Abstract

Experimental infection of domestic ducklings with metacercariae believed to be those of Sphaeridiotrema globulus from snails in Quebec, Canada, and New Jersey, U.S.A., revealed that there are two species known under this name. Study of museum specimens has confirmed that the New Jersey specimens represent the original S. globulus: the specimens from Quebec represent a new species. The two species can be separated reliably on the basis of egg size: S. globulus (New Jersey) has smaller eggs (mean 97 ± 4 (SD) μm; range 91–108 μm) than S. pseudoglobulus n.sp. from Quebec (mean 116 ± 5 μm: range 103–125 μm). The cirrus in S. pseudoglobulus has a basal bulb not found in that of S. globulus. There are fewer uterine coils anterior to the acetabulum in S. pseudoglobulus. Comparison of 6-day-old populations of each species revealed several statistically significant differences in the mean size of internal organs. The overall sizes of the body, ovary, and eggs and the width of the posterior testis were greater in S. pseudoglobulus: the pharynx, length of the posterior testis, and number of eggs in the uterus were greater in S. globulus. No differences were found in the size of the oral sucker, acetabulum, or anterior testis.