Paranoplocephala maseri n. sp. (Cestoda,Anoplocephalidae), a parasite of sagebrush voles Lemmiscus curtatus (Rodentia) in the USA

Paranoplocephala maseri n. sp. is described from Lemmiscus curtatus (Cope) in the USA. The new species is related to Paranoplocephala omphalodes (Hermann, 1783), P. caucasica (Kirschenblat, 1938), P. kirbyi Voge 1948, P. microti (Hansen, 1947) and P. macrocephala (Douthitt, 1915) sensu Genov et al. (1996). P. maseri n. sp. differs from P. omphalodes in the position of the genital pores, testes and cirrus-sac; from P. caucasica, in which there is an unarmed cirrus, in both the distribution and larger number of testes; from P. kirbyi in the distribution of the testes, the position of the genital pores and egg dimensions; from P. microti in the distribution and smaller number of testes, the smaller egg dimensions and the position of the genital pores; and from P. macrocephala in the position of genital pores and cirrus-sac.     

Description of Paranoplocephala yoccozi n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from the snow vole Chionomys nivalis in France, with a review of anoplocephaud cestodes of snow voles in Europe

We describe Paranoplocephala yoccozi n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from the snow vole Chionomys nivalis in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, French Alps, compare it with several related species from rodents, and review the anoplocephalid cestodes of snow voles in Europe. Paranoplocephala yoccozi n. sp. is primarily distinguished from the related species by its large scolex of characteristic shape, robust neck region, and the structure of the cirrus sac, vitellarium and vagina. We show that the anoplocephalid cestodes of snow voles in Europe, representing the genera Anoplocephaloides and Paranoplocephala, include at least seven species. This fauna consists primarily of species that snow voles share with other voles inhabiting the high-mountain areas. Some of the species, including P. yoccozi n. sp., appear to have a very localized distribution, which is assumed to be a consequence of the historical fragmentation of snow vole populations.     

Paranoplocephala aquatica n. sp. (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) from Arvicola terrestris and Ondatra zibethica (Rodentia), with redescriptions and comments on related species

Paranoplocephala aquatica n. sp. is described from Arvicola terrestris and Ondatra zibethica (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Bulgaria. The new species is characterised by a band-like strobila, a uterus forming a fine reticulate structure in the early stages of development, numerous testes (approximately 92) situated mainly aporally to the ovary in both the median and the aporal lateral fields, few testes positioned anterior to the ovary and genital ducts, the prominent asymmetrical situation of the female organs, the length of the vagina c. 0.65–0.68 of the length of the cirrus-sac, and the external seminal vesicle covered by a cellular sleeve. The new species is distinguished from P. ondatrae, P. macrocephala, P. dasymidis and P. sciuri. The specimens from O. zibethica reported as P. ondatrae by Tenora & Murai (1980) and as Aprostatandrya macrocephala by Spasskii et al. (1951) are believed to belong to P. aquatica. The type-series of P. ondatrae and P. macrocephala are redescribed and figured; metric data and an illustration of the holotype of P. sciuri are presented. The genus Paranoplocephala sensu Tenora et al. (1986) is regarded as a heterogeneous group because of the two patterns of uterine development in the species studied. Taxonomic criteria used for distinguishing the genera Andrya and Paranoplocephala, and some criteria applicable at the species level, are discussed.     

A new cestode species Paranoplocephala gubanovi sp.n. (Cyclophyllidea: Anoplocephalidae) from the wood lemming Myopus schisticolor of eastern Siberia

A new species of anoplocephalid cestode, Paranoplocephala gubanovi sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae), from wood lemmings of Eastern Siberia (Myopus schisticolor) is described. The new species differs from other known species of Paranoplocephala associated with Holarctic lemmings by having unique combination of characters as follows: a few-segmented strobila, superficial suckers sticking out of the scolex, ovary covering practically the whole middle part of the segment, relatively little number of testicles situated in the aporal part of the segment, cirrus bursa crossing the poral excretory vessels, and subspherical spermatheca situated in the middle part of the segment. Comparison of P. gubanovi sp. n. and several closest species, P. fellmani Haukisaimi et Henttonen, 2001, P. serrata Haukisaimi et Henttonen, 2000, and P. arctica (Rausch, 1952) has been carried out. Features distinguishing the new species from Aprostatandrya macrocephala and A. microti have also been studied.     

