Baracktrema

Baracktrema has a thread-like, cylindrical, body by being 30 to 50 times longer than it is wide. Monoecious body type was detailed in the study, but generally, blood flukes have both monoecious and diecious stages. This genus, along with Unicaecum, are the only genera to have a combination of: • a single cecum • a single testis • oviducal seminal receptacle • uterine pouch • post-cecal terminal genitalia • lacks tegument spines Baracktrema was designated its own genus due to • anterior pharynx • a highly convoluted cecum throughout the length of the cecum • a spindle-shaped ovary that lies between the testis and the cirrus sac • a uterine pouch that loops around the primary Vitelline collecting duct ==Life cycle==

Should resemble that of other turtle blood flukes. It is believed that the eggs of Baracktrema could be taken by the circulatory system to the alveoli, as seen in schistosomes. Baracktrema is believed to, alternatively or in addition to using the circulatory system, directly lay eggs in the lumen of the alveoli. With either mechanism, travel from the alveoli to the external environment is unknown, but suspected to be due to the combination of coughing and the bronchial escalator. It seems that eggs are released from the turtle and it is suspected, through laboratory observation, that upon contact with freshwater, the miracidium is released from the egg. == See also ==