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[Fasciola gigantica] [Fasciola hepatica]

Members of the genus Fasciola require a snail in the family Lymnaeidae to complete their life cycle.  The species of snail can vary, in terms of location, habitat and elevation.  In places where both F. hepatica and F. gigantica occur, each species of fluke has its own species or more of intermediate hosts.

A	B

A: Galba truncatula, the main intermediate host of F. hepatica throughout most of the fluke's natural range in Europe and western Asia.  Image courtesy of Conchology, Inc, Mactan Island, Philippines.
B: Galba humilis, a host of F. hepatica in Canada and parts of the United States.  Image courtesy of Conchology, Inc, Mactan Island, Philippines.

C	D

C: Fossaria bulamoides, a host for F. hepatica in the western United States.  Image courtesy of Conchology, Inc, Mactan Island, Philippines.
D: Pseudosuccinea columella, a lymnaeid snail that has been introduced into South America and serves as an intermediate host for F. hepatica in Venezuela and Colombia.  Image courtesy of Conchology, Inc, Mactan Island, Philippines.