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Molecular phylogenetic location of a digenean larva isolated from the African ampullariid snail, Pila ovata, from Obazuwa in Edo State, Nigeria

The African apple snail, Pila ovata , is a common local delicacy in the southern regions of Nigeria but little information is available on their parasite fauna. In this investigation, P. ovata collected from a freshwater pond in Obazuwa in Edo State, Nigeria, were screened for parasites. Xiphidio cercariae and sporocysts collected from infected snails were molecularly characterized using partial large sub-units of ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the sequenced data indicated that the parasite belonged to an un-described genus/family within the super family Microphalloidea of digenetic trematodes. Future lifecycle elucidation studies will attempt to describe adult stages of the parasite, identify its definitive host and investigate its possible zoonotic importance. Keywords : Apple snail; Edo State; LSU rDNA; Microphalloidea; xiphidiocercariae.