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Order CEPHALOBAENIDA Heymons, 1935

Introduction

Two families are recognised by most authors. One, Reighardiidae Heymons & Vitzthum, 1935 and its only genus Reighardia Ward, 1899 are parasites of marine birds and is not yet recorded from Australia. Although in widespread use the other family, Cephalobaenidae, is for the most part a junior synonym of Raillietiellidae. Almeida & Christoffersen (1999) recognised all three, but in three separate orders. Only Raillietiellidae occurs in Australia.

 

Diagnosis

Mouth almost terminal and anterior to hooks which are disposed in a trapezium. Posterior hooks lie outside the anterior pair and are usually much larger. Hooks simple, ensheathed by a median podial lobe and flanked by parapodial lobes. Hooks suspended by muscles in a U-shaped fulcrum. Caudal extremity bifid, anus opens between diverging caudal lobes. Cephalothorax contains loosely aggregated masses of gland cells. Many thin efferent ductules terminate at frontal papillae, buccal cavity, hook pits and anterior edge of cephalothorax. Cuticle devoid of spines. Uterus saccate, vagina opens anteriorly on ventral abdomen close to junction with cephalothorax. Male genitalia with cirrus threads relatively short, cirrus tips lodged in hollow shafts of paired, club-shaped copulatory spicules. Seminal vesicle is a median elongate sac. Eggs with three layers, outer shell hard. Primary larva with double hooks in an oval fulcrum. Penetration apparatus consists of a median bifid stylet, flanked by 2–3 pairs of simple accessory spines. Early nymphal hooks usually doubled, with hook barbs lying side by side. Suboesophageal ganglion composed of three fused ganglia connected to at least four more or less separate ganglia by a doubled ventral nerve cord. (Riley 1986)

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
21-Mar-2012 31-Aug-2017 MODIFIED
28-Feb-2012 28-Feb-2012 MODIFIED
20-Oct-2011 20-Oct-2011 MODIFIED
31-Mar-2011 ADDED