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. 2011 May;18(2):151-61.
doi: 10.1051/parasite/2011182151.

Study of types of some species of "Filaria" (Nematoda) parasites of small mammals described by Von Linstow and Molin

R Guerrero  1 , O Bain
Affiliations

Study of types of some species of "Filaria" (Nematoda) parasites of small mammals described by Von Linstow and Molin

R Guerrero et al. Parasite. 2011 May.

Abstract
in English, French

Parasitic nematodes from the Berlin (ZMB) and Vienna (NMW) Museum collections referred to the genus Filaria Mueller, 1787 by von Linstow or Molin were studied. Three samples were in good condition and the specimens redescribed. Litomosa hepatica (von Linstow, 1897) n. comb., sample ZMB Vermes Entozoa 3368, from the megachiropteran Pteropus neohibernicus, Bismarck Archipelago, resembles L. maki Tibayrenc, Bain & Ramanchandran, 1979, from Pteropus vampyrus, in Malaysia, but the buccal capsule differs. Both species display particular morphological characters which differ from species of Litomosa parasitic in microchiropterans. The remaining material originates from Brazil. The spicule morphology of Litomosoides circularis (von Linstow, 1899) Chandler, 1931, sample ZMB Vermes Entozoa 1059 from Hesperomys spec. (= Holochilus brasiliensis), Porto Alegre, confirms that it belongs to the sigmodontis group; the microfilaria presents characters of the genus Litomosoides, e.g. body attenuated at both extremities and salient cephalic hook. Taxonomic discussions by others confirm that species of Litomosoides belonging to the sigmodontis group and described subsequently are distinct from L. circularis. Litomosoides serpicula (Molin, 1858) Guerrero, Martin, Gardner & Bain, 2002, is redescribed, sample NMW 6323 from the bat Phyllostoma spiculatum (= Sturnira lilium), Ypanema. It is very close to L. brasiliensis Almeida, 1936, type host Moytis sp., but distinguished by a single ring in the buccal capsule, rather than two, supporting previous conclusions that the taxon L. brasiliensis, as generally regarded, may represent a complex of species. Samples NMW 6322 and NMW 6324, from other bats and also identified by Molin (1858) as Filaria serpicula, contain unidentifiable fragments of Litomosoides incertae sedis. Filaria hyalina von Linstow, 1890, sample ZMB Vermes Entozoa Q 3905 from Sorer vulgaris (= Sorex araneus), is incertae sedis because it contains two unidentifiable posterior parts of male, which might be an acuarid, Stammerinema sp. Filaria vesperuginis von Linstow, 1885, sample ZMB Vermes Entozoa Q 3929, from the bat Vesperugo serotinus (= Eptesicus serotinus), contains encysted nematode larvae and is a nomen dubium.

Étude de nématodes des collections des Muséums de Berlin (ZMB) et de Vienne (NMW) attribués au genre Filaria Mueller, 1787 par von Linstow ou Molin. Trois lots sont en bon état et les spécimens redécrits. Litomosa hepatica (von Linstow, 1897) n. comb., lot ZMB Vermes Entozoa 3368, parasite du mégachiroptère Pteropus neohibernicus, Archipel Bismarck, ressemble à L. maki Tibayrenc, Bain & Ramanchandran, 1979, de Pteropus vampyrus, en Malaisie, mais la capsule buccale est différente. Les deux espèces ont des caractères morphologiques particuliers qui les distinguent des Litomosa parasites de microchiroptères. Les autres matériels sont originaires du Brésil. La morphologie des spicules de Litomosoides circularis (von Linstow, 1899) Chandler, 1931, lot ZMB Vermes Entozoa 1059 d’Hesperomys spec. (= Holochilus brasiliensis), Porto Alegre, confirme que cette espèce appartient au groupe sigmodontis ; la microfilaire présente les caractères du genre Litomosoides, corps effilé aux deux extrémités et crochet céphalique saillant. Une discussion taxonomique confirme que les espèces de Litomosoides du groupe sigmodontis décrites ultérieurement sont distinctes de L. circularis. Litomosoides serpicula (Molin, 1858) Guerrero, Martin, Gardner & Bain, 2002, est redécrit, lot NMW 6323 chez le microchiroptère Phyllostoma spiculatum (= Sturnira lilium), Ypanema. Elle est très proche de L. brasiliensis Almeida, 1936, hôte type Moytis sp., mais distincte par la capsule buccale avec un anneau cuticulaire, au lieu de deux, ce qui renforce les conclusions précédentes indiquant que le taxon L. brasiliensis, tel qu’il est généralement utilisé, représente vraisemblablement un complexe d’espèces. Les lots NMW 6322 et NMW 6324, d’autres microchiroptères et aussi identifiés par Molin (1858) à Filaria serpicula, contiennent des fragments non identifiables de Litomosoides incertae sedis. Filaria hyalina von Linstow, 1890, lot ZMB Vermes Entozoa Q 3905 de Sorex vulgaris (= Sorex araneus), est incertae sedis parce qu’il contient deux régions postérieures de mâle qui pourraient être un acuaride, Stammerinema sp. Filaria vesperuginis von Linstow, 1885, lot ZMB Vermes Entozoa Q 3929, du microchiroptère Vesperugo serotinus (= Eptesicus serotinus), contient des larves de nématodes enkystées et est un nomen dubium.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Litomosa hepatica (von Linstow, 1897) n. comb. (= Filaria hepatica). Female: A. Anterior part, subventral view; B. Head, dorsoventral view (ventral chord figured and dotted); C. Head, lateral view (internal cuticular lateral crest figured); D. Tail, lateral view; E. Tail, ventral view; F. Uterine microfilaria, anterior part (lateral view above, ventral view below) and posterior part on right; G. Another female, caudal extremity, ventral view; H. Vagina, lateral view. Scales in μm: A, 100; B, C, F, G, 15; D, 50; E, H 30.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Litomosoides circularis (von Linstow, 1899). A-G, female: A. Anterior part; B. Head, ventral view (ventral chord figured); C. Head, dorsal view; D. Head, left lateral view (lateral chord and crest figured); E. Tail, lateral view; F. Caudal extremity, ventral view; G. Sheathed uterine microfilaria. H-N, male: H. Caudal part, lateral view; I. Tail, ventral view, except distal extremity in lateral view; J. Lamina of left spicule, sublateral view; K. Buccal capsule; L. Right spicule, lateral view; M. Caudal extremity, ventral view; N. Area rugosa, at mid-length, lateral view. Scales in μm: A, 200; B, C, D, I, J, K, L, M, 15; E, 100; F, G, N, 10; H, 30.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Litomosoides serpicula (Molin, 1858), sample NMW 6323. A-D, female: A. Anterior part, left lateral view; B. Head and buccal capsule (note a cephalic papilla); C. Tail, right lateral view; D. Other female, caudal extremity, right lateral view. E-H, male: E. Area rugosa, ventral view; F. Distal extremity of right spicule, lateral view; G. Tail left lateral view; H. Head and buccal capsule. Scales in μm: A, 150; C, 70; B, D, E, F, H, 10; G, 20.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Two von Linstow samples. A-C, Filaria hyalina von Linstow, 1890: A. Male posterior region, left lateral view; B. Ventral view of caudal region; C. Left spicule, distal extremity, lateral view. D-F, unidentified nematode larva (= Filaria vesperuginis): D. Encysted larva; E. Posterior end, lateral right view; F. Anterior part. Scales in μm: A, 300; B, E, 70; C, 20; F, 10; D, 150.
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