A critical scanning electron microscope study of the scolex of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934, with a review of the taxonomic history of the genus Bothriocephalus parasitizing cyprinid fishes

Summary Bothriocephalus specimens from one Ctenopharyngodon idella (O+) were fixed using three different techniques and the scolex morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The scolices were compared with figures of the five species of Bothriocephalus and one species of Schyzocotyle previously described from cyprinid fishes. The taxonomic history of the Bothriocephalus species parasitizing cyprinid fish is reviewed. It is concluded that there is only one Bothriocephalus species parasitizing cyprinid fishes, and that continued use should be made of the name B. acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934. ac]19840326