Talk:Trematoda

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This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 19 January 2021 and 30 April 2021. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): KyleMadden24. Peer reviewers: CooperOfford, Roosterchair.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 11:42, 17 January 2022 (UTC)

chemical castration
I am not a trematode expert, but in the interest of precise word use, would like to see some confirmation that this is the correct term, since it was originally coupled with an almost certainly erroneous detail. Castration means removal or destruction of functioning gonads. In most contexts is nearly always used to refer to removal of the hormonal function, not the fertility function (though obviously this is removed as well). Many diseases and problems can disrupt fertility of people and animals (especially female); we do not usually use the term castration for this. Complete disruption of hormonal function by parasites is much rarer. In a human context, chemical castration refers to drug treatment that suppresses of sexual feelings and functions by suppressing gonadal hormones, and implies nothing about fertility. So, worm experts, what is the right term here? Do trematodes produce a chemical that suppresses both the hormonal and reproductive functions of host animals? If trematodes just affect fertility, I think we need another term for this section.

PS, I removed the micropenis link as that is almost certainly spurious. It is what made me doubt the legitimacy of the chemical castration term. If I am wrong, please educate me. alteripse 12:23, 2 November 2005 (UTC)

major edits of April 12, 2007
I deleted a part of the etymology I couldn't follow, as well as the chemical castration part because although yes, it really is aptly named, it's not clear that it's a major feature common to all trematodes. As previously written, the Life Cycle section described a digenean life history, and not even the most general case. This section is now shortened and generalized to include features of teh Aspidogastrea. Still lots of room for improvement in this page. Could use a section on morphology, for example. 132.205.60.253 17:44, 12 April 2007 (UTC)132.205.60.253

Are they harmful to humans?
--207.233.79.150 (talk) 20:02, 12 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sure. For example Schistosoma spp. (about 600 milions people infected), Fasciola hepatica (About 2,3 mil people infected), Clonorchis sinensis etc. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Flukeboy (talk • contribs) 13:26, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

size?
In the anatomy section it is claimed that some species grow as long as 23 ft. sounds dubious. Can someone back that up? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.186.196.225 (talk) 05:17, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

23ft is completely incorrect. I am sure they meant 7cm, not 7m. See the Dawes article cited below or any encyclopedia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.32.125.198 (talk) 13:43, 24 January 2012 (UTC)

Potential source
I ran across this for a tidbit in another article, but I thought this article would strongly benefit from this potential source:



Hope this helps future editors. –  VisionHolder « talk » 01:01, 21 June 2011 (UTC)

Old taxonomic grouping
Pearson JC. On the position of the digenean family Heronimidae: an inquiry into a cladistic classification of the Digenea. Syst Parasitol. 1992;21:81–166.

Matthews, B. An Introduction to Parasitology. (Cambridge University Press.: 1998).

The Class of Trematoda is debatable. It would appear that the two subclasses have only been placed in it due to convergent evolution, rather than decent. It is still used as a "discriptive" term though.

Hosts include cnidarians
I happen to have recently come across a reference to the trematode Podocotyloides stenometra infecting corals of the genus Porites. That would make the article's statement that the flukes parasitize only vertebrates and molluscs incomplete. Unless someone else jumps in, I'll try to remember to edit this article later--don't have the time today.

Ref: http://www.jstor.org.library.esc.edu/stable/3284684 IAmNitpicking (talk) 15:54, 1 November 2016 (UTC)


 * I can't access the paper that you referenced. Do you have something more open source? I have no knowledge about this topic but if you're confident, please edit the article and provide a good citation. Thanks. EvMsmile (talk) 16:36, 30 November 2016 (UTC)


 * Quick Google Scholar search finds:


 * https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/1390/1/v45n3-263-269.pdf
 * "The life cycle of the digenetic trematode Plagioporus sp. includes an intermediate stage that encysts in the scleractinian coral Porites compressa and an adult stage that probably resides in a coral-feeding fish"


 * http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/umrsmas/bullmar/2007/00000080/00000001/art00013
 * Title: "Spatial and temporal patterns of Porites trematodiasis on the reefs of Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii".


 * http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022201174900950
 * Title: "Chemical, histochemical, and histopathological studies on corals, Porites spp., parasitized by trematode metacercariae"


 * Seems pretty solid. Parasitized in all three cases, I believe, by the trematode larvae or intermediate stages.


 * I'll look into editing this tomorrow--busy today and want to be careful.
 * IAmNitpicking (talk) 15:02, 1 December 2016 (UTC)

Etymology
It would be nice if the etymology section explained where "trematoda" and "trematode" come from, not just the common name! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 160.111.254.17 (talk) 17:14, 27 December 2017 (UTC)