Monoecocestus sp.3

Martins, Natalia Beatriz Guerreiro, Robles, María Del Rosario, Navone, Graciela Teresa & Callejón, Rocío, 2023, Monoecocestus (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) diversity in Sigmodontinae rodents characterized by morphology and molecular methods, Zootaxa 5380 (1), pp. 37-55 : 46-47

Monoecocestus sp.3

Description (based on two specimens): strobila total length 2.11; 3.05. Number of proglottids 20; 22 ( Fig. 2g ). Scolex 0.25 long by 0.32 wide ( Fig. 1j ). Suckers 0.13–0.15 in diameter. Mature proglottids 0.10–0.15 long by 0.55–0.77 wide ( Fig. 1k ). Genital pores alternate regularly. Testes number 50–56 per proglottid, overlap ovary and vitelline gland. Cirrus sac 0.20 long by 0.08 wide, extended to midline of proglottid. Cirrus with spines ( Fig. 2h ). Ovary 0.25 wide. Vitellarium 0.06 wide. Gravid proglottids 0.30–0.44 long by 0.40–0.48 wide. Eggs 40.55 ± 5.64 (35.6–46.42) μm in diameter ( Fig. 1l ). Embryophore in form of a pyriform apparatus.

Taxonomic summary

Host: Akodon azarae

Locality: Balcarce, Buenos Aires Province

Voucher specimens: MLP-He 840

Comments. These specimens were classified under the genus Monoecocestus following Beveridge (1994), based on its morphological features, e.g., genitalia single, genital pore regularly alternate, uterus reticulated, pyriform apparatus present. Among species with genital pores regularly alternate, Monoecocestus sp.3 is separated from Monoecocestus americanus (Stiles, 1895) , Monoecocestus anoplocephaloides (Douthitt, 1915) , Monoecocestus centroovarium Dronen, Pitts & Smolen, 1994 , Monoecocestus erethizonthis Beddard 1914 , Monoecocestus giganticus Buhler, 1970 , Monoecocestus gundlachi Vigueras, 1943 , Monoecocestus hagmanni (Janicki, 1904) , M. hydrochoeri , Monoecocestus jacobi Sinkoc, Müller & Brum, 1998 , M. machadoi , Monoecocestus macrobursatum Rêgo, 1961 , Monoecocestus parcitesticulatus Rêgo, 1960 , Monoecocestus petiso Haverkost & Gardner, 2010 , Monoecocestus sigmodontis (Chandler & Suttles, 1922) , Monoecocestus thomasi Rausch & Masert, 1977 , M. threlkeldi , and Monoecocestus torresi Olsen, 1976 by testes number; from Monoecocestus variabilis (Douthitt, 1915) by strobila length, size of scolex and suckers; and from Monoecocestus poralus Haverkost & Gardner, 2010 by strobila length, size mature proglottids, cirrus sac and eggs.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Morphological features of Monoecocestus threlkeldi: (a) scolex, (b) mature proglottids, (c) egg; Monoecocestus sp.1: (d) scolex, (e) mature proglottids, (f) egg; Monoecocestus sp.2: (g) scolex, (h) mature proglottids, (i) egg; Monoecocestus sp.3: (j) scolex, (k) mature proglottids, (l) egg.

FIGURE 2. Scanning electron micrographs of Monoecocestus threlkeldi: (a) scolex, lateral view; (b) acicular filitriches; (c) genital peduncle with everted cirrus, apical view; (d) genital peduncle, lateral view; (e) cirrus spined; (f) cirrus spines detail. Histological section of Monoecocestus sp.3: (g) full strobila; (h) cirrus sac and cirrus spined.