Parasitology question

[Glo]

Hi everybody,

 

I am studying about intestinal flagellates right now.

What is the difference between trailing flagellum and posterior flagellum? Is there any difference?

 

Glowstar

[CharonY]

I may be wrong, but from what I have seen (mostly in Trypanosoma) trailing flagellum really refers to the flagellum that is directed towards the posterior but not necessarily located there. So using Trypanosoma as example, there are two flagella located at the anterior, but one is directed forwards and another backwards, known as trailing flagellum. A posterior flagellum would always refer to on located at the posterior.

In other words, one term refers to the direction, the second to the location.

[Glo]

Thank you!