Camponotus compressiscapus André (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) an experimental second intermediate host of Dicrocoelium hospes Looss, 1907 (Trematodes, Dicrocoeliidae).
Infection experiments showed that the African ant Camponotus compressiscapus can serve as a second intermediate host of Dicrocoelium hospes. Most of the cercariae penetrated the crop-wall and encysted in the hemocoel, whereas one or more larvae invaded the ant's central nervous system. These larvae cause behavioral changes, which increase their chance of being ingested by final hosts. Experimental infections of definitive hosts were obtained in golden hamsters, Meriones unguiculatus, guinea-pigs, and sheep.
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000469:parasitology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004011:Dicrocoeliasis / Q000469:parasitology; D004013:Dicrocoelium / Q000254:growth & development*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012756:Sheep