Metacercariae of Renifer heterocoelium (Trematoda: Reniferidae) in tadpoles of Rhinella schneideri (Anura: Bufonidae) in Brazil

Resumen

Renifer heterocoelium is a parasite of the oral cavity of Neotropical snakes for which larval stages and
the life cycle are still unknown. During studies of parasites of Rhinella schneideri, tadpoles collected in a lake from
the municipality of Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, yielded specimens with metacercariae adhered to the external
intestinal wall. After morphological characterization, the metacercariae were identified as R. heterocoelium. This is the
first record and morphological characterization of metacercariae of R. heterocoelium for Brazil.
Key words: Rhinella schneideri, Amphibia, Bufonidae, Renifer heterocoelium, Digenea