The effects of various solutions and levels of desiccation on the survival of Trichobilharzia stagnicolae miracidia

Abstract

Miracidia of Trichobilharzia stagnicolae were placed under two tests: one test examined the longevity of miracidia in various aqueous solutions; the other test examined the effects of desiccation on the hatching of miracidia from eggs. For the solutions test, we used five different solutions: filtered lake water, distilled water, well water, distilled water with 10% sucrose, and avian ringers. Longevity of miracidia was the greatest in filtered lake water and distilled water respectively. For the desiccation test, the number of miracidia hatching from eggs decreased as time allowed for desiccation increased. Further analysis suggested that longevity of miracidia is greatly decreased in hyperosmotic solutions.