Eupolystoma namibiensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) parasitic in Poyntonophrynus hoeschi (Ahl, 1934) of Namibia

Abstract

Described species of the polystomatid flatworm genus Eupolystoma are only known from Africa and India. A survey conducted in January 1994 in Namibia revealed a previously unknown species from the urinary bladder of Hoesch’s pygmy toad Poyntonophrynus hoeschi. Toads were screened from eight different localities within their known distribution. The toads found to be infected were from three localities, namely Mariental, Outjo and Kamanjab in Namibia. Morphologically, this polystome is distinguised from the other known species by a combination of characteristics including the size of the parasite, number of genital spines, and the size and shape of the marginal hooklets. Eupolystoma namibiensis n. sp. is the first polystome to be described from Namibia.

Keywords: Eupolystoma, Hoesch’s pygmy toad, monogenean, Namibia, polystome