A Key to the Cercariae from British Freshwater Molluscs

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Abstract
The study of larval trematode parasites of freshwater molluscs is a field which has been much neglected in Great Britain. Renewed interest has appeared in recent years and this, together with the scattered nature of the literature, has prompted the construction of a key which will aid in the identification of cercarial stages emerging from freshwater molluscs.In many cases it will be noted that the author and date associated with the species may not be that of the original author but will represent the most recent and complete description of the form. A few of, the early descriptions do not contain sufficient detail to allow very precise demarcation from closely related animals but an attempt has been made to separate them in the present text. As far as possible, easily distinguishable morphological features have been employed, but in some cases reference to the excretory formula and floating position in the water is necessary.