A revision of the subgenus Labiostrongylus (Labiosimplex) (Nematoda : Cloacinidae) from macropodid marsupials, with descriptions of twelve new species and a key to the species of the subgenus

Abstract

Species of Labiostrongylus are parasitic in the stomachs of macropodid and potoroid marsupials. The subgenus Labiostrongylus (Labiosimplex) is revised in this paper. The species Labiostrongylus (Labiosimplex) australis, L. (Ls.) bancrofti, L. (Ls.) bipapillosus, L. (Ls.) clelandi, L. (Ls.) communis, L. (Ls.) kungi, L. (Ls.) longispicularis, L. (Ls.) petrogale and L. (Ls.) redmondi are redescribed. L. ualabatus is placed as a synonym of L. (Ls.) clelandi. Twelve new species, L. (Ls.) robustus, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) major, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) occidentalis, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) aridus, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) flanneryi, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) thetidis, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) irma, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) thomasae, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) dendrolagi, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) pearsortensis, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) godmani, sp. nov., and L. (Ls.) laterilabellosus, sp. nov., are described. Labiostrongylus spp. 1–4 from Macropus parma and Lagorchestes hirsutus are discussed but not named and a key to the subgenus is given. A list of macropodid and potoroid hosts of species of Labiostrongylus is provided, and an indication of where further host collection is needed to augment taxonomic work on the genus is given.