The taxonomic diversity of the parasites of fishes in the Volga basin. III. Aspidogastrea and Trematoda

A checklist of Aspidogastrea and Trematoda parasitizing fishes in the Volga basin is given. The checklist includes host species names for the each parasite and data on the occurrence of parasites in different parts of the Volga basin. The data on trematodes from 69 fish species are presented. The list containes 107 species and 1 subspecies names of trematodes, and 1 species of Aspidogastrea. The family Diplostomidae is represented by the most number of species (22). Six species of trematodes (Amurotrema dombrovskajae, Sanguinicola skrjabini, Nicolla skrjabini, Plagioporus skrjabini, Apophallus muehlingi, Rossikotrema donicum) have been introduced into Volga River along with aclimatizated fishes or penetrated into its basin by self-migration to new water bodies.     

Taxonomic diversity of parasites from agnathans and fishes in the Volga basin. II. Parasitic Coelenterata and Monogenea

A checklist of the Monogeneans and Coelenterates parasitizing fishes in the Volga River basin is given. The list of hosts with the data on their occurrence in different areas of the Volga River basin is provided for each parasite species. The data on the parasites from 46 fish species are presented. The checklist includes 139 species and 6 taxa of subspecific rank. 9 species (Dactylogyrus aristichthys, D. ctenopharyngodonis, D. hypophthalmichthys, D. lamellatus, D. nobilis, D. suchengtaii, Pseudodactylogyrus bini, P. microrchis, and Eudiplozoon nipponicum) were introduced into the Volga River basin accidentally together with the Far Eastern fish species during the process of their naturalization.     

Taxonomic diversity of parasites in agnathans and fishes from the Volga River basin. VI. Acanthocephala, Hirudinea and Bivalvia

The checklist of Acanthocephala, Hirudinea, and Bivalvia parasitizing agnathans and fishes in the Volga River basin is presented. Hosts and areas of distribution are indicated for each parasites species. The checklist includes 10 species of acanthocephalans, 7 species of leeches, and 9 species of Bivalvia (at the glochidium stage) from 45 fish species. None of the given parasite species is alien for the Volga River basin.     

Taxonomic diversity of parasites in agnathans and fishes from the Volga River basin v. Nematoda and Gordiacea

The checklist of Nematoda and Gordiacea parasitizing agnathans and fishes in the Volga River basin is presented. Hosts and areas of distribution are indicated for each parasite species. The checklist includes 39 species and 11 nonidentified larval forms of nematodes from 51 fish species. Larvae of Gordius sp. are found in 5 fish species. The nemadote species Sinoichthyonema amuri have been introduced into the Volga basin occasionally during the process on introduction of fish species from Amur River.     

Parasites taxonomic diversity of agnathans and fishes of Volga River Basin. IV. Amphilinida and Cestoda

The checklist of Amphilinida and Cestoda of fish in the Volga basin is presented with indication of host and distribution in different areas of the basin. The data on cestodes of 51 fish species are given. The checklist includes 40 species of cestodes and 1 species of amphilins. The families Caryophyllaeidae (8 species) and Proteocephalidae (10 species) are the most numerous. Cestodes Bothriocephalus acheilognathi and Khawia sinensis have been introduced into the Volga basin occasionally during the process of Amur fish species introduction.     

Parasites-invaders of the Volga river basin: history of invasion, perspective of dispersion, possibility of epizootic

The fauna of fish parasites in the Volga river increased by 15 species in last time. These parasites have invaded together with introduced hosts or dispersed after destruction of some physical and ecological barriers. The infusoria Ambiphrya ameuri, cestode Cestobothrium acheilognathi, trematodes Amurotrema dombrovskajae and Sanguinicola skrabini have been introduced together with their hosts. A creation of water reservoirs destroyed ecological barriers and created favorable conditions for the migration and dispersion of parasites. The cestodes Eubothrium rugosum, Proteocephalus longicollis, and nematode Cystidicola farionis migrated from the North, Aspidogaster limacoides migrated from the South. The leech Caspiobdella fadejevi, trematodes Rossicotrema donicus, Apophallus muehlingi, Niccola skrjabini, Plagioporus skrjabini migrated through the Volga-Don channel. Some invader have already finished their dispersion in the water reservoirs of Volga river, other parasites still continue this process. South border of the E. rugosum range is in the Kujbyshev water basin, the leech C. fadejevi is distributed in all water basins, trematodes R. donicus, A. muehlingi and P. skrjabini are found in the Volga delta, while N. skrjabini has already reached the Saratov water basin. Perspectives of new invaders and epizootic significance of invaders is discussed.     

