247] 



PROTEOCEPHALIDAE—LA RUE 



247 



pouch 0.23-0.5 mm. long by 0.10-0.15 mm. broad. Length of same 4-5-6 

 times into the proglottid breadth. Several coils of ductus ejaculatorius 

 in cirrus-sheath. Lumen of vagina large near opening. Sphincter 

 vaginae heavy. Receptaculum seminis present. Ovary posterior, bi- 

 lobed, lobes thick, short, irregular. Organs of interovarial spaee as in 

 Ophiotaenia. Vitellaria small, loosely follicular, lateral. Fully devel- 

 oped uterus provided with 20-30 lateral pouches. Eggs possessing two 

 (?) or three membranes. Outer membrane measuring 0.085-0.100 mm., 

 second, 0.028-0.030 mm., embryo 0.016-0.018 mm. in diameter. 



Habitat : 

 snakes. 



In intestine of Boidae, a family of South American 



Host 



( ?) Ophiomorphus miliaris 

 Eunectes murinus (scytale) 



(?)Bothrops jararacca 



(l)Ophis merremii 

 Boa constrictor 

 Eunectes murinus Wagl. 



Eunectes murinus 



Locality 



South America 

 South America 

 South America 

 Brazil 

 South America 



Collector 



Natterer 

 Edward Gerrard 



A. J. Smith 



Authority 



Diesing, 1850:511 

 Diesing, 1850:511 

 Diesing, 1850:511 

 Diesing, 1850:511 

 Baird, 1860:446-448 

 Shipley, 1905:101 



(La Rue) 

 Smith, 1008:39-41 



(La Rue) 



In the discussion of the hosts of Ophiotaenia racemosa it was stated 

 that Ophiomorphus miliaris and Ophis merremii were to be considered 

 as probable hosts of that species. It is doubtful if they serve as the 

 hosts of Crepidobothrium gerrardii. Bothrops jararacca is one of the 

 Crotalinae and would not be likely to harbor C. gerrardii, but in all 

 probability it would be the host of a species resembling 0. marenzelleri, 

 0. grandis, O. trimeresuri, and 0. calmettei. These form a group quite 

 distinct from the other Ophiotaenia. It is very likely that Diesing 

 being unable to make a careful examination of the cestodes of these 

 snakes grouped them all under the name Taenia racemosa. It is desira- 

 ble to re-examine the specimens to which Diesing 's description and 

 notes refer, if they still exist. The hosts of C. gerrardii of which there 

 is no doubt are Eunectes murinus Wagl. and Boa constrictor L. 



This species was first reported by Diesing (1850:511) who called it 

 Taenia racemosa Rud. His diagnosis agrees excellently with that of 

 Crepidobothrium gerrardii. He includes as a host one of those species, 



