Cestodes of the Genus Fimbriaria Froelich, 1802 (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Fimbriariinae) from Ukraine, with a Key to Species Level.

INTRODUCTION

Species of Fimbriaria are common tapeworms of ducks (Anseriformes). In this study, cestode specimens identified as F. fasciolaris, F. czaplinskii and F. teresae from the Helminthological Collection of IZSHK are re-examined and newly collected cestodes of the genus Fimbriaria from various anseriform birds in Ukraine are examined.

METHODS

Cestode specimens were studied using light microscopy. For two of these species, Fimbriaria fasciolaris and Fimbriaria teresae, partial sequences of the genes 18S, 28S, COX1 and NAD were obtained. Also, archived specimens from Ukrainian and Poland were also studied and partly re-identified.

RESULTS

The revision of all collected cestodes identified as Fimbriaria spp. revealed that species of the genus differ by the morphology of the copulative apparatus. Based on the analysis of our data and literature sources, a key to Fimbriaria species is provided.