The taxonomic status of Spatulifer cf. maringaensis Pavanelli & Rego, 1989 (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea) from Sorubim lima (Bloch & Schneider) (Pisces: Siluriformes), and the use of the microthrix pattern in the discrimination of Spatulifer spp.

Abstract

de Chambrier & Vaucher (1999) compared the proteocephalidean cestode Spatulifer maringaensis Pavanelli & Rego, 1989 from Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes) with similar specimens, which they described as S. cf. maringaensis, parasitising Sorubim lima (Bloch & Schneider) collected in the Paraná and Paraguay Rivers. No remarkable differences between these worms were found by these authors, except for the scolex diameter and a different infection rate in each fish host. In order to elucidate the taxonomic status of the fish cestode Spatulifer cf. maringaensis from Sorubim lima, type and voucher material of S. maringaensis from H. platyrhynchos, and voucher and new material recently collected from Sorubim lima in Argentina are described in terms of their internal morphology and tegumental surface. During the study, mature and gravid worms with smaller metascoleces were found among voucher specimens from both hosts and in the new material from S. lima. The number of testes in the type-material was difficult to assess, but it could be determined in the voucher material from the type-host as being within the range of the specimens from S. lima. Both taxa are morphologically identical and can therefore be considered as conspecific. The data on their parasitological indices support the idea that S. lima is the principal final host and H. platyrhynchos is a secondary final host. Spatulifer maringaensis is widespread throughout the Paraná basin. A comparison of the microthrix pattern of S. maringaensis with that of S. rugosa (Woodland, 1935) revealed that they have the same type of microtriches, but with a different distribution, size and density. Tumuli were observed for the first time in a Neotropical taxon. Some studies have shown that the microthrix pattern is useful for characterising and discriminating species of the Proteocephalidea, and it was used herein as a tool for determining the conspecificity of S. cf. maringaensis with S. maringaensis.

A new genus of proteocephalid tapeworm (Cestoda) from the marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) in the River Parana basin, Argentina

“…However, the type of microtriches that covers the proliferation zone has been scarcely included in the descriptions of proteocephalidean species and thus future studies should test validity of this putative synapomoprhy of the Onchoproteocephalidea. For example, the new species described herein, Spatulifer maringaensis Pavanelli et Rego, 1989 and Luciaella ivanovae Gil de Pertierra, 2009 have not gladiate spinitriches covering the proliferation zone (Arredondo andGil de Pertierra 2008, Gil de Pertierra 2009, present study).…”

Infection levels of proteocephalidean cestodes inCichla piquiti(Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) of the Volta Grande Reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil, relative to host body weight and gender

“…In contrast to the present study, Moravec et al (2002) did not observe seasonal variation. A 100% prevalence in C. piquiti was also reported in fish parasitized by Proteocephalus chamelensis (Pérez Ponce de Leó n et al, 1995) and by S. maringaensis (De Chambrier & Vaucher, 1999;Arredondo & Gil de Pertierra, 2008). According to Scholz (1987), larger perch were the most parasitized by Proteocephalus percae Mü ller, 1780.…”

A new species of Pseudocrepidobothrium (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) from Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (Pisces: Siluriformes) in the Paraná River basin (Argentina)

“…spinulifera Woodland, 1934; Nomimoscolex lopesi Rego, 1990;N. sudobim Woodland, 1935; Peltidocotyle rugosa Diesing, 1850; Regoella brevis Arredondo, de Chambrier et Gil de Pertierra, 2013; Spatulifer rugosa (Woodland, 1935) (see Gil de Pertierra 2005, de Chambrier et al 2006, Arredondo and Gil de Pertierra 2008; Pseudocrepidobothrium chanaorum is thus the eighth species reported from this fish host.…”