Light micrograph of eggs and hatching larva of the dog and cat roundworm Toxascaris leonina, Infection with this parasite occurs by ingestion of the s

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Light micrograph of eggs and hatching larva of the dog and cat roundworm Toxascaris leonina, Infection with this parasite occurs by ingestion of the second larval stage, either within the egg or in the tissues of prey such as mice. The larvae develop in the wall and lumen of the host's small intestine, feeding on cell debris and mucosal fluids. The large white adult worms copulate and the females produce thousands of smooth-walled eggs which are deposited with the host's faeces. T. leonina occurs in young animals with other roundworms such as Toxocara sp., causing diarrhoea and failure to thrive. Magnification: x65 at 35mm size.

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Size: 5249px × 3475px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, cat, dog, egg, embryo, hatching, invertebrate, invertebrates, leonina, nature, nematoda, nematode, roundworm, toxascaris, wildlife, zoology