Species of Trifoliovarium Yamaguti, 1940 (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) from Australian waters,with a description of T. draconis n. sp. and a cladistic study of the subfamily Trifoliovariinae Yamaguti, 1958

Three species of Trifoliovarium are described from marine fishes from Moreton Bay, Queensland: T. triacanthi (Parukhin, 1964) n. comb. (syns Hysterolecitha triacanthi Parukhin, 1964; T. triacanthi Bilqees, 1973; T. triacanthusi Gupta & Ahmad, 1976) from Tripodichthys angustifrons; T. ovarilobulus (Wang, 1989) n. comb. (syn. Hysterolecithia [sic] ovarilobuls) from Paramonacanthus japonicus and Pelates quadrilineatus: and T. draconis n. sp. from Callionymus sublaevis and C. belcheri. A list of the species of the subfamily Trifoliovariinae is given along with a key. A cladistic study of the subfamily based on 23 characters is presented, the results of which indicate the monophyly of the genus Assitrema and the paraphyly of Trifoliovarium.     

Forticulcita glabra gen. et sp. n. (Digenea, Haploporidae) in a Red Sea Mullet

The genus Forticulcita was established solely for F. glabra sp. n. from Valamugil seheli (Forsskål) in the Gulf of Aqaba. Most closely related to Haploporus , it is diagnosed primarily by having a species with an acetabulum being conspicuously robust, prepharynx measuring shorter than the pharynx, ceca terminating at the testicular level, muscular hermaphroditic ejaculatory organ lacking accessory structures, and vitellarium consisting of a single mass.     

Coevolution of Retrovarium n. gen. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) in Lutjanidae and Haemulidae (Perciformes) in the Indo-West Pacific

We describe 11 new species of cryptogonimids belonging to Retrovarium n. gen., from eight species of Lutjanidae and one species of Haemulidae, from the Great Barrier Reef, French Polynesia and the Maldives. We also transfer Neoparacryptogonimus saccatus (Manter, 1963) and Neoparacryptogonimus sphericus Nahhas, Sey & Nishimoto, 1998 to Retrovarium. The morphologically based taxonomic approach was augmented with DNA sequence data from three nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (28S, ITS1 and ITS2) to explore the species integrity, biogeographic distribution and evolution of the species recognised here. Sequencing included multiple replicates and revealed 11 distinct genotypes which corroborated our morphologically based hypotheses of putative species present in the system. There was no intraspecific variation and all three rDNA regions differed between every combination of species. Two species exhibited wide geographic ranges, having identical rDNA sequences between the Great Barrier Reef and the Maldives, localities separated by over 9600 km. One host species, Symphorus nematophorus, proved to be exceptionally rich, harbouring six species. Minimum evolution analyses were conducted on each of the rDNA datasets independently; minimum evolution, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses were conducted on a combined (28S, ITS1 and ITS2) dataset for sequence comparison purposes and to explore the evolutionary history of these parasites. To examine the coevolutionary history of this complex, assessment of phylogenetic relationships between the 23 species of Lutjanidae and two species of Haemulidae collected during this survey was performed with data from 16S and cytochrome b mtDNA using Bayesian inference analysis. Despite the high host specificity observed in most of the species, mapping of the parasites on the host phylogeny revealed an absence of strict coevolution or co-descent within this complex. Overall, Retrovarium appears to have had an exceptionally patchy radiation, failing to infect many taxa, infecting species with no readily discernible pattern, and radiating dramatically within one species.     

Cicesetrema unami n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae: Cryptogoniminae) from Paralichthys californicus (Ayres, 1859) (Osteichthyes: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthydae) in San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico

Cicesetrema unami n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) is described from the intestine of the California halibut, Paralichthys californicus, from San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico. The new genus is distinguished from other members of the Cryptogoniminae in having vitellaria that form asymmetric bunches of follicles and extend in lateral fields from the level of the ovary posteriad beyond the testes. In addition, the species in the new genus possess a subterminal, funnel-shaped oral sucker that is prominent when protruded but usually retracted in a fold at the anterior end.     

Abyssotrema pritchardae gen. et sp. n. (Digenea: Fellodistomidae) from the deep-sea fish, Alepocephalus agassizi Goode and Bean 1883.

Abyssotrema pritchardae gen. et sp. n. is described from the benthic teleost, Alepocephalus agassizi Goode and Bean 1883 (Alepocephalidae), taken from Hudson Canyon in the western North Atlantic. The new genus is placed in the subfamily Monascinae Dollfus 1947 and relationships among Abyssotrema, Elopsium Fischthal and Thomas 1972, and Monascus Looss 1907 are discussed.     

