Dictyocaulus capreolus n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from roe deer, Capreolus capreolus and moose, Alces alces in Sweden

Abstract

AbstractDictyocaulus capreolus n. sp. recovered from roe deer, Capreolus capreolus and moose, Alces alces in Sweden is described and figured. Morphological studies revealed the new species to be closest to D. eckerti and D. africanus on the basis of mouth shape, all three species having an elongate mouth opening. The other species of the genus, including D. viviparus, all have a circular to oval mouth opening. Dictyocaulus capreolus n. sp. can be distinguished from D. eckerti and D. africanus on the basis of the morphology of the buccal capsule and the bursa. These morphological studies support earlier evidence of the presence of a new species of Dictyocaulus in roe deer and moose that could be distinguished from D. eckerti and D. viviparus using either a PCR-linked hybridization assay or image analysis software to study the dimensions of the buccal capsule.