Arhythmorhynchus capellae sp. n. (Polymorphidae: Acanthocephala), a Parasite of the Common Snipe Capella gallinago delicata

Abstract

Arhythmorhynchus capellae sp. n. is described. The description is based on seven males and seven females from the Common Snipe in northern Colorado. The species is contrasted with two similar species, A. comptus Van Cleave and Rausch, 1950 and A. eroliae (Yamaguti, 1939) Van Cleave and Rausch, 1950. It differs from the former in having 14 proboscis hooks per row rather than eight or nine, and from the latter in having no bursal rays and 16 rows of 14 hooks rather than 18 rows of 12 to 13 hooks. This species is described from 14 specimens, seven males and seven females, recovered from the small intestines and ceca of six Common Snipe Capella gallinago delicata taken between January 1961 and March 1962 in northeastern Colorado. All measurements are in microns unless otherwise indicated. Arhythmorhynchus capellae sp. n. Description: Bright yellow and wrinkled when removed from gut. Trunk long and narrow with slight inflation at anterior end. Proboscis nearly cylindrical, armed with 16 longitudinal rows of 14 hooks each, 50 long and not appreciably heavier midventrally; the first three and last four hooks in each row more delicate, measuring 42 to 45 long. Neck about 350 long. Body spines extend about 1.74 mm posterior from neck, less numerous toward rear; length 30 to 35. Subcuticular nuclei restricted to narrow band at swollen area of trunk. Male: Length 12 to 41 mm (35 mm); diameter at midpoint of body 222 to 666 (494). Proboscis length 610 to 721 (653); width 144 to 200 (166). Armature same in male and female. Two testes contiguous, each about 1.43 mm long, located 1.10 to 1.30 mm behind field of body spines. Two tubular cement glands extend from area immeReceived for publication 17 September 1962. * Part of a thesis submitted to the Graduate School of Colorado State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, March 1962, under the direction of Dr. O. W. Olsen. This investigaiton was in part supported by a training grant [PHS-2E-94 (cl)] from the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service. diately behind posterior testis and join common sperm duct posterior to Saefftigen's pouch.