Tetrameres (Gynaecophila) aspicula n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae), a proventricular parasite of the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi in Argentina

Tetrameres (Gynaecophila) aspicula n. sp. is described from the proventriculus of the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot) (Ciconiiformes, Threskiornithidae) from Argentina. The new species is characterised by the absence of spicules, by possessing two ventral rows of extremely small spines in males, extending along the second half of body length, and by the tiny, very feebly developed postcloacal papillae. T. (G.) aspicula n. sp. is compared to the remainder of the species in the subgenus as well as to other species of Tetrameres which lack or possess feebly developed spines. The absence of spicules is a character shared with two other species in the genus, T. (G.) gynaecophila and T. (G.) deccani,from which the new species differs in body size, the arrangement of caudal papillae and the somatic spination in males. A pair of somatic papillae, previously unreported in species of this genus, was found just on or ventral to the lateral line at various regions of the body length. The homology of these structures to other paired somatic papillae described in nematodes is discussed.