A new anisakid species parasitizing the imperial cormorant Phalacrocorax atriceps from the north Patagonian coast, Argentina

GARBIN, L.E.; DIAZ, J.I.; CREMONTE , FLORENCIA; NAVONE, GRACIELA T

JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY

AMER SOC PARASITOLOGISTS

Año: 2008 vol. 94 p. 852 - 859

0022-3395

The anisakid species Contracaecum chubutensis n. sp. was found parasitizing the Imperial Cormorant Phalacrocorax atriceps at two different localities (Bahía Bustamante, 45º11’S, 66º30’W) and Puerto Madryn, 42º47´S, 65º02’W) on the Patagonian coast. Morphometrical analysis and further studies on adult specimens of C. chubutensis and fourth-stage larvae of Contracaecum sp. were done using light and scanning electron microscopes. The possession of 7 pairs of tail papillae and their disposition differentiate this new species from C. osculatum, C. radiatum, C. mirounga, C. ogmorhini, C. margolisi, C. variegatum, C. pelagicum, and C. plagiaticium. Moreover, the disposition of paracloacal papillae and the tail shape differentiate this new species from C. travassosi. The presence of bifurcated interlabia, 3 well-marked lip notches, sharp tail shape, and transversal paracloacal papillae disposition distinguishes C. chubutensis n. sp. from C. magnipapillatum and C. septentrionale. The species here described can be differentiated from C. caballeroi for their bifurcated interlabia, longer spicules, and by the possession of more precloacal papillae; from C. rudolphii for their thinner interlabia at base, deeper lip notches, sharp tail shape, transversal paracloacal papillae disposition, and longer distance on its first subventral distal papillae pair. In addition, fourth-stage larvae recovered from the same host and localities were identificated and described as Contracaecum sp. Ecological parameters as prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance were calculated.