New species of Oswaldocruzia (Nematoda: Molineoidae), new species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae), and other helminths in Rana cf. forreri (Anura: Ranidae) from Costa Rica

Oswaldocruzia costaricensis n. sp. (Strongylida: Molineidae) from the intestines and Rhabdias savagei n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabdiasidae) from the lungs of Rana cf. forreri (Anura: Ranidae) are described and illustrated. Oswaldocruzia costaricensis represents the 77th species assigned to the genus and differs from the other Neotropical species in the genus by possessing a Type II bursa and long cervical alae. Rhabdias savagei represents the 47th species assigned to the genus and differs from other Neotropical species in the genus by possession of 4 lips and a postequatorial vulva. Rana cf. forreri was also found to harbor the trematodes, Haematoloechus parcivitellarius and Megalodiscus temperatus, the nematodes, Aplectana incerta, Aplectana itzocanensis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Foleyellides striatus, Subulascaris falcaustriformis, and a larva of the nematode Brevimulticaecum sp. Cosmocerca panamaensis is considered to be a synonym of Cosmocerca podicipinus.     

New species of Oswaldocruzia (Nematoda: Molineidae) and other helminths in Bolitoglossa subpalmata (Caudata:Plethodontidae) from Costa Rica

Oswaldocruzia cartagoensis n. sp. (Strongylida: Molineidae) from the intestines of Bolitoglossa subpalmata (Caudata: Plethodontidae) is described and illustrated. Oswaldocruzia cartagoensis n. sp. represents the 86 th species assigned to the genus and the 39th species from the Neotropical region. It is most similar to the Neotropical species of the genus that possess type I bursa, i.e., Oswaldocruzia bonsi , Oswaldocruzia brasiliensis , Oswaldocruzia lopesi , Oswaldocruzia neghmei , and Oswaldocruzia vitti . Of these, O. bonsi, O. brasiliensis, and O. neghmei lack cervical alae, rib 4 in individuals of O. vitti reaches the edge of the bursal membrane, species of O. lopesi and O. cartagoensis can be separated on the basis of spicule structure, the blade in O. lopesi is bifurcate, and that of O. cartagoensis terminates in 6-8 fine points. In addition to the new species of Oswaldocruzia, Cosmocera parva, Cosmocera podicipinus, and acanthocephalan cystacanths were also found.     

New species of Allopharynx (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) and other helminths in Uranoscodon superciliosus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from Amazonian Brazil

Allopharynx daileyi n. sp. (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) from the small intestine of the tropidurid lizard Uranoscodon superciliosus from Amazonian Brazil is described and illustrated. Of the 11 currently recognized species of Allopharynx, we consider Allopharynx megorchis Simha, 1961 a synonym of Allopharynx mehrai (Gogate, 1935) Price 1938 and Allopharynx puertoricensis Acholonu, 1976 a synonym of Allopharynx riopedrensis Garcia-Diaz; thus, A. daileyi becomes the 10th species assigned to the genus. The trematode species Mesocoelium monas and 2 species of Nematoda, Africana chabaudi and Cosmocerca vrcibradici, were also present.     

Endoparasites in Sphenomorphus jobiensis (Sauria: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea with description of three new species

One species of digenean, Zeylanurotrema sphenomorphi n. sp., and 2 nematode species, Meteterakis crombiei n. sp. and Physalopteroides milnensis n. sp., from the intestine of Sphenomorphus jobiensis, are described and illustrated. Zeylanurotrema sphenomorphi n. sp. represents the second species, Meteterakis crombiei n. sp. the 18th species, and Physalopteroides milnensis n. sp. the 19th species assigned to each respective genus. In addition, 1 species of cestode, Oochoristica javaensis; 7 nematode species, Abbreviata oligopapillata, Aplectana macintoshii, Aplectana zweifli, Cosmocerca zugi, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Oswaldocruzia bakeri, Parapharyngodon maplestonei; 1 species of acanthocephalan, Acanthocephalus bufonis; and 1 species of pentastome, Kiricephalus sp., were found. With the exception of Abbreviata oligopapillata, Sphenomorphus jobiensis represents a new host record for each species of endoparasite.     

Strongyluris panamaensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) and other helminths from the lizard,Anolis biporcatus (Sauria: Polychrotidae), from Panama

Strongyluris panamaensis n. sp. from the intestine of Anolis biporcatus collected in Panama is described and illustrated. Strongyluris panamaensis represents the 30th species assigned to this genus and the fourth from the neotropical region. Strongyluris panamaensis can be easily distinguished from all other neotropical species because it has the shortest spicule. In addition to S. panamaensis, 3 species of Trematoda, Mesocoelium monas, Parallellopharynx arctus, and Urotrema scabridum, and 3 species of Nematoda, Crytosomum penneri, Oswaldocruzia bainae, and Piratuba digiticauda, were identified.     

Rhabdias anolis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from the lizard,Anolis frenatus (Sauria: Polychrotidae), from Panama

Rhabdias anolis n. sp. from the lungs of Anolis frenatus collected in Panama is described and illustrated. Rhabdias anolis n. sp. represents the 45th species assigned to the genus and the ninth from the Notropical Realm. It is distinguished from all other Neotropical species by the presence of a pair of sessile lateral papillae on its tail.     

New genus, new species of Cestoda (Anoplocephalidae), new species of Nematoda (Cosmocercidae) and other helminths in Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Papua New Guinea

Gekkotaenia novaeguineaensis n. gen., n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from the small intestine and Cosmocerca zugi n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of the ring-tailed gecko, Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis (Sauria: Gekkonidae) are described and illustrated. Gekkotaenia novaeguineaensis n. gen., n. sp. is unique among the acraspedote Linstowiinae in possessing a poral female reproductory system. Cosmocerca zugi n. sp. is the 22nd species to be assigned to the genus and differs from other species in the genus by possessing 4 pairs of rosette papillae on plectanes and having a gubernaculum longer than the spicules. It is the fifth species to be described from the Australian biogeographical region. Eight additional helminth species were found: the digenean, Allopharynx macallisteri; 2 cestodes, cysticercoids of Cyclophyllidea gen. sp. and tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp.; 5 nematodes, larvae in cysts of Abbreviata sp., Aplectana macintoshii, Oswaldocruzia bakeri, Parapharyngodon maplestonei, and an undescribed species of Physalopteroides. Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis represents a new host record for each of these helminths.     

Acanthocephalus saurius n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) and other helminths from the lizard Norops limifrons (Sauria: Polychrotidae) from Costa Rica

Acanthocephalus saurius n. sp. from the small intestine of Norops limifrons collected in Costa Rica is described and illustrated. Acanthocephalus saurius n. sp. represents the third acanthocephalan species in which gravid individuals have been found in lizard hosts. In addition to A. saurius; 1 species of Trematoda, Mesocoelium monas; 3 species of Nematoda, Piratuba digiticauda, Strongyluris panamaensis, and Acuariidae gen. sp. (larvae in cysts) were found.     

Africana telfordi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from the lizard,Enyalioides heterolepsis (Sauria: Iguanidae) from Panama

Africana telfordi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from the large intestine of the lizard Enyalioides heterolepsis collected in Panama is described and illustrated. Africana telfordi n. sp. represents the seventh species assigned to the genus and the second from the Neotropical Realm. It is distinguished from the other neotropical species, A. chabaudi, by the size and shape of the spicules. The spicules of A. telfordi are robust, analate, and 366-458 microm in length; those of A. chabaudi are narrow, alate, and 644-869 microm in length.     

Two new species of cosmocercids (Ascaridida) in the toad Chaunus arenarum (Anura: Bufonidae) from Argentina

Aplectana tarija n. sp. and Cosmocercoides lilloi n. sp., intestinal parasites of the toad Chaunus arenarum, are described. Of the 41 nominal species of Aplectana, A. tarija n. sp. represents the 22nd Neotropical species and the second species reported from Argentina. Of the 14 nominal species of Cosmocercoides, C. lilloi n. sp. represents the 15th species and the first species reported from South America.     

Paradollfusnema telfordi n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) from the worm lizard,Rhineura floridana (Amphisbaenia), of Florida

Paradollfusnema telfordi n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of a worm lizard, Rhineura floridana, collected in Florida is described and illustrated. Paradollfusnema telfordi n. sp. represents the second species assigned to the genus and is distinguished from the other species on the basis of caudal papillae patterns in the male: P. telfordi n. sp. with 8 pairs of precloacal papillae, second pair from anterior much larger than others; Paradollfusnema amphisbaenia with 4 or 5 pairs of precloacal papillae, all of equal size.     

Helminths of Cnemidophorus ruthveni (Squamata: Teiidae) from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, with description of a new species of Alaeuris (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae)

Alaeuris rinconensis n. sp. (Oxyuroidea, Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of the Bonaire whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus ruthveni, is described and illustrated. Alaeuris rinconensis n. sp. represents the 13th Neotropical species assigned to the genus. It is most similar to Alaeuris iguanae in that only these 2 Neotropical species have postbulbar excretory pores; in A. iguanae, a tail filament is absent; in A. rinconensis, a tail filament is present. Two additional helminth species were found, i.e., the cestode Oochoristica iguanae and a nematode, Ozolaimus megatyphlon. Cnemidoporus ruthveni represents a new host record for the latter 2 species.     

Two new species of Falcaustra and comments on helminths of Norops tropidolepis (Sauria: Polychrotidae) from Costa Rica

Falcaustra costaricae n. sp. from the intestines of the lizard Norops tropidolepis and F. heosemydis n. sp. from the large intestine of the turtle Heosemys depressa are described and illustrated. Falcaustra costaricae represents the 10th Neotropical species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Neotropical species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (10 preanal, 0 adanal, 12 postanal, and 1 median), length and width of spicules (510-561 microm long, 18-24 microm wide), and absence of pseudosucker. Falcaustra heosemydis represents the 29th Oriental species and is distinguished from other Oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (10 preanal, 0 adanal, 12 postanal, and 1 median), length of spicules (790-890 microm), and absence of pseudosucker. Norops tropidolepis was found to harbor 3 species of Nematoda, F. costaricae, Rhabdias anolis, and acuariid larvae, and 2 species of Acanthocephala (centrorhynchid cystacanths and oligacanthorhynchid cystacanths).     

New species of Oswaldocruzia (Nematoda: Molineidae) in Ameiva festiva (Squamata: Teiidae) from Nicaragua

Oswaldocruzia nicaraguensis n. sp. (Strongylida: Molineidae) from the intestines of Ameiva festiva (Sauria: Teiidae) is described and illustrated. Oswaldocruzia nicaraguensis represents the 78th species assigned to the genus and is most similar to the Caribbean species of the genus by possessing spicules in which each of the 3 divisions terminates in numerous fine points. Of the 8 species assigned to this group, O. nicaraguensis is most similar to Oswaldocruzia moraveci; of the 8 species, only O. moraveci and O. nicaraguensis possess a type II bursa and lack cervical alae. It is separated from O. moraveci by the position of the tips of ribs 5-6; close together in O. nicaraguensis, well separated in O. moraveci.     

New species of Aplectana (Ascaridida: Cosmocercidae) in the toads, Rhinella granulosa and Rhinella schneideri (Anura: Bufonidae) from northern Argentina

Aplectana adaechevarriae n. sp., from the large intestine of Rhinella granulosa and Rhinella schneideri, is described and illustrated. Of the 43 nominal species of Aplectana, A. adaechevarriae n. sp. represents the 23rd Neotropical species and the third species reported from Argentina. Of the Neotropical species, only 4, Aplectana elenae, Aplectana hylambatis, Aplectana raillieti, and A. adaechevarriae n. sp., have 8 pairs of preanal papillae. Aplectana adaechevarriae lacks a median preanal papilla; the other 3 species possess a median preanal papilla.     

Checklist of helminth parasites of the cane toad Bufo marinus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Mexico

Thirty-four adult cane toads Bufo marinus L. (12 males and 22 females) collected from 2 localities in Mexico (Cerro de Oro and Temascal Dams, Oaxaca) in September 2003 were examined for helminth parasites. In total, 14,749 helminths belonging to 14 taxa were collected. Included were 2 adult digeneans (Choledocystus hepaticus, Mesocoelium monas); 1 larval cestode (an unidentified pseudophyllidean); and 11 nematodes, including 3 species of larvae (Contracaecum sp., Physaloptera sp., Physocephalus sexalatus) and 8 species of adults (Aplectana itzocanensis, Cosmocerca sp., Cruzia morleyi, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Oswaldocruzia sp., Raillietnema sp., Rhabdias americanus, and Rhabdiasfuelleborni). Higher species richness was recorded in B. marinus from Cerro de Oro (12 taxa versus 9 in those from Temascal); hosts from both localities shared 7 taxa. There were 25 new locality records, and 2 taxa were registered in Mexico for the first time. To date, 112 helminth species have been recorded parasitizing B. marinus along its native and introduced range of distribution, with 40.5% of them reported from Mexico.     

Parapharyngodon riojensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the lizard Phymaturus punae (Squamata: Iguania: Liolaemidae) from northwestern Argentina

Two hundred and forty-four specimens of Parapharyngodon riojensis n. sp. were found in the large intestines of 2 adult lizards Phymaturus punae collected from Quebrada del Leoncito, Province of La Rioja, Argentina. Parapharyngodon riojensis n. sp. represents the ninth species of the genus from the Neotropical Realm and the first species to be described from Argentina. It can be distinguished from all species of Parapharyngodon on the basis of the morphology of the anterior cloacal lip, the location of the ovary, and geographical distribution. Parapharyngodon riojensis n. sp. is most similar to P. senisfaciecaudus in that the ovary does coil around the esophagus and the number and location of caudal papillae in the males are the same. These 2 species differ in that the eggs of P. senisfaciecaudus are slightly asymmetrical, with a smooth, thin shell, whereas the eggs of P. riojensis are oval, with a punctate thick shell. In addition, the cloacal lip of males of P. senisfaciecaudus is smooth, whereas the cloacal lip of males of P. riojensis is echinate. A key to the species of Parapharyngodon in the Neotropical Realm is provided.     

New species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) and other helminths from Norops capito (Sauria: Polychrotidae) from Nicaragua

Rhabdias nicaraguensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) from the lungs of Norops capito (Sauria: Polychrotidae) is described and illustrated. Rhabdias nicaraguensis n. sp. represents the 54th species assigned to the genus and the 12th from the Neotropical realm. Of the 12 Neotropical Rhabdias species, nicaraguensis is most similar to tobagoensis and vellardi. These 3 species have equatorial placement of the vulva, inflated cuticle, and 6 small circumoral lips. Rhabdias nicaraguensis is easily separated from R. tobagoensis by the shape of the buccal cavity and from R. vellardi by body size and shape of the tail. Rhabdias nicaraguensis differs from both species by host preference, the amount of inflated cuticle covering the body, and the phasmids situated posterior to the midpoint of the tail.     

Atractis marquezi n. sp. (Nematoda: Atractidae) and a revision of Atractis dujardin, 1845, sensu Baker, 1987

Atractis marquezi n. sp. from the large intestine of the tortoise Geochelone nigrita is described and illustrated. Atractis Dujardin, 1845, sensu Baker, 1987, is revised to contain only those atractids having a lagonoid spicule. The remaining species of Atractis sensu Baker, 1987, are assigned to Cyrtosomum, Pseudatractis, and Klossinemella. A. marquezi represents the 12th species to be assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Neotropical species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 2 pairs precloacal, 2 pairs adcloacal, and 6 pairs postcloacal.