Restoration of Parafilaroides (Dougherty, 1946) (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) with description of two new species from pinnipeds of eastern central Pacific.

ABSTRACT

The lungs of a northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris (Gill, 1866), and Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardii (Gray, 1864), from the eastern central Pacific, central California coast, were examined for parasites. This represents the first thorough description and identification of Parafilaroides species from northern elephant seals and Pacific harbor seals on the west coast of North America. From this study, 2 new species of Filaroides (Parafilaroides) are described, illustrated, and differentiated by shape of vaginal sphincter, body morphometrics, and spicule shape from the 4 existing, recognized species in the subgenus. In addition, the subgenus Parafilaroides is proposed to be reestablished to full generic status in the Filaroididae based on the presence of caudal papillae and DNA.