Abstract

Sentinel snails (Bithynia tentaculata) were used to assess spatial and temporal variation in cercarial transmission of Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus at two field locations in southern Quebec and southeastern Ontario from mid-August to the end of October, 1989. Sentinels acquired infections with both digeneans; however, low levels of metacercariae of C. bushiensis precluded any conclusions regarding transmission of this parasite from being reached. In contrast, extensive spatial heterogeneity existed in the S. pseudoglobulus – snail system. Sentinel snails within 10 m of each other were apparently exposed to vastly different levels of naturally occurring cercariae. All size classes of sentinels were apparently equally susceptible to cercarial infections but no consistent temporal differences in infection levels were found.

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