Soboliphyme occidentalis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Soboliphymidae) from the Iberian mole Talpa occidentalis (Insectivora, Talpidae) in Spain

Soboliphyme baturini (Nematoda: Soboliphymatidae) Recovered from Stomach of Asian Badger, Meles leucurus, in Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

We are going to describe the female soboliphymid nematodes, which were recovered from the stomach of a Asian badger, Meles leucurus (Mammalia: Mustelidae), in Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. In February 1998, we found 2 peculiar nematodes with a cup-like organ in the anterior end from the stomach of badger. Recovered worms were fixed with 10% formalin, cleared in glycerin-alcohol solution and observed under a light microscope with a micrometer. They were 34.46 (33.43–35.50) mm long by 2.13 mm at maximum width. Cephalic sucker cup-like, 3.34 (3.13–3.55) mm wide, 2.40 (2.25–2.55) mm long, with the oral aperture and meridionally striated on the buccal capsule. Oral aperture 2.38 mm in diameter. Circumoral membrane 0.41 (0.38–0.45) mm wide. Esophagus muscular, 4.81 (4.50–5.00) mm long by 0.80 (0.78–0.83) mm at maximum width. Vulva situated at 3.13 mm ventro-anterior level from the esophago-intestinal junction. Vagina anteriad, 3.38 mm long, making a canal from the uterus to the vulva opening. Uterus single, large. Tail 0.35 (0.33–0.38) mm long. Intrauterine eggs long elliptical, 0.058–0.065 (0.062) mm long and 0.030–0.033 (0.031) mm wide. Based on the some morphological characters and host-specificity, our specimens are nearly identical with S. baturini. Therefore, the present report describes S. baturini for the first time in Korea.

Helminth fauna ofTalpaspp. in the Palaearctic Realm

The helminth fauna of the genusTalpain the Palaearctic Realm is reviewed. Several helminth species reported inTalpaspp. by a number of authors are discussed, with reference to host specificity, parasite biology, and host ethology, ecology and phylogeny. Twelve species of cestodes were found, two of which exhibit stenoxenous specificity (Staphylocystis bacillarisandMultitesticulata filamentosa). Only three species of trematodes,Ityogonimus lorum,Ityogonimus ocreatusandCombesia macrobursata, are exclusive parasites ofTalpaspp. The largest group are nematodes, with 37 species. Species ofTricholinstowiaare parasites of holarctic talpids and several species of distinct genera, such asCapillaria,SoboliphymeandTrichuris, are found only inTalpaspp. Only acanthocephalans of the genusMoniliformishave been reported in moles of the genusTalpa. On the basis of these helminthological findings, the close phylogenetic relationship between moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) supports the separation of the ordinal levels Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha.