While foraging on grass,white-tailed deer occasionally ingest snails or slugs that host larvae of the meningeal worm.The worm larvae mature inside the deer and eventually are passed out with the feces.The snails acquire the larvae as they come into contact with deer feces on the ground.The snails are an example of a(n)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The snails in this scenario serve as intermediate hosts, as they acquire the larvae of the meningeal worm from deer feces and provide an environment for the larvae to develop. The deer serve as definitive hosts, as they host the mature meningeal worm before passing them out with feces. Direct host and macrohost are not relevant terms in this context.

While Foraging on Grass,white-Tailed Deer Occasionally Ingest Snails or Slugs