A review of Gongylonema spp. (Nematoda: Gongylonematidae) in North American rodents with description of a new species from the cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus (Mammalia: Cricetidae).

JOHN M. KINSELLA,MARIA DEL ROSARIO ROBLES,WHITNEY C. PREISSER

doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4107.2.9

Abstract

Gongylonema archboldi n. sp. (Nematoda: Gongylonematidae) is described from tunnels in the gastric mucosa of the stomach of the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) from Highlands County, Florida, U.S.A. Measurements are also given for specimens from cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus), Florida mice (Podomys floridanus), and golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) from the same locality. Additional specimens were collected from the cotton rat and the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) from Berry Island, San Patricio County, Texas. The new species is differentiated from congeners by a combination of the following characters: length of the left spicule, length and shape of the gubernaculum, distribution of cuticular bosses, length of esophagus, and distance of the vulva from the posterior end. The status of the genus Gongylonema in North American rodents is reviewed.

Highlights

Nematodes of the genus Gongylonema Molin, 1857 (Spirurida: Gongylonematidae) dwell in the epithelial mucosa of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach of mammals and birds
5 species have been recorded in North American rodents: Gongylonema neoplasticum (Fibiger & Ditlevsen, 1914); Gongylonema pulchrum Molin, 1857; Gongylonema dipodomysis Kruidenier & Peebles, 1958; Gongylonema peromysci Kruidenier & Peebles, 1958; and Gongylonema mysciphilia Frandsen & Grundmann, 1961
The present description brings to six the number of species of Gongylonema reported in North American rodents (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Nematodes of the genus Gongylonema Molin, 1857 (Spirurida: Gongylonematidae) dwell in the epithelial mucosa of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach of mammals and birds. There has been no comprehensive taxonomic review of the genus since Yamaguti (1961), there are currently about 47 species recognized, 10 of which parasitize birds and 37 mammals. 5 species have been recorded in North American rodents: Gongylonema neoplasticum (Fibiger & Ditlevsen, 1914); Gongylonema pulchrum Molin, 1857; Gongylonema dipodomysis Kruidenier & Peebles, 1958; Gongylonema peromysci Kruidenier & Peebles, 1958; and Gongylonema mysciphilia Frandsen & Grundmann, 1961.

Methods

Results

Conclusion