The genus Metagonimus belongs to the group of parasitic flukes that use several hosts in
their life cycle. Freshwater snails are the first hosts, fishes are the second intermediate hosts, and birds
and mammals are the final hosts, respectively. Knowledge of the parasitic status of freshwater fishes
as intermediate hosts in natural habitats is limited. In the present study, we focused on bitterling fish as
the second host of Metagonimus spp. and conducted a field survey to investigate the host preferences
of three bitterling fish species inhabiting irrigation canals in Okayama City. Our results show that the
rates of infected individuals of Acheilognathus rhombeus are higher than those of Tanakia lanceolata
and T. limbata, suggesting that Metagonimus spp. may prefer A. rhombeus as a second intermediate
host.
Research papers (academic journals)
