Ascarophis extalicola Appy 1981

Ascarophis extalicola Appy, 1981

Description (after Appy 1981). With characteristics of the genus.

Males: 5.3 (4.0–6.3) long, 0.039 (0.033–0.051) wide at vas deferens. Muscular oesophagus 0.184 (0.159– 0.224) and glandular oesophagus 1.018 (0.732–1.269) long. Deirids, nerve ring and excretory pore 0.113 (0.097– 0.127), 0.134 (0.116–0.148) and 0.212 (0.183–0.244), respectively, from anterior end (Fig. 53 A). Tail 0.098 (0.078–0.117) long. Right spicule 0.070 (0.061–0.083) long, spicule arcuate, notched distally. Left spicule 0.313 (0.276–0.359) long, divided into proximal shaft and blade. Ratio of left to right 1:4.5 (1:3.6 to 1:5.6). Area rugosa with about nine longitudinal rows of cuticular elevations. 10 pairs caudal papillae: four pairs pre-cloacal, six pairs post-cloacal; 5th post-cloacal pair relatively small, ventral to 6th pair. Caudal alae narrow. Phasmids behind last pair of post-cloacal papillae (Fig. 53 B).

Females: 7.2 (5.9–8.7) long, 0.050 (0.037–0.072) wide at vulva. Muscular oesophagus 0.187(0.163–0.202) and glandular oesophagus 1.196 (1.015–1.363) long. Deirids, nerve ring, excretory pore and vulva 0.115 (0.101– 0.128), 0.133 (0.116–0.148), 0.215(0.180–0.237) and 5.2 (4.2–6.2), respectively, from anterior end. Tail 0.052 (0.037–0.066) long (Fig. 53 C). Eggs 0.044 (0.041–0.046) x 0.027 (0.026–0.031) with two to 11 filaments at one pole (Fig. 53 D).

[For comments on A. extalicola see pages 90–91.]

Sites: intestine, rectum

Hosts: Gadus morhua (1, 3); Melanogrammus aeglefinus (2); Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus (1) Distribution: Atlantic

Records: 1. Appy 1981; 2. Scott 1981; 3. Appy & Burt 1982