MARIAUXIELLA-PIMELODI N G, N-SP (CESTODA, MONTICELLIIDAE) - A PARASITE OF PIMELODID-SILUROID FISHES FROM SOUTH-AMERICA

Mariauxiella pimelodi n. g. n. sp. (Cestoda, Monticelliidae, Othinosco lecinae) is described from the South American siluriform fishes Pimelo dus ornatus and Pimelodus sp. caught in Brazil and Paraguay. When comp ared with other genera of South American monticelliids, the new genus exhibits the following morpho-anatomical characters: the particular de velopment of the distal circular musculature of the suckers acting as a sphincter; the medullar ovary projecting numerous lobules into the d orsal cortex; and the uterus situated in the ventral cortex but with n umerous outgrowths penetrating the medulla and reaching the dorsal cor tex in pregravid proglottids. The new species is the fourth monticelli id cestode recorded from Pimelodus.