Eutetrarhynchus pacificus n. sp. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from Raja inornata Jordan & Gilbert (Batoidea: Rajiformes) off the coast of California with comments on congeners

Eutetrarhynchus pacificusn. sp. is described from the spiral valve of Raja inornata Jordan & Gilbert off the coast of California, USA. The new species is distinguished from E. ruficollis (Eysenhardt, 1829) and E. leucomelanus (Shipley & Hornell, 1906) in having acraspedote rather than craspedote segments and a saccate rather than a branched uterus. It is distinguished from E. platycephali Palm, 2004 in lacking an enlarged hook in the eighth row of the basal armature and from E. beveridgei Schaeffner, 2013, which has a basal swelling and a distinctive basal armature. A partial redescription of E. ruficollis, the type-species of the genus, is provided based on available museum specimens, highlighting the need for a comprehensive redescription of this species to better define the characteristics of the genus. The presence of an undescribed species in museum collections is also noted. Based on the 28S ribosomal gene, the new species clustered with Dollfusiella in a molecular phylogenetic tree. The delimitation of Eutetrarhynchus and its relationship with Dollfusiella is discussed.

Automated summary

This study describes a new species of Eutetrarhynchus, Eutetrarhynchus pacificusn. sp., found in the spiral valve of Raja inornata off the coast of California. The new species is distinguished from other species in the same genus based on its unique characteristics, and a partial redescription of the type species of the genus is provided. Additionally, an undescribed species in museum collections is noted.