Pseudocorynosoma enrietti (Molfi & Freitas Fernandes, 1953) (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from Patagonia (Argentina): life cycle, localities, and new host records

C. RAUQUE; V. FLORES; L. SEMENAS

Journal of Helminthology

Cambridge University Press

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2022

1475-2697

All Pseudocorynosoma species inhabit freshwater environments of the American continent, but little is known about their life cycles. We report P. enrietti (Molfi & Freitas Fernandes, 1953) from natural and experimental specimens in Patagonia and identify the intermediate and definitive hosts of its life cycle for the first time in South America. Adult worms were recovered from Anas platyrhynchos (Linnaeus) and from a new definitive host, Coscoroba coscoroba Molina. Naturally infected amphipods, Hyalella patagonica Ortmann, were collected to obtain cystacanths that were fed to Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus) and A. platyrhynchos. Specimens of P. enrietti are described in detail using light and scanning electron microscopy. A key to the species of the genus Pseudocorynosoma is included. Worms are characterized by fore-trunk spines, and genital spines in an isolated field in both sexes .The proboscis has 19?20 hooks rows; males have 9?11 (10) hooks per row and females 7?9 (8). Males with four cement glands similar in size. Eggs elongated, with filaments. Experimental male and female worms were recovered from A. platyrhynchos at seven and 14 days post?infection.