Octomacrum

These flukes are relatively large, about 5 mm in length, and live on the gills of freshwater fish. The prominent opisthaptor, at the bottom of the photo, has 4 pairs of clamps. Each clamp is muscular, with a complex series of internal sclerites that help grip the host. The presence of these multiple clamps easily places this fluke in the Polyopisthocotylea.

The prohaptor at the anterior (top of photo) is a simple structure, consisting of a mouth (not visible) leading to a muscular pharynx with two lateral pouches. Posterior to the pharynx, the intestine splits into two ceca which proceed posteriorly nearly to the level of the opisthaptor. The ceca have lateral diverticula which increase the surface area for digesting food.

The very dark, irregular structure in the centre of the body is the ovary; the clear tube proceeding anteriorly to near the bifurcation of the ceca is the uterus. Posterior to the ovary is a single, large testis.