Hematozoa of the avian family Vangidae (the vangas)

To date, limited surveys have been conducted on the endemic avifauna of Madagascar with regard to hematozoa. Wild-caught birds from the Vangidae, endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, were mist-netted, and blood smears were made. Slides were examined for the presence of hematozoa at x100, x160, and x1000 using a light microscope. Parasites were measured using established techniques, and morphometrics were compared. On the basis of their distinctive morphologies and morphometrics, 4 new species of avian hematozoa are described in this study. Haemoproteus vangii n. sp. and Leucocytozoon lairdi n. sp. occur in the blue vanga (Cyanolanius madagascarinus), whereas Haemoproteus madagascariensis n. sp. and Leucocytozoon bennetti n. sp. are described from the hook-billed vanga (Vanga curvirostris). These represent the first hematozoa described from this family.     

New species of the fleas Farhangia and Nestivalius,from endemic rodents in Sulawesi,Indonesia

The fleas (Siphonaptera: Pygiopsyllidae) Farhangia quattuordecimdentata sp. n. and Farhangia sedecimdentata sp. n. are described from pygmy squirrels (Prosciurillus spp.), and Nestivalius sulawesiensis sp. n. from murine rodents, all from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Both new species of Farhangia were collected in Central Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tengah); F. quattuordecimdentata sp. n. was recovered mainly from P. murinus, whereas F. sedecimdentata sp. n. was recovered mainly from P. leucomus. These new species are compared with the two previously described species of Farhangia: F. celebensis (Ewing) from P. murinus in North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara) and F. sciuri (Ewing) from the tree squirrel Callosciurus prevosti in Sabah (Borneo). Nestivalius sulawesiensis sp. n. was collected from six species of endemic murine rodents in both North and Central Sulawesi. It is compared to the morphologically similar N. pomerantzi (Traub) from Mindanao, which parasitizes murine hosts that are endemic to the Philippines.     

Evidence for cryptic speciation of Leucocytozoon spp. (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) in diurnal raptors

Species of Leucocytozoon (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) traditionally have been described based on morphological characters of their blood stages and host cells, with limited information on their avian host specificity. Based on the current taxonomy, Leucocytozoon toddi is the sole valid species of leucocytozoids parasitizing falconiform birds. Using a nested polymerase chain reaction protocol, we determined the prevalence of Leucocytozoon infection in 5 species of diurnal raptors from California. Of 591 birds tested, 177 (29.9%) were infected with Leucocytozoon toddi. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome b gene revealed that distinct haplotypes are present in hawks of these genera. Haplotypes present in Buteo spp. are not found in Accipiter spp., and there is a 10.9% sequence divergence between the 2 lineage clades. In addition, Leucocytozoon sp. from Accipiter spp. from Europe group more closely with parasites found in Accipiter spp. from California than the same California Accipiter species do with their sympatric Buteo spp. Similarly, a Leucocytozoon haplotype from a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) from Kazakhstan forms a monophyletic lineage with a parasite from B. jamaicensis from California. These results suggest that Leucocytozoon toddi is most likely a group of cryptic species, with 1 species infecting Buteo spp. and 1 or more species, or subspecies, infecting Accipiter spp.     

Leucocytozoon atkinsoni n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Leucocytozoidae) from the avian family Timaliidae

Investigators of haematozoa of the Timaliidae have reported the presence of two species of Leucocytozoon Berestneff, 1904, i.e. L. liothricis Laveran & Marullaz, 1914 and L. timaliae Bennett, Earlé & Pierce, 1993. Blood films collected from 42 wild-caught babblers in Madagascar were stained and examined for the presence of haematozoa using a compound microscope. To date, no species of avian haematozoa have been reported from babblers in Madagascar, although haematozoa have been observed. In the present study, we report a new species of Leucocytozoon, L. atkinsoni n. sp., whose morphometrics fall between those reported for the two previously described species from timaliids. The parasite is capped by the host cell nucleus covering 38% of its perimeter. L. atkinsoni n. sp. was found to have a marked, intensely staining, nucleolus as well as vacuoles in the parasite cytoplasm, in contrast to both L. liothricis and L. timaliae. Remnants of the host cell cytoplasm are commonly observed in cells infected with L. atkinsoni, a characteristic not reported in association with either of the previously described species from these hosts.     

New species of haematozoa from the avian families Campephagidae and Apodidae

Leucocytozoon coracinae sp. nov. is described from the avian family Campephagidae and Hepatozoon apodis sp. nov. from the Apodidae. The distribution of these parasites within their respective families is discussed.     

Leucocytozoon muscicapa n. sp. (Leucocytozoidae: Apicomplexa) from the pied flycatcherFicedula hypoleuca (Pallas) (Passeriformes: Muscicapinae)

Leucocytozoon muscicapa n. sp. is described from the pied flycatcherFicedula hypoleuca (Pallas) (Passeriformes: Muscicapinae) from Finland and compared with other leucocytozoids of the family Muscicapidae.     

