Redescription of Kapsulotaenia sandgroundi (Carter, 1943) (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea: Acanthotaeniinae), a parasite of Varanus komodoensis (Varanoidea: Varanidae) from Indonesia

Abstract

The proteocephalidean cestode Kapsulotaenia sandgroundi (Carter, 1943) (Proteocephalidae: Acanthotaeniinae), the type-species of Kapsulotaenia Freze, 1963, is redescribed on the basis of the type-material from Varanus komodoensis Ouwens on Komodo Island, Indonesia, and material from museum collections. The ovary is larger than described by Freze (1965) and occupies 42-59% and not 33% of the proglottis width as cited by Freze. The presence of a small vaginal sphincter and a seminal receptacle are also new observations in all specimens. The microtriches, cross-sections and eggs are figured for the first time. In addition, the ventral osmoregulatory canals are connected to the ventral surface by narrow secondary ducts; the median part of the cirrus-sac is narrower than the distal and proximal regions. Egg clusters and a supplementary layer in the eggs situated between the oncosphere and the bi-layered embryophore, present in K. sandgroundi, are features also observed in the majority of Australian proteocephalideans. It is concluded that much more attention needs to be paid to the careful observation and description of the morphology of the eggs in the Proteocephalidea, as this may represent a valuable discriminatory character for distinguishing species.

Orders out of chaos – molecular phylogenetics reveals the complexity of shark and stingray tapeworm relationships

“…Remarkably, in essentially all cases for which scanning electron microscopical (SEM) data are available for body surfaces posterior to the scolex proper (i.e., proliferation zone, immature and/or mature proglottids), simple gladiate spinitriches are reported. This was true for multiple genera in both the Proteocephalidae (e.g., Scholz et al, 1999; de Chambrier, 2006; de Chambrier and de Chambrier, 2010; Ash et al, 2012; Rambeloson et al, 2012) and the Monticelliidae (e.g., Gil de Pertierra, 2002; Gil de Pertierra, 2005; de Chambrier et al, 2006; Scholz et al, 2008; Arredondo et al, 2013; Gil de Pertierra and de Chambrier, 2013). While promising, this feature requires more detailed study across genera in both families as SEM data are available only for more recently described taxa and a few exceptions may exist (e.g., possibly de Chambrier et al, 2009; Gil de Pertierra, 2009).…”

A large 28S rDNA-based phylogeny confirms the limitations of established morphological characters for classification of proteocephalidean tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda)

“…Characters related to eggs and their morphology have been shown to be important in the systematics of proteocephalidean cestodes (Gil de Pertierra and de Chambrier 2000, Scholz and de Chambrier 2003, de Chambrier et al 2005, de Chambrier 2006, de Chambrier and de Chambrier 2010, Scholz et al 2011) but have generally been underexploited and remain poorly known for many species. Here, they allow the characterization of a well-supported node grouping species of Rudolphiella , Brooksiella and Cangatiella ( Clade J ), because all these taxa possess very typical eggs with polar extensions (Fig.…”

Ophiotaenia alessandrae sp. n. (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea), a parasite of Hyla boans (Anura: Hylidae) from Amazonia in Ecuador

“…This third layer is situated between the oncosphere and the bilayered embryophore, and so represents, in our opinion, a three-layered embryophore. This structure was first observed in some eggs of proteocephalideans parasitizing reptiles from Indonesia (Kapsulotaenia sandgroundi) and Australia {Ophiotaenia spp, see de Chambrier, 2006). This is the first observation of this feature within an Ophiotaenia species in South American amphibian host.…”