A revision of Microbothriorhynchus Yamaguti, 1952 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with the redescription of M coelorhynchi Yamaguti, 1952 and the description of M reimeri n sp.

Abstract

The genus Microbothriorhynchus Yamaguti, 1952 is revised. Plerocerci of M. coelorhynchi Yamaguti, 1952 from the body-cavity of Brotula barbata (Bloch & Schneider) off the Angolan coast are re-described, and M. reimeri n. sp. from the body-cavity of Helicolenus maculatus (Cuvier) and Caelorinchus parallelus (Günther) from coastal waters off Mozambique is added to the genus. Both species are characterised in having an elongated, slightly craspedote scolex with small, collar-like bothridia, an elongate pars vaginalis and very long bulbs. The tentacular armature is heteroacanthous atypica, with eight principal hooks and intercalary hooks merging with a band of spiniform hooks on the external tentacle surface. The adult is unknown. Microbothriorhynchus is allocated to the Lacistorhynchidae Guiart, 1927, in having a blastocyst, two bothridia and a heteroacanthous atypica armature. Dasyrhynchus Pintner, 1928 and Pseudogrillotia Dollfus, 1969 are considered the most closely related genera, sharing characters such as the craspedote scolex, similar scolex proportions and hook patterns. Microbothriorhynchus appears to link the heteroacanthous atypica genera Grillotia Guiart, 1927 and Pseudogrillotia with the poeciloacanthous genus Dasyrhynchus.