
AUSTRALIAN ACANTHOCEPHALA, No. 6 
By T, HARVEY JOHNSTON anp §, J. EDMONDS, University or ADELAIDE, 
Fig. 1-30. 
TE earlier papers in this series have been published in the Transactions of the 
Royal Society of South Australia (1929-1947). For assistance in regard to 
material we are indebted to the late Dr. T. L. Bancroft, of Eidsvold, Queensland ; 
and to Professor J. B, Cleland, of the University of Adelaide. 
The three species dealt with have been taken from birds. One, from Alectura 
lathami, is deseribed as new; one, from Charadrius cucullatus, is attributed to a 
Japanese species; and the third, from a gull, Larus novaehollan (liae, is assigned 
to a species previously known from South America. 
Type material has been deposited in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. 
FYLIcoLLis SPHAEROCEPHALUS (Bremser 1819) Travassos 1926, 
Fig, 1-10. 
Specimens of this echinorhynch were obtained from the intestine of the 
sea-gull, Larus novichollandie at Henley Beach, South Australia, The collection 
consists of a few mature and a large number of nearly mature worms, Al] the 
measurements given below, except where otherwise stated, were made on specimens 
preserved in formalin and cleared in methyl salicylate. 
The worms are long and cylindrical with a constriction towards the anterior 
end. The length of the males ranges from 10-21 mm, (average 17 mm.), and that 
of the females from 9-22 mm. (average 18°5 min.). The maximum width of the 
male is from 1:1 to 2-2 mm. (average 1-7 mm.), and that of the female 0:9 to 
2-3 mm. (average 1:9 mm.). The proboscis is spherical to oblate in shape and 
when collected was firmly embedded in the intestinal wall of the host. Its diameter 
in the widest part ranges from 0-7 to 1-9 mm. The proboscis is armed with 
19-21 longitudinal rows, each of 7-8 hooks, all of which are firmly attached 
by rooting processes. The arrangement and size of the hooks are shown in fig. 1-4. 
The proboseis is attached to the body by a tong slender, retractile stalk or neck 
which measures up to 30 mm, long. The receptaculum is double-walled, is from 
3-2 to 6-7 mm. long, and in the case of the male is connected with the testes. In 
most specimens minute spines ave found on the anterior portion of the body. The 
iwo lemnisci measure from 2:0 to 4°8 mm. in length. 
