Eutetrarhynchus thalassius sp.n. and Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis sp.n. were collected from the spiral valves of three yellow-spotted stingrays, Urolophus jamaicensis, in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Both species most closely resemble Eutetrarhynchus geraschmidti Dollfus, 1974. Eutetrarhynchus thalassius differs from E. geraschmidti in the arrangement, sizes, and shapes of tentacular armature, Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis differs from E. geraschmidti and E. thalassius on the basis of metabasal armature. The tentacular armature of E. geraschmidti is redescribed

Kovacs, Kinga J.

Schmidt, Gerald D.

English

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Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter
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1980
Two New Species of Cestode (Trypanorhyncha,
Eutetrarhynchidae) from the Yellow-spotted
Stingray, Urolophus jamaicensis
Kinga J. Kovacs
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado
Gerald D. Schmidt
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Colorado, USA
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Kovacs, Kinga J. and Schmidt, Gerald D., "Two New Species of Cestode (Trypanorhyncha, Eutetrarhynchidae) from the Yellow-
spotted Stingray, Urolophus jamaicensis" (1980). Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. 856.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/parasitologyfacpubs/856
Proc. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. 
47(1), 1980, p. 10-14 
Two New Species of Cestode (Trypanorhyncha, 
Eutetrarhynchidae) from the Yellow-spotted 
Stingray, Urolophus jamaicensis 
KINGA J. KOVACS AND GERALD D. SCHMIDT 
Department of Biology. University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado 80639 
ABSTRACT: Eutetrarhynchus thalassius sp.n. and Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis sp.n. were collected 
from the spiral valves of three yellow-spotted stingrays, Urolophus jamaicensis, in Discovery Bay, 
Jamaica. Both species most closely resemble Eutetrarhynchus geraschmidti Dollfus, 1974. Eutetra-
rhynchus thalassius differs from E. geraschmidti in the arrangement, sizes, and shapes of tentacular 
armature, Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis differs from E. geraschmidti and E. thalassius on the basis 
of metabasal armature. The tentacular armature of E. geraschmidti is redescribed, 
This report is based upon specimens of trypanorhynch cestodes collected at 
Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Several worms, recovered from the spiral valves of 
three yellow-spotted stingrays, Urolophus jamaicensis, represent two species 
new to science. The following descriptions are based on these specimens. The 
redescription of E. geraschmidti is based upon the type specimen, No. 13 (of the 
series), borrowed from the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. 
The spiral valves were removed and placed into dishes containing seawater. 
The worms were freed from the host tissue and each placed in its own vial of 
fresh water. The water was then pipetted out and replaced with alcohol-formol-
acetic acid (AFA). Acetic carmine stain was used. Beechwood creosote was used 
for clearing, followed by permanent mounting with Canada balsam. All measure-
ments in micrometers unless otherwise stated. 
Eutetrarhynchus thalassius sp.n. 
(Figs. 1--6) 
DESCRIPTION (based on 12 specimens): Scolex (Fig. 1) 740-940 long, 120-180 
greatest width across bothridia. Bothridia fused into 2 organs, lacking ventral 
notches. Pars bothridialis 190-210 long, 120-180 wide. Minute spines arm bo-
thridial margins and outer surface of entire scolex. Two tentacles emerge from 
anterior end of each bothridium. Bases of tentacles somewhat swollen. Bulbs 
much longer than wide; pars bulbosa 380-580 long, 100-200 wide. Tentacle 
sheaths sinuous, with enigmatic organs at points of attachment to bulbs. Retractor 
muscles originate at bases of bulbs. Neck absent. 
Mature strobila (Fig. 2) delicate, about 4 mm long, consisting of 3 proglottids. 
Proglottids acraspedote, anapolytic. Mature proglottids (Fig. 3) 700-800 long, 
120-200 at greatest width. Gravid proglottid (Fig. 2) (attached to strobila) about 
2.5 mm long, 200-400 at greatest width. Genital atrium absent. Reproductive 
systems protandrous. Genital pores postequatorial, irregularly alternating. 
