A new Diphyllobothrium - parasite of the South-African fur-seal

Eight South-African fur-seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) were investigated, in intestine of which the following species of helminthes were found: Diphyllobothrium atlanticum n. sp., Tetrabothriidae g. sp. (immature), Phyllobothrium sp. (larvae) and Corynosoma australe Johnston, 1937. As a result of comparison of a new species with those known for the genus Diphyllobothrium it was stated that it differs sharply. The new species is close to Diphyllobothrium arctocephalinum Johnston, 1937, but differs in scolex form, thin cuticle, absence of calcareous corpuscles and genital cloaca, very big testicles, different size of seminal vesicle, bursa, vitellin follicles etc. All the helminthes found were registered for the first time not only in Arctocephalus pusillus but for the waters of South Atlantic too