Isospora lutrae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new coccidium from the European otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from Spain

Parasitological examination of European otter originating from Extremadura, Spain revealed the presence of a new isosporan species. Oöcysts of Isospora lutrae n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 31.2 (27.5–32) × 29.6 (28–31) m and have a smooth wall c. 1 m thick. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 18.2 (17–19) × 14.4 (14–16) m and lack Stieda and substieda bodies. A spherical sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of granules scattered among the sporozoites. Sporozoites are spindle-shaped, 12.4 × 2.5 m and have anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Based on its unique morphologic structure and host, I. lutrae is considered to be new.     

The endogenous development of three new intranuclear species of Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from agamid lizards

Three new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 are described from agamid lizards, Isospora cannoni n. sp. in Diporiphora australis from northern Queensland, Australia, I. choochotei n. sp. in Calotes mystaceus from northern Thailand, and I. deserti n. sp. in Agama pallida from Israel. I. cannoni oöcysts are subspherical, 20–25 × 22.5–27.5 m with two ovoid sporocysts, 14–15.5 × 10–11.5 m. I. choochotei oöcysts are spherical to subspherical, 24–32 × 28–32.5 m with two ovoid sporocysts, 11 × 15.5–18 m. I. deserti oöcysts are spherical, 25–28 m in diameter with two ovoid sporocysts, 10–11 × 14–17.5 m. All species had sporocysts with Stieda bodies and underwent endogenous development in the nucleus of the host gut epithelial cells. At completion of merogony and gamogony, the host nucleus was reduced to a thin envelope. The significance of endogenous stage characteristics in Isospora taxonomy is discussed.     

The endogenous development of four new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Australian geckos

Four new species of Isospora are described from Australian geckoes. Isospora gehyrae n. sp. from Gehyra cf. variegata in South Australia have 18.5-22.5×17.5–20.0 m oöcysts with 10.0-12.5×7.5-9.0 m sporocysts; endogenous stages develop in the host cell cytoplasm. Of the two species found in Heteronotia binoei from northern Queensland, Isospora cytoheteronotis n. sp., with oöcysts of 20.0-26.0×17.5-25.0 m and sporocysts of 10.0-13.5×7.5-11.5 m, undergoes endogenous development in its host cell cytoplasm, whereas I. nucleoheteronotis n. sp., with oöcysts of 17.5-22.5×17.5-21.5 m and sporocysts of 9.0-12.5×6.5-10.0 m, develops in the host cell nucleus. I. oedurae n. sp. from Oedura rhombifer in northern Queensland has oöcysts of 22.5-25.0×22.5-24.0 m and sporocysts of 12.5-14.0×7.5-11.5 m, and undergoes endogenous development in its host cell nuclei.     

Four new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from reptiles from the islands of Seychelles

Four new Isospora species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from reptiles collected in Seychelles. Oöcysts of I. gardneri n. sp. from Phelsuma astriata astriata, P. sundbergi sundbergi and P. sundbergi longinsulae are ellipsoid, 28.9 (22–31) × 23.5 (18–24) m with a rough 1.5–2 m thick wall. A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 14.9 (12.5–17) × 8.8 (8–9.5) m, with a dome-like Stieda body, globular substieda body and a sporocyst residuum consisting of small granules; and the sporozoites have transversal striations. Oöcysts of I. seychellensis n. sp. from 3/7 Mabuya seychellensis are ellipsoid, 19.8 (17.5–21.5) × 15.3 (14.5–16) m. A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid to broadly ovoid, 11.2 (10–12) × 7.4 (7–8) m, with Stieda and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of small granules; and the sporozoites have distinct transverse striations. Oöcysts of I. tigris n. sp. from 1/1 Calumma tigris are ellipsoid, 22.5 (19–24) × 18 (16–20) m. A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid or ellipsoid, 13.6 (12–15) × 7 (6–8) m, with large Stieda body and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous small granules; and the sporozoites are vermiform with distinct transverse striations. Oöcysts of I. ladiguensis n. sp. from Phelsuma sundbergi ladiguensis and P. sundbergi longinsulae are spherical to subspherical, 13.2 (12–13.5) × 12 (9–13) m, without micropyle and oöcyst residuum but with one globular polar granule. Sporocysts ovoid, 9 (8–10) × 5.6 (5–6) m, with dome-like Stieda and subglobular substieda body; and the sporozoites are vermiform with distinct transverse striations.     

