THE DETECTION OF Ochetosoma heterocoelium (TRAVASSOS, 1921) (TREMATODA: DIGENEA: OCHETOSOMATIDAE) IN Chironius exoletus (LINNAEUS, 1758) (OPHIDIA: COLUBRIDAE)

Abstract

Two hundred and fifty-two specimens of Ochetosoma heterocoelium (Travassos, 1921) (Trematoda: Digenea: Ochetosomatidae) were detected in the mouth and esophagus of the snake Chironius exoletus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ophidia: Colubridae) at the serpentarium of the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) of São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Metacercariae of Renifer heterocoelium (Trematoda: Reniferidae) in tadpoles of Rhinella schneideri (Anura: Bufonidae) in Brazil

“…Renifer heterocoelium was described parasitizing Neuwied's lancehead, Bothrops neuwiedii (Wagler, 1824), from the state of São Paulo and was subsequently recorded in 21 other snake species from several Brazilian localities (Travassos, 1921;Travassos et al, 1969;Corrêa, 1980;Corrêa et al, 1990;Thatcher, 1993;Silva et al, 1999;Pinto et al, 2012). It has also been reported in Venezuela (Thatcher, 1993), and redescribed as Ochetosoma heterocoelium (Travassos, 1921) from adult specimens obtained from snakes in Colombia (Lenis et al, 2009).…”

Note on the feeding habits of Opisthogonimus lecithonotus (Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiidae)

“…Some data suggest that they may cause death (Silva et al 1999) but, in general, it is considered that such trematodes cause negligible tissue damage and that pathogenicity is only observed when the trematodes invade other organs, such as the lungs (Mader 1996).…”