Trichobilharzia regenti n. sp. (Schistosomatidae, Bilharziellinae), a new nasal schistosome from Europe

Abstract

Members of the genus Trichobilharzia are parasitic in visceral or nasal body parts of their avian hosts. The examination of water snails in South Bohemia revealed a schistosome infection in Radix peregra snails. The experimental infection of ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos, Cairina moschata) confirmed that a new Trichobilharzia species--T. regenti n. sp.--was found. The adults, eggs and larvae (miracidia and cercariae) of the species were morphologically characterized. The adult occupy the nasal blood vessels where they lay the eggs; the miracidia hatch from the eggs directly in the tissue and leave the host during drinking/feeding of the infected birds.