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Title: RE-EVALUATION OF MAZAMASTRONGYLUS DAGESTANICA (TRICHOSTRONGYLIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SYNLOPHE, GENITAL CONE AND OTHER STRUCTURAL CHARACTERS

Author
item Hoberg, Eric
item KHRUSTALEV, ALEXANDER - SKRJABIN INST. MOSCOW RUS

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The nematodes of the subfamily Ostertagiinae are among the most economically significant parasites of ruminants, yet their taxonomy and systematics remains confused. Studies of this group continue to be necessary to stabilize systematics at the generic and species level, and to provide a more refined means for identification and diagnosis of parasites. In this regard, structural characters typical of specimens of Mazamastrongylus dagestanica were described, and the placement of this species in the genus Mazamastrongylus was confirmed.

Technical 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 two 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 envelopes the "O" papillae, extends postero-laterally 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.