Cuticular markings in species differentiation of Streptopharagus (Nematoda-Spiruroidea) parasitic in rodents

Abstract

Species of Streptopharagus, parasitic in rodents, show a great similarity in cephalic structures of males and females and in male reproductive organs, making taxonomic separation difficult. In the present communication species are differentiated by cuticular morphology: the number (0-2) of longitudinal alae and the distribution of interstriai, irregularly spaced, short, longitudinal ridges.Two new species are discribed, 2-are rediscribed and some observations on cuticular markings are added to the original description of a fifth one. S. numidicus Seurat, 1917, parasitic in Gerbillus pyramidum and G. gerbillus in Africa, is characterized by absence of longitudinal alae and the presence of the interstriai ridges over the entire body. Pharynx looped.S. kutassi (Schulz, 1927) Chabaud, 1954, from Citellus fulvus and Meriones persicus in Iran, found also by Schulz in four species of sciurid rodents over an area extending from Ukraine to Central Asia (Turkmenistan), has one (left) longitudinal ala and interstriai ridges only in the anterior part of the body. Pharynx bent.S. lerouxi Quentin, 1965, parasitic in Tatera lobengulae in the Congo, has one (left) logitudinal ala and a cuticle devoid of interstrial ridges. Pharynx looped S. greenbergi n. sp., found in 12 species of murid and gerbillid rodents in southern Israel, in the Sinai peninsula and in Egypt, has two longitudinal alae and interstriai ridges only in the anterior part of the body. Pharynx bent.S. schmidti n. sp., found in Meriones persicus in Iran, is characterized by two lateral alae and absence of interstriai ridges. Pharynx bent.