Editing Digenea (section)

===Schistosomes===
The Schistosomes occur in the [[circulatory system]] of the definitive host. Humans become infected after free-swimming cercaria liberated from infected snails penetrate the skin. These dioecious worms are long and thin, ranging in size from 10 to 30&nbsp;mm in length to 0.2 to 1.0&nbsp;mm in diameter. Adult males are shorter and thicker than females, and have a long groove along one side of the body in which the female is clasped. Females reach sexual maturity after they have been united with a male. After mating the two remain locked together for the rest of their lives. They can live for several years and produce many thousands of eggs.

The four species of schistosomes that infect humans are members of the [[genus]] ''[[Schistosoma]]''.

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
|+'''Human Schistosomes'''
|-
! style="background:#ffceff;" | Scientific Name
! style="background:#ffceff;" | First Intermediate Host
! style="background:#ffceff;" | Endemic Area
|-
|''[[Schistosoma mansoni]]''
|''[[Biomphalaria]]'' spp.
|[[Africa]], [[South America]], [[Caribbean]], [[Middle East]]
|-
|''[[Schistosoma haematobium]]''
|''[[Bulinus]]'' spp.
|[[Africa]], [[Middle East]]
|-
|''[[Schistosoma japonicum]]''
|''[[Oncomelania]]'' spp.
|[[China]], [[East Asia]], [[Philippines]]
|-
|''[[Schistosoma intercalatum]]''
|''[[Bulinus]]'' spp.
|[[Africa]]
|}