Thysanotaenia congolensis n. sp. (Cestoda : Anoplocephalidae) in the lesser savanna cane rat, Thryonomys gregorianus from Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
No. Dronen et al., Thysanotaenia congolensis n. sp. (Cestoda : Anoplocephalidae) in the lesser savanna cane rat, Thryonomys gregorianus from Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, J PARASITOL, 85(1), 1999, pp. 90-92
Ten (100%) lesser savanna cane rats, Thryonomys gregorianus, collected from
the Lake Kivv area of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa were found
to be infected with an undescribed anoplocephalid tapeworm, Thysanotaenia c
ongolensis n. sp. Like other species of Thysanotaenia, T. congolensis n. sp
. has the ovary and vitellarium centrally located, and the egg capsules and
testes are intervascular. The new species differs from the 2 existing spec
ies, Thysanotaenia lemuris in lemurs and Thysanotaenia cubensis in humans,
in being smaller (34-50 mm long) and in having a smaller scolex (260-410 mu
m in diameter), a shorter cirrus sac (115 mu m long), and smaller eggs (40
mu m in diameter). Anastomoses of the excretory system and formation of eg
g capsules in the new species are also described.