Mating schistosome flukes. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pair of schistosome flukes (Schistosoma mansoni) mating. As adults, these


Mating schistosome flukes. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pair of schistosome flukes (Schistosoma mansoni) mating. As adults, these worms live in the veins around the human large intestine, attaching themselves to the wall by the suckers on their heads. During mating, the male holds the female in a groove known as the gynaecophoric canal, which he forms by folding the sides of his body around her. The female produces many eggs, which leave the host's body in the faeces, but can also form fibrous obstructions of tissues and vessels known as granulomas. Magnification: x75 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.


Size: 4000px × 4000px
Photo credit: © EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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