Polkepsilonema mombasae gen. et sp.n. andPternepsilonema servaesae gen. et sp.n. (Nematoda,Epsilonematidae) from East African coasts

Two new genera and species from Kenyan tidal areas,Polkepsilonema mombasae gen. et sp.n. andPternepsilonema servaesae gen. et sp.n., are described. Both are characterized by the presence of at least fourteen subcephalic setae and by thick thorns on the ventral body region of males. In the first genus, eight to ten subcephalic setae are situated anterior to the amphid, and the ambulatory setae are bisinuous. In the second, the subcephalic setae are situated at the posterior edge of the rostrum, and the ambulatory setae are straight.A key to the 13 genera of the Epsilonematidae is presented.Abbreviations a body length divided by maximum body diameter - abd body diameter at level of anus - amph % diameter of amphid as a percent of head diameter - Asl length of anteriormost ambulatory seta of external subventral row - b body length divided by pharyngeal length - c body length divided by tail length - cs length of cephalic setae - dcs distance from rostrum edge to cephalic setae - gub length of gubernaculum - L body length - lct length of copulatory thorns - lpt length of precloacal thorns - mbd maximum body diameter of posterior body region - (mdb) minimum body diameter - mbd/(mbd) maximum body diameter divided by minimum body diameter - mbd ph body diameter at level of pharyngeal bulb - N number of body rings - ph length of pharynx - spic length of spicule measured along the arc - SSph length of subdorsal somatic setae in pharyngeal region - t tail length - tmr length of nonannulated tail region - V position of vulva as a percentage of total body length from anterior     

Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae: Acanthostominae) from the alligator snapping turtle,Macroclemys temmincki

Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is described from specimens found in the intestine of an alligator snapping turtle Macroclemys temmincki from southern Mississippi. The most important diagnostic features of the new species are the general shape and proportions of the body, the position of the pharynx (relative length of the prepharynx and esophagus), the egg size, the relative length and position of the vitelline fields, and the number, shape, and size of the circumoral spines. The new species has a very elongated body (length-width ratio, 8.9-13.0:1), 26 circumoral spines, which are almost oval in shape, a long prepharynx and a very short (shorter than the pharynx) esophagus, a seminal receptacle situated between the ovary and the anterior testis, a uterus not extending posterior to the anterior margin of the ovary, a long-stemmed and short-armed excretory vesicle, and 2 anal openings. Some features of the external morphology, such as the suckers, circumoral spines, sensory papillae, tegumental spines, and morphology of the posterior end, are examined using scanning electron microscopy. A diagnosis differentiating A. macroclemidis n. sp. from some other acanthostomine digeneans is provided. Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is the first digenean reported from an alligator snapping turtle and represents the northernmost record of an acanthostomine from turtles.     

Syncoelicotyloides macruri gen. et sp. n.--the first representative of the subfamily Syncoelidotylinae (Microcotylidae, Monogenea) from macruriform fishes

Syncoelicotyloides macruri gen. et sp. nov., a monogenean of the subfamily Syncoelicotylinae Mamaev et Subtschenko, 1978, is described. Members of this subfamily were known only from Notacanthiformes and are found for the first time in Macrouriformes. This fact is considered by the authors as a confirmation of the earlier supposition (Mamaev, Zubtschenko, 1978) about phylogenetic closeness of these fishes.     

Pirupalkia queulensis n. gen., n.sp. (Digenea: Callodistomidae) in the fish Cilus montti (Pomadasyidae)

A new genus and species of the subfamily Callodistomidae is described. The new genus is named Pirupalkia queulensis n. gen., and was found in the small intestine of the fish Cilus montti. This new genus, compared with other genus of the subfamily differs principally in the distribution of the vitellaria and location of the uterus.     

The subfamily Aephnidiogeninae Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae), its status and that of the genera Aephnidiogenes Nicoll, 1915, Holorchis Stossich, 1901, Austroholorchis n. g., Pseudaephnidiogenes Yamaguti, 1971, Pseudoholorchis Yamaguti, 1958 and Neolepocreadium Thomas, 1960

The status of all of the putative member genera of the subfamily Aephnidiogeninae is reconsidered, based mainly on the morphology of the terminal genitalia. Aephnidiogenes Nicoll, 1915 is the only genus retained in the Aephnidiogeninae. Aephnidiogenes major Yamaguti, 1934 from Diagramma labiosum from the southern Great Barrier Reef is redescribed with particular reference to the terminal genitalia, and is shown to lack a true cirrus-sac, a condition considered to be diagnostic of the Aephnidiogeninae. Holorchis Stossich, 1901 is placed in the subfamily Lepidapedinae. Holorchis pycnoporus Stossich, 1901 from Pagellus acarne from off Spanish Sahara and from Diplodus vulgaris from off Italy and H. legendrei Dollfus, 1946 from Sparodon durbanensis and D. sargus from off eastern Cape Province, South Africa and from Pagellus erythrinus from the Adriatic Sea and Italy are studied and illustrated. The terminal genitalia of H. pycnoporus are found to be enigmatic, but those of H. legendrei are found to fit clearly into the 'Lepidapedon-like' pattern. A new genus Austroholorchis is erected in the Lepidapedinae, with A.sprenti (Gibson, 1987) n. comb. as the type-species. Its diagnostic features are its ani, infundibuliform oral sucker and the position of the ovary at about mid-level of the uterus . A. sprenti is illustrated, its hosts in Queensland waters being Sillago maculata, S. analis and S. ciliata. A. levis n. sp. is described from Sillago bassensis from south-western Western Australia. The genus PseudaephnidiogenesYamaguti, 1971 is placed in the Lepidapedinae. P. rhabdosargi (Prudhoe, 1956) from Rhabdosargus sarba from off Natal, South Africa is illustrated and the terminal genitalia of P. rhabdosargi from R. sarba and from R. holubi from off eastern Cape Province and Pseudaephnidiogenes rossi Bray, 1985 from Caffrogobius nudiceps from off eastern Cape Province, South Africa are illustrated. The genus Pseudoholorchis Yamaguti, 1958 is placed in the subfamily Lepocreadiinae. The terminal genitalia of P. pulcher (Manter, 1954) from Latridopsis ciliaris from New Zealand are illustrated. The genus Neolepocreadium Thomas, 1960 is placed in the Lepocreadiidae.     

