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.
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia. l.warner@cqu.edu.au
Lesley R
LR
Smales
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