Abstract
A review of the genus Pedibothrium Linton, 1909, is based on type and voucher specimens. The type species, Pedibothrium globicephalum Linton, 1909, is redescribed; descriptions of Pedibothrium brevispine Linton, 1909, and Pedibothrium longispine Linton, 1909, are emended; 2 new species are described; the generic diagnosis is emended; and a key is provided. The bothridia of all species were found to possess a pair of symmetrical bipronged hooks, each with 2 separate channels and 2 pores, a single loculus and an apical muscular pad. Pedibothrium lintoni n. sp. from the spiral valve of Ginglymostoma cirratus (Bonnaterre) collected at Dry Tortugas, Florida, is most like P. globicephalum but differs in having fewer testes (mean number 145 rather than 252), larger testes (mean diameter 65 rather than 16 .mu.m), abaxial prongs of hooks no longer than bases, and narrow inconspicuous longitudinal excretory ducts. Pedibothrium, maccallumi n. sp. from the spiral valve of G. cirratum, locality unknown, is unique in possessing flat, ovoid, non-contiguous loculi with hooks approximately one-sixth the length of the loculus. A diagnosis for Pachybothrium Baer and Euzet, 1962, is provided, and the description of the type and only species, Pachybothrium hutsoni (Southwell, 1911) Baer and Euzet, 1962, is emended. Species of Balanobothrium Hornell, 1912, possess bipronged hooks with 2 separate channels and 2 separate pores like the hooks of Pedibothrium spp. but the morphology of the Balanobothrium scolex has not been thoroughly elucidated.