Syphacia longaecauda n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) Syphacinea from Melomys spp. (Muridae: Hydromyinae) from Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Abstract

A new oxyurid nematode Syphacia (Syphacia) longaecauda n. sp. is described from the caecum and colon of the hydromyine rodents Melomys monktoni (type host) and M. rubex from Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Syphacia longaecauda has an oval, laterally extended, relatively large cephalic plateau and can be distinguished from other species of Syphacia with similar characters by, amongst other features, tail length. The significance of the distribution of S. longaecauda, apparently restricted to New Guinea, is discussed.