Glochidien

Glochidien, also known as glochidia, are small, ciliated larvae found in certain species of flatworms, particularly in the class Trematoda, which includes flukes. These larvae are a critical stage in the life cycle of many trematodes, serving as a means of dispersal and infection. Glochidia are typically released into the environment by the adult worm, where they can attach to various hosts, including aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates. Once attached, they undergo metamorphosis into cercariae, which can then infect a definitive host, completing the life cycle. The glochidial stage is characterized by its ciliated foot, which allows it to move and attach to potential intermediate hosts. Glochidia play a vital role in the epidemiology of trematode infections, as they facilitate the transmission of these parasites between hosts.