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Studies on larval trematoda of Burnaby Lake, B.C.

University of British Columbia

Six species of larval trematoda were discovered in the mollusca of Burnaby Lake, B.C. These included two species each of echinostome cercariae, furcocercous cercariae and xiphidiocercariae. Life cycle studies were carried out with each of these larval species. A series of infection experiments proved one of the echinostome cercariae to be the larva of Echinoparyphium recurvatum which was shown to utilize several species of snails at Burnaby Lake as first and second intermediate hosts. Morphological and experimental evidence indicated the other echinostome cercaria to be the larval stage of Echinostome revolutum, an adult trematode parasitic in muskrat of Burnaby Lake. Both natural and experimental first and second intermediate hosts of E. revolutum at Burnaby Lake were established. The two xiphidiocercariae were found to be very similar morphologically, but were classed as separate species on the character of the stylet organ. One xiphidiocercaria bears much resemblance to Cercaria. albui, Brooke 1943, the other appears to be an undescribed species. The first intermediate snail hosts for these xiphidiocercariae have been found at Burnaby Lake and a Gammarus species has been demonstrated as being an experimental second intermediate host. Both the furococercous cercariae discovered appear to be new species. One of these forms bears some resemblance to Cercaria oregonensis. Macfarlane and Macy 1946, and has been found capable of producing a schistosome dermatitis in humans. A high incidence of larval trematode infection exists in the snails of Burnaby Lake. Area differences have been noted in snail populations and their trematode fauna. Additions have been made to larval trematode distribution and host records.

Text

2012-03-20

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/41615

Zoology

University of British Columbia

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