DEVELOPMENT OF PARAMPHISTOMUM-EPICLITUM FISCHOEDER 1904 IN THE SNAIL HOST

The miracidia of Paramphistomum epiclitum was attracted only towards I ndoplanorbis exustus among several other species of snails. It was det ermined for the first time that I. exustus acts as intermediate host o f P. epiclitum both under experimental and natural condition.Out of 55 0 laboratory bred I. exustus 84 (15.27%) were found releasing cercaria of P. epiclitum. Screening of naturally infected I. exustus revealed 264 (27.5%) out of 959 snails infected with paramphistome cercariae in distinguishable from cercaria of P. epiclitum. Characteristic feature of miracidium, sporocyst, redia and mother redia have been described i n detail. The cercaria of P. epiclitum emerged between 21-24 days post -infection, presence of sensory tegumental papillae on the body and ta il was noticed, a feature not reported earlier. Caudal excretory canal ending as caudal excretory bladder did not show lateral pores. Relati onship of cercariae of P. epiclitum to Cercariae indicae XXVI has been discussed.