New Pudicinae (Nematoda, Heligmonellidae) parasite of Trichomys fosteri (Rodentia: Echimyidae) from Pantanal, Brazil

Pudica trichomysae n. sp. (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea, Helligmonellidae, Pudicinae) from the small intestine of Trichomys fosteri (Rodentia: Echimydae) from the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul is described by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pudica trichomysae n. sp. is characterized by caudal bursa type 2-2-1, pro-portion of spicules length in relation to body length (SpL/BL) of 17 to 18% left and right, respectively. Dorsal ray divided at about the distal third into two branches, each branch divided into two long sub-branches, rays 9 and 10. Furthermore, this study shows for the first time details of the anterior region demonstrating papillae orga-nization, amphids, derides, and opening of the excretory pore. The posterior end of the caudal bursa showed detail of the genital cone, papillae, and ray 1, and in the female, it showed interrupted ridges between the vulva and anus. In conclusion, the present species is the seventeenth described in the genus in South America and the first in Pantanal.