A Record of Artificial Transportation of a Snake Infected with Introduced Trematodes to an Area where Infection was Unreported

Abstract

Ochetosoma kansense is a trematode parasite introduced from North America to Japan. We report the transportation of the trematodes from Kinki region to Ishikawa Prefecture with the host snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata . As infection has yet to be recorded in Ishikawa Prefecture, if the infected snake is accidentally released to natural fields, the infected trematodes may be a new infection source for wild snakes in the area.