Description and life-cycle of Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea)

Abstract

A new species of tapeworm, Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea), is described from the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), the main definitive host, and the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus and Capreolus pygargus), the main intermediate hosts, from Finland and Russia (Siberia and the Russian Far East). The new species was found once also in the wolf (Canis lupus) and the Eurasian elk/moose (Alces alces), representing accidental definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. The conspecificity of adult specimens and metacestodes of Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. in various host species and regions, and their distinction from related species of Taenia, was confirmed by partial nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Morphologically, Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. can be separated unambiguously from all other species of Taenia by the shape of its large rostellar hooks, particularly the characteristically short, wide and strongly curved blade. If the large rostellar hooks are missing, Taenia lynciscapreoli may be separated from related species by a combination of morphological features of mature proglottids. It is suggested that Taenia lynciscapreoli has been present in published materials concerning the tapeworms of Lynx lynx and Lynx pardinus in Europe, but has been misidentified as Taenia pisiformis (Bloch, 1780). Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. has not been found in lynx outside the range of roe deer, suggesting a transmission pathway based on a specific predator–prey relationship. The present study applies a novel, simple approach to compare qualitative interspecific differences in the shape of rostellar hooks.

Update of the helminth fauna in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Poland

“…Intermediate hosts for T. lynciscapreoli and T. krabbei Moniez, 1789, are roe deer and other cervids (Al-Sabi et al 2013; Haukisalmi et al 2016). Thus, the relatively high Taenia sp.…”

“…Lynx feed on ungulates (~ 90% of prey) with roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) and red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) being the main prey species (Okarma et al 1997 ), with smaller animals being preyed upon only occasionally. Intermediate hosts for T. lynciscapreoli and T. krabbei Moniez, 1789, are roe deer and other cervids (Al-Sabi et al 2013 ; Haukisalmi et al 2016 ). Thus, the relatively high Taenia sp.…”

“…The helminth fauna of Eurasian lynx in Europe reported so far consists of 25 species including 11 species of cestodes, one species of trematode, and 14 species of nematodes (Furmaga 1953 ; Merkusheva and Bobkova 1981 ; Yushkov 1995 ; Samuel et al 2001 ; Bagrade et al 2003 ; Valdmann et al 2004 ; Szczęsna et al 2008 ; Kornnyushin and Varodi 2010 ; Deksne et al 2013 ; Lavikainen et al 2013 ; Haukisalmi et al 2016 ). Data from lynx in Poland are limited due to rarity of this species and are based on either scant material or fecal samples, which provide underestimated results of helminth prevalence and intensity (Szczęsna et al 2008 ).…”

Echinococcus felidis in hippopotamus, South Africa

“…Hooks were photographed and measured with ImageJ (https://imageJ.nih.gov). Six linear measurements (Hobbs et al, 1980;Gubányi, 1995;Haukisalmi et al, 2016) were taken from hooks aligned well in the horizontal plane (see Table 1, Fig. 1).…”

The role of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) as intermediate hosts in the transmission ofHymenolepis microps(Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from the willow ptarmiganLagopus lagopus(Aves: Tetraonidae)

“…1 2 947 7 C B 8CC B 4 9 7 . 0 , 14 4 8CC B 1 2 947 7 / 9 B9C CB292 9 C C 9 7 1C BD2: C C C8 1 2 947 C or pseudophyllid tapeworms, have adapted to a taxonomically restricted group of intermediate hosts, larval forms of cyclophyllids may occur in both insects and vertebrates (Smirnova & Kontrimavichus, 1977;Conn, 1985;Scholz et al, 2004;Haukisalmi et al, 2016). The cestode Hymenolepis microps [syn: Weinlandia microps (Fuhrmann 1906) and H. tetraonis (Wolffhugel 1900)] is a common intestinal parasite of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) and other tetraonid birds (Huus, 1928;Wissler & Halvorsen, 1977).…”