Twenty-seven species of the genus Onchocerca (Nematoda; Filarioidea) can cause a vector-borne parasitic disease called onchocercosis. Most Onchocerca species infect wild and domestic ungulates or the dog, and one species causes river blindness in humans mainly in tropical Africa. The European red deer (Cervus e. elaphus) is host to four species, which are transmitted by blackflies (simuliids) or biting midges (ceratopogonids). Two species, Onchocerca flexuosa and Onchocerca jakutensis, produce subcutaneous nodules, whereas Onchocerca skrjabini and Onchocerca garmsi live free in the hypodermal serous membranes. During the hunting season, September 2013, red deer (n = 25), roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus, n = 6) and chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra, n = 7), all shot in the Grisons Region (Switzerland) were investigated for the presence of subcutaneous nodules which were enzymatically digested, and the contained Onchocerca worms were identified to species by light and scanning electron microscopy as well as by PCR/sequencing. In addition, microfilariae from skin samples were collected and genetically characterized. Neither nodules nor microfilariae were discovered in the roe deer and chamois. Adult worms were found in 24% of red deer, and all of them were identified as O. jakutensis. Two morphologically different microfilariae were obtained from five red deer, and genetic analysis of a skin sample of one red deer indicated the presence of another Onchocerca species. This is the first report of O. jakutensis in Switzerland with a prevalence in red deer similar to that in neighbouring Germany.

Oswaldofilaria samfordensis n.sp. is described from Physignathus lesueurii and a redescription of O. chlamydosauri (Breinl, 1913) from Chlamydosaurus kingii and Amphibolurus barbatus is given. 0. pflugfelderi (Frank, 1964) is confirmed as a valid species. A key is added to separate the four Australian species in the genus. Gonocephalus boydii was recorded as a new host for O. innisfailensis (Mackerras, 1962). A survey involving fifty specimens of P. lesueurii from South Queensland revealed that multiple infections with different filarioids are common and can include up to three different species in one individual animal. Pseudothamugadia physignathi (Johnston, 1912) (Splendidofilariinae) was the filarioid most frequently found, followed by O. samfordensis and O. pflugfelderi. Oswaldofilaria spp. (Filarioidea, Nematoda) de Lézards d'Australie avec une description d'une nouvelle espèce et une redescription d'O. chlamydosauri (Breinl) RÉSUMÉ. Oswaldofilaria samfordensis n.sp., parasite de Physignathus lesueurii, est décrite, et une redescription d'O. chlamydosauri (Breinl, 1913), parasite du Chlamydosaurus kingii, et d'A mphibolurus barbatus, est donnée. O. pflugfelderi (Frank, 1964), est confirmée comme espèce valide. Un tableau dichotomique est fourni pour séparer les quatre espèces australiennes du genre. Gonocephalus boydii est signalé comme nouvel hôte de O. innisfailensis (Mackerras, 1962). L'étude de 50 P. lesueurii du Queensland du sud a révélé que des infections multiples à diverses filaires sont fréquentes. Trois espèces différentes peuvent être trouvées dans un seul animal. Ces filaires, de plus, se répartissent de la façon suivante, par ordre de fréquence décroissante : Pseudothamu gadia physignathi (Johnston, 1912) (Splendidofilariinae), suivi d'O. samfordensis et O. pflugfelderi.

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SUMMARY.A new species of filarial worm, Oswaldo filaria kanbaya is described from Crocodilus porosus from Australia. This is the fourth species of the genus inhabiting a crocodilian host. Morphologically these four species are found to be very similar in some primitive features, although they are dispersed over the three southern continents.Oswaldofilaria kanbaya n. sp., filaire nouvelle (Nematoda ; Filarioidea) de Crocodilus porosus en Australie.RÉSUMÉ. Description d'une nouvelle Filaire, Oswaldo filaria kanbaya n. sp., chez Crocodilus porosus en Australie. Quatre espèces du genre sont maintenant connues chez les Crocodiles. Bien qu'elles soient réparties dans les 3 continents austraux, elles sont morphologiquement proches par un ensemble de caractères primitifs.