Seasonal stability and spatial variability of parasites in Brazilian sandperch Pinguipes brasilianus from the Northern Argentine Sea: evidence for stock discrimination

The use of parasites as biological tags allowed the identification of two stocks of Brazilian sandperch Pinguipes brasilianus , in the Bonaerense region of the Argentine Sea. A total of 156 adult specimens of P. brasilianus were examined for parasites. Temporal variability in parasite burdens was assessed from fish caught seasonally in coastal waters of two zones, south Bonaerense (during autumn and winter) and north Bonaerense (during summer). Additional data from a previous study, comprising P. brasilianus caught during spring in these two zones, as well as in two populations from north Patagonian gulfs were used for comparative analyses of spatial variability. A total of 14 193 metazoan parasites belonging to 19 species were found. Comparisons of seasonal variability in pooled samples and within each locality showed that locality effects exceeded seasonal ones, suggesting the possible existence of two discrete stocks in the Bonaerense region. These findings were strongly supported by discriminant analyses and comparisons of prevalence and abundance between zones, after pooling seasonal samples within each zone. Further evidence of the discreteness of both stocks was assessed by inclusion of samples from Patagonian gulfs in the discriminant analysis, confirming that their differences were at a inter-population level. The parasite species that contributed most to the separation of the samples were generally those identified as biological markers in previous studies. Differing oceanographic conditions are discussed as potential causes of inter-population variation of parasite burdens.     

Parasites as biological tags for stock discrimination of the Brazilian flathead Percophis brasiliensis in the south-west Atlantic

Three stocks of the Brazilian flathead Percophis brasiliensis were identified on the coast of Argentina and Uruguay using parasites as biological tags. A total of 177 fish were examined and 23 parasite species were found. Fish were caught in four zones: north of the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (34°30′–36°30′ S; 53°30′–56°00′ W), south of the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (38°08′ S 57°32′ W), El Rincón zone (39–41° S; 60–62° W) and San Matías Gulf (41°40′–42°10′ S; 63°50′–65°00′ W). Discriminant analyses allowed the identification of three discrete stocks in the four zones (86·44% of classified samples were correctly identified), with P. brasiliensis from both north and south of the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone clumping together, as a single stock. Some species were important in discriminating among groups, Anisakis simplex was related to southern areas, while Grillotia sp., Corynosoma australe and Hysterothylacium sp. were important in determining the position of fish from the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone. These results were corroborated by comparing parasite prevalence and abundance among zones. The main differences were observed in those comparisons involving fish from the San Matías Gulf. Fish from the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone were characterized by higher infections of Grillotia sp., C. australe, Corynosoma cetaceum and Hysterothylacium sp., while the samples from El Rincón and San Matías Gulf showed higher infections of A. simplex. Samples from San Matías Gulf were characterized by lower levels of parasitism for all other species. Differences in environmental factors and their influence on the distribution of zooplankton and other hosts in the food web may be differentially shaping the parasite community structure in each zone, resulting in identifiable stocks of the P. brasiliensis. The present study confirmed the existence of regional biological tags that delineated fish assemblages.     

Metazoan parasites of Sebastes capensis from two localities in northern Chile as tools for stock identification

Examination of 290 red rockfish Sebastes capensis from two fishing grounds in northern Chile (Coquimbo 71°30' W; 30°0' S and Antofagasta 70°40' W; 23°30' S) revealed 8770 metazoan parasites, belonging to 18 taxa: Udonella caligorum (Udonellidae); Interniloculus chilensis , Paramicrocotyle sp. and Neobenedenia melleni (Monogenea); larval Gnathia sp., Cirolana sp. and Rocinela sp. (Isopoda); Helicometrina nimia , Diphtherostomum sp., Lecithochirium sp. and Pseudopecoelus sp. (Digenea); Ascarophis sebastodis , Anisakis sp. and larval Hysterothylacium sp. (Nematoda); Caligus cheilodactylus , Lepeophtheirus chilensis and Trifur tortuosus (Copepoda); larval Corynosoma australe (Acanthocephala). Ten species were found only in Coquimbo and three were found only in Antofagasta, species common to both localities were Pseudopecoelus sp., C. australe , Anisakis sp. and A. sebastodis . Evidence, based on qualitative differences between the parasite faunas of the red rockfish, suggests the existence of two discrete stocks.     

