Discovering high species diversity of Ophiotaenia tapeworms (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) of watersnakes (Colubridae) in North America.

ABSTRACT: Tapeworms of the genus Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911 parasitize herptiles (= amphibians and 'reptiles') throughout the world, with about 100 species recognised as valid. In the present work, the North American species found in watersnakes (Colubridae) are reviewed. An examination of the holotype of Ophiotaenia perspicua La Rue, 1911, the type species of the genus, and other specimens from Nerodia rhombifer (Hallowell) revealed that two species were used for the species description. The 'true' O. perspicua has a small scolex and small, round suckers. This species is redescribed based on new material from Oklahoma, USA. The other species from N. rhombifer, Ophiotaenia laruei n. sp., has a larger scolex and larger, almost triangular suckers. Examination of

SUBMITTER: de Chambrier A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10724698 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature