New records of acanthocephalans infecting fish off Heard Island (Kerguelen sub-region, sub-Antarctic)

Between August and October 1993, elasmobranchs and teleosts were collected from the open sea bottom waters of Heard Island in the Kerguelen sub-region of the sub-Antarctic, and these examined for acanthocephalans. A total of 38 fish, 4 specimens of 2 elasmobranch species (Rajidae) and 34 specimens of 5 teleost species (Nototheniidae, Channichthyidae and Congiopodidae) were collected. Although elasmobranchs were not infected, 8 specimens of 4 teleost species were infected. Three acanthocephalan species were recovered: Heterosentis heteracanthus (Linstow) (adults), Corynosoma arctocephali Zdzitowiecki (cystacanths) and Corynosoma bullosum (Linstow) (cystacanths). The first two were new geographic recordings for the Kerguelen sub-region. New host records were C. arctocephali and C. bullosum in Channichthys rhinoceratus Richardson and Zanclorhynchus spinifer (Gunther). It is suggested that additional species of acanthocephalans will be found in this area.