Elevational parallels of latitudinal variation in the proportion of lianas in woody floras

Aim  To determine if elevational variation in the proportion of lianas in woody floras parallels the variation observed on latitudinal gradients. This is to be expected if the poleward decrease in the importance of lianas is related to the vulnerability of their wide vessels to freeze embolism.
Location  Coastal ranges of south-central Chile (latitude 37°–40° S) and western South Island of New Zealand (41°–43° S).
Methods  The presence of all woody species was recorded in plots of 2500 m² (Chile) or 100–400 m² (New Zealand) on four elevational gradients in temperate rain forest. Each species was classified as a tree, shrub or liana. Original data were obtained from 22 plots at two sites in Chile. In New Zealand, two surveys comprising a total of 296 plots were extracted from the National Vegetation Survey data base.
Results  Liana species richness declined more or less monotonically on all four gradients, whereas richness of trees and shrubs showed more varied elevational patterns. The proportion of woody species contributed by the liana life-form was negatively correlated with elevation on all four gradients, falling from 15 to 35% of the woody flora at c . 200 m a.s.l. to nil well below the tree line. The elevational and latitudinal limits of liana species were marginally significantly correlated in Chile, but not in New Zealand.
Main conclusions  The elevational parallel of the well-documented decline in liana representation with increasing latitude is consistent with the hypothesis that cold intolerance is a strong control on the global distribution of the liana life-form.     

Metazoan parasites of the thumb grenadier Nezumia pulchella, from the south-eastern Pacific, off Chile, and their use for discrimination of host populations

The parasite communities of Nezumia pulchella across its geographical range in the south-eastern Pacific were described, from 217 fish captured from four localities in northern and central Chile (24° S to 33° S). Five ectoparasites and 13 endoparasites were recorded and the highest prevalence and intensity of infection was found for the copepods Jusheyhoea macrura and Clavella sp. 1, for the monogenean Diclidophora sp. and for the larval acanthocephalan Corynosoma australe . Parasite species richness decreased with latitude. Multivariate discriminant analysis and correspondence analysis supported the use of parasites of N. pulchella to discriminate populations of this host, suggesting the existence of three well-defined host populations in the geographical range examined. Jusheyhoea macrura , C. australe , Lophoura sp., Diclidophora sp., Capillaria sp. and Proleptus sp. were the most important species for discriminant analysis.     

A study of the longevity of the seed-borne parasites of flax in relation to the storage of the seed

From 1939 to 1947 observations were made on the longevity of Colletotrichumlinicola Pethybr. & Laff., Polyspora Lini Laff., Botrytis cinerea F t ., and Phoma sp. occurring to different extents as seed-borne parasites of naturally contaminated samples of flax seed held under ordinary conditions of storage. The results obtained, together with the germination capacity of the seed estimated on different occasions during storage, are given and show that the longevity of the fungi considered varies within the following limits: Colletotrichum linicola , 26–69 months, Polyspora Lini , 16–55 months, Botrytis cinerea , 16–40 months and Phoma sp. 27–43 months. The data provide grounds for suggesting that the higher the percentage number of seeds contaminated with Polyspora Lini the longer will be the time taken for the death of the parasite to occur. As the time taken for the deactivation of the parasites is normally much longer than that for which flax seed for sowing purposes can be safely stored, prolonged storage of the seed does not commend itself as a likely method for securing the control of the diseases caused by seed-borne fungi. The germination capacity of the seed was normally found to be seriously impaired by the time all the parasites had died.     

The parasite fauna of characids' (Osteichthyes: Characidae) Anambra River, Nigeria

Baseline information on the parasites of frequently caught species of the characids namely Hydrocynus vittatus , Alestes baremoze , Brycinus macrolepidotus and Brycinus leuciscus was investigated in Anambra River from August 2004 to July 2005. The parasites recovered were the Myxosporid, Myxobolus sp (Protozoa), Polyopistocotylids, Diplozoon ghanense and Neodipolzoon polycotyleus (Monogeneans), the Caryophyllid Caryophylleus sp (Cestoda) and Rhabdochona sp (Nematoda). The prevalence of Caryophylleus sp in B. macrolepidotus (14.2%) and A. baremoze (8.1%) as well as Rhabdochon sp and Myxobolus sp in H . vittatus (9.6% and 7.8% respectively) was relatively high (>7.0%); while the other parasite species Myxobolus sp in B. leuciscus (2%), D. ghanense in B. macrolepidotus (1.9%) and N. polycotyleus in A. baremoze (1.9%) had a much lower prevalence (2.7%). Distribution of parasites was clearly seasonal. Dissolved oxygen (8.0–14.0) mg l⁻¹ and pH (5.5–7.0) influenced the occurrence of the parasites whereas temperature (20.1–27.5 DC) showed no much effect.     

