Experiments on habitat selection of Heterophyes species in different definitive hosts

Heterophyes heterophyes, H. aequalis and H. dispar showed distinct zonation in the small intestine of different definitive hosts. The flukes were found in their appropriate zone within four to six hours after infection. It appeared that their position shifted posteriorly during their life and that the shift proceeded more rapidly in unsuitable hosts. Histological sections revealed that the flukes are not deeply embedded in the host's mucosa.