Third-stage larvae of Daniconema anguillae (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea) in the subcutaneous tissue of eel Anguilla anguilla.

Daniconema anguillae Moravec et Køie, 1987 larvae measuring 1.64-1.76 mm were occasionally found in considerable numbers in the fins and subcutaneous connective tissue of approximately 50% of eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) sampled from Lake Balaton, Hungary. The larvae were noted for their slender body, very long tail with a rounded tip, a densely transversely striated cuticle, and the presence of boring tooth and large kidney-shaped amphids on the cephalic end. The larvae could easily be recovered from the above mentioned organs by placing them into isotonic saline solution. No disease signs or pathological changes attributable to the larval infection could be observed. The only histological indication of host reaction was the appearance of macrophages adhering to the body surface of larvae and of cells with spherical nucleus in areas around the larvae. A possible life cycle pattern of D. anguillae is discussed.