On <i>Crepidostomum farionis</i> O. F. Müll. (= <i>Stephanophiala laureata</i> Zeder), a Distome Parasite of the Trout and Grayling. I. The Life History

Abstract

1. Crepidostomum farionis inhabits the gall bladder, as well as the intestine and pyloric caeca, of the trout and grayling. 2. The life history of Crepidostomum farionis has been worked out and is based on the similarity of organisation of the cercaria, encysted larval trematode and the adult. 3. The first intermediate hosts in the life history of this trematode are Pisidium amnicum (Müll.) and Sphaerium corneum (L.) though the latter is unusual. 4. The second intermediate host is the larva of the mayfly, Ephemera danica (Müll.). 5. There are two generations of rediae, the first gives rise to daughter rediae, which in turn produce cercariae. 6. The rediae are characterised by the absence of ambulatory processes and a functional intestine. 7. The cercaria (n.sp.) possesses “eye spots,” stylet and gland cells (salivary?), and the excretory vesicle is tube-shaped. 8. The excretory system of the redia and the cercaria has been worked out in detail. 9. The relation of the parasites to their respective hosts is discussed. On account of the need for further observations definite conclusions are held over for a later paper.