The reptilian filarioid genus Foleyella Seurat, 1917 (Onchocercidae: Dirofilariinae) and its relationship to other dirofilariine genera

Summary The type species of Foleyella, i.e. F. candezei (Fraipont, 1882), and F. furcata (Linstow, 1899) are redescribed and an emended diagnosis of the genus is given. Among dirofilariine genera, Foleyella is closest to Pelecitus Railliet & Henry, 1910, which contains numerous parasites of birds and also two species in mammals which appear to have been derived from those in birds. Species in Foleyella and Pelecitus have numerous adult characters in common. Microfilariae of Foleyella species are, however, generally short with a loose sheath, while those of Pelecitus are long with a sheath approximately the same width as the anterior two-thirds of the microfilarial body. ac]19851223