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Renylaima capensis n. gen., n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) from the urinary system of the shrew Myosorex varius Smuts, 1832 (Insectivora: Soricidae)

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Abstract

A trematode species belonging to the family Brachylaimidae was found in the kidneys and ureters of the forest shrew Myosorex varius (Insectivora: Soricidae: Crocidosoricinae) in a restricted, very damp area of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range, near Cape Town, South Africa. The adult stage is described anatomically and histologically. The relative frequency of monotesticular forms is highlighted. A comparison is made with other brachylaimid species known to infect shrews and other peculiar brachylaimids from poikilothermic invertebrates and vertebrates with which the South African species shares several aspects. Peculiar characteristics such as absence of a cirrus pouch and cirrus and presence of a genital atrium that can be evaginated to produce a prominent ventral extention of the body, as well as the fact that the urinary system of a mammal host is an extraordinary microhabitat for a trematode, indicate that this digenean represents a new genus and species for which the name Renylaima capensis n. gen., n. sp. is proposed.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to Cape Nature (former Department of Nature Conservation of the Cape Province) for cooperation and permission to collect in the area under their jurisdiction, as well as to Jeanne-Maré Du Bois for drawing some of the figures. Spanish collaboration within the frame of the “Red de Investigación de Centros de Enfermedades Tropicales” (RICET, Project No. ISCIII-RETIC RD06/0021/0017) of the Programme of Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa, FIS, Ministry of Health, Madrid. The authors greatly acknowledge Mr. Richard Thomson for his assistance with computer work.

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  1. Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    Willem F. Sirgel

  2. Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain

    Santiago Mas-Coma

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  1. Willem F. Sirgel
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  2. Santiago Mas-Coma
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Correspondence to Santiago Mas-Coma.

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Sirgel, W.F., Mas-Coma, S. Renylaima capensis n. gen., n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) from the urinary system of the shrew Myosorex varius Smuts, 1832 (Insectivora: Soricidae). Parasitol Res 106, 1443–1453 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1823-0

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