Acanthobothrium floridensis Goldstein 1964

Acanthobothrium floridensis Goldstein, 1964

Specimens examined and deposited: holotype and paratype (2 slides) USNPC 0 60025 from Raja eglanteria Bosc Gulf of Mexico, coll. R. J. Goldstein, 1963; from Raja eglanteria, 10 specimens, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia off Gloucester Pt., depth c. 10–20 m, coll. R. Campbell, 6. x. 1967 vouchers (LRPC); 32 vouchers, coll. B.P. Hayden, 5.viii.1978, 10.vi. 1979, 31.vii.1979, 3.viii.1979, 20.ix.1979, from Raja eglanteria, off Beaufort, North Carolina to Cape May, New Jersey; from Raja texana, Gulf of Mexico at 29o 20.29’N, 93o 43.76’W, depth 15 m; 28o 13.4’ N; 94o 43.15’W, depth 51m, coll. R. Campbell, 20–23.x.1994, 7.vii.1995. Vouchers deposited (USNPC 103848– 103850).

Prevalence: 2 of 11 Raja texana individuals examined.

Remarks: The four specimens of A. floridensis from Raja texana collected in this study range from 5.6–11.5 mm long and two specimens have 60–63 segments, none of which are completely mature. Accessory sucker diameters are 46–53; pad width 137–171; petaloid bothridia 537–656 long by 392–498 wide; bothridial ratio (BL: BW) 1: 0.68 to 1: 0.7; locular length ratio (A: M: P) 1: 0.6: 0.3 to 1: 0.7: 0.5. Hook dimensions are: handles 42; axial total hook lengths 125–133, abaxial total lengths 95–103. Ratio of (THL: BL) 1: 5. There are 39–43 testes per segment with the following distribution: 4–5 postporal, 13–15 preporal and 22–23 aporal. The genital pore is 53–57% from the posterior extremity of segments. The ovary is of characteristic form and extent as in the type specimens from R. eglanteria, being slightly asymmetrical (more asymmetrical in type specimens) indicating that A. floridensis is more correctly considered a category 6 than a category 5 species. The discovery of A. floridensis from R. texana is a new host record from a new locality (the western Gulf of Mexico).