The trematode, Halipegus ovocaudatus, a parasite of amphibians has
four obligatory hosts (3 intermediate). Starting with the adult
parasites in frogs, then mollusk, copepod, and dragonfly larvae
before returning to the frog via predation (Kechemir N. 1978). In
general, 4-host life cycles are very rare.
Hope that helps,
Lien
At 01:08 PM 3/23/2010, David Inouye wrote:
What's an example of a parasite that has a large number of different
intermediate hosts in its life cycle? I thought I remembered
hearing about one that had about three intermediate hosts in the
life cycle, but a quick perusal of an old parasitology book hasn't
turned that up.
David Inouye
Dr. David W. Inouye, Professor
Dept. of Biology
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4415
Rocky Mtn. Biological Laboratory
PO Box 519
Crested Butte, CO 81224
[email protected]
301-405-6946
Lien T. Luong
Research Associate
Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics
208 Mueller Laboratory
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0522
http://www.cidd.psu.edu/people/ltl1
