A New Species of Neoechinorhynchus (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from Turtles in Florida, U.S.A.

摘要

Neoechinorhynchus moleri n. sp, is described from a yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) and a Florida red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni) from the state of Florida, U.S.A. The new species is distinguished from others in the genus by the shape of the posterior end of the female and by the size, shape, and membrane structure of the egg, The egg of the new species has features similar to both the eggs of Neoechinorhynchus chelonos (lomentiform or "peanut shaped") and Neoechinorhynchus pseudemydis (with radiating rod-like inclusions), The egg of the new species is smaller than the egg of either N, chelonos or N. pseudemydis, and the rod-like inclusions are restricted to the poles, whereas in N. pseudemydis they are distributed uniformly around the acanthor. Furthermore, the posterior end of the female lacks a large digitiform process such as in N. chelonos. Neoechinorhynchus moleri n, sp. is the second species of Neoechinorhynchus infecting turtles described from peninsular Florida.