Abstract
Mammalakis zambiensis n. sp. is described from the large intestine and caecum of Fukomys anselli (Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán & Kawalika), a bathyergid rodent endemic to Zambia. Morphological data for comparison with its three congeners, M. macrospiculum (Ortlepp, 1939), M. spalacis (Marcu, 1930) and M. spalaxi (Kozlov & Jangolenko, 1962) are provided. Based on studies of the type-material, observations of hitherto undescribed morphological characters of M. macrospiculum, a parasite of Bathyergus suillus (Schreber) (Hystricomorpha: Bathyergidae) in South Africa, are presented. To date, the generic diagnosis of Mammalakis Inglis, 1991 is based largely on characters of its type-species, M. macrospiculum. In having three rounded lips, not set-off from the body, a stout oesophagus with a flask-shaped posterior bulb, lateral alae that broaden on the level of the precloacal sucker and cloaca, and mature eggs with a smooth shell, M. zambienis n. sp. corresponds to the characters of the genus. However, the presence of lips with anterior flanges that were observed in M. zambiensis n. sp., and also for the first time in M. macrospiculum, are in contrast with the current diagnosis of Mammalakis. Further studies will be needed to determine if an amendment of the generic diagnosis is indicated.
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