Cooperia connochaeti sp. nov. (Nematoda, Trichostrongylidae) from the blue wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus (Burchell, 1823)

Abstract

A new species of nematode, Cooperia connochaeti, was collected from cross-bred blue and black wildebeest at Krugersdorp (Transvaal), blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus (Burchell, 1823) from the Kruger National Park (Transvaal) and Lake Xhau (Botswana), as well as from impala Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein, 1812) at Malelane (Transvaal) and Pafuri (Kruger National Park). These nematodes are smaller than Cooperia pectinata Ransom, 1907, and their spicules, which are bifid in the distal third, are shorter (145-166 µm) than those of C. pectinata (240-280 µm). In addition, the lateral branches of the dorsal ray of C. connochaeti are directed ventrally and slightly anteriorly, while those of C. pectinata are directed posteriorly.