Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T07:20:34.419Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Studies on the life-cycle of Himasthla militaris(Trematoda: Echinostomatidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

R. Vanoverschelde
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Zoophysiology, State University of Ghent, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
F. Vaes
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Zoophysiology, State University of Ghent, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

Summary

In this study two aspects of the biology of the cercaria of Himasthla militaris were examined. Firstly, the cercarial emergence from the first intermediate host, Hydrobia stagnorum, was studied. On a 9 h light (9L)/15 h dark (15D) schedule cercariae of Himasthla militaris emerged from naturally infected Hydrobia stagnorum predominantly during darkness. Inversion of the photo-period resulted in an immediate reversal of the emergence pattern. A comparison between the cercarial release patterns under natural conditions and in a constant light/temperature environment showed that an endogenous as well as an exogenous factor is controlling this process. Secondly, the penetration of the cercaria in Nereis diversicolor and the site-finding of the larva within this second intermediate host was investigated. After a short external migration on the body of N. diversicolor the cercaria enters the polychaete via the anus opening, perforates the gut-wall and moves through the coelom to the anterior segments to encyst in the muscle tissue. This internal migration results in a specific distribution pattern of the metacercariae, with more than 50% of the cysts localized in the first 12 segments and a maximum in segment number 9 (13·8%).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Asch, H. L. (1972). Rhythmic emergence of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae from Biomphalaria glabrata: control by illumination. Experimental Parasitology 31, 350–5.Google Scholar
Buchsbaum, R. & Milne, L. J. (1967). Les Invertèbres du Monde. Hachette.Google Scholar
Craig, L. G. Himasthla quissetensis and Lepocreadium setiferoides: emergence patterns from their molluscan host, Nassarius obsoletus. Experimental Parasitology 38, 5663.Google Scholar
Erasmus, D. A. (1972). The Biology of Trematodes. Edward Arnold, London.Google Scholar
Giovanolla, A. (1936). Inversion of the periodicity of emission of cercariae from their snail hosts by reversal of light and darkness. Journal of Parasitology 22, 292–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Govaere, J. (1969). Bijdrage tot de oecologie van enkele benthos-organismen in het Zwin. Licentiaatsverhandeling R. U. G., pp. 84.Google Scholar
Olivier, L. J. (1951). The influence of light on the emergence of Schistosomatium douthitti cercariae from their snail host. Journal of Parasitology 37, 201–4.Google Scholar
Pitchford, R. J., Meyling, A. H., Meyling, T. & Dutoit, J. F. (1969). Cercarial shedding patterns of various schistosome species under outdoor conditions in the Transvaal. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 63, 359–71.Google Scholar
Rebecq, J. (1964). Récherches systématiques, biologiques et écologiques sur les formes larvaires de quelques trématodes de Camargue. Thèses présentées à la Faculté des Sciences de l'université d'aix-Marseille, No. 122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rees, F. G. (1948). A study of the effect of light, temperature and salinity on the emergence of Cercaria purpurea Lebour from Nucella lapillus. Journal of Parasitology 38, 328–42.Google Scholar
Vaes, F. (1976). Bijdrage tot de oecologie van brakwater-trematoden (Trematoda Digenea). Doctoraatsverhandeling R. U. G., pp. 284.Google Scholar
Vaes, F. (1977). Host–parasite relationships in a brackishwater habitat. Biologisch Jaarboek Dodonaea 45, 171–80.Google Scholar
Vaes, F. (1978). Notes on the life-cycle of Deropristis inflata (Molin, 1958) (Trematoda Digenea: Acanthocolpidae): transmission between first and second intermediate host. Biologisch Jaarboek Dodonaea 46, 202–9.Google Scholar
Wagenbach, G. E. & Alldredge, A. L. (1974). Effect of light on the emergence pattern of Plagiorchis micracanthos cercariae from Stagnicola exilis. Journal of Parasitology 60, 782–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed