Order LECANICEPHALIDEA Wardle & McLeod, 1952

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Introduction

The Lecanicephalidea, currently comprising four families and five valid genera (Euzet 1994), is parasitic in the spiral valves of elasmobranch fishes. The features of the segments of members of this order are very similar to those of the Tetraphyllidea, and in some classifications (Euzet 1959; Butler 1987a), the Lecanicephalidea has been treated as a superfamily or a family within the Tetraphyllidea. Similarities with the Tetraphyllidea include the distal vagina lying anterior to the cirrus sac and the distribution of vitelline follicles (ususally) in two lateral groups. The distribution of testes, structure of ovary and uterus are also similar. Members of the Lecanicephalidea differ from tetraphyllideans in having a bipartite scolex, the posterior part bearing four suckers and the anterior part either forming an enormous muscular protrusion termed a metaporhynchus, or numerous retractile tentacles. Generic and family relationships within the order are controversial with most authors suggesting a detailed re-examination of all type species, preferably collected from the type locality and host (Campbell & Williams 1984; Butler 1987a; Euzet 1994). Caira et al. (2001) have provided evidence that the Lecanicephalidea is a monophyletic assemblage.

The classification followed here is that of Euzet (1994) which recognises four families, Anteroporidae Euzet, 1994, Lecanicephalidae Braun, 1900, Polypocephalidae Meggitt, 1924 and Tetragonocephalidae Yamaguti, 1959. Of these, Polypocephalidae and Tetragonocephalidae have been reported from Australia. Specimens of the Lecanicephalidae are present in the collections of the South Australian Museum, but have not been described formally. The genus Hornellobothrium Shipley & Hornell, 1906 has also been reported in Australia (Butler 1987b). However, while belonging to the Lecanicephalidea, its allocation to a family is uncertain (Euzet 1994). It is therefore treated following Euzet (1994) as Lecanicephalidea incertae sedis.

The most recent review of the Lecanicephalidea is the monograph by Jensen (2005). It provides generic and species descriptions, but not families. Genera described recently have not been allocated to the families recognised by Euzet (1994) and are listed under the title “Unplaced to family”.

The most recent review of the Lecanicephalidea is the monograph by Jensen (2005). It provides generic and species descriptions, but not families. Genera described recently have not been allocated to the families recognised by Euzet (1994) and are listed under the title “Unplaced to family”.

General References

Butler, S. 1987. The taxonomic history of the family Lecanicephalidae Braun, 1900, a little known group of marine cestodes. Systematic Parasitology 10: 105-115

Butler, S.A. 1987. Taxonomy of some tetraphyllidean cestodes from elasmobranch fishes. Australian Journal of Zoology 35: 343-371

Caira, J.N., Jensen, K. & Healy, C.J. 2001. Interrelationships among tetraphyllidean and lecanicephalidean cestodes. pp. 135-138 in Littlewood, D.J.T. & Bray, R.A. (eds). Interrelationships of the Platyhelminthes. London, UK : The Systematics Association, Taylor & Francis 356 pp.

Campbell, R.A. & Williams, A.D. 1984. Tylocephalum Linton, 1890 (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) from the cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus (Mitchill, 1815) with a discussion of its validity and systematic relationships. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington 51: 121-134

Euzet, L. 1994. Order Lecanicephalidea Wardle & McLeod, 1952. pp. 195-204 in Khalil, L.F., Jones, A. & Bray, R.A. (eds). Keys to the Cestode Parasites of Vertebrates. Wallingford, UK : Commonwealth Agriculture Bureaux International 751 pp.

Jensen, K. 2005. Tapeworms of Elasmobranchs (Part 1). A monograph of the Lecanicephalidea (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda). Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum 18: 1-241

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