Interesting photo of parasite on my pond snail

Apr 07, 2020 09:45:37

I was looking for a thread with different photos of wildlife but haven't found anything, so I hope this subforum is the one to post.

As I am lacking a bit of energy right now (hopefully a normal cold...) I was sitting on the little bench by our tiny pond an hour ago.
I noticed a water snail had crawled out of the water to a stone. When inspecting it more closely, I noticed one of its antennas was bigger and throbbing. I got excited and took my camera.
I had read about a parasite that breeds inside the snail and then makes the antenna throb to lure predators - to close the parasitic cycle.

When reading a bit it turned out that indeed it was a case of Leucochloridium paradoxum.
I put it on a light stone to make a better picture and then put it back. It is doomed anyway.

See, you don't have to roam far to make interesting discoveries!

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