Genus Gyalocephalus Looss, 1900

General. Medium-sized Cyathostominae. MC high, divided into inner and outer rings. Posterior edge of MC posterior to edge of BC. Amphids not markedly projected through MC surface. Submedian papillae extend through MC. Tip of submedian papillae cone-shaped 1-2 times as long as thick. Stalk of submedian papillae longer than broad. Number of elements of ELC markedly more numerous and shorter than elements of ILC. Elements of ELC longer than broad, tips pointed; insertion point on tips of ILC. Elements of ILC longer than broad, tips pointed; insertion on medial shelf of BC more than 1/2 of BC depth. Line formed by insertion of elements of ILC straight. Form of posterior edge of elements of ILC straight, unadorned. Support for ELC continuous with BC, short, triangular in optical section. Septum intracoronare origin on BC. Medial insertion of septum intracoronare situated anterior to junction of ELC and ILC. Walls of BC broadest anteriorly, much narrower posteriorly with a medial shelf-like projection that supports the ILC. Buccal cavity wider than deep, wider posteriorly. Dorsal gutter inconspicuous. Buccal teeth absent. Esophageal funnel greatly enlarged; cuticular lining modified to form, in each of 3 esophageal sectors, bifid sickle-shaped projections. Esophageal teeth at base of esophageal funnel. Anterior muscular portion of esophagus about 1/4 to 1/3 of esophagus length. Excretory pore posterior to NR. Anterior deirids at level of NR.

Male: Dorsal ray with 6 branches. Ventral rays longer than laterals. Dorsal lobe longer than laterals. Externodorsal rays origin at junction of dorsal and laterals. Gubernaculum large, without dorsal handle, but with ventral notch. Genital cone elongate, extends beyond bursal edge. Spicule tips hook- or harpoon-shaped.

Female: Vulva more than 1 tail length from anus. Vagina longer than sphincter of ovejector. Ovejector vestibule oval or Y-shaped, infundibulum longer than sphincter. Tail conical, short, less than 2x diameter at anus

Type species: G. capitatus Looss, 1900

Discussion

Hartwich (1986) retained Gyalocephalus, following Popova (In Skrjabin et al, 1952), in the tribe Gyalocephalea because the only species of this genus (G.capitatus, Looss, 1900) is distinct from the other Cyathostominae of horses more than only on the level of a genus, looking at head characters and enlarged esophageal funnel with its typical intestinal organization.