A new species of Capillaria (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitizing Conger orbignianus (Pisces: Congridae) from Argentina

Abstract

A new species of Capillaria is described from the congrid fish Conger orbignianus from waters off Mar del Plata, Argentina (38°08´S-57°32´W) (prevalence 29.17%, mean intensity ± s.d. 6.07 ± 6.59). The new species is assigned to the subgenus Procapillaria Moravec, 1987, despite vulvar appendages were not observed in gravid females. Of the three species so far known in the subgenus, the new species more closely resembles C. (P.) margolisi, from which it is distinguished by lacking a medial expansion in the spicules and a slightly elevated anterior lip of vulva, and by having a shorter oesophagus, a higher number of stichocytes and a shorter tail.