Two Species of Acanthocephala (Rhadinorhynchidae and Transvenidae) from Elasmobranchs from Australia

Abstract

Acanthocephalan parasites, Serrasentis sagittifer, from a shark, Carcharhinus sorrah, and a species of Pararhadinorhynchus from a ray, Himantura granulata, are reported from Queensland, Australia. The collection of acanthocephalans from cartilaginous fish (elasmobranchs) as either occasional or definitive hosts is unusual, but not unknown. In this instance, the finding of S. sagittifer is considered an occasional infection. The life cycle of Pararhadinorhynchus sp., 1 of 4 species known only from elasmobranch hosts, is equivocal, as putative bony fish hosts are unknown. Of the other 3 species, only Megapriapus ungriai has an elasmobranch acknowledged as the definitive host.