RBMO 47(1): 161-165 | 2012
Research Note

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New host and geographical record for Mooleptus rabuka (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) in the largenose catshark Apristurus nasutus (Carchariniformes: Scyliorhinidae) off Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile

Sara M. Rodríguez¹, Guillermo D’Elía² & Mario George-Nascimento³

¹Programa de Doctorado en Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, campus Isla Teja s/n, Valdivia, Chile

²Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, campus Isla Teja s/n, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile
³Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Casilla 297, Concepción, Chile

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The adult stage of the gnathostomatid nematode Mooleptus rabuka, is recorded for the first time from the stomach and intestine of the largenose catshark Apristurus nasutus, off Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile. Morphology and morphometry showed small mild differences (i.e., body size, oesophagus length and caudal alae) when compared with specimens previously recorded at Japan. Possibly the host species and locality may have some effects on the nematode morphology.

Key words: Elasmobranch host, Metaleptus, new record, Southeastern Pacific Ocean

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