Taxonomic descriptions and comments on the life history of new species of Eulimdana (Nematoda: Filarioidea) with skin-inhabiting microfilariae in the Charadriiformes (Aves)

Abstract

Eulimdana juventarum n.sp. from Willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (Gmelin)), Eulimdana asperum n.sp. from Wilson's Phalaropes (Phalaropus tricolor (Vieillot)), and Eulimdana pseudolari n.sp. from Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus (L.)) in Canada are described. The name "Eulimdana lari (Yamaguti, 1935)" is restricted to filarioids described by Yamaguti from the Eastern Common Gull (Larus kamtschatschensis (Bonaparte)). Numerous reports of "E. lari" in other charadriiforms are probably incorrect, and new taxonomic studies of lemdanine filarioids in palaearctic charadriiforms are required. Eulimdana bibulbosa (Annett, Dutton, and Elliott, 1901) n.comb. is proposed for Filaria bibulbosa Annett, Dutton, and Elliott, 1901. The 11 species in Eulimdana and their host groups are listed. Adult worms of the three new species occurred in subcutaneous tissues of the neck and connective tissues around the trachea and oesophagus. Microfilariae of E. juventarum and E. asperum occurred in skin, and skin-inhabiting microfilariae may be common in charadriiform birds. Microfilariae of E. asperum were also found in blood, but less frequently than in skin. Microfilariae of E. pseudolari were found in blood but probably occur in both blood and skin; skin was not examined. Prevalence of infection will be underestimated if hosts are examined only for microfilariae as sterile infections (those with only male or only female worms) are common. Adult worms in patent infections (those with mocrifilariae) apparently are short-lived and then completely resorbed by the host. In late patency infections, therefore, skin-inhabiting microfilariae occur in the absence of adult worms. Patent infections probably produce a protective immunity. Amblyceran lice probably transmit species of Eulimdana in the Charadriiformes.