[The cultivation of Fossaria cubensis (Pfeiffer) (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae), the intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus) in Cuba].

A method for the culture of Fossaria cubensis (Pfeiffer), the major intermediate host of fascioliasis in Cuba, was assessed. For this purpose, an algae-bearing plate was designed based on a culture of Cyanophyceae algae from Lyngbya, Leotolyngbya, Phormidium, and Schimidleinema on Petri plates 12 cm in diameter with mud substrate and high levels of nitrate and calcium carbonate. Fifteen days after incubation with continuous light, these plates were used as aquaria for mollusc breeding. Under such conditions the generational time is reduced and the growth and reproduction of Fossaria cubensis which allow for their mass production aimed at the research of fascioliasis is guaranteed.