The Caecal Fluke of Cattle in Thailand

Abstract

HornaCognstcr spp, the trematode in family Paramphistomidae were collected from cecum of cattle slaughtered at the Bangkok Slaughterhouse, Phra Kanong, Bangkok, and from feces of cattle at the Animal Breeding Station, Amphue Muang, Tak Province. The characteristics of this fluke are flattened body but dorsally convex and ventrally concave. Fresh specimen has pinkish skin with reddish internal organs, making pomegranate seed appearance. Adult is 13-1 8 mm. long, 6-8 rnm. wide (average, 16 x 7 mm.) Skin of dorsal side is smooth while that of the ventral is highly papillated and orderly arranged from the anterior part to the pos~erior. Oral sucker is small and with pair of diverticula. Pharynx is absent. Oesophagus is straight and short. Intestinal caeca are straight and long, almost reaching the ventral sucker at the posterior end. Viteliine Gland is well developed. Testes are lobed and tandem, located at the intestinal caecal bifurcation. Ovary is round, located between caecal ends. Genital pore is located above the intestinal bifurcation, next to the oral sucker. Ovum is 1 10-140 microns long, 60-75 microns wide (average 120 x 60 micron). Anterior part is operculated, posterior part is more rounded and with distinct knob. Shell is thin, purplish red in color. Yolk cells are yellowish filling the ovum