First Record and Description of 'Catatropis indicus' Srivastava 1935 (Digenea: Notocotylidae), in Australia

Each life cycle stage, except the miracidium, of 'Catatropis indicus' Srivastava 1935 is described in Australia for the first time. The life cycle was completed experimentally by feeding metacercariae from naturally infected snails, 'Gabbia australis' (Bithyniidae), to domestic ducks, 'Carrina moschata'. Metacercariae obtained by infecting laboratory-bred snails ('Gabbia australis') with eggs in faeces of wild 'Anas superciliosa', (Pacific Black duck) were also fed to domestic ducks. Adult trematodes were found in the intestinal caecae of the ducks. Chickens and rats could not be infected. Eggs are operculate with two polar filaments. Sporocysts attach to the lower outer wall of the oesophagus and intestine of 'G. australis'. Mother rediae are found on the intestine. Daughter rediae and cercariae develop in the gonads of 'G australis'. Metacercariae remain viable for four months. Comparison with all other known species of 'Catatropis' shows that this species resembles most closely 'Catatropis indicus' from India in all morphological and life cycle aspects. Slight differences in size can be attributed to geographical variation.