Onchocerca ramachandrini n. sp. from the warthog in Cameroon

Abstract

O. ramachandrini n. sp., a parasite of the subcutaneous tissues of the feet of Phacochoerus aethiopicus in Cameroon, is described. The female has 3 to 5 giant coelomocytes which form swellings in the anterior part of the body. Together with O. dewittei Bain, Ramachandran, Petter et Mak, 1977, this species constitues a small group of parasites of the Suidae, which are morphologically well characterized, and of which the African species seems to be the most primitive one (conservation of a female cuticle without transverse ridges).