A redescription of Uncinaria lucasi stiles, a hookworm of seals

Abstract

In an earlier paper (1933) the writer drew attention to the inadequacy of the only existing description of Uncinaria lucasi, given, under the name of Uncinaria sp., by Stiles & Hassall (1899). Through the kindness of Dr E. C. Dougherty, it has now been possible to examine specimens of an Uncinaria from the type-host of U. lucasi (the Alaskan fur-seal, Callorhinus alascanus). These were collected by Dr V. B. Scheffer, of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, from the small intestine of a furseal pup at Polovina, St Paul Island (Pribylov group), in the Bering Sea in July 1945. There seems to be no reasonable doubt that they are of the same species as those originally described by Stiles & Hassall, the principal evidence being the identity of the host and locality, and the length of the spicules of the male worms. A new description is therefore presented, which it is hoped will place the species on a more satisfactory footing.