A bucephalid larva, Cercaria pleuromerae N. Sp. (Trematoda: Digenea), parasitizing a deepwater bivalve from the Gulf of Mexico

Date

1988

Authors

Wardle, W.J.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Society of Parasitologists

Abstract

A new bucephalid larva, Cercaria pleuromerae, is described from bivalve molluscs, Pleuromeris armilla, taken from the Gulf of Mexico, 185 mi southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., at a depth of 205 m. Sporocysts occurred in the gonads and digestive gland, apparently preventing gametogenesis in the host. Cercarias emerged freely and continually in both day and night and attached to one another by means of their caudal furcae to form a multicercarial net. This net may serve to increase the probability of contact with the second intermediate host, which is probably a demersal forage fish.

Description

pgs. 692-694

Keywords

parasitism, parasites, hosts, Cercaria pleuromerae, new species, Pleuromeris armilla, marine molluscs, Trematoda, larvae

Citation