LIFE CYCLE AND MORPHOLOGY OF PARUTERINA RAUSCHI N.SP. and P. CANDELABRARIA (GOEZE, 1782) (CESTODA) FROM OWLS, AND SIGNIFICANCE OF PLEROCERCOIDS IN THE ORDER CYCLOPHYLLIDEA

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Paruterina rauschi n.sp. is described from the barred owl, and P. candelabraria (Goeze, 1782) is redescribed from the snowy owl; both species grow in the great horned owl. The life history and development of the plerocercoid of both species of worms in various rodents is described. Natural infections with the plerocercoid of P. rauschi n.sp. are reported from Tamias striatus and Peromyscus leucopus. Plerocercoids are not uncommon in cyclophyllidean life cycles, and their significance in the taxonomy of the order Cyclophyllidea is discussed. It is concluded that any future taxonomic revision of this order must consider the morphology of the immature stages if such a revision is intended to clarify natural relationships.