SPHAERIROSTRIS WINDERI N. SP. (ACANTHOCEPHALA: CENTRORHYNCHIDAE) FROM THE HOUSE CROW (CORVUS SPLENDENS: VIEILLOT) (AVES: CORVIDAE) OF BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN
A. Khan* and R. A. Heckmann**
*Crop Diseases Research Institute, PARC, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
**Department of Biology, 1114 MLBM, 401 WIDB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84604 USA
Corresponding Author’semail: aly.khan@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
Sphaerirostris winderi n. sp. was obtained from the intestine of the house crow, Corvus splendens Vieillot from Balochistan, Pakistan. The acanthocephalan was present in 1 of 6 examined hosts with 18 worms in the intestine of the infected bird. This new species of Acanthocephala is characterized by a spinous, slender body with a reticular lacunar system. The proboscis is cylindrical, somewhat swollen mid body with 10 to 12 longitudinal rows of 16 hooks each. There are 6 to 8 rows of spines, each row with 14 to 15 spines on the body. Proboscis receptacle is double walled; lemnisci slightly unequal, testes in the anterior trunk; four tubular cement glands; Saefftigen’s pouch and cement glands elongated; bursa is well developed and muscular. Eggs oval without polar prolongations and numerous. Specific differences between S. winderi and other species of the genus include hook and spine number and rows shape and size of the worm and surface pattern of the eggs. Key characteristics and species comparisons are included.
Key words: Sphaerirostris winderi n. sp., crow, Corrus splendens, intestine, Balochistan
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