TAXONOMIC STATUS OF HALIPEGUS SPP. (DIGENEA, DEROGENIDAE) PARASITIC IN THE MOUTH AND EUSTACHIAN TUBES OF NORTH-AMERICAN AND MEXICAN AMPHIBIANS

Halipegus eccentricus Thomas, 1939, and H. amherstensis Rankin, 1944, are shown to be junior synonyms, the latter only in part, of H. occidu alis Stafford, 1905. The synonymy of H. lermensis Cabellero, 1941, wit h this latter species is also confirmed. Material redescribed as H. oc cidualis by Krull (1935) and Cercaria sphaerula Thomas, 1934, are show n to be junior synonyms of Halipegus projecta (Willey, 1930) n. comb. The type description for X. amherstensis Rankin, 1944, appears to be a composite based on specimens of H. occidualis and H. projecta. Halipe gus amherstensis therefore becomes a junior synonym, in part, of H. pr ojecta and, in part, of H. occidualis. We also review and correct repo rts of Halipegus spp. from North American and Mexican amphibians and i ndicate where continuing uncertainty exists.