Parasites of South African freshwater fish. IV. Description of Spirocamallanus daleneae n. sp. (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from Synodontis zambezensis Peters, 1852 (Mochokidae) with comments on Spirocamallanus spiralis (Baylis, 1923)

Abstract

During a survey of the parasites of fish in the Kruger National Park, a new species of Spirocamallanus Olson, 1952 was recovered from the small intestines of squeakers, Synodontis zambezensis Peters, 1952. The males of the new species differ from Spirocamallanus spiralis (Baylis, 1923) in having more spiral thickenings in the buccal capsule, the different configuration of the buccal capsule and its anterior margin, and in having a longer oesophagus, especially the muscular part. They differ from Spirocamallanus mazabukae Yeh, 1957 in having fewer thickenings in the buccal capsule, considerably shorter spicules and more caudal papillae. The new species also differs from the members of the genus described, but not named, by Yeh (1957) and Campana-Rouget (1961). In view of these differences and because of geographical and host differences, the new species is described here as Spirocamallanus daleneae n. sp. Specimens of Spirocamallanus spiralis (Baylis, 1923) from Synodontis eupterus Boulenger, 1801 were re-examined and additional morphological and morphometrical data are provided. Two male nematodes, originating from Synodontis spp. from Gabon and both labelled Spirocamallanus spiralis, were examined. The specimen from Synodontis haugi Pellegrin, 1906 conformed to the description of Spirocamallanus daleneae. The one from Synodontis tessmanni Pappenheim, 1911 had a buccal capsule resembling that of Spirocamallanus spiralis, but the principal measurements are different from those of either nematode species. Because of extensive damage to the specimen, it is not named here and should be regarded as a species inquirenda.