AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

Biology of Placoconus lotoris (Schwartz, 1925).

by E. Balasingham




Institution: McGill University
Department: Department of Biology.
Degree: PhD
Year: 1963
Keywords: Parasitology.
Record ID: 1524748
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile115042.pdf


Abstract

Placoconus lotoris (Schwartz, 1925) Webster, 1956 is an intestinal nematode parasite of North American raccoons and skunks. It is a hookworm belonging to the family Ancylostomatidae Looss, 1905, sub-family Bunostomatinae Looss, 1911. The parasite was originally described by Schwartz (1925) who named it Uncinaria lotoris. Chandler (1942) transferred it to the genus Arthrocephalus Ortlepp, 1925. Webster (1956) placed the worm in a new genus, Placoconus. Although Placoconus lotoris has been known for a comparatively long time, very little work has been done on its biology. The parasite when present in large numbers appears to affect adversely the health of the raccoon which is one of the fur-bearing animals of North America.