Biogeography of helminth parasitism in Lemmus Link (Arvicolinae), with the description of Paranoplocephala fellmani n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from the Norwegian lemming L. lemmus (Linnaeus)

We describe the gastrointestinal helminth fauna of true lemmings (Lemmus spp., Arvicolinae) based on published and original material throughout the Holarctic range of these hosts. According to the existing data, the helminth fauna of true lemmings consists of three widespread and/or locally common taxa: Hymenolepis horrida (sensu lato) (Hymenolepididae), Anoplocephaloides lemmi (Anoplocephalidae) and Heligmosomoides spp. (Heligmosomidae). Despite the taxonomic boundaries and ancient phylogenetic splits in the hosts, there are no major faunistic differences for parasites within western (Siberian) L. sibiricus and L. bungei, and eastern (North American) L. trimucronatus throughout their distribution range. In contrast, the Norwegian lemming L. lemmus, which is a Fennoscandian endemic and closely related to the western populations of L. sibiricus, has only a single host-specific helminth, the cestode Paranoplocephala fellmani n. sp. (Anoplocephalidae). We describe the new species and show that it differs consistently from related species by its long and slender cirrus-sac. However, there are also a number of other significant differences, e.g., P. fellmani n. sp. and Andrya primordialis in Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Sciuridae) evidently have a unique (sub)type of uterine development among Andrya/Paranoplocephala spp. Because P. fellmani n. sp. was also found to occur in Alaska (host L. trimucronatus), this species seems to follow the same biogeographical pattern as the other specialist helminths of Lemmus. We suggest alternative explanations for the absence of three major helminth taxa in the Norwegian lemming in Fennoscandia.     

Bathycestus brayi n. gen. and n. sp. (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from the deep-sea fish Notacanthus bonaparte in the northeastern Atlantic

Bathycestus brayi n. gen., n. sp. (Pseudophyllidea: Triaenophoridae) is proposed to accommodate a new cestode from a deep-sea fish, the shortfin spine eel Notacanthus bonaparte (Notacanthiformes: Notacanthidae), from the northeastern Atlantic. The new genus is placed in the Triaenophoridae because it possesses a uterine pore on the ventral surface, a marginal genital pore, and a follicular vitellaria. Bathycestus most closely resembles Eubothrioides, Fistulicola, Probothriocephalus, and Pseudeubothrioides, which have also an unarmed scolex, a single set of genital organs per proglottid, an unarmed cirrus, cortical vitellaria, and a compact rather dendritic ovary. It differs from these genera by combination of the following features: a sagittate scolex with a weakly developed apical disc and free posterior margins of bothria, no neck, a long cirrus sac, reaching to the median third of proglottids and angled anteromedially in its proximal part, the posterior position of the vagina in relation to the cirrus sac, the testes in 2 lateral fields confluent postovarially, circumcortical vitellaria continuous longitudinally, and unoperculate eggs. Bathycestus brayi n. sp. is the first cestode to be described from a deep-sea fish of the genus Notacanthus.     

Australicola pectinatus n. gen. and n. sp. (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from the deep-sea fish Beryx splendens from Tasmania

Australicola pectinatus n. gen., n. sp. (Pseudophyllidea: Triaenophoridae) is proposed to accommodate a new cestode from a deep-sea fish, the splendid alfonsino, Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834 (Beryciformes: Berycidae), from the Pacific coast of Tasmania. The new genus is placed in the Triaenophoridae, because it possesses a ventral uterine pore, marginal genital pore, and follicular vitellarium. Australicola is characterized by possessing a massive strobila with very short and wide, markedly craspedote proglottids; vitelline follicles forming a transverse equatorial band; a very deep and narrow genital atrium; a wide, convoluted vaginal canal; and unoperculate eggs. Australicola most closely resembles Eubothrium Nybelin, 1922 and Probothriocephalus Campbell, 1979 in having an unarmed scolex, an unarmed cirrus, the vagina anterior to the cirrus-sac, and cortical vitellaria. It differs from these 2 genera, in addition to the characteristics listed above, in possessing a dendritic rather than an entire ovary. Australicola pectinatus n. sp. is the third cestode described from B. splendens.     

A new species of Onchobothriidae (Tetraphyllidea) from Chiloscyllium plagiosum (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobidae) in China

A new species of cestode, Yorkeria xiamenensis n. sp., is described from the spiral valve of Chiloscyllium plagiosum from coastal waters of Xiamen, China. It is the first record of Yorkeria in China. The new species is distinguished from all other species of Yorkeria by its possession of the following characters: the length of specimens, 15.8 mm; 63-95 proglottids; 71-85 testes per proglottid; large medial and lateral hooks in scolex; and eggs with 2 long polar filaments. The new species most closely resembles Y. parva Southwell, 1927 in the follicular vitellaria and similar ratio of lateral-to-medial hooks (1:2.15 vs. 1:2-2.5). However, Y. xiamenensis n. sp. has a longer strobila, more proglottids, a smaller ratio of pedicel to cephalic peduncle, larger hooks, more testes, and a different host.     

Galaxitaenia toloi n. gen., n. sp. (Eucestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from Galaxias platei (Pisces: Osmeriformes, Galaxiidae), in the Patagonian region of Argentina

Galaxitaenia n. gen. (Eucestoda: Pseudophyllidea) is proposed to accommodate Galaxitaenia toloi n. gen., n. sp. from Galaxias platei, a freshwater fish inhabiting Andean lakes in Argentine Patagonia. Galaxitaenia belongs to the Triaenophoridae because it possesses a marginal genital pore, a ventral uterine pore, and a follicular vitelline gland. The new genus can be distinguished from other triaenophorids by the following combination of characters: a scolex with a prominent rectangular apical disc without hooks, grooves, or indentations; neck present; segments wider than long to quadrangular; testes in 2 lateral fields, often connected anteriorly; cirrus unarmed; an ovary situated posteriorly; a vagina posterior to the cirrus sac; vitelline follicles medullary, in 2 ventral fields forming 2 wings interrupted medially; a uterus saccate to branched; and eggs without operculum. The types, distribution, and density of microtriches were analyzed on the surface of the tegument of scolex, neck, and immature segments. The presence of tumuli were observed on the apical disc of the scolex. Galaxitaenia toloi n. sp. is the first triaenophorid species recorded in a South American freshwater fish and the fourth helminth parasitizing the intestine of G. platei.     

Nomimoscolex semenasae n sp (proteocephalidea: Monticelliidae), a cestode parasite of Diplomystes viedmensis (Pisces: Siluriformes) from the Patagonian region of Argentina

Nomimoscolex semenasae n. sp. is described from the primitive fish Diplomystes viedmensis (Siluriformes) from the Patagonian region of Argentina. The new species is placed in Nomimoscolex because of the cortical position of the vitelline follicles, medullary position of the testes, ovary and uterus, and having a scolex with four uniloculate suckers. N. semenasae differs from all other species in the genus by the following combination of characters: (1) apical organ absent; (2) strobila acraspedote; (3) vagina anterior or posterior to cirrus-sac and lacking a sphincter; (4) testes in one irregular layer and in two fields connected anteriorly; (5) uterine stem cortical in immature proglottides, growing from cortical stem into medullary region in mature proglottides; (6) long uteroduct; and (7) presence of spiniform microtriches on all regions of the scolex, proliferation zone and immature proglottis. This is the first record of a proteocephalidean tapeworm in D. viedmensis and in the family Diplomystidae.     

Phyllobothrium squali Yamaguti, 1952 (Tetraphyllidea,Phyllobothriidae): redescription and first record in the Black Sea

Phyllobothrium squali Yamaguti, 1952 is redescribed and illustrated on the basis of the holotype from Squalus acanthias from Japanese waters and specimens from the same host off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (new geographical record). The species is characterised by: a scolex diameter of 2.9-4.3 mm, a glandular apical organ, foliose bothridia with folded and posteriorly bifid margins, accessory suckers of 286-367 micro m in diameter, 222-373 testes per proglottis, an oval cirrus-sac with a length of 354-655 micro m, the vagina opening anteriorly to the cirrus-sac, and the terminal part of vagina with a circular musculature. Specimens from Etmopterus spinax off Naples, Mediterranean Sea, recorded by Euzet (1959) as Crossobothrium squali, are redescribed and their identification not confirmed. P. squali is recognised as a specific parasite of S. acanthias; it is presently known only from Japanese waters, the Black Sea and the Irish Sea. Changes to the generic diagnosis of Phyllobothrium, as given by Ruhnke (1996a), are proposed in order to include the characters of P. squali.     

Sobolevitaenia japonensis n. sp. (Dilepididae: Dilepidinae) from a dusky thrush, Turdus naumanni eunomus Temminck, in Oita Prefecture, Japan

Sobolevitaenia japonensis n. sp. (Cestoda: Dilepididae) is described from eight specimens from the small intestine of a dusky thrush, Turdus naumanni eunomus Temminck, collected at Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. S. japonensis most closely resembles S. moldavica among the 11 species now assigned to the genus Sobolevitaenia, from which it is distinguished by a smaller number of proglottids, a larger scolex and a smaller number of testes of larger size, and a larger vitelline gland.     

Pluviantaenia kassalensis n. g., n. sp. (Davaineidae), a new cestode from the Egyptian plover Pluvianus aegyptius (L.) in the Sudan

Pluviantaenia kassalensis n. g., n. sp. (Davaineidae), from the intestine of Pluvianus aegyptius (Charadriiformes, Glareolidae) in the Kassala area of the Sudan, differs from other davaineid cestodes in having an armed scolex with an inflated pseudorostellum terminating in two fan-shaped lobes, in the absence of suckers, the presence of a very large sucker-like genital atrium provided distally with a powerful sphincter, and the presence of a thin-walled cirrus-sac, smaller than the genital atrium, enclosing a robust, armed cirrus. The genital atrium cirrus-sac complex, but not the female organs, may be duplicated bilaterally and/or additional sets may occur in marginal or submarginal positions.     

