MORPHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF ECHINOCHASMUS JAPONICUS CERCARIAE AND THE IN VITRO MAINTENANCE OF ITS LIFE CYCLE FROM CERCARIAE TO ADULTS.

The article cites studies on the morphological characteristics of Echinochasmus japonicus cercariae and the in vitro maintenance of its life cycle from cercariae to adults. The study examines the cercariae morphology of E. japonicus using light and scanning electron microscopy. It has been observed that the cercariae of E. japonicus had ovoid bodies and short tails, but no head crown or collar spines. It shows that the parasites encysted only in the gills of freshwater fish at day 4 postinfection.