Abstract
Dracunculus brasiliensis sp. n. (Dracunculidae), is described based on a single female specimen found in the body cavity of the anaconda, Eunectes murinus (L.) (Ophidia: Boidae), from the Mexiana Island, Amazon River delta, Brazil and one female previously recorded from the subcutaneous tissue of this host species imported from South America into Europe (ZOO in the Czech Republic). The new species is characterised mainly by markedly large, anteriorly protruding dorsal and ventral double papillae of the internal circle and small lateral papillae of the same circle, a widely rounded caudal end, the excretory pore situated just posterior to the nerve ring, a distinctly transversely striated cuticle and by the length (396–429 μm) of larvae from uterus. This is the first species of Dracunculus described from reptiles in South America.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cairncross S, Muller R, Zagaria N (2002) Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) and the eradication initiative. Clin Microbiol Rev 15:223–246, Apr 2002
Desportes C (1938) Filaria oesophagea Polonio, 1859, parasite de la couleuvre d’Italie est un Dracunculus très voisin de la filaire de Médine. Ann Parasitol Hum Comp 16:305–326
Hoyos CB, Jara GA, Monzon CM (1995) Reporte de un caso de dracunculosis en un cano en la Provincia de Formosa, Argentina. Rev Inst Med Trop S Paulo 37:273–275
Jones HI, Mulder E (2007) Dracunculus mulbus n. sp. (Nematoda: Spirurida) from the water python Liasis fuscus (Serpentes: Boidae) in northern Australia. Syst Parasitol 66:195–205
Kotlán S, Raitsits E (1923) Rare nematode-caused disease (dracontiasis) in giant snake (Boa constrictor). The Nature [A természet] 19:121–129, (In Hungarian)
Moravec F (1966) The first record of dracunculosis in the anaconda Eunectes murinus L. Folia Parasitol 13:281–283
Moravec F (2006) Dracunculoid and anguillicoloid nematodes parasitic in vertebrates. Academia, Prague
Moravec F, Gibson DI (2007) The first record of Dracunculus mulbus (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) in the Papuan olive python Apodora papuana (Ophidia: Boidae). Helminthologia 44:118–119
Muller R (1971) Dracunculus and dracunculiasis. Adv Parasitol 9:73–151
Sarmiento L, Tantaleán M, Huiza A (1999) Nemátodos parásitos del hombre y de los animales en el Perú. Rev Peruana Parasitol 14:9–65
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank Dr Luis Rabelo from Grupo Reicon and Dr Rossana Venturieri for the facilities and support provided in field work. Thanks are also due to Mrs Irena Husáková, Institute of Parasitology, BC ASCR, České Budějovice for help with the illustrations. The work was financially supported by Grupo Reicon, the Fundação Carlos Chagas de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Faperj), and by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (n. 524/06/0170) and the research project of the Institute of Parasitology, BC ASCR (Z60220518).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moravec, F., Santos, C.P. Dracunculus brasiliensis sp. n. (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) from the anaconda, Eunectes murinus (Ophidia: Boidae). Parasitol Res 104, 589–592 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1234-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1234-7