First Report of Mesocestoides sp. Tetrathyridia (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from the American Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana (Anura: Ranidae)

Abstract

single adult American bullfrog, Rana (=Lithobates) catesbeiana collected from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, was found to harbor tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp. Specimens representing the non-proliferating type of Mesocestoides occurred in the mesenteries as well as encapsulated in the liver, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract. This discovery is rare and, most interesting, because many surveys of large numbers of R. catesbeiana have failed to report this cestode in American Bullfrogs from throughout its range in North America. Although seven other species of ranid frogs from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin have been reported to harbor Mesocestoides sp., we report it for the first time from the largest species of North American frog.