Aptorchis megacetabulus n. sp. (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) from the northern long-necked turtle, Chelodina rugosa (Pleurodira: Chelidae), in Australia.
Aptorchis megacetabulus n. sp. is described from the intestine of the northern long-necked turtle, Chelodina rugosa (Pleurodira: Chelidae), in Northern Territory, Australia. This is the first helminth species reported from C. rugosa. This plagiorchioidean digenean differs from the 3 previously known species of Aptorchis in the relative size of the ventral sucker, overall body proportions, nature of the cirrus sac, and egg size. Comparison of approximately 2,700 bases of ribosomal DNA obtained from all known Aptorchis species strongly supports the status of Aptorchis megacetabulus n. sp. as a new species.
Tkach
Vasyl V
VV
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA. vasyl.tkach@und.nodak.edu
Snyder
Scott D
SD
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D001483:Base Sequence; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014200:Trematoda / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014426:Turtles / Q000469:parasitology*
D018509:DNA, Helminth; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal