Studies on Marine Digenetic Trematodes of Puerto Rico. The Life Cycle in the Family Megaperidae

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Abstract
The cercaria of a megaperid, evidently Megapera gyrina. was found to develop in simple rediae in Crepidula convexa living on shells of other snails. The cercaria resembles the trichocercous larvae of the Lepocreadiidae except that the tail has lateral fins instead of setae. After a period of swimming activity, the cercaria encysts in the open, indicating that a 2d intermediate host may not be essential to the completion of the cycle. Morphological evidence and ecological data bearing on the life history are presented and it is concluded that Megaperidae are closely related to Lepocreadiidae.

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