Abstract
The complexity of the life cycle of Fascioloides magna and its ability to invade new region is ensured by the presence of suitable intermediate hosts, in particular aquatic pulmonate mollusks, in which larval development of the parasite takes place. This Chapter summarizes intermediate snail hosts of giant liver fluke specific in North America and Europe. In North America, six species of the family Lymnaeidae were found to be naturally infected with F. magna (Lymnaea caperata, Lymnaea modicella, Stagnicola palustris nuttalliana, Pseudosuccinea columella, Galba bulimoides techella and Fossaria parva). In Europe, Galba (syn. Lymnaea) truncatula, Radix labiata and Radix peregra were found to be naturally infected. Besides natural infections, number of snail species were experimentally infected with F. magna in order to determine their potential to serve as the intermediate hosts of giant liver fluke. The mature cercariae able to develop into infective metacercariae stages, were detected in snails of the genera Lymnaea and Pseudosuccinea (family Lymnaeidae) in North America and in lymnaeid genera Galba, Lymnaea, Omphiscola, Pseudosuccinea and Stagnicola in Europe. It is evident, that broader spectrum of aquatic mollusks is susceptible to F. magna infection and may serve as its potential intermediate hosts.
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