Redescription of Decorataria decorata (Spirurida, Acuariidae) based on nematodes from Podiceps cristatus and P. grisegena (Aves, Podicipediformes) from Bulgaria

Abstract

Decorataria decorata (Cram, 1927) is redescribed on the basis of light-microscopy and SEM observations on specimens collected from the stomach of Podiceps cristatus and P. grisegena from Bulgaria. The SEM study revealed the presence of a porebearing field on each pseudolabium and a pair of spines (one dorsal and one ventral) situated between bases of the cordons. The deirids are spine-like and minute. The light-microscopy examination showed the presence of ornamentation situated under the dorsal surface of caudal alae. The occurrence of D. decorata in Bulgaria is a new geographical record. © 2008 W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, PAS.