The systematic status of Trichosoma carbonis Rudolphi, 1819 and a description of Baruscapillaria rudolphii n. sp. (Nematoda: Capillariidae), an intestinal parasite of cormorants

Abstract

A revision of the literary data showed that the name Trichosoma carbonis Rudolphi, 1819 has to be considered a nomen nudum, which is invalid and unavailable according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The first recognisable description of the nematode designated Capillaria carbonis (Rudolphi) is that by Dubinin & Dubinina (1940) and, consequently, the correct valid name of this species is Baruscapillaria carbonis (Dubinin & Dubinina, 1940) n. comb. However, due to its inadequate description, it should be considered a species inquirenda. It is highly probable that the records of "Capillaria carbonis" by subsequent authors related, in fact, to more than one species. The nematodes recently collected from the small intestine of the common cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (L.) from southern Moravia, Czech Republic, differ considerably from Baruscapillaria carbonis mainly in the structure of the male caudal end and are considered to represent a new species, B. rudolphii n. sp. This is characterised mainly by the length of spicule (1.25 mm), presence of a non-spiny spicular sheath, structure of the male caudal end, absence of a vulvar appendage in female and by various body and organ measurements. Since Trichosoma corvorum Rudolphi, 1819 is also a nomen nudum, the valid name of the intestinal capillariid which parasitises mainly birds of the genus Corvus in the Palaearctic region is Baruscapillaria resectum (Dujardin, 1845) n. comb. (syn. Trichosomum resectum Dujardin, 1845).

Capillariid nematodes (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitic in the common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), with redescription of Baruscapillaria carbonis (Dubinin et Dubinina, 1940)

“…Dubinin and Dubinina (1940) did not give the length of spicule. Comparing the measurements of the present study with those of Okulewicz (1989), Baruš and Sergeeva (1990) and Moravec et al (1994) (Table 1), all based on specimens from Ph. carbo, it is obvious that the spicule of B. carbonis is distinctly longer (1.9-2.3) than that of B. rudolphii (maximum 1.3).…”

“…1F, G); the bursa consisted of five lobes: a spur-shaped dorsal one and two lateral on each side, this being the most prominent morphological feature, distinguishing the males of B. carbonis and B. rudolphii. The male bursa of B. rudolphii is reduced and bi-lobed (Moravec et al 1994). Dubinin and Dubinina (1940) did not give the length of spicule.…”

“…Two species of the genus Baruscapillaria Moravec, 1982 are known to parasitise the small intestine of the common cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (L.): Baruscapillaria carbonis (Dubinin et Dubinina, 1940) and B. rudolphii Moravec, Scholz et Našincová, 1994. A redescription of the former species, based on specimens collected from common cormorants shot in South Bohemia, Czech Republic, is provided.…”

“…The other two species, both of the genus Baruscapillaria Moravec, 1982, are localised in the small intestine. Until Moravec et al (1994) described B. rudolphii Moravec, Scholz et Našincová, 1994, all intestinal capillariids found in this host species were referred to Trichosoma carbonis Rudolphi, 1819 (nomen nudum). Moravec et al (1994) validated B. carbonis, changing its authorship and the date of publication, but they considered it a species inquirenda.…”

“…Until Moravec et al (1994) described B. rudolphii Moravec, Scholz et Našincová, 1994, all intestinal capillariids found in this host species were referred to Trichosoma carbonis Rudolphi, 1819 (nomen nudum). Moravec et al (1994) validated B. carbonis, changing its authorship and the date of publication, but they considered it a species inquirenda. The species was reported from a wide range of waterfowl from the Palaearctic Region (for survey see Baruš and Sergeeva 1990), but only a few, inadequate descriptions were provided (Dubinin 1938, Dubinin and Dubinina 1940, Sergeeva 1969, Baruš et al 1978, Baruš and Sergeeva 1982, Okulewicz 1989, Baruš and Sergeeva 1990.…”