Intraspecific and interspecific pairing of Haematoloechus medioplexus (Trematoda) and Echinostoma revolutum (Trematoda) adults in vitro, and observations on H. medioplexus lipophilic excretory–secretory products

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Intraspecific pairing of Haematoloechus medioplexus and Echinostoma revolutum adults and interspecific pairing of H. medioplexus and E. revoltum adults were studied in vitro at 21 ± 1 °C and 30 ± 1 °C in Petri-dish cultures containing an agar substrate and a Locke's 1:1 solution overlay. Salinity and temperature tolerance tests showed that both species survived for 24 h in a Locke's 1:1 solution at 21 ± 1 °C and 30 ±1 °C. For behaviour studies, worms were placed 2 cm apart and then observed at various intervals from 5 min to 4 h. H. medioplexus and E. revolutum showed significant intraspecific pairing at 30±1 °C, whereas only H. medioplexus paired significantly at 21±1°C. Significant interspecific pairing of H. medioplexus and E. revolutum occurred at 21 ±1 °C and 30 ±1 °C. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis showed that H. medioplexus adults released mainly free sterol, along with traces of triacylglycerols and free fatty acids into a non-nutrient medium.