Pentastomid parasites of the family Sebekidae Fain, 1961 in West African dwarf crocodiles Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1851 from the Congo, with a description of Alofia parva n. sp

Abstract

The lungs and viscera of 23 dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis) obtained from markets in Brazzaville, were examined for pentastomid infection. Twenty-one animals were infected and harboured a total of 82 pentastomids, all belonging to the family Sebekidae and representing at least two genera and three species. Sebekia okavangoensis Riley & Huchzermeyer, was present in the body cavity and lungs; the other two species were restricted to the lungs. Alofia parva n. sp. (14 female; 10 male) was unusual in that the fulcrum supporting the anterior hooks carried a cowl-like extension. The remaining species, provisionally allocated to the genus Sebekia, could not be classified to the generic level with certainty.