MORPHOLOGICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF PARAGONIMUS WESTERMANI DESCRIBED BY DAENGSVANG AND OTHERS IN 1964

Abstract

We examined specimens of adult Paragonimus westermani collected from Thai leopards by Daengsvang et al. in 1964. The two flukes examined had a six-lobed ovary each and singly-spaced cuticular spines. The seminal receptacle and seminal vesicle were filled with spermatozoa. Based on morphological features, these flukes were identified as the diploid type of P. westermani. The testis branched out into six lobes on the ovarian side and into five on the opposite side in both specimens. Abnormal branching in the testes, that is, separation of one lobe from the others and its direct connection to the was deferens, which was found in adult P westermani from the Philippines, was undetectable.