A new genus and species of proteocephalidean tapeworm (Cestoda) from Pangasius larnaudii (Siluriformes: Pangasiidae) in Southeast Asia

A new proteocephalidean cestode is described from spot pangasius, Pangasius larnaudii (Siluriformes: Pangasiidae), from Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia and a new genus, Pangasiocestus , is proposed to accommodate it. The genus is placed in the Gangesiinae because its scolex possesses a large rostellum-like apical organ and its genital organs (testes, ovary, vitellarium, and uterus) are situated in the medulla, with some vitelline follicles paramuscular. Pangasiocestus romani n. gen. and n. sp., the type and only species of the new genus, is characterized mainly by its rosette-like scolex composed of 4 lobes bearing a small sucker in their center, and the apical part with a large, discoidal, rostellum-like apical organ devoid of hooks, by weakly developed inner longitudinal musculature formed by very few isolated muscle fibers, uneven size of testes in immature and mature proglottids, with lateral testes smaller and more dense than median ones, by very narrow lateral bands of vitelline follicles, formed usually by single follicles, and by the vagina anterior to the cirrus sac. This is the first proteocephalidean cestode from a pangasiid catfish identified to the species level (proteocephalidean cestodes from 3 Pangasius spp. reported in an unpublished account from Vietnam, misidentified as Proteocephalus osculatus (Goeze, 1782) [?= Glanitaenia osculata ], are not considered).     

Thysanotaenia congolensis n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) in the lesser savanna cane rat, Thryonomys gregorianus from Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

Ten (100%) lesser savanna cane rats, Thryonomys gregorianus, collected from the Lake Kivv area of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa were found to be infected with an undescribed anoplocephalid tapeworm, Thysanotaenia congolensis n. sp. Like other species of Thysanotaenia, T. congolensis n. sp. has the ovary and vitellarium centrally located, and the egg capsules and testes are intervascular. The new species differs from the 2 existing species, Thysanotaenia lemuris in lemurs and Thysanotaenia cubensis in humans, in being smaller (34-50 mm long) and in having a smaller scolex (260-410 microns in diameter), a shorter cirrus sac (115 microns long), and smaller eggs (40 microns in diameter). Anastomoses of the excretory system and formation of egg capsules in the new species are also described.     

Notomegarhynchus navonae n. gen. and n. sp. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea), from skates (Rajidae: Arhynchobatinae) in the southern hemisphere

Notomegarhynchus n. gen. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea) is proposed to accommodate Notomegarhynchus navonae n. gen., n. sp. from Atlantoraja castelnaui in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Notomegarhynchus shetlandicum n. comb. from Bathyraja eatonii and B. maccaini in South Shetlands region, Antarctica, is a second species in the genus. Notomegarhynchus belongs to the Echeneibothriinae within the Phyllobothriidae. It can be distinguished from all other tetraphyllidean genera by the structure of the scolex in form of a massive myzorhynchus consisting of a proscolex and an apical organ, both of which are nonretractable and noninvaginable; in addition, there are 4 pedunculated and nonloculate acetabula. Notomegarhynchus shetlandicum is differentiated from N. navonae particularly in details of acetabular and myzorhynchus morphology, arrangement of testes, and shape of eggs. The inclusion of Notomegarhynchus in the Echeneibothriinae requires emendation of the diagnosis of the subfamily to include taxa possessing postvaginal testes. In addition, new terminology is proposed for distinct regions of the scolex.     

Thaumasioscolex didelphidis n. gen., n. sp. (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidae) from the black-eared opossum Didelphis marsupialis from Mexico, the first proteocephalidean tapeworm from a mammal.

Thaumasioscolex didelphidis n. gen., n. sp. is described from the intestine of the black-eared opossum Didelphis marsupialis L. (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) from Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. The new genus differs from all proteocephalidean genera in the morphology of the scolex that is formed by 4 well separated lobes each containing 1 noncircular sucker opening laterally inside the exterolateral cavity, a large-sized body (length up to 1 m), a large number of testes, the shape of gravid proglottids that are inversely craspedote (the anterior border of a proglottid overlaps the posterior border of a preceding proglottid), eggs in groups mostly of 4-6 eggs each, and an embryophore bearing digitiform projections on its external surface. This is the first tapeworm of the Proteocephalidea, the members of which were previously reported exclusively from poikilotherm vertebrates (freshwater fishes, amphibians, and reptiles), found in a homoiotherm vertebrate.