Two new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from passeriform birds of South America

Summary Two new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the faeces of passeriform birds of South America. I. cyanocoracis n. sp. is described from Cyanocorax chrysops (Passeriformes: Corvidae) and I. paroariae n. sp. from Paroaria coronata (Passeriformes: Emberizidae). I. cyanocoracis oocysts are spherical or subspherical, 28.7×26.8 m (25.0–30.5×24.5–29.0), with bi-layered wall about 2.0 m thick. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent; large polar granule present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 19.3×11.4 m (17.0–21.0×10.5–12.2), with smooth, single-layered wall about 0.8 m thick. Stieda and substiedal bodies and sporocyst residuum are present. Sporozoites 12.2×4.2 m (10.5–15.0×3.5–4.5), possess spherical anterior and posterior refractile bodies. I. paroariae oocysts are spherical or subspherical, 22.3×21.4 m (19.5–25.5×18.5–24.0), and have bi-layered wall about 1.8 m thick. Micropyle, polar granule, and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts ovoid, 15.2×10.0 m (14.0–16.5×8.0–11.5), possess smooth, single-layered wall about 0.7 m thick. Stieda and substiedal bodies and sporocyst residuum are present. Sporozoites elongate, 11.3×3.4 m (10.0–13.5×3.2–4.0), have single, large, posterior refractile body. ac]19840712     

Micropropagation and ecorestoration of Vanda spathulata,an exquisite orchid

Node explants collected from flowering plants of Vanda spathulata, an endemic and exquisite orchid of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, were cultured in Mitra medium with combinations of 4.4–88.8 m 6-benzyl adenine (BA) and 0.0–114.2 m indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Combinations of 44.4 m BA with 17.1 or 28.5 m IAA and 66.6 mM BA with 28.5 or 40.0 m IAA induced maximum formation of 12.6 and 12.1 shoots / node, respectively, in a 6-month period. Subcultured nodal explants produced maximum of 6.1 shoots at combinations of 22.2–44.4 m 21 BA and 5.7–28.5 m IAA. Rooting of shoots occurred in medium containing 75 g l^–1 banana pulp and 5.7 m IAA within 3–9 weeks. Plantlets of 2–5 cm length possessing two to five roots established easily in community pots at 80–90% rates without hardening. Community potted plants introduced into forest segments at Ponmudi and Palode in Southern Western Ghats of India established at a rate of 50–70%.     

Coccidia of Brazilian edentates: Eimeria cyclopei n.sp. from the silky anteater,Cyclopes didactylus (Linn.) and Eimeria choloepi n.sp. from the two-toed sloth,Choloepus didactylus (Linn.)

Summary Eimeria cyclopei n.sp. is described from the silky anteater, Cyclopes didactylus, from Pará State, north Brazil. Undifferentiated oocysts, passed in the faeces, complete sporulation in seven days at 26 to 28°C. Oocysts are ellipsoidal to sub-spherical, with a mean size of 28.1 × 23.6 m: the wall is 1.5 to 2.0 m thick, apparently with an outer thin, colourless membrane and two inner, thicker, striated and yellowish layers. There is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. The mean measurements of sporocysts are 19.0 × 9.0 m, and they are slightly asymmetrical, elongate pear-shape, with a plug-shaped Steida body projecting beyond the end of the sporocyst. Sporozoites are as long as or longer than the sporocysts: The sporocyst residuum is scattered between sporozoites in younger specimens and becomes condensed into rounded mass in older ones. The endogenous stages occur in the epithelial cells of the ileum, on the lumenal side of the host-cell nucleus. Uninucleate meront, microgamont and macrogamont precursors are recognizable morphologically. Mature meronts are 20.0 × 15.7 m some produce 12 to 20 merozoites which are 8.7 × 2.0 m, and others 10 to 26 merozoites which are 11.4 × 2.0 to 15.0 × 3.0 m. Mature microgamonts which are 27.5 × 24.1 m, produce from 150 to 170 microgametes of 7.1 × 1.0 m: microgametes have two flagella of unequal length. Mature macrogamonts are 28.4 × 24.5 m Eimeria choloepi n.sp. is recorded from the two-toed sloth, Choloepus didactylus, from the same area of Brazil. Undifferentiated oocysts, passed in the faeces, complete sporulation in 23 days at 26 to 28°C. Oocysts with a mean size of 23.0 × 20.3 m, have a wall 2.0 to 2.5 m thick which is composed of two thick, yellowish and striated outer layers and a delicate, colourless inner one. There is no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar granule. Mature sporocysts with a mean size of 11.3 × 7.1 m, are ellipsoidal to egg-shaped and have a poorly developed Steida body. The sporocyst residuum is composed of a small number of large globules: The sporozoites are longer than the sporocyst and strongly recurved. The endogenous stages occur in epithelial cells of the ileum, on the lumenal side of the host-cell nucleus. Dimorphic meronts produce 8 to 18 merozoites which are either 13.0 × 2.0 m or 13.0 × 3.0 m. Microgamonts produce 50 to 80 microgametes of 8.0 × 1.0 m. Mature macrogamonts are 18.3 × 17.9 m. ac]19820212     

