Studies on the nematodes parasitic in the lungs of Felidae in Palestine

Abstract

Three species of lung nematodes have been found in Felidae in Palestine: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior n.sp. and Anafilaroides rostratus n.g., n.sp. The life histories of all these species have been studied. Their larvae develop in terrestrial molluscs. Some new observations on the factors influencing the development of the larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are described. The whole developmental cycle of Troglostrongylus brevior has been experimentally reproduced. Initial stages of the development of the larva of Anafilaroides rostratus in molluscs have been observed. The taxonomic position of the genera Aelurostrongylus and Troglostrongylus is discussed and their protostrongyline character is demonstrated.