Renylaima capensis n. gen., n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) from the urinary system of the shrew Myosorex varius Smuts, 1832 (Insectivora: Soricidae).

A trematode species belonging to the family Brachylaimidae was found in the kidneys and ureters of the forest shrew Myosorex varius (Insectivora: Soricidae: Crocidosoricinae) in a restricted, very damp area of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range, near Cape Town, South Africa. The adult stage is described anatomically and histologically. The relative frequency of monotesticular forms is highlighted. A comparison is made with other brachylaimid species known to infect shrews and other peculiar brachylaimids from poikilothermic invertebrates and vertebrates with which the South African species shares several aspects. Peculiar characteristics such as absence of a cirrus pouch and cirrus and presence of a genital atrium that can be evaginated to produce a prominent ventral extention of the body, as well as the fact that the urinary system of a mammal host is an extraordinary microhabitat for a trematode, indicate that this digenean represents a new genus and species for which the name Renylaima capensis n. gen., n. sp. is proposed.