Parasitic Helminths from Paraguay. I. Sobolevicanthus dlouhyi n.sp. (Cestoda,Hymenoledididae) found in Amazonetta brasiliensis Gmelin

Summary Sobolevicanthus dlouhyi n. sp. is close to S. krabbeella but differs from it firstly by the longer rostellar hooks (83–85 m instead of 56–64 m). The cirrus pouch is shorter in the new species, no longer than the width of the widest proglottis, whereas in S. krabbeella it is twice as long. ac]19810312     

Wardium canarisi n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) parasite de Arenaria melanocephala (Aves: Charadrii) d'Alaska

The authors describe and illustrate Wardium canarisi n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae), an intestinal parasite of Arenaria melanocephala (Aves: Charadrii) from Alaska, characterised by a strobila 20–40 mm long, 10 aploparaksoid hooks 19–21 m long, a short cylindrical cirrus (40 m) covered with very minute spines (0.2 m), and a short (8–18 m) and extremely narrow (1 m) copulatory vagina. These characters have no equivalent, even approximate, among the 27 species of Wardium parasitic in the Charadrii which are reviewed. The genus Debrosia Spassky, 1987 appears to be justified.     

Respiration rates of Chiloplacus sp. and other arctic nematodes at low and high temperatures

Summary Respiration of an undescribed species of soil nematode of the genus Chiloplacus from the Canadian High Arctic was measured at 2°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20° and 25°C. The corresponding metabolic rates were 0.2697×10^-3 l, 0.3406×10^-3 l, 0.8408×10^-3 l, 0.8539×10^-3 l, 1.8420×10^-3 l and 2.9360×10^-3 l O₂ ind^-1 h^-1, respectively, for a nematode of 1.0 g dry weight. The relationship between respiration and dry weight for Chiloplacus sp. at 10°C is described by the function log R=-3.0693+0.8844 log W. Q₁₀ values for the 2°–5°, 5°–10°, 10°–15°, 15°–20° and 20°–25°C temperature intervals were 2.18, 6.09, 1.03, 4.65 and 2.54, respectively. Chiloplacus sp. showed raised metabolic rates at low tempetatures compared with species from warmer environments. Metabolic rates of representative samples of the soil, nematode fauna (dominated by individuals of the genus Plectus) from the same location were 0.1593×10^-3 l, 0.3603×10^-3 l and 0.5332×10^-3 l O₂ ind^-1 h^-1 at 5°, 10° and 15°C for an average nematode of 0.4297 g dry weight.     

Helicoductus thulakoceras n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) parasite de Charadrius marginatus (Aves: Charadrii) d'Afrique du Sud

The authors describe and illustrate Helicoductus thulakoceras n. g., n. sp., a parasite of Charadrius marginatus (Aves: Charadrii) from South Africa. This hymenolepidid cestode is 1.5-3 mm long, with a rostellum armed with 10 diorchoid hooks 75-80 m long (mean 77 m) and anomalous terminal genital ducts. One spine (10-15 m long) is inserted at the ventral extremity of the male genital pouch. An invaginated cirrus is absent. A non-retractable and non-invaginable external tube, 25-30 × 4-2.5 m, appears as a spiral, sclerotinised, spinous canal, which is non-retractable, non-invaginable and directed dorso-ventrally from the genital pouch to a second ventral canal parallel with the male genital pouch; the second canal is thin and spine-like (15-20 × 1.5 m) with a thick hyaline muff. These peculiar anatomical structures are discussed. They are considered to justify the erection of a new genus.     

