Neoechinorhynchus ningalooensis sp nov (Acanthocephala : Neoechinorhynchidae) from Scarus ghobban and S.psittacus (Scaridae) from Western Australia

Neoechinorhynchus ningalooensis sp. nov, is described from Scarus ghobban F orsskal, 1775 and S. psittacus Forsskal, 1775 (Scaridae) from Ningaloo Reef , Western Australia. The new species is distinguished by having a combinati on of tile Following: three circles of six hooks on the proboscis; anterior hooks equal in size (66-68 (Im long), middle hooks (50-58 mum long), 79% s maller than anterior hooks, posterior hooks (40-44 mum long) smallest; lemn isci equal in length and extending beyond the proboscis receptacle but not to ovoid testes; terminal papilla absent. This report is the first publishe d account of an acanthocephalan from parrotfish (Scaridae) and the first re cord of an eoacanthocephalan from the western coast of Australia.