Editing Microphallus (section)

== Life cycle ==
An [[undescribed species|undescribed]] ''Microphallus'' species is a widespread and locally common parasite in New Zealand lakes and streams. Multilocus [[allozyme]] genotype data show that this ''Microphallus'' is a single outbred species with high levels of gene flow among South Island populations. The parasite exclusively uses ''[[Potamopyrgus antipodarum]]'' as the intermediate host, and the final hosts are [[waterfowl]]. Embryonated ''Microphallus'' eggs are ingested from sediment and hatch in the [[Reproductive system of gastropods|snail's gut]], penetrate the intestine, and migrate to the [[Reproductive system of gastropods|gonads]] and [[digestive gland]]. Following successful establishment, the parasite then undergoes [[asexual reproduction]], replacing much of the host's reproductive tissue and digestive gland, which results in complete sterilization of the snail. The first visible parasite developmental stages ([[blastocercariae]]) are detectable after approximately 75 days post-exposure and [[metacercaria]]e are common by 90 days post-exposure at 16&nbsp;°C in the lab. The life cycle is completed when snails containing metacercariae are consumed by waterfowl.<ref name="Osnas 2005"/>