STUDIES ON THE LIFE‐HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE TREMATODE GENUS RENICOLA COHN, 1904*

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Abstract
SUMMARY: A review of the morphological criteria on which the species of Renicola are separated is given and an analysis of the value of these criteria is made, Three new host records for the genus Renicola are given and the worms found are described. The pathology of the infected bird's kidney is discussed.The species of cercariae of the “Rhodometopa” group found during the present work are listed and two new species are described. Some general observations on the anatomy of these cercariae are made. The miracidia of Renicola sp. from Puffinus puffinus are described. The development of the sporocysts of the “Rhodometopa” group of cercariae is described and a new interpretation of the structure of the body‐wall of these sporocysts is presented. Observations on the emergence of cercariae from infected snails are described, also observations on the behaviour of these cercariae. Experimental infection of Turritella communis with the eggs of Renicola sp. is described and the results are discussed.A new host for the metacercariae of the “Rhodometopa”‘ group (Clupea sprattus) is recorded. Two types of metacercarial cysts are described. The infection rate in sprats is discussed. Attempts to bring about excystation by means of in vitro digests are described, also unsuccessful attempts to produce experimental infection of Renicola spp. in birds. The connection between the sprat as an intermediate host and the high infection rate of Renicola sp. in Puffinus puffinus is discussed.