MALE GENITALIA: Twenty-eight to 35 testes in 2 longitudinal rows (Fig. 3) with 
some overlap; 5 or 6 posterior to cirrus pouch. Each testis 30-50 wide in mature 
segment. Cirrus pouch pyriform, transverse, thick-walled, 90-120 long, 40-100 
wide. Cirrus unarmed or spines have been lost. 
FEMALE GENITALIA: Ovary near posterior end of segment (Fig. 3), H-shaped 
OF WASHINGTON, VOLUME 47 , NUMBER 1, JANUARY 1980 • 11 
2 
abc d 
5 
Figures 1-7. 1-6. Eutetrarhynchus thalassius sp.n. from a yellow-spotted stingray. 1. Scolex. 2. 
Entire worm. The black area illustrates the gravid uterus. 3. Mature proglottid. 4. Metabasal portion 
of the tentacle, lateral surface. 5. Types of hooks present: a. rosethorn-shaped, b. bent spiniform-
shaped, c. falciform, d. spiniform. 6. Basal portion of the tentacle, lateral surface. 7. Eutetrarhynchus 
geraschmidti Dollfus, 1974. Basal and metabasal armature, lateral view. 
with 2 equal , anteriorly directed lobes 300-400 long, 150-190 across tips of both 
anterior lobes . Vitellaria cortical , surrounding entire proglottid, only lateral at 
level of ovary ; postovarian follicles present. Distal end of vagina posterior to 
cirrus pouch, with thick lining and muscular wall . Uterus a median, longitudinal 
tube, becoming a thin-walled sac filled with eggs extending posterior to cirrus 
pouch (Fig. 2). Eggs collapsed during preparation so could not be measured. 
12 • PROCEEDINGS OF THE HELMINTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
ARMATURE: Hook arrangement heteroacanthous, heteromorphous . Metabasal 
armature (Fig. 4) consisting of oblique half-circle rows of hooks, 8 hooks per row. 
Each row originates on inner surface of tentacle with rosethorn-shaped hook (Fig. 
5a) 4-6 long, 1 falciform hook (Fig. 5c) 6-8 long, and 6 spiniform hooks (Fig. 5d) 
6-11 long, decreasing in length toward tip of tentacle. Two regions of enlarged 
basal hooks (Fig. 6) separated by zone, about 140 long, of straight spiniform 
hooks, each 5-6 long. Proximal zone of enlarged hooks consisting of 2 alternating 
rows of bent spiniform hooks (Fig. 5b) 10-11 long. Distal zone of enlarged hooks 
consisting of a row of rosethorn-shaped hooks 5-10 long, making 3 turns around 
tentacle in a continuous spiral. 
TYPE HOST: Yellow-spotted stingray , Urolophus jamaicensis (Cuvier, 1817). 
LOCATION: Spiral valve. 
TYPE LOCALITY: Discovery Bay, Jamaica. 
TYPE SPECIMENS: USNM Helm. ColI. ; holotype No. 75228, paratype No. 
75229. 
ETYMOLOGY: The specific name thalassius comes from the Greek and refers 
to the sea, from which this parasite was obtained. 
Remarks 
Eutetrarhynchus thalassius sp .n. most closely resembles Eutetrarhynchus 
schmidti Heinz and Dailey , 1974 and Eutetrarhynchus geraschmidti Dollfus, 
1974, which also are the only species in this genus that have been reported from 
any species of Urolophus . On the basis of overall size and other measurements, 
Eutetrarhynchus thalassius most closely resembles E. geraschmidti. Drawings 
of the metabasal and basal armature of E. geraschmidti in the original description 
(Dollfus, 1974) are unclear, so a redrawing of the tentacular armature of E. ger-
aschmidti (Fig. 7) is provided (based upon the type specimen of E. geraschmidti 
borrowed from the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris). The metabasal 
armature of E. geraschmidti consists of spiniform and falciform hooks only, with 
many more hooks than Eutetrarhynchus thalassius. The basal armature of E. 
geraschmidti consists of only one region of enlarged bent spiniform hooks, in two 
alternating rows. Eutetrarhynchus thalassius has two regions of enlarged basal 
hooks . 
On the basis of these differences in the metabasal and basal armature, it is 
clear that Eutetrarhynchus thalassius represents a species new to science. 
Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis sp.n. 
(Figs. 8-13) 
DESCRIPTION (based on 8 specimens): Scolex (Fig. 8) 640-750 long, 230-320 
greatest width across bothridia. Bothridia fused into two organs, lacking ventral 
notches . Pars bothridialis 130-160 long, 230-320 wide . Minute spines arm bo-
thridial margins and outer surface of entire scolex. Two tentacles emerge from 
anterior end of each bothridium. Bulbs much longer than wide ; pars bulbosa 260-
300 long, 80-140 wide. Tentacle sheaths sinuous, with enigmatic organs at points 
of attachment to bulbs. Retractor muscles insert at bases of bulbs. Neck absent. 
