Distribution and morphology of two helminths recently introduced into European eel populations: Anguillicola crassus (Nematoda, Dracunculoidea) and Paratenuisentis ambiguus (Acanthocephala, Tenuisentidae)

Abstract

The occurrence of 2 helminths is reported in eel from 3 regions of the Federal Repubhc of Germany Both specles, Angudhcola crassus (Nematoda Dracunculoldea) and Paratenuisentis ambjguus (Acanthocephala, Tenuisentidae) were recently lntroduced Into Europe, probably from Japan and the USA, respecbvely The morphology of A crassus differs from the onglnal descript~on In a few features Syntype speclmens from Japan however, showed that speclmens from Japan and from Germany are conspecif~c The morphology of P ainbiguus (flrst report from Europe) corresponds xvell wlth the original description from North America In Germany it 1s shown to employ the same crustacean intermed~ate host as in North Amenca, i e Gammarus tignnus, an amphipod orlg~nally introduced purposely into Germany.