2024 Volume 73 Issue 2 Pages 231-236
Gravid segments of an unknown tapeworm were obtained from the feces of four Ryukyu Scops Owls Otus elegans on Hateruma Island, Japan, from June to September 2022. Morphological observations and molecular genetic characterization, based on the nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA region, were performed in order to identify the worm species. Morphological observations indicated that they were likely to be Cyclophyllidea of the Cestoda because of their genital pores. Furthermore, the 28S rDNA sequences generated from four samples were identical and showed high homology with the genus Monocercus of the family Dilepididae. These results indicate that the tapeworm taxa belonged to the Dilepididae, and most likely of the genus Monocercus. This is the first report of any cestode from Ryukyu Scops Owl, although identification to species was not possible.
