NEW SPECIES OF PROTEOCEPHALUS (CESTODA, PROTEOCEPHALIDAE) PARASITIC IN FISHES FROM THE PARANA RIVER, PARANA, BRAZIL

Two species of the genus Proteocephalus (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) we re collected in fishes fr om the Parana River. Proteocephalus vazzoler ae n. sp. from Piaractus mesopotamicus and Proteocephalus chubbi n. sp . from Gymnotus carapo are new species, and are described and illustra ted. Proteocephalus vazzolerae n. sp. is characterized mainly by the n umber of testes and the development of vitellaria. Proteocephalus chub bi n. sp. can be differentiated from ifs congeners by a combination of characters which include, number of testes, number of proglottids; st robila length, scolex shape and disposition of vitellaria. This is the first record of proteocephalidean in P. mesopotamicus and G. carapo.