Abstract
The fish leech, Calliobdella nodulifera, transmitted a trypanosome while feeding on laboratory-reared cod (Gadus morhua). The flagellate body length increased from 43 μm 17 days post-infection (d.p.i.) to 57 μm 113 d.p.i. Characteristic features are cell striation, a nearly central nucleus and a short (3.5 μm) distance from the kinetoplast to the posterior end (PK). Following growth, the trypanosomes became increasingly slender, with fewer striae and a shorter flagellum, while the PK was unaffected. The trypanosomes differ morphologically from Trypanosoma murmanensis transmitted by the leech Johanssonia arctica.
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The study was funded by Norwegian Research Council grant no. 109283/410.
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Karlsbakk, E. A trypanosome of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., transmitted by the marine leech Calliobdella nodulifera (Malm, 1863) (Piscicolidae). Parasitol Res 93, 155–158 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1119-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1119-3