Meteterakis vaucheri n. sp. (Nematoda; Heterakoidea) from Varanus grayi (Varanidae) in the Philippines

Abstract

Meteterakis vaucheri n. sp. from the posterior intestine of Varanus grayi from Dipaculao, Province of Aurora in the Philippines, differs from all other species in the genus except M. louisi in having spicules over 1 mm long. It differs from this latter species by the form of the spicules and by the fact that the caudal alae of the male are supported by three, rather than four, pairs of pedunculate papillae. In addition, several characters observed in the new species have not been reported previously in the genus: (i) small oval cuticular plates (amphidial plates) immediately anterior to the amphids; (ii) subventral extensions to the caudal alae of the males and; (iii) a blind diverticulum near the midregion of the seminal vesicle. The diagnostic value of these characters is uncertain.