Lymnaea (Bulimnea) megasoma snails were captured in northern Minnesota and cercarial shedding induced by artificial illumination. Both cercariae shown here are from L. megasoma.
In the first attached image, the cercariae is a Strigea (Longifurcate-pharyngeate). Likely Diplostomum?
In the second attached image, the cercariae is an Armatae according to Schell 1985. Oral and ventral suckers present (ventral sucker is midventral despite being unclear in image), stylet present. (Apologies for poor quality, video upload failed.)
Identification to genus would be great, ID to family would still be useful.
Thanks,
Trevor
Dear J. Trevor Vannatta,
The specific identification of larval stages based on morphological is extremely difficult. It requires a detailed morphological study and experimental life cycle or molecular data.
You're right. The first image is longifurcate cercaria and so can not be a species of Schistosomatidae. The study of the distribution of penetration glands may help you in the identification of the probable genus. Regarding your xiphidiocercercaria, it is difficult to conclude anything else.
Best regards,
Hudson
Dear Trevor,
I concur with Hudson. It is difficult to speciate cercariae,
Clive Shiff
I agree with Hudson that is difficult to identificate a specie level.
Dear J. Trevor Vannatta
I do agree with Hudson. Better you can confirm the species by molecular tools.
Uday Kumar Mohanta
I also agree with Hudson. It is difficult to identificate a specie level.
Certainly not schistosomes, the long tailed cercaria is likely avian, no way to tell, but the one with a short tail and styles is a Xiphidiacercaria, likely host is either an insect or crustacean.
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