Monsoon-influenced Community of Parasitic Trematodes Within the First Intermediate Host (Pirenella Cingulata, Gastropoda) in Tropical Indian Mudflats
Date
2026Author
Yadav, R.
Pathan, F.
Desai, A.
Yogi, D.S.
Naik, A.
Nanajkar, M.
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A digenean trematode community uses the gastropod Pirenella cingulata, as the first intermediate host while castrating their sizable population. Two mesotidal mudflats, Mandovi (15 29?58??N, 73 50?17??E) and Zuari (15 30?14??N, 73 49?46??E), were investigated using monthly sampling for 1.5 years. The population dynamics of the trematode community in the gastropod gonads were followed. Fourteen trematode taxa were identified using molecular techniques, with most being identified to the species level. Peak infection (34% was recorded at the onset of the monsoon), and populations continued to remain high throughout the season. The most dominant trematode species were Acanthotrema tridactyla and Haplorchis pumilio, which together contributed 48% of the trematode community. These habitats revealed that the trematodes infected a low percentage of gastropods but with high abundance per host. Compared to Mandovi, the Zuari mudflat showed high infection rates as well as higher abundance of cercarial populations with their biomass peaking in the post-monsoon season (3.5 g/m2). Unlike higher latitudes, in this tropical region the obligatory host remains active without dormancy and both host and parasites show resilience to low saline monsoonal conditions. A pattern of year-round host occupancy by the trematode community can be attributed to conducive tropical conditions which attract diverse second intermediate and definitive hosts that relay the trematode populations uninterrupted.
URI
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12237-026-01704-7#citeashttp://drs.nio.res.in/drs/handle/2264/9660
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- Scholarly literature [9297]

