The genus Guerrerostrongylus (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) in cricetid Rodents from the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina: Emended description of Guerresrostrongylus zetta (Travassos, 1937) and description of a new species.

DIGIANI, M.C.; JULIANA NOTARNICOLA; NAVONE, G. T.

JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY

AMER SOC PARASITOLOGISTS

Año: 2012 vol. 98 p. 985 - 991

0022-3395

Two species of Guerrerostrongylus are reported in cricetid rodents from the Atlantic rain forest of Misiones, Argentina. Guerrerostrongylus zetta is redescribed on the basis of material collected from Oligoryzomys nigripes from Argentina, and material loaned by CHIOC from Brazil. It is characterized by a synlophe with about 40-45 (35-48) well developed cuticular ridges, a caudal bursa ellipsoidal with long rays 6 and dorsal ray divided at mid-length, and spicules well sclerotized, disposed helicoidally. Guerrerostrongylus ulysi n. sp. which is described from Sooretamys angouya, differs from the remaining species in the genus mainly by a synlophe with a strong reduction of the cuticular ridges on the right side, and by a caudal bursa heart-shaped, with short rays 6 and dorsal ray divided distally. Guerrerostrongylus zetta was not found in its type host Nectomys squamipes (4 hosts examined in this study) but it was found with a prevalence of 100% in O. nigripes (14 hosts examined). However, all the specimens of N. squamipes were parasitized by Hassalstrongylus epsilon. These results suggest that G. zetta is a dominant species in the parasite community of O. nigripes, whereas the association with N. squamipes seems to be rather occasional.