Clinostomid trematodes as aberrant parasites in the mouth of the domestic cat (Felis catus domesticus)

Abstract

Two instances of clinostomid trematodes presumed to be aberrant parasites in the mouth of domestic cats are recorded from Lydenburg and Durban. These trematodes are considered to belong to a new species and are described under the name Clinostomum falsatum sp. n. The chief characteristics are the small size, being less than 5 mm long, the somewhat flattened disk-like testes, a well developed uterine sac which may extent over the ventral sucker and the median opening of the genital atrium. As only a limited number of transverse sections of the Durban worms are available, they are not specifically determined. They, however, show a close relationship to C. falsatum.