Sarcocystis inghami n. sp. (Sporozoa: Sarcocystidae) from the skeletal muscles of the Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana in Michigan

This report describes the newly identified Sarcocystis inghami n. sp. from the skeletal muscles of opossums (Mammalia: Didelphidae) that were collected from south central Michigan (42° 43-42° 79N, 84° 18-84°mathtype="display">6'W), USA. The new species is distinguished from all species described from North and South American opossums by the distinctive morphology of the villar protrusions on the cyst wall. Sarcocysts of S. inghami are microscopic, up to 700 m long and 110 m wide. The sarcocyst wall is up to 7 m thick, with long, stalked protrusions which average 5.5 × 1.2 m. These are constricted at the base, expanded laterally, rounded off distally and occasionally bifid. The villar protrusions have numerous microtubules without electron–dense bodies that extend from the tips into the granular layer. Bradyzoites are 10.7 × 4.3 (8––12 × 4––5) m. This is the second species of Sarcocystis sarcocyst described from the Virginia opossum in North America.     

The quantitative analysis of chromosome pairing and chiasma formation based on the relative frequencies of M I configurations

Whilst reliable estimates of chiasma frequencies can usually not be obtained, the probability (b) of a chromosome arm to be bound by at least one chiasma can often be determined. In the absence of interference this probability equals (1–e ^–2), where 2 is the average chiasma frequency of the chromosome arm and the average crossover frequency or map length. In the presence of interference is shown to retain its genetic meaning as an additive metric that may describe the chromosome arm or other distinctive chromosome segment in terms of genetic recombination. It is a form of potential map length, comparable to, but numerically different from the regular map length. It is termed provisionally crossing-over potential.A chromosome with armsm andn with crossing-over potentials and will form ring bivalents with a frequency (1–e ^–2).(1–e ^–2); open bivalents with a frequency (1–e ^–2).e ^–2+(1–e ^–2).e ^–2; univalent pairs with a frequencye ^–2.e ^–2. Estimates of these frequencies yield equations from which and may be solved. In rye (Secale cereale) their ratio (q) is approximately two and differs from the mitotic arm length ratio of 1.4, indicating localization of chiasmata in the long arms.Graphs are given to show how, with constantq, the relation between the probabilitiesb _m andb _n of the two arms being bound changes with changing averageb.Data are presented on chiasma frequencies in M I, and compared with the frequencies expected in the absence of interference to give an impression of the degree of interference. Apparent fusion of chiasmata simulates interference.     

Pterospora floridiensis,a new species of acephaline gregarine (Apicomplexa) from the maldanid polychaete Axiothella mucosa in St. Andrew Bay,Florida

Pterospora floridiensis, a new species of acephaline gregarine from the body cavity of the bamboo worm Axiothella mucosa (Polychaeta: Maldanidae), is described. The gamont stage is distinctive and possesses a central cytoplasmic mass and two elongate trunks that bifurcate repeatedly and comprise approximately 60% of the total cell length. The gamont averages 198 (50–545) × 71 (25–180) m (N= 45, 43) from the tip of the trunks to the anterior (the junctional site with the other gamont in syzygy). Gametocysts average 402 (297–545) × 304 (149–495) m (N= 37). The oöcysts measure 22.5 (20.5–23.5) × 8.3 (7.0–10.0) m (N= 30) and possess an internal capsule (average length = 13.9 m, N= 30) containing the sporozoites and aliform wings on the epispore.     

Five new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Madagascan chameleons (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae)

Coprological examination of 19 Madagascan chameleons of the genera Furcifer and Brookesia revealed the presence of five new coccidian species. Isospora brygooi n. sp. from Furcifer pardalis has spherical to subspherical oöcysts with a slightly pitted wall, 20.7 (17–24.5) × 19.3 (16–23) m and broadly ellipsoidal sporocysts, 12.2 (11.5–13) × 8.1 (8–8.5) m, with Stieda and substieda bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria glawi n. sp. from Furcifer pardalis are cylindrical to ellipsoidal, 27.7 (26–29.5) × 18.4 (17–19) m, with ellipsoidal sporocysts, 7.3 (6.5–8) × 5.2 (5–5.5) m. E. vencesi n. sp. described from F. pardalis has spherical to subspherical oöcysts, 14.3 (13–15.5) × 13.0 (12–13) m, with small granules, one to three globular polar granules and ellipsoidal sporocysts, 7.3 (6.5–8) × 5.2 (5–5.5) m. E. worthi n. sp., described from Furcifer oustaleti has spherical oöcysts, 17.9 (17.5–19.0) × 15.0 (14.5–16.0) m without a polar granule and ellipsoidal to cylindroidal sporocysts, 8.2 (7.0–9.5) × 5.8 (5.0–6.5) m. Oöcysts of E. brookesiae n. sp. from Brookesia decaryi are cylindrical, 25.6 (23–27) × 15.0 (13–16) m with ellipsoidal sporocysts, 10.1 (9–11) × 6.9 (6–7) m. Endogenous development of E. vencesi is confined to the intestine, while that of E. glawi occurs in the gall-bladder.     

