Received: December 2, 2004, Accepted: February 16, 2004, Published online: July 1, 2005.

REPORT ON THE OCCURRENCE OF Haplometroides buccicola (TREMATODA, DIGENEA, PLAGIORCHIIDAE) INFECTING Phalotris lativittatus (SERPENTES, COLUBRIDAE) IN BRAZIL

SILVA R. J. (1), ANDRADE P. A. (1), MONTEIRO E SILVA H. A. (1),

ROSSELLINI M. (1), BARRELLA T. H. (2)

(1) Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; (2) Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Haplometroides buccicola (Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) was reported in the mouth and oesophagus of Phalotris lativittatus (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. This is the first report on the occurrence of H. buccicola parasitizing P. lativittatus. The Haplometroides genus was also discussed and the most important morphological characters for the identification of the species H. buccicola and H. odhneri are presented.

KEY WORDS: Haplometroides buccicola, Trematoda, Plagiorchiidae, Phalotris lativitattus, Serpentes, Colubridae.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

R. J. SILVA, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, 18618-000, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil. Phone: +55 14 38116239. Fax: +55 14 38153744. Email: reinaldo@ibb.unesp.br