Cercarial dimensions and surface structures as a tool for species determination of Trichobilharzia spp.

Abstract

Fourteen isolates of three Trichobilharzia species (T. szidati, T. franki, T. regenti) occurring sympatrically in Central Europe were morphologically analyzed. Chaetotaxy appears a promising way for species discrimination - the papillary pattern is specific for all Trichobilharzia species studied by us.

Therefore, we compiled an identification key for the three Trichobilharzia species.

Keywords

• Trematoda
• schistosomes
• Trichobilharzia
• cercaria
• chaetotaxy
• surface carbohydrates