Life-cycle and biology of Sychnocotyle kholo n.g., n. sp. (Trematoda : Aspidogastrea) in Emydura macquarii (Pleurodira : Chelidae) from southern Queensland, Australia

Syst Parasitol. 1999 May;43(1):41-8. doi: 10.1023/a:1006179916764.

Abstract

Sychnocotyle kholo n. g., n. sp. (Aspidogastrea: Aspidogastridae) is described from the small intestine of the freshwater turtle Emydura macquarii (Pleurodira: Chelidae). The new genus is distinguished from other aspidogastrids by the possession of the following suite of characters: no cirrus-sac; no hermaphroditic duct; four rows of alveoli on the ventral disc but no prominent papillae; Laurer's canal opening to the exterior. Eggs hatched to cotylocidia within 37-41 days at 17-24 degrees C. The life-cycle is obligate two-host, involving a mollusc and a freshwater turtle. Juvenile forms, almost entirely single worm infections, were found in the molluscs Corbiculina sp. (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) and Thiara balonnensis (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae). Sychnocotyle is most likely to have evolved in Australia after the separation of Gondwanaland from Laurasia 120- 100 mya.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fresh Water
  • Intestine, Small / parasitology
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / veterinary
  • Mollusca / parasitology*
  • Queensland
  • Trematoda / classification*
  • Trematoda / growth & development
  • Trematoda / ultrastructure
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Trematode Infections / veterinary*
  • Turtles / parasitology*