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Description of a new ascaridoid parasite of Bothrops jararaca Wied (Reptilia, Ophidia) in Brazil

Descrição de um novo ascarídeo parasito de Bothrops jararaca Wied (Reptilia, Ophidia) no Brasil

A new species of Ophidascaris Baylis, 1920 is described on the basis of specimens recovered from the pit viper Bothrops jararaca Wied, 1824 in Brazil. The new species referred here was compared to other of the genus that are the closest. The differentiation was based on reliable morphological characters, mainly on what refers to the spicular length, number and distribution of caudal papillae, location of the vulvar opening, eggs size and aspect of the labial indentations. Moreover, female specimens are the only to possess a most prominent and characteristic post-anal tubercle-like structure and when analyzed together with the males, that show a great number of pre-cloacal papillae, the presence of an unpaired papilla and also of a less conspicuous post-cloacal tubercle-like structure, permit the prompt identification of the new species.

Nematoda; Ophidascaris; pit-viper; snakes


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