First record of the nematode Aviculariella alcedonis (Yamaguti et Mitunaga, 1943) (Spirurida, Acuariidae) in Europe, with SEM observations and comments on its taxonomic position

Abstract

AbstractAviculariella alcedonis (Spirurida, Acuariidae) is recorded from Alcedo atthis (Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae) from Bulgaria (new geographical record). A description of female specimens based on light-microscopy and SEM studies is presented. On the basis of the observations of the cephalic end, the position of the genus is considered to be in the subfamily Acuariinae, not in the Seuratiinae where it was previously placed. The host range of Aviculariella spp. is recognised as restricted to birds of the family Alcedinidae. A new morphological peculiarity described in A. alcedonis is the presence of a pair of sublateral ribs at the anterior end of each pseudolabium.