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Nucella lapillus as a paratenic host for Maritrema arenaria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2024

H.O. McCarthy ,
S.W.B. Irwin  and
S.M. Fitzpatrick
H.O. McCarthy*
Affiliation:
School of Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Whiteabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
S.W.B. Irwin
Affiliation:
School of Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Whiteabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
S.M. Fitzpatrick
Affiliation:
School of Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Whiteabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
*
*Fax: 01232 366162. E-mail: h.o.mccarthy@ ulst.ac.uk
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Abstract

Metacercariae of the microphallid trematode Maritrema arenaria are found in the shore barnacle Semibalanoides balanoides which is heavily predated by the dog whelk, Nucella lapillus. This study demonstrated that, under experimental and natural conditions, M. arenaria metacercarial cysts were ingested by N. lapillus and the metacercariae retained their viability while passing through the molluscs' digestive systems. Dog whelks are a known food source for numerous bird species, leading to the conclusion that they may act as paratenic hosts of M. arenaria. The strategic importance of the adoption by M. arenaria of N. lapillus as a paratenic host is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 73 , Issue 3 , March 1999 , pp. 281 - 282
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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