Two new species of Stivalius (Siphonaptera--Pygiopsyllidae--Pygiopsyllinae) from Indonesia

The fleas, S. meridionalis n. sp. from Timor and S. franciscae n. sp. from Sulawesi, Indonesia are described and illustrated. S. meridionalis was collected in Central Timor (Timor Tengah) at elevations between 930 m and 1,520 m, mainly from the murine rodent Rattus tanezumi, although one specimen was recovered from a house shrew, Suncus murinus. S. franciscae was collected in Central Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tengah) at known elevations between 950 m and 2,255 m from six species of native endemic murine rodents, especially Rattus hoffmanni, and from two species of commensal murine rodents. One specimen of S. franciscae was also collected from the native endemic murine Paruromys dominator in North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara) at 1,780 m. These two new flea species are compared with the previously described taxa included in the genus Stivalius sensu stricto.     

Populations of Leucocytozoon gametocytes in blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) from Hardwicke Island, British Columbia

Population dynamics of round and elongate gametocytes of Leucocytozoon in wild and captive blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus (Say)) from Hardwicke Island, British Columbia, were studied from 1980 to 1982. Blue grouse chicks were sampled weekly throughout each transmission season. Three patterns in the type of gametocyte produced during primary infection were observed in naturally infected captive and wild blue grouse chicks. Such variation in the expression of the gametocyte stage within a single host population suggests a different interpretation than has been previously reported for species of Leucocytozoon. The data from the primary patterns and profiles coupled with reexposure data and the asynchronous appearance of round and elongate gametocytes can be best interpreted as infection with two concurrent species of Leucocytozoon in blue grouse. More detailed research on the life cycle is necessary to confirm if two species of Leucocytozoon exist in blue grouse.     

A STUDY OF THE SPECTACLED WEAVER

New species of haematozoa, namely Leucocytozoon ugwidi sp. nov. from the Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis and Haemoproteus skuae sp. nov. from the Subantarctic Skua Catharacta antarctica, are described. These are the first species to be recorded from the families Phalacrocoracidae and Stercorariidae, respectively.     

Description and ultrastructure of Leishmania zuckermani n. sp. amastigotes detected within the erythrocytes of the South African gecko Pachydactylus turneri Gray, 1864.

In erythrocytes recovered from blood of geckoes of the species Pachydactylus turneri collected in Gauteng Province, Republic of South Africa, leishmania zuckemani n. sp. were detected. Giemsa stained erythrocytes contained amastigotes, either single or numerous, in loose assemblies or in a compact rounded oggregates which may condense to become a round basophilic bodies with a central hollow. This new species of Leishmania differs from all previously described species in being almost exclusively parasitic in circulating erythrocytes. Three to seven amastigotes lodged all within one, or divided between several parasitophorous vacuoles were detected at the EM level. The amastigotes demonstrated essentially all the cytological components characteristic of leishmania species known to parasitize mammals. A point which emphasizes an already suggested close affiliation between mammalian and lizard Leishmania.     

Hydromermis contorta (Kohn) and Hydromermis pseudocontorta n. sp. from chironomids of Lake Itasca and Long Lake, Minnesota

Hydromermis contorta (Kohn) and Hydromermis pseudocontorta n. sp. are described from chironomids in Lake Itasca and Long Lake, Minnesota, respectively. The former was recovered from adult females of Glyptotendipes paripes (Edwards) and the latter from fourth-instar larvae of Chironomus sp. Hydromermis pseudocontorta n. sp. resembles H. contorta in cephalic structures, overall size, and the presence of a restricted trophosome in the female. The terminal mouth, long uterine and vulvar limbs of the vagina, and the strongly chitinized brownish spicule of H. contorta contrast with the subventral mouth, short vaginal limbs, and the light yellow spicule of H. pseudocontorta n. sp. Both nematode species emerge from the host as sexually mature adults and both species give evidence of mating while in the host. The H. contorta described by Welch is designated as a new species, Hydromermis albionis n. sp.     

New species of Myxosporea from frogs and resurrection of the genus Cystodiscus Lutz, 1889 for species with myxospores in gallbladders of amphibians

Two new myxosporean species in the gallbladders of frogs have recently spread across eastern Australia and cause disease. Cystodiscus axonis sp. n. and Cystodiscus australis sp. n. are species of Myxosporea (Myxozoa) identified from a range of Australian frogs and tadpoles including the introduced Cane toad (Rhinella marina). The new species are defined by their distinct genetic lineage, myxospore morphology and ultrastructure of the pre-sporogonic development. Spores of both species are produced in the gallbladder. Spores of C. axonis sp. n. possess distinct filiform polar appendages (FPA). The pre-sporogonic development of C. axonis sp. n. is within myelinated axons in the central nervous system of hosts, as well as bile ducts of tadpoles. Pre-sporogonic and sporogonic development of C. australis sp. n. is confined to tadpole bile ducts and myxospores of C. australis sp. n. are devoid of FPA. The genus Cystodiscus Lutz, 1889 introduced for Cystodiscus immersus Lutz, 1889 is emended to accompany myxosporean parasites affecting amphibians previously classified in the genus Myxidium sensu lato. A synopsis of described species within Cystodiscus is provided.     

