An ectosymbiotic flatworm, Temnocephala chilensis, as second intermediate host for Echinoparyphium megacirrus (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Patagonia (Argentina).
During a survey of parasites of the Patagonian freshwater crab Aegla neuquensis neuquensis, its ectosymbiont Temnocephala chilensis was found parasitized with an echinostomatid metacercaria with 43 collar spines. Of the 414 T. chilensis collected, 106 were parasitized with metacercariae of Echinoparyphium sp. Ovigerous adults of E. megacirrus were obtained from domestic chicks experimentally infected with metacercariae obtained from temnocephalans. This is the first record of temnocephalans being parasitized by digeneans.
Viozzi
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Laboratorio de Parasitología, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. gviozzi@bariloche.com.ar
Flores
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Rauque
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D000818:Animals; D033381:Anomura / Q000469:parasitology*; D001118:Argentina; D002645:Chickens; D004450:Echinostomatidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005618:Fresh Water; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D014419:Turbellaria / Q000469:parasitology*