Digenean trematodes are widespread parasites of marine fauna.
The second host is less specific, as it includes various bivalve species. The definitive host is a waterbird. The free-living cercaria acts to ensure transmission from the first and second intermediate hosts. Infection intensity increased significantly with cockle size. Considering the filtering capacity of cockles, the dimension of the flume, and the flow velocity, a passive infection mechanism is proposed based on the suspension feeding activity of the host organism.