai, which can parasitize the human gut, and a diagram and information on its life cycle.
Information on the digenetic blood trematodes of the genus Schistosoma which can infect humans, and a diagram and information on their complex life cycle.
Much information on the flatworms and the characteristics that distinguish them from other worm-like creatures, with photographs and diagrams.
One page about a planarian and one page about the life cycle of the digenean Cryptocotyle lingua, with a few photographs.
Information and images of different types of Platyhelminthes (flatworms). [Javascript required]
Introduction to the Platyhelminthes, the flatworms: life in two dimensions. One page of text with a few photographs.
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August 7, 2023 at 2:00:38 UTC
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- Recently edited by cherel
- Recently edited by cherel