Two new species of Neotyphloceras (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae) from Argentinean Patagonia

Abstract

Two new species of Neotyphloceras Rothschild, parasites of sigmodontine rodents from Argentinean Patagonia, are described and illustrated: N. crackensis n. sp. and N. pardinasi n. sp. These species are compared with their morphologically closest relatives. Males are characterized by the shape of the upper lobe of the fixed process of clasper; the shape and chaetotaxy of the distal arm of sternum IX and by the shape of the crochet of the aedeagus; females by the contour of the distal margin of sternum VII. Neotyphloceras pardinasi n. sp. is reported from western Chubut Province, while N. crackensis n. sp. is known from the eastern regions of Chubut and Santa Cruz Provinces. With these reports, the geographical distribution of Neotyphloceras is extended to eastern Patagonia. A key to the species and subspecies of Neotyphloceras is provided.