A taxanomic revision of the lungworms (Nematoda : Metastrongyloidea) from Australian marsupials

Abstract

The taxonomic status of metastrongyloid nematodes from Australian marsupials is reviewed. Metastrongyloids are reported from 20 host species belonging to the Dasyuridae, Peramelidae, Phalangeridae, Petauridae, Macropodidae and Vombatidae. Three nematode genera in two families are recognized. The genus Marsupostrongylus Mackenas & Sandars, 1953, is redefined and placed in the Angiostrongylidae Boehm & Gebauer, 1934 (sensu Anderson 1977). M. bronchialis is recognized as a spelling emendation for M. bronchialus Mackerras & Sandars, 1953, the species is redescribed and to the genus is added M. coulstoni, sp. nov., M. dorrigoensis, sp. nov., M. lanceolatus, sp. nov., M. longilarvatus, sp. nov., and M. minesi, sp. nov. The genus Filostrongylus Mackerras, 1955 is redefined, also placed in the Angiostrongylidae, and its single species, F. peramelis Mackerras, 1955 is redescribed. Plectostrongylus Mackerras & Sandars, 1953 is reduced to a synonym of Marsupostrongylus Mackerras & Sandars, 1953 and M. fragilis (Mackerras & Sandars, 19531, comb. nov. is redescribed. Filaroides (Filaroides) pilbarensis, sp. nov. is placed in the Filaroididae Schulz, 1951 (sensu Anderson 1977) and represents the only species of the genus known from a marsupial. Keys to the genera of metastrongyloids and the species of Marsupostrongylus from Australian marsupials are provided. Brief details of the life cycles of some described species are presented. The evolution of Australian metastrongyloids is discussed briefly. A host–parasite list for metastrongyloids of Australian marsupials is given.