Karyotyping of Saccharomyces strains with different temperature profiles

This study examined the karyotype, the fermentation performance and the optimum growth temperature (Topt) of 28 yeast strains all identified as species belonging to Saccharomyces sensu stricto . The strains were isolated from fermented musts, which had not been inoculated, at two temperature ranges: 20–40 °C and approximately 0–6 °C. The results demonstrated a correlation between the Topt and the chromosome organization. In particular, strains with Topt of less than 30 °C showed only two bands in the region between 365 and 225 kb, while those with a Topt greater than 30 °C had three bands in this size range. From a taxonomic viewpoint, the Topt is a better indicator for the Saccharomyces sp. than the ceiling temperature of 37 °C currently used to differentiate cryotolerant Saccharomyces bayanus and S. pastorianus from non-cryotolerant S. cerevisiae and S. paradoxus strains.     

Parasites in micromammal fecal pellets throughout the Late Holocene (“Cueva Peligro” paleontological site,Patagonia, Argentina)

Parasite remains in micromammal fecal pellets collected from the paleontological site “Cueva Peligro” (CP 43°40′18”S, 66°24′52”W), Chubut Province, Argentina, were examined. The samples were obtained from two grids, dated between 1220 ± 70¹⁴C yr B.P. to modern dates. Fecal pellets were whole processed, rehydrated, homogenized, and examined via light microscopy. Eggs of parasites found were measured and photographed. Fecal pellets belong to one or more insectivore to omnivore unidentified micromammal species, possibly sigmodontine rodents. A high number of helminthes species was recorded (11 species), eight nematodes, two anoplocephalid cestodes and one acanthocephalan species. The sigmodontine-parasite relationship varied throughout the studied period and between studied grids. This is the first time that Gongylonema sp. and Syphacia sp. are reported from ancient times from Patagonia. The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of parasite assemblages associated to native South American sigmodontine rodents and the zoonoses present in the area throughout the lasts 1200 years.     

Dispersion patterns of parasites in 0+ year three-spined sticklebacks: a cross population comparison

Two ciliates and 16 metazoan parasites were identified in 434 0+ year three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus collected from two small rivers and four lakes located in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. By repeated sampling and analysis of dispersion patterns of six frequently occurring parasites no consistent evidence was found for mortality induced by a single parasite species. Linear log-variance to log-mean abundance ratios with slopes of c. 2 indicated negative binomial distributions for five of the six parasites. The numbers of these six parasites were combined as multiples of S.D. of each parasite species over all samples to form an 'individual parasitation index' ( I _PI), which showed that only in one locality a slight decrease in parasite burden occurred between September and April. In two of the lake populations, however, there was a distinct decline in the degree of dispersion in spring samples. This indicates that a combination of different species might cause parasite-induced host mortality, undetectable by patterns obtained from single species. There were differences in parasite diversity and intensity of infection among river compared to lake populations suggesting a role for parasites as selective agents in the ecological divergence of three-spined sticklebacks.     

Similarity in parasite community structure may be used to trace latitudinal migrations of Odontesthes smitti along Argentinean coasts

The aims of this study were to determine the existence of migratory movements and to identify ecological stocks of the silverside Odontesthes smitti along its distribution in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, using metazoan parasites as biological tags. Samples were obtained from San José Gulf (SJ) (42° 25' S; 64° 07' W) and Nuevo Gulf (NG) (42° 47' S; 65° 02' W) in north Patagonia during winter and summer and in waters off Mar del Plata (MDP) (38° 03' S; 57° 32' W), Bonaerense region, during winter. Fifteen parasite species were collected. Multivariate statistical procedures on parasite community data showed strong effect of host size on the structure of parasite assemblages. Taking into account the variations among samples due to host size, the differential structure of parasite communities between SJ and NG suggests that fish inhabiting these localities could belong to different ecological stocks. Fish from MDP and SJ caught in summer showed similar composition in their parasite assemblages, which is congruent with a migratory cycle that implies that fish caught in MDP during winter inhabit SJ during summer. Further evidence of the Patagonian origin of MDP O. smitti is the presence of the digenean Proctotrema bartolii in fish from both regions. Proctotrema bartolii is acquired by O. smitti only in the Magellanic province, where its intermediate host, Darina solenoides, is distributed. The analyses suggest that O. smitti inhabiting north Patagonian gulfs could belong to different ecological stocks and that O. smitti caught in MDP could have come from SJ.     

