Notes on Larval Flukes from China

Abstract

1. Collections of flukes made in several centres in China include 25 species of cercariae.2. Fourteen of these species are described as new.3. Details of the excretory system are presented for six of the species described. In two of these instances (echinostome larvae and furcocercarjae) differentiation within thenatural group is demonstrated, while in two other larvae, C. styloidea and C. diophthalmica, proof of relationship and correlation with adult groups is established.4. C. abbrevicauda shows striking resemblances to the larva described as the cercaria of Paragonimus westermanni and may possibly be regarded as identical with the larval stage of that worm. Moreover, the host genus is the same.5. The stylet organ is shown to be non-specific and the group of the “xiphidio-cercariae” to be a composite of several natural families.6. No organs of the cercaria save the cephalic glands and flame-cells have thus far proved satisfactory for differential diagnosis of the larva.7. Further study along these lines will make it possible to demonstrate natural groups where only artificial groups now exist.