Occurrence and genotypic characterization of Diplostomum species (Digenea: 2 Diplostomidae) in Oreochromis niloticus L. and snail vectors in Kisumu 3 municipality 4

Abstract

Diplostomum species metacercariae, are trematodes that pose economic threat to aquaculture practice globally. Despite their diversity, species identification is difficult owing to their striking morphological similarities, especially at the metacercarial stage. The problematic nature of Diplostomum species identification represents a major impediment for the assessment of their actual role in fish populations, advancement of the knowledge of parasite biology and evolutionary aspects of the host-parasite relationships