Lemdana latifi n. sp. (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) from the red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus spadiceus)

Lemdana latifi n. sp. was found in connective tissues around the trachea and crop and in the body-cavity of seven of 14 Malayan red jungle fowl Gallus gallus spadiceus. The new species is described and illustrated. Morphologically it is most closely related to Lemdana pavonica and Lemdana francolini. Lemdana latifi is distinguished from the eight valid species of Lemdana by the mean spicular ratio of 1.7:1; the right spicule with a right margin 18–29% (15–31 m; mean 24 m) longer than the left margin; the distal half of the left spicule twisted and S-shaped; and the absence of unpaired papillae at tip of male tail. The new species has smaller adults, a shorter left spicule and a shorter glandular oesophagus than those of L. pavonica and a wider male, shorter spicules and a longer muscular oesophagus than those of L. francolini. The male of L. latifi is 7–9 (8.1)mm long, the left spicule 164–215 (184)m long and the right spicule 98–117 (108)m long. The female is 17–23 (21)mm in length. Sheathed microfilariae from blood smears are 78–100 m long and those from the uterus are 89–103 m long. This is the sixth valid species of Lemdana in the Phasianidae.     

The endogenous development of two new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from skinks

Two new species of Isospora are described from skinks, I. cryptoblephari n. sp. in Cryptoblepharus virgatus and I. delmae n. sp. in Delma nasuta, both collected in Australia. I. cryptoblephari oöcysts are ellipsoidal to subspherical, 17.5–22.5 × 25.0–30.0 m with two ovoid sporocysts, 9.0–10.0 × 12.5–14.0 m. I. delmae oöcysts are spherical to subspherical, 16.5–19.0 × 16.5–20.0 m with two ovoid sporocysts, 5.0–6.5 × 9.0–12.5 m. These species of Isospora had two sporocysts, each containing four sporozoites and a characteristic Stieda body. A study of endogenous stages in the host's intestine revealed that I. cryptoblephari develops in the nucleus and I. delmae in the cytoplasm of the host's gut epithelial cell. In the former, both merogony and gamogony occurred in the nucleus.     

Accumulation of cadmium by immobilizedZoogloea ramigera 115

Summary Zoogloea ramigera 115 was immobilized into beads of calcium-alginate and placed into batch air-bubbled column reactors. In the absence of any added nutrients the immobilized bacterium adsorbed Cd from solutions containing levels of 2 and 20 g ml^–1 per day, over a period of 21 and 20 days, respectively. Adsorption of Cd from solutions containing 20 g ml^–1 Cd was better than 90% for 16 days. Beads treated with Cd at 2 g ml^–1 never adsorbed less than 95% of the metal. Alginate adsorbed Cd as well, but inclusion of cells changed the effectiveness of adsorption. Of a 250 g ml^–1 Cd solution, alginate adsorbed 70.4% Cd in 60 min whereas alginate plus cells adsorbed 90.5% in the same time span. Temperature had no effect on adsorption by immobilized cells at levels of 2 and 10 g ml^–1 Cd. However at higher concentrations, binding was enhanced as temperature increased.Z. ramigera beads were stable during all treatments and for prolonged periods of time (21 days).     

Capnocytophaga: New genus of Gram-negative gliding bacteria. II. Morphology and ultrastructure

Gram-negative, anaerobic gliding bacteria were isolated from normal supragingival plaque and from periodontal lesions. Isolates could be divided into two size classes: small 2.4–4.2 m×0.38–0.5 m and large 4.8–5.8 m×0.42–0.6 m cells. The outer membrane was either loose-fitting and wavy, or taut, and of variable thickness. An electron-dense fuzz was discernible on several of the isolates. The periplasmic region was of variable electron-density. The genus Capnocytophaga has been proposed for these organisms based on morphological and cultural characteristics.     

Alcataenia atlantiensis n. sp. (Dilepididae) from the razorbill (Alca torda Linnaeus) in the eastern North Atlantic basin

A new species of Alcataenia is described from razorbills Alca torda Linnaeus from the southern region of the North Sea in the coastal waters of Belgium. It differs from known species of the genus in having 18–20 rostellar hooks measuring 63–74 m in length. Other attributes include a cirrus-sac 145–228 m in length, 36–49 testes and a vitelline gland measuring 114–202 × 59–112 m. This is the first species of Alcataenia described from razorbills and appears to be the only member of the genus which is endemic to the North Atlantic basin.