Pentastomid parasites of the family Sebekidae Fain, 1961 in west African dwarf crocodiles Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1851 from the Congo, with a description of Alofia parva n. sp.
The lungs and viscera of 23 dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis) obtained from markets in Brazzaville, were examined for pentastomid infection. Twenty-one animals were infected and harboured a total of 82 pentastomids, all belonging to the family Sebekidae and representing at least two genera and three species. Sebekia okavangoensis Riley & Huchzermeyer, was present in the body cavity and lungs; the other two species were restricted to the lungs. Alofia parva n.sp. (14 female female; 10 male male) was unusual in that the fulcrum supporting the anterior hooks carried a cowl-like extension. The remaining species, provisionally allocated to the genus Sebekia, could not be classified to the generic level with certainty.
Riley
J
J
Department of Biological Sciences, The University, Dundee, Scotland.
Huchzermeyer
F W
FW
D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003223:Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D014781:Viscera / Q000469:parasitology