[Biometric study of Lamblia trophozoites of mammals in connection with taxonomic problems of the genus Lamblia].

Measurements were conducted of five species of Lamblia mounted and stained with ferreous hematoxylin. In order to obtain comparable results only mature trophozoites with medial bodies were measured. It was shown that the totality of biometrical indices of mature trophozoites is specific for each species studied; this demonstrates their distinct status and is contrary to Filice's view (1952). Of the studied species trophozoites of man (L. intestinalis), rabbit (L. duodenalis), vole (L. microti) and rat (L. simoni) have the same shape of the body but differ in absolute sizes. Trophozoites of the parasite of mice and rats, L. muris, differ from other species in a shorter body and in having spherical medial bodies. In this connection a question is raised concerning the according of a higher taxonomic status to this species.