Maturation of the plerocercoid of the pseudophyllidean cestode Schistocephalus solidus in alien hosts

Abstract

1. 1. Plerocercoids of the pseudophyllidean cestode Schistocephalus solidus, which normally matures in the gut of fish-eating birds, have been matured in two alien hosts—the pigeon and mouse. 2. 2. Maturation in the gut of the pigeon was accomplished by either: (a) feeding the birds with whole infected fish or, (b) feeding the birds with plerocercoids enclosed in gelatin capsules. Feeding free plerocercoids to pigeons almost never resulted in infection. 3. 3. In mice, intracelomic maturation was accomplished by inserting plerocercoids into the body cavity by a technique described in detail. 4. 4. The production of fertile eggs from worms matured in both these hosts, indicated that normal maturation had occurred.