Redescription of Porrocaecum semiteres (Zeder, 1800) (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the Song Thrush Turdus philomelos (Passeriformes: Turdidae).

INTRODUCTION

Porrocaecum semiteres (Zeder, 1800) (Ascaridida: Ascaridoidea) occurs frequently in various birds in Europe. However, the knowledge of the morphology of this species remains insufficient.

METHODS

Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the detailed morphology of adults of P. semiteres based on newly collected specimens from Turdus philomelos in the Czech Republic.

RESULTS

Some previously unreported morphological features were revealed, including the presence of a medio-apical notch, 70-80 small conical denticles and one pair of submedial pores on each lip, the absence of caudal alae, the presence of four pairs of postcloacal papillae, and a single, medio-ventral precloacal papilla.