Common Liver Fluke

Common Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica) belongs to the Platyhelminthes and has very interesting way of life because it is an internal parasite (endoparasite) of vertebrates. It has very complicated life cycle and can grow up to 3 cm. Its hosts are sheep, cattle, wild game and only rarely human, and it can be found worldwide. It has two suckers on its body that enable it to attach to inner parts of its host. There is a complicated system of muscles under its skin that allows it to move effectively within its host. Digestive system leads to a blind gut (it has no rear opening) and has two branches. Circulatory and respiratory systems are not developed. As majority of other internal parasites, the Common Liver Fluke is a hermaphrodite which means that it possesses both male and female reproductive systems and it fertilizes itself.