Morphology of Ascocotyle leighi, n. sp. (Heterophyidae), an Avian Trematode with Metacercaria Restricted to the Conus Arteriosus of the Fish, Mollienesia latipinna Le Sueur

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Abstract
Descrip-tion and notes on the life history of a trematode first observed as a metacercaria encysting in the conus arteriosus of the fish, Mollienesia latipinna Le Sueur. Description based on adults, 72 hours or older, recovered from day-old unfed chicks which were infected with metacercaria. Infections of 28 chicks were attempted, 16 of which were successful. The adults undergo a transient development in the posterior part of the small intestine, reaching the egg-producing, but not the egg-liberating stage, after 66 to 72 hours of incubation. Shortly thereafter, their numbers progressively diminish, no adults being recovered after 119 hours of incubation. Attempts to infect mice with the metacercariae were unsuccessful. A total of 341 Mollienesia latipinna were examined and only 12 were devoid of infection. As many as 30 or 35 cysts were frequently recovered from a single conus, the metacercariae encysting in the wall immediately under the endothelium. Growth of the metacercariae toward the lumen results in occlusion of the vessel to the point of possible interference of arterial blood flow.
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