Leucochloridium+Paradoxum

Leucochloridium paradoxum

Description

 * belongs to the order Strigeidida

In snails

 * in its larval stage, it travels through a snail's digestive system and develops into a sporocyst
 * the sporocyst develops into long, swollen tubes, called broodsacs, containing many larva
 * the broodsacs invade the tentacles of the eyes of a snail, turning them into pulsating, colorful spectacles that resembles caterpillars
 * the broodsacs pulsate in response to light intensity, but not complete darkness
 * the worm infection of the tentacles inhibits the snail's perception of light intensity, so the snail is more likely to get eaten by birds since it can't find dark areas to hide

In birds

 * birds ingest the worm when they eat infected snails
 * the larva develop into adults in the bird's digestive system and sexually reproduce and lay eggs
 * the eggs are discarded as part of the bird's droppings, which are consumed by snails


 * the bird poops out the parasite and it starts all over again and the snail poops over and over

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