A checklist of protozoan and metazoan parasites of the burbot (Lota lota)

The parasite fauna of the burbot (Lota lota) within its natural range is reviewed. The sent paper summarizes the data on parasites of the burbot from water bodies of Eurasia and North America, based on published monographs, reviewed journals, scientific reports, conference contributions, and PhD theses. The checklist includes all protozoan and metazoan parasites of the burbot. A total of 242 parasite species/taxa were recorded in the burbot (Ki-netoplastomonada--4, Parasitomonada--3, Coccidiomorpha--1. Microsporidea--3, Myxosporidia--35, Pleurostomata--1. Cyrtostomata--3, Peritricha--20. Protozoa incertae sedis--1. Monogenea--8, Cestoda--23, Digenea--50. Nematoda--36, Acanthocephala--28, Hirudinea--11. Bivalvia--5, Crustacea--10). Most parasites belong to digenean trematodes. Most of these species (183 species/taxa) were recorded on Eurasian and only 92--in North America fishes. Several parasite species recorded from the burbot are discussed in relation to host specificity and their geographical distribution.     

Ecologic Aspects of Protozoan Infections in Antarctic Fishes1

ABSTRACT. Plankton and fishes are abundant in Antarctic waters. Benthic invertebrates and fishes of the continental shelf are well-known, but the abyssal benthos below the highly productive open ocean is largely unsampled. The fishes are adapted (with antifreeze properties) to temperatures that are often or always below the freezing points of their body fluids. All the major groups of helminth parasites are found in or on these fishes. The few records of protozoa include Cryptobia, haemogregarines, a monoflagellate, the myxosporan Neoparvicapsula, and (in this paper) Ceratomyxa. Myxidium, Zschokkella, and a coccidian. Most of the protozoa were obtained from nototheniid fishes. No protozoa and few, if any, other parasites were recovered from 173 midwater fishes collected from outside of the continental shelf. Differences in infections in different localities and depths are due to many ecologic factors needing much more study of their relations to parasitism. These factors include temperatures, salinities, densities of fish populations, food and feeding habits, migrations of adult and immature fishes, availability of potential intermediate hosts, and marine “snow.”     

History of fish parasitic fauna formation in water reservoirs of European North

The fauna of fish parasites in water bodies of the European North was formed in the Holocene by species immigrated from adjacent regions. The Volga River basin played a very important role in the history of the formation of fauna in water bodies of the European North (North Dvina and Onega river basins, Onega and Ladoga lakes), because there were wide connections between them in the postglacial period.     

Historic speciation and recent colonization of Eurasian monkey gobies (Neogobius fluviatilis and N. pallasi) revealed by DNA sequences,microsatellites, and morphology

Aim Hidden diversity within an invasive ‘species’ can mask both invasion pathways and confound management goals. We assessed taxonomic status and population structure of the monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis across Eurasia, comparing genetic variation across its native and invasive ranges. Location Native populations were analysed within the Black and Caspian Sea basins, including major river drainages (Dnieper, Dniester, Danube, Don and Volga rivers), along with introduced locations within the upper Danube and Vistula river systems. Methods DNA sequences and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci were analysed to test genetic diversity and divergence patterns of native and introduced populations; phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA cytochrome b and nuclear RAG‐1 sequences assessed taxonomic status of Black and Caspian Sea lineages. Multivariate analysis of morphology was used to corroborate phylogenetic patterns. Population genetic structure within each basin was evaluated with mtDNA and microsatellite data using F_ST analogues and Bayesian assignment tests. Results Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear sequences discerned a pronounced genetic break between monkey gobies in the Black and Caspian Seas, indicating a long‐term species‐level separation dating to c. 3 million years. This pronounced separation further was confirmed from morphological and population genetic divergence. Bayesian inference showed congruent patterns of population structure within the Black Sea basin. Introduced populations in the Danube and Vistula River basins traced to north‐west Black Sea origins, a genetic expansion pattern matching that of other introduced Ponto‐Caspian gobiids. Main conclusions Both genetic and morphological data strongly supported two species of monkey gobies that were formerly identified as subspecies: N. fluviatilis in the Black Sea basin, Don and Volga Rivers, and the Kumo‐Manych Depression, and Neogobius pallasi in the Caspian Sea and Volga River delta. Genetic origins of introduced N. fluviatilis populations indicated a common invasion pathway shared with other introduced Ponto‐Caspian fishes and invertebrates.     

First Finding of Ornithodiplostomum scardinii (Schulman, 1952) Sudarikov et Kurotschkin, 1968 (Trematoda,Diplostomidae) in Rybinsk Reservoir

During a parasitological survey of nonnative fish species—rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus—in the Rybinsk Reservoir, the metacercariae Ornithodiplostomum scardinii were found in its brain. This is the first find of this helminth in the Upper Volga basin. The rudd was infected with the prevalence 31.3%, with an intensity of 1–12 parasites per fish. Data on the current distribution of the trematode O. scardinii in the Volga River basin are provided.     

