Ophthalmophagus plectopteri, Dubois, 1930

Dronen, Norman O. & Blend, Charles K., 2015, Updated keys to the genera in the subfamilies of Cyclocoelidae Stossich, 1902, including a reconsideration of species assignments, species keys and the proposal of a new genus in Szidatitreminae Dronen, 2007, Zootaxa 4053 (1), pp. 1-100 : 79-81

O. plectopteri Dubois, 1930

Type host. Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis (Linnaeus) ( Anseriformes : Anatidae ). Type locality. South Africa (République d’Afrique du Sud), specific locality unknown.

Hοst Porzana parva Bucephala clangula Charadrius Cairina moschata Unknοwn Rallus aquaticus Plectopterus Rallidae Anatidae alexandriunus dealbatus Anatidae "wild duck" Rallidae gambensis Charadriidae Anatidae Anatidae

Lοcality Russia USA Japan Brazil Russia Russia Sοuth Africa

Estimated frοm figure in οriginal descriptiοn. 2 Measurements frοm Kοssack (1911).

Remarks. The original description by Dubois (1930) did not include an illustration of an adult specimen. Later Dubois (1959) considered this species to be a synonym of Ophthalmophagus magalhaesi Travassos, 1921 ; however, the eggs of O. magalhaesi (originally described from Brazil) are exceptionally large for members of the genus (219 x 105) in contrast to the more typical-sized eggs of O. plectopteri (105–125 x 41 –45; described from South Africa) and it is not likely the two species are synonymous. Ophthalmophagus magalhaesi further differs from O. plectopteri where the cirrus sac “doesn’t even reach the mid-level of the esophagus”, by having the cirrus sac surpassing the intestinal bifurcation posteriorly. This species appears to be similar to O. bucephali Dronen & Blend, 2007 and O. magalhaesi by having the posttesticular ovary in close proximity to the posterior testes (“The posterior testicle is near the right cecum and not very far from the ovary.”). No oral or ventral sucker described— Dubois (1930).