Further study of Contracaecum pelagicum (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Spheniscus magellanicus (Aves: Spheniscidae) from Argentinean coast

GARBIN L.; NAVONE, G. T.; DIAZ, J. I.; CREMONTE, F.

Journal of Parasitology

American Society of Parasitologists

Lugar: Winston-Salem, USA; Año: 2006 p. 1 - 1

0022-3395

The anisakid species Contracaecum pelagicum Johnston and Mawson, 1942 is reported for first time at 2 different sites on the Argentine coast (Península Valdés, 42º04’S, 63º38’W and Mar del Plata, 38º05’S, 57º38’W), parasitizing the Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus Foster. Morphometric analysis and further studies of adult specimens of C. pelagicum were done using light and scanning electron microscopy. The presence of bifurcated interlabia differentiates the present species from the most others in the genus, except for: (1) Contracaecum travassosi, which possesses higher interlabia and longer spicules, and a blunt, more constrained tail; (2) from Contracaecum rudolphii, which has longer spicules, blunter spicule tips, post paracloacal papillae with oblique disposition, and a blunter constrained tail; (3) from Contracaecum eudyptulae, which has a blunter tail and longer spicules; (4) and from Contracaecum variegatum, which posseses smaller diameter, hook-like extensions on auricle lips, and a less robust interlabium with a more marked furrow. In this paper, we present the first detailed description of C. pelagicum adults from S. magellanicus. Morphometric data between adult specimens of C. pelagicum from S. magellanicus and those from the black-browed albatross, Diomedea melanophris Temminck, from Argentinean coasts, were compared. In addition, fourth-stage larvae that parasitized both hosts were assigned to a non-determinated Contracaecum species. Ecological parameters for adults and larvae nematodes were calculated.