Golden algae (Chrysophyta) in plankton of the Volga River reservoirs: Taxonomic structure,dynamics of diversity,and abundance

Long-term (1953–2004) published and original data on the taxonomic composition and ecological and geographical characteristics of planktonic crysophytes have been systematized and the degree of similarity of the crysophyte flora in nine reservoirs of the Volga River basin has been assessed. Patterns of changes in the specific species richness and biomass of golden algae along the longitudinal profile of the Volga River reservoirs are identified. The relationship between species richness and some abiotic and biolimnological parameters has been analyzed. The decline in diversity and biomass of golden algae in direction from the Upper to the Lower Volga in accordance with the geographical zoning is revealed. The long-term dynamics (1954–2011) of the species richness, abundance, and biomass of golden algae has been analyzed. A positive correlation between the diversity and biomass of golden algae and the amount of precipitation and water temperature is demonstrated.     

Parasite fauna of the snakehead Channa argus warpachowskii from Primorsky Krai

Parasite fauna of the snakehead Channa argus warpachowskii was studied in water bodies of Primorsky Krai. Thirty-one parasite species were recorded in this host from the studied area according to original and literary data. Most part of these species are host-specific parasites of snakehead originated from Chinese-Indian region or parasites having a wide host range and able to infest almost all freshwater fishes. Moreover, three brackishwater species of parasites were found in the fishes introduced into the rivers of the southern part of Primorsky Krai. The causes of this invasion are discussed.     

Comparison of the parasitic fauna of Aplocheilus panchax and A. melastigma

The metazoan parasite fauna of two species of freshwater fishes Aplocheilus panchax and A. melastigma collected from a stream at Waltair is compared; 17 parasite species were found. Aplocheilus panchax served as a host to 13 parasite species and A. melastigma to 10 parasite species. Of the 17 parasites collected, 12 were larval helminths to which the fishes act as intermediate and paratenic hosts. This has been attributed to the interaction between terrestrial birds, mammals and fishes in determining the parasite fauna in the biocoenosis. The parasite fauna of these fishes is divided into typical and less typical according to their frequencies. Among less typical there are peripheral division parasites which are abundant in other fishes in the stream. Only six parasite species occurred in both A. panchax and A. melastigma and both fish shared most of their parasite fauna with other fishes. Differences in the parasite fauna of these fishes are attributed to the morphological, behavioural or ecological features of these fishes.     

四川省山蚋亚属分类记要并二新种记述(双翅目,蚋科)

记载四川省蚋属山蚋亚属 Simulium(Montisimulium)计9种,其中含2新种,吉斯沟山蚋 Sinulium(Montisimulium)jisigouense sp.nov.和川北山蚋岛 Simulium(Montisimulium)chuanbeiense sp.nov.,文中对其不同虫期进行形态描述并与其近缘种进行分类讨论并附四川省山蚋亚属名录.     

The results of a study of the species composition of fish parasites in the river basins of northeastern European Russia. Leeches (Hirudinea), mollusks (Mollusca), crayfish (Crustacea) and arachnids (Arachnida)

The report contains the results of faunistic study of parasitic Hirudinea, Mollusca, Crustacea and Arachnida occurring on fishes in the region of the S. Dvina, Mezen' and Pechora river basins. The parasite fauna in the first basin is represented by 3 species of leeches, 4 species of molluscs, 13 species of crustaceans and 1 species of water mites, in the second basin--4, 1, 11, 0; in the third basin--2, 7, 7, 1 species respectively. Total number of parasites in the region investigated: 4 leech species, 5 molluscs species, 16 crustacean species and 1 water mite species.     

Factors influencing the natural reproduction decline in the beluga (Huso huso,Linnaeus, 1758), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii,Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833), and stellate sturgeon (A. stellatus,Pallas, 1771) of the Volga–Caspian basin: A review

The review describes the changes in natural reproduction of three important sturgeon species in the Volga–Caspian basin: (a) the beluga (Huso huso Linneaus, 1758), (b) the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt &Ratzeburg, 1833), and (c) the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771). Since the past 60 years, these species responded to severe influences of natural and anthropogenic factors. On the basis of original and published data, an analysis has been made of (a) the numbers of larvae migrating from spawning sites (according to plankton net survey), (b) fecundity and histological anomalies in gonad development, (c) the numbers of adult sturgeons in the Caspian Sea and of spawners migrating to the Volga River (according to trawl and beach seine survey), and (d) foraging resources for the sturgeons. The results show that their natural reproduction in the Volga–Caspian basin has declined drastically during the past decades under the impact of (a) fluctuations of the Caspian Sea level and flow discharge from the Volga River, (b) blockage of sturgeon migration routes and loss of spawning sites because of dam construction, (c) water pollution in the lower reaches of the Volga River and in the Caspian Sea, and (d) intensive and selective illegal and unreported fishing. The relative significance of these factors has been changing during the study period.