Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Museums

Regional Maps

Family MIXODIGMATIDAE Dailey & Vogelbein, 1982

Introduction

The family Mixodigmatidae was erected by Dailey & Vogelbein (1982) to contain an unusual cestode from a newly discovered planktonivorous shark, Megachasma pelagios. Subsequently, during a redescription of the genus Halysiorhynchus by Beveridge & Campbell (1992), it became evident that the two are closely related and Halysiorhynchus was included in the Mixodigmatidae by Campbell & Beveridge (1994). The family is characterised by the presence of four bothria, a typical heteroacanthous armature in the metabasal region of the tentacle with nine hooks in each principal row and the presence of a prebulbar organ (Campbell & Beveridge 1994). Susequently, Beveridge & Campbell (1998) have added a third genus, Trygonicola, to the family.

Currently, the family is represented in Australian waters by a single genus, Halysiorhynchus, although the other known genera are likely to be present also.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Feb-2010 (import)