Acholeplasma axanthum, sp. n.: a new sterol-nonrequiring member of the Mycoplasmatales

Mycoplasmas recovered from tissue cultures and previously shown to belong to the sterol-nonrequiring group of mycoplasmas have been further characterized. The biological and serological properties of these strains show them to be clearly distinct from Acholeplasma laidlawii and A. granularum, two species of sterol-nonrequiring mycoplasmas recently reclassified. It is proposed that the newly described mycoplasmas be designated Acholeplasma axanthum, sp. n.     

Systematics of the mealybug tribe Xenococcini (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), with a discussion of trophobiotic associations with Acropyga Roger ants

The mealybug tribe Xenococcini (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) comprises three genera, Eumyrmococcus Silvestri, Neochavesia Williams & Granara de Willink and Xenococcus Silvestri, trophobiotically associated with ants of the genus Acropyga Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Alate Acropyga queens vertically transmit trophobionts by carrying them along on the nuptial flight, a unique behaviour termed trophophoresy. Xenococcine mealybugs have never been collected without ant associates, and putatively only associate with Acropyga. Xenococcine mealybugs are characterized by the absence of dorsal ostioles, presence of distally cup‐shaped circuli and a female pupal instar rather than a third feeding instar. The phylogeny of this tribe is derived for the first time using morphological data from adult females (53 characters) through Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony methods. Monophyly of the clade is strongly supported and a discussion of their taxonomy is included. The Neotropical genus Neochavesia was recovered as monophyletic. Eumyrmococcus, as previously defined, was recovered as paraphyletic, and thus two species are transferred to Xenococcus: Xenococcus kinomurai (Williams & Terayama) comb.n. and Xenococcus neoguineensis (Williams) comb.n . Two species groups are recognized within Eumyrmococcus: the Eumyrmococcus scorpioides species group, restricted to the eastern Mediterranean and Afrotropics, and the Eumyrmococcus smithii species group, restricted to the Orient and Indo‐Australasia. Six new species are described: Eumyrmococcus adornocapillus sp.n. from Australia; Eumyrmococcus sarnati sp.n. from Fiji; Eumyrmococcus ordinotersus sp.n. and Xenococcus baryglobosus sp.n. from the Solomon Islands; Neochavesia cephalonodus sp.n. from French Guiana; and Neochavesia linealuma sp.n. from Guyana. The systematics and biology of the xenococcine mealybugs is discussed in the context of obligate ant symbiosis.     

Systematics and biology of the endemic water scavenger beetles of Hawaii (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae, Hydrophilini)

Abstract.  Recent field surveys in the Hawaiian Islands have revealed an adaptive radiation of endemic water scavenger beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Phylogenetic analysis based on 55 adult morphological characters affirms that this endemic hydrophilid fauna is a monophyletic clade that incorporates the first well-supported transformation from an aquatic to terrestrial way of life within any lineage of the subfamily Hydrophilinae. The clade is prescribed to the genus Limnoxenus Motschulsky, where described members were previously placed. Five new species are described: L. waialeale sp.n. (Kauai), L. kauaiensis sp.n. (Kauai), L. oahuensis sp.n. (Oahu), L. punctatostriatus sp.n. (Kauai) and L. namolokama sp.n. (Kauai). Lectotypes are designated for the two previously described species L. semicylindricus (Eschscholtz) and L. nesiticus (Sharp). The Hawaiian lineage is a component of a larger clade that also includes the remaining four species of Limnoxenus from Europe, South Africa, and Australia, plus the monotypic genera Limnocyclus Balfour-Browne of New Caledonia and Hydramara Knisch of South America. The majority of the Hawaiian species exhibit vestigial wings, an extremely unusual condition in aquatic beetles. No other island-endemic members of the Hydrophilinae are known to be flightless, suggesting insularity per se is not responsible for this condition. L. nesiticus of Oahu has not been collected during the past 106 years, suggesting that it has been lost to anthropogenically mediated extinction.     

Populations of Leucocytozoon Gametocytes in Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) from Hardwicke Island,British Columbia1

Population dynamics of round and elongate gametocytes of Leucocytozoon in wild and captive blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus (Say)) from Hardwicke Island, British Columbia, were studied from 1980 to 1982. Blue grouse chicks were sampled weekly throughout each transmission season. Three patterns in the type of gametocyte produced during primary infection were observed in naturally-infected captive and wild blue grouse chicks. Such variation in the expression of the gametocyte stage within a single host population suggests a different interpretation than has been previously reported for species of Leucocytozoon. The data from the primary patterns and profiles coupled with reexposure data and the asynchronous appearance of round and elongate gametocytes can be best interpreted as infection with two concurrent species of Leucocytozoon in blue grouse. More detailed research on the life cycle is necessary to confirm if two species of Leucocytozoon exist in blue grouse.