A New Genus and Species, Psilotornus audacirrus (Trematoda: Digenea: Psilostomatidae), from the Wild Turkey in Alabama

Abstract

Specimens of a new trematode, Psilotornus audacirrus n. g., n. sp., were recovered from the cecum and intestine of a single, adult wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris Vieillot, taken from Clarke County (Choctaw Bluff), Alabama, in March 1965. The general features of the fluke necessitate its being placed in the family Psilostomatidae Odhner, 1913, and the absence of the pharynx suggests its assignment to the subfamily Apopharynginae Yamaguti, 1958. In the new form the acetabulum is behind the middle of the body, there is a prominent kink-like loop in the right cecum immediately following the bifurcation and there is an almost continuous band of vitelline follicles, just internal to the subcuticular tissue, extending from the level of the bifurcation to near the caudal extremity. The diagnosis of the subfamily Apopharynginae is modified to accommodate the new genus. In March 1965, 87 specimens of a small, sexually mature trematode were removed from the cecum and small intestine of an adult wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris Vieillot. The host was one of the previous year's brood: it was taken from Clarke County (Choctaw Bluff), Alabama. From a study of whole-mounted and serially-sectioned specimens the fluke appears to represent a new genus and species. Of the many specimens recovered only an occasional one comes to rest with its ventral or dorsal surface uppermost, and after fixation the resting position invariably is with the ventral surface facing to the left. This feature of turning on the side, together with the smooth cuticular surface suggested Psilotornus for the generic name, while the species name (audacirrus) is derived from the fact that the rather stout, blunt, and curved cirrus is extroverted in every specimen. All measurements are given in micra unless otherwise stated.