Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Griffin, Matthew J.
Committee Member
Wise, David
Committee Member
Khoo, Lester H.
Committee Member
Greenway, Terrence E.
Date of Degree
8-11-2017
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Veterinary Medical Science
Degree Name
Master of Science
College
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department
Veterinary Medical Science Program
Abstract
Drepanocephalus auritus is a digenetic trematode parasitizing the double-crested cormorant, a piscivorous waterbird often found feeding on catfish aquaculture ponds in Mississippi. The aquatic snail Planorbella trivolvis was the only known intermediate host in Mississippi until a new snail host, Biomphalaria havanensis, was discovered releasing cercariae belonging to North and South American D. auritus haplotypes. In addition, previous work has reported D. auritus metacercariae begin to resolve in channel catfish 7-21 days post-infection. As a result, a 2-year study was undertaken to elucidate the life cycle of D. auritus and identify if channel catfish can serve as a true intermediate host. In year 1, the role of the channel catfish as a true intermediate host was established, as gravid adults were recovered from double-crested cormorants fed parasitized fish. In year 2, each step of the life cycle was completed, and developmental timelines for each life stage were established.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/19962
Recommended Citation
Alberson, Neely Rae, "Investigations into the Life Cycle of Drepanocephalus Auritus with Notes on the Discovery of a New Snail Host Biomphalaria Havanensis in Mississippi" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 2867.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2867
Comments
channel catfish||Planorbella trivolvis||double-crested cormorant||Biomphalaria havanensis||Drepanocephalus auritus