title: Re-evaluation of Mazamastrongylus dagestanica (Trichostrongylidae) with descriptions of the synlophe, genital cone, and other structural characters.
abstract: The synlophe of specimens of Mazamastrongylus dagestanica was characterized laterally and ventrally by a strongly tapering system of ridges in the cervical zone. This pattern, including the prominent system of "hood" ridges adjacent to the excretory pore and the absence of continuous subdorsal and subventral ridges is considered typical for the genus Mazamastrongylus. The synlophe of males and females was largely identical, with 37-41 ridges at the midbody. The lateral synlophe, where 2 pairs of ridges converge and terminate on the lateralmost ridge anterior to the cervical papillae appears unique for M. dagestanica and indicates that species-specific patterns may be recognized for Mazamastrongylus spp. Among male specimens, a bilobed ventral membrane, distinct from the simple and unpaired membrane, which envelops the "O" papillae, extends posterolaterally from the genital cone. It had not been described in detail previously and was also found in M. odocoilei and M. pursglovei. Characters of the bursa, genital cone, and spicules are consistent with placement of M. dagestanica in Mazamastrongylus; referral of this species to Spiculopteragia cannot be supported.
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Biosystematic Parasitology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Hoberg
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Khrustalev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014251:Trichostrongyloidea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification*