The Life Histories of Proterometra albacauda and Proterometra septimae, spp. n. (Trematoda: Azygiidae) and a Redescription of Proterometra catenaria Smith, 1934

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Abstract
Two new species of azygiid trematodes of the genus Proterometra Horsfall, 1933 are described and assigned the names P. albacauda and P. segtimae. Both species were first found as furcocystocercous cercariae emergent from the snail Goniobasis catenaria Say collected near Marianna, Florida. In view of the close similarity of P. septimae to P. catenaria Smith, 1934, and the inadequacy of the original description the latter species is redescribed. Cercariae of P. albacauda are readily distinguished from all others by the pure white color, shape, and size of the tail stem; those of P. septimae by their cylindrical shape, size, and curled furcae. Cercariae of each were fed to uninfected sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus L.) and infections of adult worms were established. The adults are not strikingly different from other members of the genus, but some constantly differing features are observable. The validity of species distinguished primarily by cercarial (larval) differences is discussed.

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