A Revision of the Genus Cystidicola Fischer, 1798 (Nematoda: Spiruroidea) of the Swim Bladder of Fishes

Abstract

The systematics of the species of the genus Cystidicola Fischer, 1798, parasites of the swim bladder of physostomous fishes, is revised. Cystidicola farionis Fischer, 1798, C. cristivomeri White, 1941, and C. stigmatura (Leidy, 1886) Ward and Magath, 1917, are considered to be the only valid species in the world. These three species are redescribed. Cystidicola farionis is morphologically indistinguishable from C. stigmatura but the two species are tentatively regarded as distinct until more data on their biology are available. Cystidicola brevicauda Fujita, 1939, and C. mesopi Fujita, 1940, are not members of Cystidicola but they cannot be assigned to any other genus. Cystidicola lepisostei Hunter and Bangham, 1933, is a member of Cystidicola but should be regarded as a species inquirendae. Cystidicola minuta Rhodhain and Vuylsteke, 1934, and C. serratus (Wright, 1879) Railliet, 1916, are regarded as species inquirendae of the genus Rhabdochona. The literature on numerous other species assigned at various times to Cystidicola is reviewed. The host and geographical distribution of the valid members of Cystidicola are reviewed.