Family ECHINOBOTHRIIDAE Perrier, 1897
Introduction
The family Echinobothriidae comprises a single genus, Echinobothrium, parasitic in the spiral valves of elasmobranch fishes. Currently represented by little more than 20 species worldwide, this cosmopolitan genus is represented in Australia by two endemic species.
Both species parasitise the spiral intestine of elasmobranchs from tropical Queensland. There are two primary clades within the Echinobothriidae. One, that of Echinobothrium species, is the larger group and contains a single genus Echinobothrium, which is cosmopolitan. Species of this genus are characterised by an exquisite scolex, the morphology of which is described in detail by Rees (1961). Useful information on the nature of the scolex musculature is provided in Jones & Beveridge (2001: 41).
General References
Jones, M.K. & Beveridge, I. 2001. Echinobothrium chisholmae n. sp. (Cestoda, Diphyllidea) from the giant shovel-nose ray, Rhinobatos typus from Australia, with observations on the ultrastructure of its scolex musculature and peduncular spines. Systematic Parasitology 50: 41-52
Rees, G. 1961. Studies on the functional morphology of the scolex and of the genitalia in Echinobothrium brachysoma Pintner and E. affine Diesing from Raja clavata L. Parasitology 51: 193-226