OTOBOTHRIUM-PENETRANS (CESTODA, TRYPANORHYNCHA) IN THE FLESH OF BELONID FISH FROM PHILIPPINE WATERS

In April 1990, 488 marine fish belonging to 30 species from central Ph illipine waters were examined for flesh parasitic infections that may affect their consumability. One species of hemirhamphids and 3 species of belonids harboured plerocercoids of Otobothrium penetrans Linton, 1907 (Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum 33, 85-126). This is the first record of this parasite from Pacific fish species. The highest intensity of infection found was 8 in Tylosurus crocodilus. Most of th e larvae were located between the dorsal spines of the vertebral colum n, only 32% were found in the fillets. Based on the present material w e give a description of the plerocercoid stage of the species using sc anning electron microscopy of the armature and morphometrical measurem ents. Comparison to results from earlier findings of O. penetrans by L inton (1907; 1924, Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum 64, 1-114) and to O. kurisi by Shields (1985, International Journal for Parasitol ogy 15: 635-643) lead to the conclusion that the latter species is a s ynonym for O. penetrans.