Dracunculus lutrae n. sp. (Nematoda: dracunculoidea) from the otter, Lutra canadensis, in Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Over the interval 1969–1971, carcasses of 1147 mammals taken in Ontario, Canada, were examined for guinea worm. Dracunculus lutrae n. sp., was recovered from otter Lutra canadensis (Schreber). Dracunculus insignis (Leidy 1858) Chandler 1942, was found in raccoon Procyon lotor (L.), mink (Mustela vison Schreber), and fisher (Martes pennanti (Erxleben)). Female worms identified, in the absence of males, as Dracunculus sp. were found in muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus (L.), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis L.), and short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea L.) from Ontario and a single badger (Taxidea taxus (Schreber)) from Manitoba.Dracunculus lutrae n, sp. is distinguished from other species of Dracunculus which parasitize mammals (namely D. medinensis (Linnaeus 1758), D. insignis, and D. fuelleborni Travassos 1934), by the greater length of males, greater length of spicules and gubernaculum, presence of three pairs of preanal papillae, and the arrangement in two transverse rows of papillae immediately posterior to the anus. A brief redescription of D. insignis from raccoon and mink is given. The taxonomic status of the species of Dracunculus parasitizing mammals is briefly discussed.