The Life History of Brachycoelium obesum Nicoll, 1914, with a Discussion of the Systematic Status of the Trematode Family Brachycoellidae Johnston 1912

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Abstract
The life history of Brachycoelium obesum, and intestinal trematode of salamanders, is experimentally determined in which there is only one intermediate host, either Zonatoides ligerus or Agriolimax agrestris. The egg in the feces of Plethodon glutinosus and P. cinereus contains a developed but immotile miracidium which does not attain motility, and later hatches only after it comes in contact with the digestive juices of the gastropod host. Various experimental culture media were used unsuccessfully in attempts to hatch the egg in vitro. Within the hepatopancreas of the gastropod host the parasite undergoes 2 sporocyst generations, the latter giving rise to short-tailed xiphidiocercariae. The metacercaria is unen-cysted in and around hepatopancreatic tissue. When tissues containing metacercariae are fed to the experimental definitive host, Triturus viridescens, young adults were obtained. The life history of B. obesum is compared with that of Glypthelmins quieta and Mesocoelium brevicaecum, and the validity of the family Brachycoeliidae Johnston, 1912 is championed on the basis of the similarity among the life history patterns of these 3 members.

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