On the Morphology and Systematic Position of Echinopharynx, a New Genus of Bursate Nematode from Testudo tabulata

Abstract

Our present knowledge of the Strongylid parasites of reptiles is based primarily on Dujardin (1845), who refers all the forms along with those of other vertebrates under a common genus Strongylus, and described four species from the reptilian hosts. Since then our knowledge of parasitic fauna has considerably increased, and von Linstow (1878–89) gave an enlarged list under the same genus from reptiles and also a few under the genus Kalicephalus, Later, with improved methods of Nematode study the forms described were revised, and it was found necessary to split the genus Strongylus, and several groups of a diverse character were recognised. The genus Strongylus was thus split up into several genera, and some of them were removed from the family Strongylidæ. The form Strongylus dispar of Dujardin from the Anguis fragilis was removed into a separate genus, Oswaldocruzia and Strongylus auricularis, with its characters in the absence of buccal capsule and the bifid and trifid distal ends of the spicule seemed more closely allied to Trichostrongylidæ Leiper, and was also removed to the genus Oswaldocruzia.