Phanurus oligoovus gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Waretrematidae) from Liza carinatus from the South China Sea

The species Phanurus oligoovus gen. et sp. nov. is described from the intestine of Liza carinatus (Cuvier et Valencienne) from the South China Sea. From the general internal anatomy, it belongs to the Waretrematidae and is distinguished from the other known species of the Waretrematidae by the tail appendage. A new subfamily, Phanurunae, is proposed for the genus Phanurus.     

Acanthopale perkinsi gen. et sp.n. (Polychaeta, Chrysopetalidae) from Cuba and Florida

Acanthopale perkinsi gen. et spa, from coral reefs near the Isle of Pines, Cuba, and from off the coast of Florida is described. The genus is characterized principally by the shape and distribution of paleae, insertion of the median antenna, and presence of a caruncle and a mouth cover. Notosetae (paleae) are similar in shape to the stalks of a rosebush, with two perpendicular series of alternate spines. Paleae of the anterior group are approximately one third the length of those of the posterior group, which are very long and slender. The new genus is discussed and compared with the other genera of Chrysopetalidae.     

Didelphostrongylus hayesi gen. et sp. n. (Metastrogyloidea: Filaroididae) from the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis.

Didelphostrongylus hayesi gen. et sp. n. from the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis, is distinguished from other genera of the Angoistrongylinae by the structure of the dorsal and lateral rays, complex gubernaculum, and ovoviviparity. Third-stage larvae developed in Mesodon perigraptus and Triodopsis albolabris. The prepatent period was 22 days in experimentally infected opossums.     

A discussion of the status of the subfamily Baccigerinae Yamaguti, 1958 (Digenea) and the constitution of the family Fellodistomidae Nicoll, 1909

Contrary to recent reports it is suggested that the subfamily Baccigerinae belongs in the monophyletic family Fellodistomidae and is not closely related to the Lepocreadiidae. This conclusion is based on both morphological and life-history information. The Fellodistomidae contains seven subfamilies: Fellodistominae, Baccigerinae, Lintoniinae, Monascinae, Monodhelminthinae, Proctoecinae and Tergestiinae. Their relationships are discussed. In these groups, at least, the cercarial tail should only be usedas a phylogenetic indicator with great caution.     

Crepidula beklemishevi gen. et sp. n. and Dimeiospora palustris gen. et sp. n. (Microspora: Amblyosporidae)--new microsporidian genera and species from blood-sucking mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the south of the western Siberia

Microsporidia parasitizing the adipose body of mosquito larvae of Anopheles beklemishevi and Aedes punctor has been studied. Two new genera of microsporidia are described based on lightmicroscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of spores and sporogony stages. The spore wall of Crepidula beklemishevi gen. n. et sp. n. is formed by two-membrane exospore, thick exospore, bilayer endospore and thin plasmolemma. Spores with single nucleus, polar filament anisofilar, with 6-7 coils (2+ 4-5), polaroplast consisting of three parts: macrochelicoidal, microhelicoidal and lamellar. Fixed spores 4.2 +/- 0.22 x 2 +/- 0.01 microns. The sporogony of Dimeiospora palustris gen. et. n. results in spore formation of two different types. Spores of the first type are oviform, with thick wall, single-nuclear, 6.1 x 4.9 microns. Spore wall with three layers, about 370 nm. Exospore electron-dense, subexospore moderately electrondense. Exospore and subexospore irregularly pleated on the almost spore surface and slightly thinner on anterior end only. Endospore electron-translucent. Polar filament anisofilar, with 9 coils (3 + 6). Polaroplas consists of three parts: lamellar, fine bubbled, and coarse bubbled. Spores of the second type broad-ovate, with apical pole narrower, distal pole concave, 4.6 x 3.7 microns. Spore wall with three layer, 355 nm. Exospore on the apical end irregularly pleated, consists of thin electrondense exospore, subexospore of variable electron density, endospore electron-translucent. Polar filament anisofilar, with 13 coils (3 + 10). Polaroplast has two parts: lamellar and vesicular.