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Figure 3 | Parasites & Vectors

Figure 3

From: Description of Hymenolepis microstoma (Nottingham strain): a classical tapeworm model for research in the genomic era

Figure 3

Life cycle of Hymenolepis microstoma. Infected adult or larval beetles (e.g. Tribolium confusum) are consumed by rodents (e.g. Mus musculus), releasing the cysticercoids which excyst and locate in the bile duct before commencing strobilation. Gravid adult worms develop in 12-14 days in vivo and release embryonated eggs in the duodenum that are expelled with the host faeces. Oncosphereal larvae are released when the eggs are consumed by beetles, allowing them penetrate the gut wall and metamorphose into patent cysticercoids in the haemocoel (apx. one week). Illustration adapted from Olsen [63].

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