A Redescription of Octospiniferoides chandleri Bullock, 1957

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Abstract
Octospiniferoides chandleri Bullock, 1957 is described on the basis of more than 150 worms collected from several host species in central Florida. The redescription includes hitherto unknown males, mature females, and fully formed eggs. Marked intraspeciftc variability for a neoechinorhynchid acanthocephalan is noted; 11.5% of 131 specimens had other than the normal hook pattern of 3 circles of 8 hooks each and 30.3% of 112 worms had other than the usual pattern of 5 dorsal and one ventral giant nuclei in the subcuticula. On the basis of the characteristically delicate hooks, the thin-walled proboscis receptacle, the nearly terminal female genital opening, the marked elongation of the outer membrane of the acanthor, and the limitation of the parasite to cyprinodontiform fish hosts. Octospiniferoldes is retained as a genus distinct from Octospinif er. From the high incidence and intensity of infections in freshwater Gambuaia affinis, it is concluded that O. chandleri is primarily a parasite of that host. However, the worm attains sexual maturity in other cyprinodontiform fishes, even those in brackish water. Absence of infections in many localities where potential fish hosts are common is believed due to the absence of the presently unknown intermediate host.

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