Scanning electron microscope studies of miracidia suggest introgressive hybridization between Schistosoma haematobium and S. haematobium x S. mattheei in the Eastern Transvaal

Abstract

ABSTRACTSchistosoma haematobium miracidia were collected from a locality with a high prevalence of human infection with the animal parasite, S. mattheei, which hybridizes with S. haematobium, and from 2 localities with negligible infection rates. The terebratoria of the miracidia from these localities were compared with each other, with laboratory maintained S. haematobium and with four populations of S. mattheei by means of scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the terebratorial membrane of certain of the S. haematobium miracidia from the locality with a high S. mattheei prevalence in humans, resembled the more intricate membrane of S. mattheei. This suggests introgressive hybridization between S. haematobium and S. haematobium x S. mattheei.