The synlophe and other structural characteristics of Sarwaria bubalis (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from cattle in Guyana.

The synlophe (longitudinal, surface cuticular ridges) of Sarwaria bubalis is described for the first time. It is a tapering lateral synlophe of about 40 ridges. The synlophe of S. bubalis is similar to that of Ostertagia ostertagi but markedly different from that of species of Spiculopteragia and Mazamastrongylus. New information is provided also on the structure of the esophagus and perivulval pores. The esophageal valve is more than twice as long as wide. The bilateral perivulval pores were located 192-267 microns posterior to the vulva and dorsal to the lateral lines. The new information will be useful in a study of the generic level systematics of the Ostertaginae. Sarwaria bubalis appears to be well established in tropical South America where it infects its normal host, the Asian water buffalo Bubalus bubalis, as well as domestic cattle Bos taurus and mixed breed cattle B. taurus x Bos indicus.