Nematodes in terrestrial gastropods from central Maine

Seventeen-hundred terrestrial gastropods collected in central Maine were examined for Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and other nematodes. Prevalence of nematodes was 4 to 7% in most gastropod species, but was 19% in Pallifera spp. Cosmocercoides dukae and Rhabditis spp. were the most common nematodes recovered. Only four P. tenuis larvae (prevalence 0.1%) were found. Foci important for transmission of P. tenuis in Maine have not yet been found.