Aspidogaster

Adults are usually found in the pericardial cavity or kidney of freshwater pelecypods. Eggs are deposited and may hatch within the clam. During larval development gradual transformation into the adult form occurs.

Eggs or larvae may also be released from the clam and can be acquired by another clam, or even fish and turtles. The adult can survive several days in water.

The rather loose parasitic associations evident in the life cycle of this species and its relatives is often taken to represent an intermediate stage in the development of obligate parasitism.