A new genus of Metadilepididae (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) parasitic in Terpsiphone rufiventer (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Ivory Coast.

ABSTRACT

Pseudadelphoscolex eburnensis, a new genus and species of metadilepidid Cyclophyllidea parasitic in the red-bellied paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer, from the Ivory Coast, is described. The new species is characterized by davaineidlike rostellar hooks, absence of a rostellar pouch, a huge cirrus pouch in gravid proglottids, a bilobed uterus that becomes progressively reticular, absence of a paruterine organ, and eggs with an internal coat forming a crescentic protuberance outside the embryophore. The presence of a single row of rostellar hooks together with the lack of spines on the sucker and the structure and position of the uterus exclude this new material from Davaineidae. It cannot be placed in Dilepididae due to the lack of a rostellar pouch or in Paruterinidae because of the lack of a paruterine organ. The position of the excretory ducts in relation to the genital pores and the alternance of these pores are the main characters used to exclude this new species from the known genera of Metadilepididae. The diversity of forms of Metadilepididae in intertropical terrestrial birds is increased, and the validity of this taxon is strengthened.