Classification:

• Phylum: Platyhelminthes
• Class: Trematoda
• Order: Digenea
• Genus: Schistosoma

Comments:

1. 1. It is found as a parasite in the intestine of man.
2. 2. It is worldwide in distribution
3. 3. Schistosoma is commonly called a blood fluke.
4. 4.Body long slender and form and grayish or pinkish in colour.
5. 5.Sexes are completely separate.
6. 6. Male is usually 8 to 16mm in length, has a cylindrical stout and flattened body.
7. 7. Female is longer than male, usually 15 to 20 mm in length, has a more slender delicate cylindrical body.
8. 8.Males carry females permanently in their gynecophoric canals formed by infolding of ventral body wall.
9. 9.Both male and female worms are provided with oral and ventral suckers but the ventral sucker is larger and powerful in male.
10. 10. Digestive system is simple and consists of esophagus and forked intestine.

Source:

1. Practical Zoology Invertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.