Chapter 25, Problem 37A

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The percent of flukes are flatworms.

Introduction:

The flatworms are worms that have a head and tail. As the name suggests they are flat and bilaterally symmetrical. They do not have body cavity. They are bilaterally symmetrical with a definite upper and lower surface.

Explanation of Solution

The flatworms are parasitic and free living. All the flat worms are classified into turbellaria, Trematoda and cestode. The class Trematoda (fluke) and cestode are parasites. The total is around 20,000 and the flukes or Trematoda are around 12,000. So, the flukes consist around 60% of the flatworms.