Paramphistomum phillerouxi sp. nov. (Trematoda: Paramphistomatidae) and its Development in Bulinu$ forskalii

Abstract

During a study of worm infestations of domestic animals and their control carried out in 1955-1956 in Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Dr. P. L. LeRoux recovered from cattle at Mazabuka in Northern Rhodesia numerous specimens of a conical fluke of the genus Paramphistomum Fischoeder. At the same time, specimens of Bulinus forskalii (Ehrenberg), emitting paramphistome cercariae, were found in the area where the infested cattle grazed. Encysted cercariae obtained from the snails were sent to the East African Veterinary Research Organization, Muguga, where three calves were fed with 3,166, 1,784, and 1,974 cercariae respectively. All three calves began to pass paramphistome eggs in the faeces 99, 100, and 102 days respectively after they had been given the encysted cercariae. These calves were subsequently used as a source of eggs forhatching miracidia for experimental infection of snails in a study of the larval development of the species.