Nematodirus archari (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from ruminants in North America with a description of the synlophe and the female

Abstract

The synlophe of specimens of Nematodirus archari from North America is described and used to identify females of this species for which the first description is provided. Differentiation of N. archari from congeners in North America is based on an array of characters, including the pattern of the synlophe and the form and structure of the spicule tip and bursa. These characters also distinguish N. archari from the exotic congeners with the exception of Nematodirus ibicis and Nematodirus bioccai, from which it cannot be reliably differentiated. Discussion of the importance and use of the synlophe in studies of trichostrongyloid nematodes, particularly for the genus Nematodirus, is presented.