Intraspecific variation of adult Leucochloridium sp. (Digenea) from natural and experimental infections

Abstract

The variability of adult Leucochloridium sp. from Norway (63°35′ N,9°45′ E) recovered from natural infections in Larus canus L. and experimental infections in L. canus and Taeniopygia guttata (Vieillot) was studied by light microscopy. The results are compared with five species (Nearctic and Palaearctic) having an experimentally known sporocyst stage (brown-banded brood sacs), and with eight other species with unknown intermediate stage, but placed in the genus Leacochloridium s.str. The five adult species (Leucochloridium variae McIntosh, 1932; Leucochloridium fuscostriatum Robinson, 1947; Leucochloridium perturbatum Pojmanska, 1969; Leucochloridium subtilis Pojmanska, 1969; Leucochloridium fuscum Rietschel, 1970) together with the Norwegian material are regarded as belonging to one species, the Nearctic Leucochloridium variae. The variability and validity of the characters used are discussed.