Studies on Genus Metagonimus

1. By feeding Tribolodon hakonensis (Grunther), small fresh water fish caught in the Chikugo River, to dogs, it has been demonstrated that both Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada and Metagonimus yokogawai var. takahashii Suzuki co-exist on this fish as parasites. In the feeding tests conducted with Tribolodon hakonensis caught in the Kando River it has been confirmed that Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada alone lives on this fish as its host. From these findings, it is assumed that Tribolodon hakonensis proves to be the second intermediate host to Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada and sometimes to Metagonimus yokogawai var. takahashii Suzuki as well. 2. By feeding tests with Plecoglossus altivelis (Tenminch & Schlegel) caught in the Takatsu River, it has also been proven that both Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada and Metagonimus yakogawai var. takahashii Suzuki coexist on this fish as parasites. In the feeding tests conducted separately with Plecoglossus altivelis caught in the Kando River and the Chikugo River, it has been found that Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada alone dwells on this fish as parasite. Judging from these, Plecoglossus altivelis can be the principal, second intermediate host to Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada and also the same to Metagonimus yokogawai var. takahashii Suzuki. 3. By feeding tests with Salangichthys microdon Blecker caught at Kasumiga-ura Lake, it has been verified that both Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada and Metagonimus yokogawai var. takahashii Suzuki live on this fish simultaneously