Levinseniella yucatanensis n. sp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) and Other Parasites from the Blue-Winged Teal, Anas discors, from Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

Levinseniella yucatanensis n. sp. from the ceca of the blue-winged teal (Anas discors L.) differs from Levinseniella byrdi Heard, 1968, in the transverse spination of the anterior third of the body, 4 very small pockets in a glandular copulatory pouch, and the minute size of the body (< 600 gtm long). Other parasites from the blue-winged teal from Yucatan were: Trichobilharzia physellae Talbot, 1936; Echinoparyphium aconiatium Dietz, 1901; echinostomes (immature); Cloacotaenia megalops Nietz, 1829; Epomidiostomum uncinatum Lundahl, 1848; and Trinoton querquedulae L., 1758. The purpose of this paper is to describe a new member of the trematode family Microphallidae and to give data for 6 other species of parasites found in 10 blue-winged teal (Anas discors) collected in 1977 near Sisal, Yucatan, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten birds were shot in a saltmarsh lagoon 17-19 February 1977 and examined within 6 hr. Trematodes and cestodes were fixed unflattened in AFA and nematodes were fixed in 70% ethanol. Trematodes and cestodes were stained with Harris' hematoxylin or Semichon's carmine, dehydrated, and mounted in permount. Nematodes were cleared in lactophenol, and ectoparasites were cleared and mounted in Hoyer's medium. Measurements are given in ,um with ranges followed by the mean in parentheses. Drawings were made with the aid of a camera lucida.