Glaridacris catostomi

Glaridacris catostomi is a tapeworm, implying it has a simple scolex and unsegmented body.[3] This species has a body length of 5 to 25mm and a breadth of 0.4 to 1.0mm.[3]

The scolex of immature individuals forms a terminal disc by the protruding edges of the base and apex.[3] There are three sucking loculi with the most developed and successful being the central loculi.[3] Additionally, ridges are present, dividing the dorsal and ventral sides of the scolex.[3] In adults, the terminal disc is typically observed as contracted, forming the shape of a wedge with thick margins.[3] Following the scolex is a narrowed strobila where the reproductive organs are found.[3] The genital openings follow the strobila, this is the widest section of this species.[3] The posterior end of Glaridacris catostomi is where the excretory organs are found.[3] This area forms a triangular shape with an indented tip.[3] A defining physical aspect of this species is its H-shaped ovary.[4]

This flatworm species predominantly occurs throughout southern Canada and northern parts of the United States.[1] In Canada, it has been found in the provinces and territories of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Northwest Territories, and Yukon Territories.[1] Within the United States, occurrences have been documented in the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Gorgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New york, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.[1] Although this flatworm has been reported in the rivers of northeastern Siberia, Russia, there is no reference specimen form existing from this location to confirm the species identification.[1] This observation was in the longnose sucker, C. catostomos, and is thought to have been transported here by an introduction of this host species.[1]

Glaridacris catostomi is known to inhabit freshwater environments by parasitizing catostomid fishes.[5][3] Both larvae and adult forms are found within the stomach and intestines of its hosts.[3]

There are three life stages of Glaridacris catostomi, including egg, larvae and adult.[3] The eggs of cestodes become self-fertilized within the reproductive organs and are released into the host fish's intestines.[6] The eggs get excreted in the stool of the host and become ingested by an intermediate host.[6] Here, the eggs develop into larvae. Larvae of Glaridacris catostomi are found in hosts stomachs or intestines where they can be found buried in mucosa (mucous membrane) pits.[4] The larvae of this species are extremely small and can have no appendages.[3]

Although there is no recorded data regarding the lifespan of this species, some cestodes may live up to thirty years in other hosts.[7]

Like other plathyhelminthes, Glaridacris catostomi is a hermaphroditic species, meaning each individual produces both eggs and sperms.[4] This eggs of this species are larger than comparable species, measurements falling between 54 to 55u by 38 to 48u.[4]

There is limited data regarding the behaviour of Glaidacris catostomi.

Unfortunately, there is currently limited data regarding the communication of this species.

Glaidacris catostomi is a parasite of catostomid fishes.[3] Like other cestodes, it obtains nutrients by feeding through the digestive tract of the host.[6] Here, nutrients are absorbed through the outer surface of the tapeworm.[6] This species is known to parasitize individuals of the main host white sucker (Catostomus commersonii). There are additional hosts including longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus), and the Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis). [1]

There is limited data regarding the predation of Glaridacris catostomi. Although, since this species is an internal parasite in the digestive system of fishes, risk of predation is minimal.

There is minimal data regarding the ecosystem roles of Glaidacris catostomi.

Although there is limited data describing the economic importance of this species, tapeworm parasites are known to decrease fish yields while reducing species richness and diversity.[8]

There is no current conservation status for Glaridacris catostomi.

There has been an assigned Barcode Index Number (BIN) on the Biodiversity of Life Database (BOLD).[9]