The most common intermediate host of Taenia pisiformis is a which animal?

The most common intermediate host of Taenia pisiformis is a which animal?

• A. Ruminant
• B. Flea
• C. Fly
• D. Rabbit

Answer: (D)

Taenia pisiformis is a tapeworm that requires two hosts in its life cycle: a definite host (usually a dog) where the adult tapeworm lives, and an intermediate host where the larval form develops. The larvae of this parasite form cysticerci in the tissues of the intermediate host, and a dog becomes infected by eating that host, allowing the tapeworm to mature in the dog’s intestine. The common intermediate host for Taenia pisiformis is the rabbit, a lagomorph, which fits the typical dog–rabbit transmission cycle. Fleas or flies do not serve as the necessary intermediate host for this parasite, and ruminants are not the usual intermediate hosts for Taenia pisiformis. Therefore, the rabbit is the correct intermediate host.

Taenia pisiformis is a tapeworm that requires two hosts in its life cycle: a definite host (usually a dog) where the adult tapeworm lives, and an intermediate host where the larval form develops. The larvae of this parasite form cysticerci in the tissues of the intermediate host, and a dog becomes infected by eating that host, allowing the tapeworm to mature in the dog’s intestine. The common intermediate host for Taenia pisiformis is the rabbit, a lagomorph, which fits the typical dog–rabbit transmission cycle. Fleas or flies do not serve as the necessary intermediate host for this parasite, and ruminants are not the usual intermediate hosts for Taenia pisiformis. Therefore, the rabbit is the correct intermediate host.