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Some aspects of the morphology, population structure and larval biology of <i>Cephalochlamys namaquensis</i> (Cestoda: Diphyllidea), a parasite of the clawed toad, <i>Xenopus laevis</i>


R.R. Ferguson
C.C. Appleton

Abstract

The morphology of Cephalochlamys namaquensis (Cohn 1906) Blanchard (1908), a diphyllida cestode from the African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, is examined with respect to variability reported in the literature. The parasite has a high prevalence of infection (68,9%) in the X. laevis population studied and shows a preference for attachment in the anterior duodenum. Approximately 76% of the worms recovered were juveniles. Coracidia had an LT50 of 6 h and transmission is thought to take place in darkness at the sediment/water interface. The copepod Eucydops gibsoni serves as an intermediate host and it is suggested that chaoborid larvae may act as paratenic hosts.

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eISSN: 2224-073X
print ISSN: 1562-7020