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

Comments

channel catfish||Planorbella trivolvis||double-crested cormorant||Biomphalaria havanensis||Drepanocephalus auritus

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