Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

A New Leech-infesting Cercaria from Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh

Abstract

Valvata piscinalis, a common snail in the Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh, was found infected with a new furcocercous cercaria. Of 758 snails examined, 19 were found infected. This cercaria, which is named Cercaria valvatae n.sp., develops in long tubular sporocysts forming a tangled mass in the hepatopancreas of the snail. With the proliferation of the germ balls the tubular sporocyst becomes constricted into sausage-shaped swellings containing developing cercariae. The abbreviated specific diagnosis of Cercaria valvatae n.sp. (Fig. 1) is as follows.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Harper, W. F., Parasit., 23, 310 (1931).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Rees, F. G., Proc. Zool. Soc., 1 (1932).

  3. Brown, F. J., Parasit., 18, 21 (1926).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Brown, F. J., Parasit., 23, 88 (1931).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wesenberglund, C., Mem. de L'Aced. Roy. des Sci. et des Lett. de Danemark, 1 (1934).

  6. Szidat, L., Zool. Anz., 86, 133 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

LAL, M. A New Leech-infesting Cercaria from Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh. Nature 183, 697–698 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/183697b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/183697b0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing