Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs
Published on: March 31, 2023
Microphallus koreana n. sp. (Trematoda: Microphallidae) transmitted by a marine crab, Macrophthalmus dilatatus
Sang-Mee Guk1, Jong-Yil Chai, Woon-Mok Sohn
1Department of Parasitology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Abstract:
Microphallus species occur primarily as intestinal parasites of birds and mammals, and metacercariae of a new species belonging to this genus have been discovered from the crab, Macrophthalmus dilatatus, in the Republic of Korea. The metacercaria of this fluke was round with 2 thick walls, and the excysted one had mature genital organs. The adult flukes recovered from experimentally infected chicks had numerous intrauterine eggs, well-developed pars prostatica, widely bifurcating ceca, and prominent uterine bulge. After observing internal structures, it was concluded that this species is different from any other known Microphallus spp. Based on the morphology of metacercariae and adult flukes, we describe this specimen as a new species, Microphallus koreana n. sp.
Related Concept Videos
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Leishmaniasis
Diversity of Protists II
Diversity of Protists I
American Trypanosomiasis
Trichomoniasis
