Erection of a new onchobothriid genus (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) and the description of five new species from whaler sharks (Carcharhinidae).

The onchobothriid Triloculatum n. gen. is erected to house species formerly considered members of Phoreiobothrium, but that bear 3, rather than 5 or more, bothridial subloculi. The species formerly known as Phoreiobothrium triloculatum is designated as its type. This species is redescribed based on 2 syntypes and on voucher material consistent with type material taken from the type host, Carcharhinus obscurus, from the type and 1 additional locality. Examination of the cestode fauna of a diversity of carcharhinid sharks resulted in the discovery of an additional 5 new tri-subloculate species belonging to the genus. These include: Triloculatum andersonorum n. sp. from Negaprion acutidens; Triloculatumr bullardi n. sp. from Carcharhinus brevipinna; Triloculatum geeceearelensis n. sp. from Carcharhinus isodon; Triloculatum jodyi n. sp. from Carcharhinus acronotus; and Triloculatum oregontwoae n. sp. from Carcharhinus plumbeus. The new species differ from one another in the number of proglottids, scolex size, number of testes, number of lateral columns of vitelline follicles, and whether they possess craspedote or acraspedote proglottids. Histology and scanning electron microscopy suggest that the new genus differs further from Phoreiobothrium in that its species possess an anterior margin of the posterior loculus that is fused to the anterior loculus, rather than free. The diagnosis of Phoreiobothrium is emended to accommodate the removal of tri-subloculate species and the new information on the condition of the locular interface, and the symmetrical ovary and vitelline follicles arranged in 2 lateral bands; each band consisting of 2 to many columns of follicles. Existing host data indicate that the new genus is restricted to only a subset of the sharks parasitized by species of Phoreiobothrium. Results from the examination of a diversity of carcharhinid species suggest that species in the new genus may have an affinity for the larger, i.e., >200 cm in total length, species of Carcharhinus and Negaprion. One of the new Triloculatum species was found to attach in the crypts lying between the larger ridges found on the mucosal surface of the posterior inner region of the scroll-type spiral intestine of C. brevipinna.