The biology of some Tasmanian Cestodes.

The present study forms part of an investigation of the cestode fauna of Tasmania commenced by the author in 1951. As there was no published work on the tapeworms of Tasmanian Amphibia and Reptilia, special attention has been given to the cestodes of these two groups. In addition, two mammalian cestodes have been considered. One is included because of its close relationship to a cestode in a Tasmanian lizard; the other because its cysticercoid is found in an insect serving as an intermediate host for the same cestode. This thesis is presented in the following parts with relevant summaries:- Part I A. The biology of Oochoristica vacuolata Hickman. B. Observations on the primary host of Oochoristica vacuolata. - Publication entitled, "Observations on the skink lizard Egernia whitii (Lacgpede)". Part II. The biology of Hymenolepis microstoma (Dujardin). Part III. Systematic descriptions of new species including information on the infection of their primary hosts. (In the form of published works). iv In support of my application I submit, as an appendix to this thesis, my publication on the Ascothoracida, "Dendrogaster tasmaniensis sp. nov. (Ascothoracida) from the sea-star Allostichaster polvolax (Muller and Troschel) It will be noticed that in my publications I have used the term infestation instead of infection. However, in the report of the committee of the American Society of Parasitologists on terminology (1934) the use of these two terms is discussed and I have now decided to adopt this committee's suggestions and apply the term infection "whenever the parasite invades and establishes itself within the body of the host including in this sense the gastro-intestinal tract"