Dunnifilaria meningica sp. n. (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) from the central nervous system of the wood-rat (Neotoma micropus) in Mexico.

Dunnifilaria meningica sp. n. (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) is described from the wood-rat, Neotoma micropus, trapped in Nuevo Leon State, Mexico. The adult worms are characteristically found in the subarachnoid spaces along the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. The short, sheathed microfilariae are found in the peripheral blood. They do not show a periodicity. The adults are of small size (female worms are approximately 50 mm long, males about 25 mm). Female worms are didelphic. Male worms have subequal, dissimilar spicules and peri- and postanal papillae. This is the third species of the genus Dunnifilaria. It differs from the other species in its habitat in the host, the size of the body, the female tail length, the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae.