Life-cycle and biology of Sychnocotyle kholo n.g., n. sp. (Trematoda : Aspidogastrea) in Emydura macquarii (Pleurodira : Chelidae) from southern Queensland, Australia.
Sychnocotyle kholo n. g., n. sp. (Aspidogastrea: Aspidogastridae) is described from the small intestine of the freshwater turtle Emydura macquarii (Pleurodira: Chelidae). The new genus is distinguished from other aspidogastrids by the possession of the following suite of characters: no cirrus-sac; no hermaphroditic duct; four rows of alveoli on the ventral disc but no prominent papillae; Laurer's canal opening to the exterior. Eggs hatched to cotylocidia within 37-41 days at 17-24 degrees C. The life-cycle is obligate two-host, involving a mollusc and a freshwater turtle. Juvenile forms, almost entirely single worm infections, were found in the molluscs Corbiculina sp. (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) and Thiara balonnensis (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae). Sychnocotyle is most likely to have evolved in Australia after the separation of Gondwanaland from Laurasia 120- 100 mya.
Ferguson
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MA
Department of Biology, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia.
Cribb
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TH
Smales
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LR
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000662:veterinary; D008974:Mollusca / Q000469:parasitology*; D011793:Queensland; D014200:Trematoda / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014426:Turtles / Q000469:parasitology*