Trematodes associated with mangrove habitat in Puerto Rican salt marshes

Journal of Parasitology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Batillaria minima is a common snail in the coastal estuaries of Puerto Rico. This snail is host to a variety of trematodes, the most common being Cercaria caribbea XXXI, a microphallid species that uses crabs as second intermediate hosts. The prevalence of infection was higher (7.1%) near mangroves than on mudflats away from mangroves (1.4%). Similarly, there was a significant positive association between the proportion of a site covered with mangroves and the prevalence of the microphallid. The association between mangroves and higher trematode prevalence is most likely because birds use mangroves as perch sites and this results in local transmission to snails.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Trematodes associated with mangrove habitat in Puerto Rican salt marshes
Series title Journal of Parasitology
DOI 10.1645/GE-427R
Volume 91
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher American Society of Parasitologists
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 3 p.
First page 697
Last page 699
Country United States
State Puerto Rico
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