Intermediate insights: tracing trematodes infecting amphibians via their first intermediate snail hosts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Amphibians are a prime example of the global biodiversity crisis, as they represent the most threatened group of vertebrates. Yet, amphibian macroparasites remain one of the most poorly described groups of parasites, with the majority of species lacking comprehensive morphological, molecular, or ecological data. Among these, digenean trematodes constitute a dominant group and feature multi-host life cycles. This study examines the first intermediate hosts of trematodes, aquatic gastropods, to assess the occurrence, prevalence, and seasonality of amphibian trematodes.

Methods

A total of 5362 snails from five families (Bithyniidae, Hydrobiidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, and Planorbidae) were collected in three stream systems in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and invest

SUBMITTER: Husken A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12265291 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature