Redescription of Parafilaria bovicola Tubangui, 1934 (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from Swedish cattle.

Parafilaria bovicola was introduced into Sweden and identified for the first time in Swedish cattle in 1978. Since then the parasite has become well established and has been responsible for substantial economic losses in Swedish beef production. Although studies have been undertaken on serodiagnosis, life cycle, vector and geographical distribution within Sweden this is the first full description of P. bovicola from Swedish cattle and the first study to use scanning electron microscopy. P. bulgarica Daskalov, 1944 is regarded as a synonym of P. bovicola Tubangui, 1934. Tooth-like thickenings described on the anterior lobes of the oesophagus for the first time may assist the parasite in its migration through the host tissues.