title: The palearctic oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, a natural definitive host for Gymnophalloides seoi.
abstract: In order to verify the role of migrating birds as natural definitive hosts for Gymnophalloides seoi (Gymnophallidae), Palearctic oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, were caught from several western coastal areas in the Republic of Korea and examined for intestinal flukes. Five (71.4%) of 7 oystercatchers were infected with 302-1,660 (mean 892) adult G. seoi. In intestinal sections of the host, worms were found in the intervillous space of the mucosal layer. We conclude that the oystercatcher is a natural definitive host for G. seoi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Kangwon-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ryang
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D001717:Birds; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000469:parasitology; D014200:Trematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*