Supporting experimental evidence of host specificity among southern African polystomes (Polystomatidae:Monogenea).
Although monogeneans of anurans are generally regarded as host-specific, there is a lack of conclusive experimental evidence. Infection and cross-infection experiments were conducted with oncomiracidia of Polystoma australis and P. marmorati. In a series of experiments, oncomiracidia were given a choice between natural and substitute host tadpoles. Oncomiracidia of P. australis became established in substitute hosts but showed a preference for the natural host, whereas the oncomiracidia of P. marmorati showed a strong and statistically significant preference for the natural host. The results indicated that although the oncomiracidia of southern African polystomes showed a strong preference for their natural hosts, not all parasites exercised the same degree of host specificity.
Du Preez
L H
LH
Department of Herpetology, National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Kok
D J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000469:parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D014200:Trematoda / Q000502:physiology*