Coprologic survey of parasites of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in the Masai Mara National Reserve,Kenya

Seventy fecal samples from spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya were examined for parasite eggs and oocysts using sugar flotation. A total of nine parasite genera were identified, and all samples were positive for at least one parasite species. Most individuals were infected with Ancylostoma sp. and Spirometra sp., and these species had the highest median intensity of infection. Other parasites identified include Isospora sp., Taeniidae, Spirurida, Toxocara sp., Mesocestoides sp., Dipylidium sp., and Trichuris sp.     

Parasites that attack stable fly and house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) puparia during the winter on dairies in northwestern Florida

Throughout the winter and early spring months, stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and house fly, Musca domestica L., puparia were collected from silage, hay, and manure from six dairies in northwestern Florida and evaluated for parasitism. Of the puparia producing flies or parasites, 23% of the stable flies and 46% of the house flies were parasitized. The predominant parasite observed attacking muscoid flies (76% for stable flies and 58% for house flies) was Spalangia cameroni Perkins. Muscidifurax sp. was recovered from 11 and 36% of the stable fly and house fly pupae, respectively. Other parasite species encountered were Spalangia endius Walker and S. nigroaenea Curtis. Significantly more parasitized fly pupae were collected from silage than from hay residues or manure. Winter and early spring parasite populations in northwestern Florida appear to be present as long as viable fly pupae are available to support the developing parasites.     

Paleoparasitological finding of eggs of nematodes in rodent coprolites dated at the early Holocene from the archaeological site Cerro Casa de Piedra 7, Santa Cruz, Argentina

The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite remains present in rodent coprolites collected from the archaeological site Cerro Casa de Piedra 7 (CCP7), located in the Perito Moreno National Park (47°57'S, 72°05'W), Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Eight coprolites obtained from the layer 17, dated at 10,620 ± 40 to 9,390 ± 40 yr B.P., were examined for parasites. Feces were processed whole, rehydrated, homogenized, subjected to spontaneous sedimentation, and examined via light microscopy. Eggs of parasites were measured and photographed. Seven of 8 coprolites possessed 199 eggs of 2, probably new, species of nematodes, including 43 eggs of Heteroxynema sp. Hall, 1916 (Cavioxyura sp. Quentin, 1975) (Oxyurida, Heteroxynematidae), and 156 eggs of Trichuris sp. Roederer, 1761 (Trichinellida, Trichuridae). Heteroxynema sp. is cited for the first time from ancient material worldwide. The finding of Trichuris spp. in both rodents and other host samples from the area under study is indicative of the stability of the biological and environmental conditions for this nematode genus to establish in the Patagonian Early Holocene. The rodent host was assigned to an unknown species of Caviomorpha (Hystricognathi) that lived during the Pleistocenic transition in Patagonia.     

The importance of gobies (Gobiidae,Teleostei) as hosts and transmitters of parasites in the SW Baltic

The parasite fauna of five goby species (Gobiidae, Teleostei) was investigated in the Baltic Sea during the period 1987 to 1990. 13 parasite species were found in samples from the Lübeck Bight:Bothriocephalus scorpii, Schistocephalus sp. (Cestoda);Cryptocotyle concavum, Cryptocotyle lingua, Podocotyle atomon, Derogenes varicus (Digenea);Hysterothylacium sp. (cf.auctum),Contracaecum sp.,Anisakis simplex (Nematoda);Corynosoma sp.,Echinorhynchus gadi, Neoechinorhynchus rutili, Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala). The number of parasite species were: 10 in the sand gobyPomatoschistus minutus, 8 in the black gobyGobius niger, 7 in the two-spotted gobyGobiusculus flavescens, 6 in the common gobyPomatoschistus microps, and 5 in the painted gobyPomatoschistus pictus. Neoechinorhynchus rutili occurred only inP. minutus, andCorynosoma sp. only inG. niger. The extent to which the gobies were parasitized clearly depended on the respective ways of life and, moreover, on the kind of prey ingested by the hosts. Additionally, the age of the hosts might be important. The highest rate of parasitism, more than 60%, was reached byHysterothylacium sp. inG. niger and byCryptocotyle concavum inP. microps. Infestation incidence lay mostly below 40% which means a satellite species status (Holmes, 1991). The number of parasite species was highest in summer; the highest intensities of single parasites occurred in spring (Podocotyle atomon) or autumn (Crytocotyle concavum).Bothriocephalus scorpii, Hysterothylacium sp. andPodocotyle infested their juvenile hosts very early, but onlyHysterothylacium was accumulated byG. niger during its whole life span, whereasBothriocephalus persisted also in older gobies in low intensities. The cercariae ofCryptocotyle spp. penetrate actively into their hosts; all the other parasites named were transmitted in larval form by prey organisms which consisted mainly of planktonic and benthic crustaceans. The gobies were final hosts for only 5 parasites; but two species may be transmitted to larger fish, and 6 species to sea birds or mammals. The parasite community of the five gobies may possibly be taken to characterize the ecological quality of the environment of the Lübeck Bight.     

