noun
- the larval stage of a parasitic flatworm that develops after the cercaria stage and typically encysts in an intermediate host
Usage: biology; parasitology
Examples
- The metacercaria stage occurs when the parasite encysts in fish tissue.
- Researchers found metacercariae in the muscle tissue of infected trout.
- The metacercaria remains dormant until consumed by the final host.
- Fish containing metacercariae can transmit the parasite to humans if eaten raw.
- The life cycle includes egg, miracidium, sporocyst, cercaria, and metacercaria stages.
- Metacercariae were identified in liver samples from the intermediate host.