Tapeworms (Cestoda) of ictalurid catfishes (Siluriformes) in North America: redescription of type species of two genera and proposal of Essexiellinae n. subfam.

Tapeworms (Cestoda) of ictalurid catfishes (Siluriformes) in North America: redescription of type species of two genera and proposal of Essexiellinae n. subfam.
J Parasitol. 2020 Apr 07;:
Authors: Scholz T, Barcak D, Waeschenbach A, McAllister CT, Choudhury A
Abstract
Ictalurid catfishes (Siluriformes) in North America harbor proteocephalid tapeworms of the subfamily Corallobothriinae. Type species of 2 of 3 genera of these tapeworms from ictalurids are redescribed, based on museum and newly collected material. Essexiella fimbriata (Essex, 1928) is typified mainly by a wide, umbrella-shape scolex with a metascolex formed by numerous folds of tissue, anteriorly directed suckers without sphincters, vitellarium bent inwards posteriorly, 'flower-shaped' uterus (with anterior, lateral and posterior diverticula), and a conspicuously pre-equatorial genital atrium. Verified records of this cestode are only from 3 species of Ictalurus Rafinesque, 1820. Megathylacoides giganteum (Essex, 1928), which seems to be specific to the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), possesses a globular scolex, with a weakly developed metascolex formed by tissue-folds posterior to the suckers, anterolaterally directed suckers with large semilunar sphincters, proglottids that are widest at the level of the genital atrium at the anterior third of the proglottid, and uterine diverticula that do not reach the vitelline follicles laterally. A new subfamily, Essexiel...

Source: The Journal of Parasitology - April 6, 2020 Category: Parasitology Authors: Scholz T, Barcak D, Waeschenbach A, McAllister CT, Choudhury A Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research