Ciclo biológico de Paraibatrema inesperata n.g., n.sp. (Trematoda, Paramphistomidae), a partir de metacercárias desenvolvidas em Biomphalaria tenagophila (D'Orbigny, 1835) (Mollusca, Planorbidae)

The new genus and new species of paramphistomid trematode, Paraibatrema inesperata n.g, n.sp., are proposed. The parasite was originally found as a quickly encysting paramphistome cercaria from specimens of the planorbid snail Biomphalaria tenagophila caught in natural habitats. Experimental infection resulted from intubation of metacercariae into the stomach of white mice and rats, which passed eggs in the feces 20 days later. Specimens of B. tenagophila and B. glabrata have been exposed to miracidia from eggs passed by mice. Penetration of the molluscan tegument was observed, but it seems that the larval development of the parasite is slow, inasmuch as no rediae and cercariae have been obtained as yet.