Abstract
Species of genus
Polymorphus
Lühe, 1911 (Polymorphidae) are acanthocephalans found in fish-eating birds and waterfowl. Although found in many parts of the world, including Australia, no records exist from New Zealand. Because of the largely aquatic intermediate host,
Polymorphus
species are rarely found in terrestrial birds of prey. During a study of the helminths of the Australasian harrier
Circus approximans
Peale specimens of
Polymorphus
were recovered that were found to be new to science.
Polymorphus circi
n. sp.
is formally described and genetic sequence data presented. Specimens were distinguished from all other species by a combination of characters, including their proboscis hook arrangement (20–22 rows of 11–13 hooks), as well as absence of sexual dimorphism, trunk size, proboscis shape and egg size. These acanthocephalans were found in birds from areas with the potential to support freshwater, brackish or marine amphipods, but as yet the actual intermediate hosts are unknown.