Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the trematode Aspidogastrea infection status of freshwater mussels living in the Yangtze River valley within Anhui province. Methods  Freshwater mussels were harvested in the Yangtze River running through Anhui area, and labeled on site. Then the samples were dissected in laboratory and stained with conventional technique for species identification. Results  30.38%(103/339) of freshwater mussels in the Yangtze River within Anhui area. A total of 912 Aspidogastreans were detected in 103 positive mussels, with an average infection density of 8.85 capita(varying from 2 to 61) for individual calm. The flukes were identifies as Aspidogaster sp, belonging to Aspidogaster below subclass Aspidogastridae of family Aspidogastrea. Conclusion  Trematode Aspidogastreans are prevalent in the mussels living in the Yangtze River running through Anhui province.

Key words: Mussels, Aspidogastrea, Trematode