Mature strobila (Fig. 9) delicate ; proglottids acraspedote, anapolytic . Mature 
proglottids (Fig. 10) 1,000-1,750 long , 200-240 at greatest width . Genital atrium 
Of WASHINGTON, VOLUME 47, NUMBER I, JANUARY 1980 • \3 
E 
E E 
(') E 0 (') 
E 0 
E 
LD 
0 
~ 
8 
9 
13 
Figures 8-13. Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis sp.n. from a yellow-spotted stingray. 8. Scolex. 9. Mature 
worm with scolex attached to mature proglottid. 10. Mature proglottid. 11. Outer surface of tentacle 
showing metabasal and basal armature. 12. Lateral surface of tentacle showing oblique half-circle rows 
of hooks. 13. Inner surface of tentacle showing metabasal and basal armature. 
absent. Reproductive systems protandrous. Genital pores postequatorial, irreg-
ularly alternating. 
MALE GENITALIA: Thirty-two or 33 testes in 2 longitudinal rows (Fig. 10) with 
some overlap; 6 or 7 posterior to cirrus pouch. Each testis 50-60 wide in mature 
14 • PROCEEDINGS OF THE HELMINTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
segment. Cirrus pouch pyriform, transverse, thick-walled, 60-120 long, 40-50 
wide. Cirrus not clearly visible. 
FEMALE GENITALIA: Ovary near posterior end of segment (Fig. 10), H-shaped 
with 2 equal, anteriorly directed lobes 200-230 long, 110-130 across tips of both 
anterior lobes. Vitellaria cortical, surrounding entire proglottid, only lateral at 
level of ovary, postovarian follicles present. Distal end of vagina posterior to 
cirrus pouch, with thick lining and muscular wall. Uterus a median, longitudinal 
tube. Specimens not gravid, so eggs not available for measurement. 
ARMATURE: Hook arrangement heteroacanthous, heteromorphous. Metabasal 
armature (Figs. 11, 12) consisting of oblique half-circle rows of hooks, 10 hooks 
per row. Each row originates on inner surface of tentacle with 1 rosethorn-shaped 
hook 9-15 long, followed by 1 falciform hook 11-13 long, 2 bent spiniform hooks 
11-15 long, and 6 straight spiniform hooks 7-14 long; decreasing in length from 
inner to outer surface, and from basal region to tip of tentacle. One region of 
enlarged basal hooks (Figs. 11, 13) consisting of 2 alternating rows of bent spi-
niform hooks 10-15 long, followed by 1 row of small rosethorn-shaped hooks 6-
7 long. 
TYPE HOST: Yellow-spotted stingray, Urolophus jamaicensis (Cuvier, 1817). 
LOCATION: Spiral valve. 
TYPE LOCALITY: Discovery Bay, Jamaica. 
TYPE SPECIMENS: USNM Helm. Coil.; holotype No. 75226, paratypes No. 
75227. 
ETYMOLOGY: The specific name caribbensis refers to the location at which 
this parasite was recovered. 
Remarks 
On the basis of overall size and other measurements, Eutetrarhynchus carib-
bensis most closely resembles E. geraschmidti and E. thalassius. The metabasal 
armature of E. caribbensis consists of rosethorn-shaped, falciform, bent spini-
form, and straight spiniform hooks. Eutetrarhynchus geraschmidti has no rose-
thorn-shaped hooks. The basal armature of E. caribbensis consists of one region 
of enlarged, bent spiniform hooks. Eutetrarhynchus thalassius has two regions 
of enlarged basal hooks, one of which is a continuous spiral of rosethorn-shaped 
hooks. On the basis of these differences in tentacular armature, it is clear that 
Eutetrarhynchus caribbensis represents a species new to science. 
Acknowledgments 
The authors thank Dr. Jeremy Woodley, Acting Head of the Discovery Bay 
Marine Laboratory, University of the West Indies, for his cooperation and loan 
of laboratory facilities during the initial stages of this study; and Dr. Alain Cha-
baud, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, for the loan of type speci-
mens of E. geraschmidti. This work was supported by a grant from the University 
of Northern Colorado Research Foundation. 
Literature Cited 
Dollfus, R. Ph. 1974. D'un Eutetrarhynchus (Cestode Tetrarhynque) au stade pre-adulte chez un 
Urolophus (Selachii, Dasyatidae): Eutetrarhynchus geraschmidti. Bull. Mus. Nat!. Hist. Nat. 
Zoo!., Paris, Ser. 3, No. 207, 137:152-156. 


Two New Species of Cestode (Trypanorhyncha,
Eutetrarhynchidae) from the Yellow-spotted
Stingray, \u3ci\u3eUrolophus jamaicensis\u3c/i\u3e

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1867&amp;context=parasitologyfacpubs

Two New Species of Cestode (Trypanorhyncha, Eutetrarhynchidae) from the Yellow-spotted Stingray, \u3ci\u3eUrolophus jamaicensis\u3c/i\u3e

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