Ophioxenos lampetrae sp. nov. (Digenea: Paramphistomidae) from ammocoetes of the western brook lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni Vladykov and Follett) in British Columbia, with comments on lamprey host–parasite relationships

Abstract

Ophioxenos lampetrae sp. nov. (Digenea: Paramphistomidae) from the intestine of ammocoetes of the western brook lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni) in British Columbia, Canada, is described. It is distinguished from other members of the genus, O. dienteros and O. singularis (parasites of reptiles, primarily garter snakes, and amphibians in North America), by having relatively few vitelline folicles of limited anterior extent and a voluminous uterus filling most available intercaecal space. This appears to be the first record of a digenean utilizing a petromyzontid as a definitive host. Some aspects of lamprey host–parasite relationships are discussed.