A Catalogue of the Protozoa and Helminths of North American Rodents. I. Protozoa and Acanthocephala

Abstract

distribution records of the protozoa and helminths reported from North American rodents (Order Rodentia). The most recent catalogue of this type covering all of the rodent genera is that of Harkema (1936). Because interest in the parasitic fauna of rodents has increased rapidly since that time, and since the writer is privileged to have access, to the Index-Catalogue of Medical and Veterinary Zoology, Animal Disease and Parasite Research Branch, it seemed desirable to gather together once again the many widely dispersed records for the benefit of those working in the field. This catalogue covers references through 1952 and includes only natural infections of rodents occurring in continental North America. It does not include records from hamsters, guinea pigs, or rodents in. Zoological Parks that were obtained from localities outside North America. However, it does include reports concerning rodents in Zoological Parks that were obtained from localities within North America and these are indicated as such with an asterisk (*). The common laboratory white rat land white mouse are referred to as Rattus norvegicus albus and Mus musculus albus, respectively. No locality records are listed for these two hosts. Locality records concerning olther hosts are listed except when the locality is not known or when merely reported as occurring in North America. Numbers in parentheses immediately followinfg distribution records refer to bibliographical entries. Many of the parasite names which are numbered and listed in alphabetical order are no longer recognized. There appears to be considerable difference of opinion regarding the status of others. Names with which certain of the entries have been reported as synonymous are listed in brackets followed by the authority or authorities (number in parentheses). When no authority is given, the person making a new combination is considered the authority. No new combinations have been made. However, in certain instances the writer has indicated probable synonyms not mentioned in the literature with an italicized question mark in parentheses (?). This is to be distinguished from a question mark lacking it-alics which indicates that uncertainty was expressed by another author. Host names are listed as they appear in the literature except that ssp. has been added when the species consists of a number of subspecies and the subspecies has not been designated. Host names not commonly accepted are listed in brackets immediately following the name commonly accepted. It was thought best not to list parasites together with their respective reported synonyms because of differences of opinion regarding synonymy. Following the distribution records of certain parasite entries, reference