Neoechinorhynchus carpiodi n. sp. (Acanthocephala:Neoechinorhynchidae) from quillback of Lake Erie

Abstract

A new species of acanthocephalan, Neoechinorhynchus carpiodi, from Carpiodes cyprinus (LeSueur) is described. It is the eighth species of the genus Neoechinorhynchus reported from North American fishes in which there is marked diversification of the lemnisci. The new species has the longest trunk length of any acanthocephalan previously known from North American fishes. Twenty-five percent of 48 fish were infected with from two to seven parasites per fish. Inflammation of surrounding tissue was observed together with a prominent connective tissue nodule around the penetrating proboscis.