ANOMALIES OF ONCOTAXY IN TWO SPECIES OF ECHINOCOCCUS FROM NORTH AMERICA

Abstract

Anomalies of oncotaxy of adult and larval scoleces of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. aff. granulosus from North America are described. It is pointed out that some of these anomalies affect characters usually believed to be characteristic of species. Abnormal oncospheres of E. multilocularis with 2, 7, and 12 hooks are described and the probable origin of the giant oncospheres is discussed.