Rhinebothrium xiamenensis n. sp. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea) in Dasyatis zugei from the coast of Xiamen, China.

A new species of Rhinebothrium inhabiting Dasyatis zugei is reported from the southeast coast of China. This is the first report of Rhinebothrium from D. zugei. It represents a new host and a new location. The new species resembles Rhinebothrium corymbum by having a V-shaped ovary. It differs in the fewer loculi and testes numbers, longer bothrium pedicel and cephalic peduncle, larger cirrus pouch and vitelline follicles, and an aspinose peduncle. Rhinebothrium xiamenensis differs from Rhinebothrium ezuti, Rhinebothrium walga, and Rhinebothrium hawaiiensis by having discrete vitelline follicles, fewer loculi, and ovarian shape.