Acanthocephalans from some frogs and toads (Anura) and chameleons (Squamata) from Tanzania with the description of a new species.
The following Acanthocephala, all Echinorhynchidae, were found on examination of 229 amphibians and 191 reptiles collected in the Eastern Arc Range, Tanzania: Acanthocephalus bufonis from the frogs Arthroleptis stenodactylus and Arthroleptides martiensseni, the toad Nectophnyroides viviparous, and the chameleon Rhampholeon brevicaudatus; Pseudoacanthocephalus betsileo from the frogs Probreviceps macrodactylus and Ptychadero anchietae; and Pseudoacanthocephalus rhampholeontos n. sp. from the chameleons Rhampholeon sp. and Rhampholeon uluguruensis. Pseudoacanthocephalus rhampholeontos differs from the only other acanthocephalan occurring in chameleons, Pseudoacanthocephalus bigueti, in being a larger worm with fewer, smaller hooks in the proboscis armature. The status of the Acanthocephalus and Pseudoacanthocephalus is still problematic and requires further attention and study.
Smales
Lesley R
LR
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia. l.warner@cqu.edu.au
D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology*; D008116:Lizards / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D013636:Tanzania