A new species of Leptorhynchoides Kostyler 1924 (Acanthocephala) from the pirate perch, Aphredoderus sayanus (Gilliams).
Leptorhynchoides aphredoderi sp. n. is described from specimens recovered from pirate perch, Aphredoderus sayanus, collected in southeastern Louisiana. The new species is distinguished by having more longitudinal rows of proboscis hooks (15 to 18) than any other species of Leptorhynchoides. It differs additionally from L. thecatus and L. plagicephalus in having a shorter trunk, proboscis, proboscis receptacle, and proboscis hooks. Eggs of the new species are much larger than those of L. thecatus. L. aphredoderi differs further from L. plagicephalus in having fewer proboscis hooks in each longitudinal row and wider eggs. L. aphredoderi differs additionally from L. campbelli in having more proboscis hooks in each longitudinal row and much longer eggs.
D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male