On Cittotaenia denticulata (Rudolphi 1804), with Notes as to the Occurrence of other Helminthic Parasites of Rabbits found in the Aberystwyth Area

Abstract

The examination of the rabbits of the Aberystwyth area has shown heavy infection with adult cestodes. Of 516 small intestines of rabbits examined 358, or 66 per cent., have harboured adult cestodes. Two species occur—Cittotaenia pectinata (Goeze 1782) and Cittotaenia denticulata (Rudolphi 1804). Neither appear to have been recorded for the British Isles before. Theobald (1910) refers to reports of the prevalence of tapeworms in rabbits from near Winchester and from Devonshire. The known distribution of C. denticulata is Germany and France, and of C. pectinata, Germany and France and a variety, var. americana, in North America. C. pectinata is found in that part of the small intestine nearest the stomach. C. denticulata occurs in the lower part of the small intestine. On no occasion have the two species been found in one rabbit.