Question

During its life cycle, Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) infects its intermediate host and primary host at the following larval stages respectively

• A. Metacercaria and cercaria
• B. Miracidium and metacercaria
• C. Redia and miracidium
• D. Cercaria and redia

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Miracidium and metacercaria

Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) belongs to phylum- Platyhelminthes. They are commonly called flatworms. Fasciola hepatica has a digenetic life cycle which is completed in the body of two hosts. It is endoparasite found in bile duct of the liver of sheep and goat which serve as primary host an intermediate host is a snail. The adult worm lives in the body of the primary host and numerous larval stages are passed in the body of an intermediate host.

Miracidium enters the body of snail from the water and develops into next larval stage which finally develops into cercaria larva that leaves the body of the snail and enters the water. Cercaria larva develops into metacercaria larva which infects the primary host. After entering the body of the primary host, metacercaria develops into the adult worm

So, the correct answer is 'Miracidium and metacercaria'