Abstract
The helminthological examination of nine individuals of Aetobatus cf. narinari (spotted eagle ray; raya pinta; arraia pintada) revealed the presence of an undescribed species of cestode of the genus Acanthobothrium. The stingrays were collected from four locations in México: Laguna Términos, south of Isla del Carmen and the marine waters north of Isla del Carmen and Champotón, in the State of Campeche, and Isla Holbox, State of Quintana Roo. The new species, nominated Acanthobothrium marquesi, is a category 3 species (i.e, the strobila is long, has more than 50 proglottids, the numerous testicles greater than 80, and has asymmetrically-lobed ovaries); at the present, the only category 3 species that has been reported in the Western Atlantic Ocean is Acanthobothrium tortum. Acanthobothrium marquesi n. sp. can be distinguished from A. tortum by length (26.1 cm vs. 10.6 cm), greater number of proglottids (1,549 vs. 656), a larger scolex (707 µm long by 872 µm wide vs. 699 µm long by 665 µm wide), larger bothridia (626 µm long by 274 µm wide vs. 563 µm long by 238 µm wide). This is the first report of a species of Acanthobothrium from the Mexican coast of the Gulf México.
Highlights
Acanthobothrium is one of the richest genera within Onchoproteocephalidea, currently comprised of more than 188 nominal species (CAIRA & JENSEN, 2017)
Acanthobothrium marquesi n. sp. (Figures 2-4) Description: Based upon measurements of 10 complete worms and 20 partial worms mounted on slides, and two scoleces mounted on stubs for scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Seven species of Acanthobothrium have been reported previously from México, six species from the Pacific coast (A. bajaensis Appy and Dailey, 1973; A. bullardi Ghoshroy and Caira, 2001; A. cleofanus; A. dasi Ghoshroy and Caira, 2001; A. rajivi Ghoshroy and Caira, 2001; and A. soberoni Ghoshroy and Caira, 2001) and one from the Caribbean coast (A. cartagenensis Brooks and Mayes, 1980) (APPY & DAILEY, 1973; MONKS et al, 1996, 2015; GHOSHROY & CAIRA, 2001); A. marquesi is the eleventh species reported from México and the second species from the eastern coast of México
Summary
Acanthobothrium is one of the richest genera within Onchoproteocephalidea, currently comprised of more than 188 nominal species (CAIRA & JENSEN, 2017). As part of a parasitological survey of elasmobranchs in the Gulf of Mexico, adult cestodes were found in the spiral valve of Aetobatus cf narinari (Euphrasen, 1790) that could be assigned to Acanthobothrium but not to any known species; this species is described .
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