Redescription of Parafilaria bovicola Tubangui, 1934 (Nematoda : Filarioidea) from Swedish cattle

Parafilaria bovicola was introduced into Sweden and identified for the firs t rime in Swedish cattle in 1978. Since then the parasite has become well e stablished and has been responsible for substantial economic losses in Swed ish beef production. Although studies have been undertaken on serodiagnosis , life cycle, vector and geographical distribution within Sweden this is th e first full description of P. bovicola from Swedish cattle and the first s tudy to use scanning electron microscopy. P. bulgarica Daskalov, 1944 is re garded as a synonym of P. bovicola Tubangui, 1934. Tooth-like thickenings d escribed on the anterior lobes of the oesophagus for the first time may ass ist the parasite in its migration through the host tissues.