Dr. Murai Éva szerk.: Parasitologia Hungarica 26. (Budapest, 1993)
two forms. Ortlepp (1938) distinguished X gonyamai from T. hydatigena by the number and shape of the hooks, the number of the testes, the number of branches of the uterus and the well-developed sphincter. Intermediate hosts probably are the impala (Aepyceros melanopus (Lichtenstein, 1812), the blue wildebeest (Connochaetus taurinus (Burchell, 1823), the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer (Sparrmann, 1779) and the kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros (Pallas, 1766). T ingwei Ortlepp, 1938 and Taenia hlosei Ortlepp, 1938 This species may be confounded mostly with T hydatigena on the basis of the size of the hooks (0.197 to 0.202 and 0.148 to 0.151), the number of the testes (600 to 670) and the number of branches of the uterus (6 to 10). At the same time, shape of the hooks (thin and non-bifid guard) and presence of the vaginal sphincter show a significant differences. Definitive host is the leopard (Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758)), distribution is restricted to Africa; and intermediate host is unknown. In many cases, Taenia hydatigena like taeniids have been reported from the panther, especially in Russia. At the same time, the valid T hydatigena has no big cats as definitive host. It is supposed that one or another of the above-mentioned taeniid species become widespread outside Africa and their larval stage can infect other wild ruminants, too. DISCUSSION The species-specific characters of taeniids are the following: morphological condition of the mature proglottis, size and rate of the proglottis, quantitative characters of different organs (number of the testes, number of the uterus branches, measurements of the cirrus pouch and other organs), and the quality of the eggs. However, at least as important and fixed diagnostic characters can be found on the scolex, more specifically on the hook crown. Shape and size of the hooks of the infective larva are also species specific. The ubiquitous parasitic helminth of dogs and foxes, Taenia hydatigena has been found by Abuladze (1964), Baer (1926), Boev et al (1962), Dokhnova and Bessonov (1987), Edwards and Herbert (1981), Freeman et al (1961), Gvozdev and Zdarska (1986), Loos-Frank and Zeyhle (1981, 1982), Movsessian (1989), Murai and Sugár (1979), Rausch and Williamson (1959), Holmes and Podesta (1968), Sweatmann and Plummer (1957), Slais (1973), Verster (1969), Williams (1976) and others in the Palaearctic region, Americas and Africa. Definitive hosts of T. hydatigena are Canidae, first of all the wolf (Canis lupus), the dog (Canis familiáris), the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), the golden jackal (C. aureus), and the coyote (C. latrans). It has been recovered from the raccoon-dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes, Vv. alticola, V.v. daurica), and the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus). Abuladze (1964) reported surprising data on X hydatigena considering the number and size of the hooks from the pine marten (Martes martes), the stoat (Mustela erminea), the weasel (M. nivalis), the polecat (M. putorius), the lion (Panthera leo), the leopard (Panthera pardus) and other mustelid or felid species, collected in different
