Introduction of a Brachylaima species (Digenea: Brachylaimidae) to Australia.
A Brachylaima species recorded previously from the house mouse (Mus domesticus) in South Australia is shown to use the introduced European snails Cernuella virgata and Cochlicella barbara as first intermediate hosts, and the same two species and Theba pisana as second intermediate hosts. The life cycle is typical of Brachylaima species. The parasite is capable of infecting at least two species of native Australian rodent, Rattus fuscipes and Leporillus conditor. Because of the intermediate hosts used, it is hypothesized that this trematode species has been introduced from Europe. The parasite may be conspecific with one of a number of described European species but difficulties with the literature concerning these species have required that the present form be designated only as Brachylaima sp.
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CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Lyneham, ACT, Australia.
D000818:Animals; D004199:Disease Vectors; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D009115:Muridae / Q000469:parasitology*; D051381:Rats; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology*; D013021:South Australia; D014200:Trematoda / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*