A New Species of Pelecitus (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) from the Endnagered Tehuantepec Jackrabbit Lepus flavigularis

Authors

F. Agustin Jimenez-Ruiz, Southern Illinois University, CarbondaleFollow
Scott Lyell Gardner, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Fernando A. Cervantes, Universidad Nacional Auto´noma de Me´xico
Consuelo Lorenzo, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur

Date of this Version

8-1-2004

Comments

Published in the Journal of Parasitology, vol. 90, no. 4 (2004): 803-807. Copyright 2004, American Society of Parasitologists. Used by permission.

Abstract

Pelecitus meridionaleporinus n. sp. from the Tehuantepec jackrabbit is described. The new species differs from Pelecitus helicinus (Molin, 1860) in having delicate transverse striations, a salient vulva, and a readily apparent preesophageal ring; P. helicinus has teardrop cells around the vulva, which are lacking in the species presently described. The new species is different from Pelecitus scapiceps (Leidy, 1886) in having the vulva anterior to the esophageal–intestinal junction and wider lateral alae. Pelecitus scapiceps is found in the tarsal bursa of the hind feet of lagomorphs, whereas P. helicinus is found around tendons of legs and feet of birds. Pelecitus meridionaleporinus n. sp. occurs in the subcutaneous tissue at the base of both ears. This is the second species in Pelecitus Railliet and Henry, 1910 that occurs in New World lagomorphs, and the third found infecting mammals.