Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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The Jeju Weasel, Mustela sibilica quelpartis, A New Definitive Host for Gnathostoma nipponicum Yamaguti, 1941

  • Woo, Ho-Choon (Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Jeju National University College of Veterinary Medicine) ;
  • Oh, Hong-Shik (Department of Science Education, Jeju National University College of Education) ;
  • Cho, Shin-Hyeong (Division of Malaria and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) ;
  • Na, Byoung-Kuk (Department of Parasitology and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Sohn, Woon-Mok (Department of Parasitology and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2011.04.14
  • Accepted : 2011.05.16
  • Published : 2011.09.30
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Abstract

Adult gnathostomes were discovered in the stomach of the Jeju weasel, Mustela sibilica quelpartis, road-killed in Jeju-do (Province). Their morphological characters were examined to identify the species. Total 50 gnathostome adults were collected from 6 out of 10 weasels examined. In infected weasels, 4-6 worms were grouped and embedded in each granulomatous gastric tumor, except 1 weasel. Male worms were $25.0{\times}1.4$ mm in average size, and had a tail with pedunculate papillae, a spicule, and minute tegumental spines. Females were $40.0{\times}2.5$mm in average size, and had a tail without tegumental spines. Pointed and posteriorly curved hooklets were arranged in 8-10 rows on the head bulb. Tegumental spines were distributed from behind the head bulb to the middle portion of the body. The spines were different in size and shape by the distribution level of the body surface. Fertilized eggs were $65.5{\times}38.9\;{\mu}m$ in average size, and had a mucoid plug at 1 pole. These gnathostomes from Jeju weasels were identified as Gnathostoma nipponicum Yamaguti, 1941. By the present study, it was confirmed for the first time that G. nipponicum is distributed in Jeju-do, the Republic of Korea, and the Jeju weasel, M. sibilica quelpartis, plays a crucial role for its definitive host.

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References

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  1. Discovery of Larval Gnathostoma nipponicum in Frogs and Snakes from Jeju-do (Province), Republic of Korea vol.49, pp.4, 2011, https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2011.49.4.445
  2. Mustela sibirica (Carnivora: Mustelidae) vol.50, pp.966, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1093/mspecies/sey013