Additional morphological information on Oculotrema hippopotami Stunkard, 1924 (Monogenea : Polystomatidae) parasitic on the African hippopotamus

摘要: Oculotrema hippopotami Stunkard, 1924, is the only monogenean known from a homoiotherm host, namely African hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius Linnaeus, 1758). The original description was based on five shrunken, unflattened specimens. Initially O. not widely accepted as valid species and existence of this parasite confirmed four decades later. New specimens were collected during culling operation in KwaZulu Natal Province South Africa. Examination these most Stunkard’s revealed presence bucco oesophageal canal, uterine evagination, an operculated egg, retention marginal hooklets mature ability to double its length feed over large area around position attachment. This study also reveals striking similarities with Concinnocotyla, polystome Australian lungfish, chelonian polystomes.  Morphological parameters are redefined. A maximum 24 parasites found single eye 37 individual host specimen. Prevalence be 75% for parasites, 85% immature 90% total sample. Key words : Platyhelminthes, Monogenea, Polystomatidae, morphology,  hippopotamus.