Gastrointestinal parasites of the colobus monkeys of Uganda

From August 1997 to July 2003, we collected 2,103 fecal samples from free-ranging individuals of the 3 colobus monkey species of Uganda-the endangered red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles), the eastern black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza), and the Angolan black-and-white colobus (C. angolensis)--to identify and determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were isolated by sodium nitrate flotation and fecal sedimentation. Coprocultures facilitated identification of helminths. Seven nematodes (Strongyloides fulleborni, S. stercoralis, Oesophagostomum sp., an unidentified strongyle, Trichuris sp., Ascaris sp., and Colobenterobius sp.), 1 cestode (Bertiella sp.), 1 trematode (Dicrocoeliidae), and 3 protozoans (Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica, and Giardia lamblia) were detected. Seasonal patterns of infection were not apparent for any parasite species infecting colobus monkeys. Prevalence of S. fulleborni was higher in adult male compared to adult female red colobus, but prevalence did not differ for any other shared parasite species between age and sex classes.     

Three species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Skrjabinelazia</Emphasis> Sypliaxov, 1930 (Nematoda: Seuratidae) parasitic in Gekkonidae and Lacertidae from South Africa,Europe and Australia

Skrjabinelazia Sypliaxov, 1930 comprises 10 species distinguished by several characters typical of the genus including, among the most important, the presence/absence of spicules, cuticle ornamentation and vesicles, head-shape, the presence/absence of a leaflet crown in the buccal cavity, female tail-shape and male cone-shape. The three samples studied are new species: S. boomkeri n. sp., a parasite of Pachydactylus turneri, Gekkonidae, from South Africa (Klaserie Reserve); S. vozae n. sp., a parasite of Lacerta vivipara, Lacertidae, from France (Cévennes), which is close to two lacertid parasites, S. taurica Sypliaxov, 1930 and L. hoffmanni Li, 1934, respectively from the Crimea and North China (Peking); and S. mawsangelae n. sp. (male unknown), a parasite of Christinus marmoratus, Gekkonidae, from Australia (Pearson Island), which is, surprisingly, distinct from Skrjabinelazia sp. of Angel & Mawson (1968) from the same host in another region (North of Adelaide) of South Australia. Two main groups are distinguished in Skrjabinelazia: the species with spicules which are parasitic in the Lacertidae, and the species with a gubernaculum only which are parasitic in the Gekkonidae. The unique species described from the Iguanidae, S. intermedia (Freitas, 1940) from Brazil (Para), also without spicules, seems to be derived from gekkonid parasites, as it also has an evolved oesophagus with a glandular region, unlike the simple oesophagus seen in the larval stages of Skrjabinelazia.     

Isolation and characterization of plant growth-promoting strain Pantoea NII-186. From Western Ghat Forest soil, India

Aims:  To isolate plant growth-promoting bacterium from Western Ghat forests in India.
Methods and Results:  A Gram-negative, rod shaped, cream white coloured strain Pantoea NII-186 isolated from Western Ghat soil sample. The taxonomic position of the bacterium was confirmed by sequencing of 16S rRNA and phylogenetic analysis. A strain grew at a wide range of temperature ranging from 5–40°C, but optimum growth was observed at 28–30°C. It showed multiple plant growth-promoting attributes such as phosphate solubilization activity, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore production and HCN production. It was able to solubilize (28 μg of Ca₃PO₄ ml⁻¹ day⁻¹), and produce IAA (59 μg) at 28°C. The solubilization of insoluble phosphate was associates with a drop in the pH of the culture medium. Pantoea sp. NII-186 tolerate to different environmental stresses like 5–40°C, 0–7% salt concentration and 4–12 pH range.
Conclusions:  The 16S rRNA gene sequence confirmed that the isolate NII-186 was belongs to Pantoea genus and showed considerable differences in physiological properties with previously reported species of this genus. Isolate NII-186 possessed multiple attributes of plant growth-promoting activity.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Hence in the context it is proposed that Pantoea sp. NII-186, could be deployed as an inoculant to attain the desired plant growth-promoting activity in agricultural environment.