INFECTIVE LARVAE OF A NEW SPECIES OF ROBERTDOLLFUSIDAE (ADENOPHOREA, NEMATODA) IN THE GUT OF SIMULIUM-DAMNOSUM IN CAMEROON

Infective larvae of a new species of the aphasmidian nematode Robertdo llfusidae Chabaud et Campana, 1950 have been found in the gut of Simul ium damnosum s. I., in Cameroon. The maximum rate of infection was nea r the National Game Park of La Benoue, suggesting that the hosts are w ild animals (mammals, or birds). This finding demonstrates that some, may be all, species of the Robertdollfusidae are transmitted by haemat ophagous insects, an event which had been questioned for the reindeer parasite, Lappnema auris, and the marsupial parasite, Durikainema macr opi. It appears also that this nematode family, previously known in Eu rope and Australia, is present in the Ethiopian region.