Life cycle of Bilharziella polonica (Trematoda, Schistosomatidae) parasite of semi-aquatic birds in Uzbekistan

Schistosomatidae are an actively studied ecological group of trematodes. Their ability to cause various parasitic diseases in animals and humans makes them interesting object study for a number research centres worldwide. One the commonest species this is Bilharziella polonica (Kowalewsky, 1895), whose mature stages have been recorded aquatic semi-aquatic birds Uzbekistan. Our team established that following were infected with trematodes B. polonica: Anas platyrhynchos (23%), A. crecca (18%), Podiceps ruficollis (11%), Ardea cinerea (14%) one individual Oxyura leucocephala. The highest infection rate was shown by mallard (23%) common teal (18%). intensity ranged between 2 27 individuals. Research into types water bodies Karakalpakstan identified 10 mollusc – Lymnaeidae (4 species), Planorbidae species) Physidae (2 species). Cercariae morphologically similar larvae found two species, Planorbis planorbis P. tangitarensis. 6 chicks domestic ducks experimentally those cercariae track life cycle organism definitive host. Helmintholological dissections showed every duck polonica, which became 23–27 days after infection. Eggs excrement 33–35 Based on field experimental research, we identify tangitarensis as new intermediate host