The Trematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes, which contains two groups of parasitic worms.
Taxonomy
All trematodes are
parasitic flatworms. Previous classification systems included the
Monogenea amongst the trematoda, alongside the
Digenea and
Aspidogastrea, on the basis that they were all
vermiform parasites. The taxonomy of the Platyhelminthes is being subjected to extensive revision thanks to modern
phylogenetic studies, and modern sources place the Monogenea in a separate class within the phylum.
Etymology
Trematodes are commonly referred to as
flukes. This term can be traced back to the
Saxon name for
Flounder, and refers to the flattened, rhomboidal shape of the worms.
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Nanophyetus spp. - Information from the FDA/CFSAN Bad Bug Book on the parasitic flukes that transmit the human illness nanophyetiasis, acquired from eating raw or underprocessed freshwater or anadromous fish.
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