Aspidogastrea

flatworm subclass

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

Aspidogastrea is a small subclass of parasitic flatworms, specifically flukes. These organisms are characterized by a large, complex ventral sucking disk, which is intermediate in some ways between monogenetic and digenetic trematodes. They are internal or external parasites of aquatic animals and can sometimes have alternating hosts, though they completely lack sexual reproduction. Aspidogastrea are part of the phylum Platyhelminthes, commonly known as flatworms.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

flatworm
Annotated classification
Subclass Aspidogastrea Oral sucker absent; main adhesive organ occupying almost the entire ventral surface, consists of suckerlets arranged in rows; excretory pore single and posterior; endoparasites of vertebrates, mollusks, and crustaceans; about 35 species. Subclass Digenea Oral and ventral suckers generally well-developed; development involves at least
Read More
Subclass Aspidogastrea Oral sucker absent; main adhesive organ occupying almost the entire ventral surface, consists of suckerlets arranged in rows; excretory pore single and posterior; endoparasites of vertebrates, mollusks, and crustaceans; about 35 species. Subclass Digenea Oral and ventral suckers generally well-developed; development involves at least
Read More