Trematoda

Trematodea Trem`a*to"de*a, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? having holes, from ?, ?, a hole.] (Zo["o]l.) An extensive order of parasitic worms. They are found in the internal cavities of animals belonging to all classes. Many species are found, also, on the gills and skin of fishes. A few species are parasitic on man, and some, of which the fluke is the most important, are injurious parasites of domestic animals. The trematodes usually have a flattened body covered with a chitinous skin, and are furnished with two or more suckers for adhesion. Most of the species are hermaphrodite. Called also {Trematoda}, and {Trematoidea}. See {Fluke}, {Tristoma}, and {Cercaria}. [1913 Webster]