New species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) and other helminths from Norops capito (Sauria: Polychrotidae) from Nicaragua.

ABSTRACT

Rhabdias nicaraguensis n. sp. (Rhabditida Rhabditidae) from the lungs of Norops capito (Sauria Polychrotidae) is described and illustrated. Rhabdias nicaraguensis n. sp. represents the 54th species assigned to the genus and the 12th from the Neotropical realm. Of the 12 Neotropical Rhabdias species, nicaraguensis is most similar to tobagoensis and vellardi. These 3 species have equatorial placement of the vulva, inflated cuticle, and 6 small circumoral lips. Rhabdias nicaraguensis is easily separated from R. tobagoensis by the shape of the buccal cavity and from R. vellardi by body size and shape of the tail. Rhabdias nicaraguensis differs from both species by host preference, the amount of inflated cuticle covering the body, and the phasmids situated posterior to the midpoint of the tail.