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Title: CYATHOSTOMUM MONTGOMERYI AND ITS PLACE IN THE CYATHOSTOMINAE (NEMATODA: STRONGYLIDAE)

Author
item KHARCHENKO, V - SCHMALHAUSEN INST,UKRAINE
item Lichtenfels, James
item KRECEK, R - UNIV PRETORIA, SO AFRICA

Submitted to: Comparative Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/9/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Strongyloid nematodes are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in equines in the United States. Resistance to antiparasitic drugs (currently the only means of controlling the nematodes) is common and alternative control methods for these parasites are needed. This research requires the identification of more than 51 species of small strongyles parasitic in horses. Recent international workshops on the systematics of these nematodes identified several species that were poorly described. This report greatly improves the ability of scientists to identify one of the species and classifies it with its closest relatives. The results will be used by researchers worldwide working to control these economically important nematodes of horses, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, the Food and Drug Administration, and laboratories evaluating biological control agents.

Technical Abstract: The redescription of Cyathostomum montgomeryi (Boulenger, 1920), was one of the tasks identified by the International Workshop on the Systematics of Cyathostomes in Horses (WAAVP, 1997). This common parasite of zebras has not been redescribed since its original description. It is still almost unknown outside of Africa. We have studied 210 specimens from E. burchelli from Etosha and Kruger National Parks (Republic of South Africa) and made measurements of 15 males and 15 females. Specimens we have measured were larger than those described by Boulenger. This species was placed into Murshidiinea by Hartwich (1986). However, this species has two corona radiata or leaf crowns surrounding the mouth. The internal leaf crown (ILC) is inserted near the middle of the buccal capsule. The external leaf crown (ELC) has fewer elements than the ILC. The bases of the ILC elements are inserted in a curved line on the wall of the buccal capsule and those of the ELC are recessed from the tips of the elements of the ILC on which they rest; all typical of other species of Cyathostomum. The extra-chitinous supports are similar to those of C. catinatum. The distal end of the spicules are identical to others in the Cyathostominea but differ from those in the Murshidiinea. The bursa is typical for Cyathostomum. Thus we retain this species in the Cyathostominea.