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A new Paravortex (Platyhelminthes, Dalyellioida) endoparasite of Mesodesma mactroides (Bivalvia, Mesodesmatidae) from Uruguay

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Abstract

Many species of turbellarians (Platyhelminthes) are known to live associated with other organisms, especially invertebrates, as commensals or parasites. The family Graffillidae (Rhabdocoela) includes two genera that parasitize mollusks, Graffílla and Paravortex. Within the latter genus, six species were described as associated with mollusks. In other instances, unnamed Paravortex species were mentioned as parasites of other bivalves and of the body surface of fishes. In the present work, a new Paravortex species that was found in the intestine of Mesodesma mactroides from the Atlantic coast of Uruguay is described. In addition, a bibliographical revision of the known Paravortex species with their respective hosts, location, and distribution is made. Paravortex nicolli, described by Szidat for the Argentinean coast, is mentioned for the first time after the original description, and the authorship and date of description of Paravortex tapetis Noury-Sraïri 1989 are elucidated.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Lic. Alejandro Tablado (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales) for making available the specimens of Paravortex nicolli Szidat 1965, Dr. Guido Pastorino and Dr. Florencia Cremonte, who provided specific bibliography.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Zoología Invertebrados, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (UNLP), Paseo del Bosque s/n°, CP 1900,, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Francisco Brusa & Cristina Damborenea

  2. Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Rodrigo Ponce de León

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  1. Francisco Brusa
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  2. Rodrigo Ponce de León
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  3. Cristina Damborenea
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Correspondence to Francisco Brusa.

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Brusa, F., Ponce de León, R. & Damborenea, C. A new Paravortex (Platyhelminthes, Dalyellioida) endoparasite of Mesodesma mactroides (Bivalvia, Mesodesmatidae) from Uruguay. Parasitol Res 99, 566–571 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0193-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0193-0

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