Observations of Breinlia booliati in a new host, Rattus rattus jalorensis, from Kuantan, state of Pahang, Malaysia

Breinlia booliati Singh and Ho, 1973 is described from the Malaysian wood rat, Rattus rattus jalorensis Bonhote. The parasites presented here were originally discovered in 1955 in Kuantan, Malaysia, but were not classified until now. On the basis of morphological observations of anatomical structures and comparisons with other species of Breinlia, it was determined that the parasites were B. booliati. The parasites discussed here show slight deviation from B. booliati, but they do not warrant a new species classification. There is some variation in anatomical measurements, the number of male caudal papillae, and the morphology of the microfilariae. Breinlia booliati from a new host is described in this article, with a brief discussion on Rattus species that are hosts of B. booliati and vectors that transmit the parasite. The occurrence of B. booliati in R. r. jalorensis represents the first report of the parasite in this host.     

In vitro activity of levamisole on the infective larvae, microfilariae and adult worms of Breinlia Sergenti

In vitro activity of levamisole on the infective larvae, microfilariae and adult worms of Breinlia sergenti. International Journal for Parasitology4: 207–210. Levamisole shows in vitro activity against the infective larvae, microfilariae and adult worms of Breinlia sergenti. The polygraph studies using the adult worms indicate that levamisole causes an increase in the muscle tone; this action being dose related. The adult worms are more sensitive to the drug than the infective larvae and microfilariae. In vitro, levamisole is more potent compared with diethylcarbamazine against all the three stages of B. sergenti.     

Some ultrastructural observations on the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti-the pharyngeal thread and Innenkorper

Some ultrastructural observations on the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti—the pharyngeal thread and Innenkorper.International Journal for Parasitology4: 375–382. The fine structure of the pharyngeal thread and the Innenkorper (inner body) of the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti is described. The pharyngeal thread is seen as an elongated cuticular structure with associated nervous elements while the Innenkorper is sac-like in appearance. A possible function related to the transfer and storage of nutrient material is assigned to these structures.     

Some ultrastructural observations on the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti--nervous system

The amphids, cephalic papillae, phasmids, excretory complex, anal vesicle, rectal cells, G cell and the nerve ring are described in the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti. The significance of these various structures in playing a nervous role in this organism is discussed, and a working hypothesis presented to explain the nervous co-ordination in this parasitic stage.     

Population dynamics of microfilarial production and eosinophilic levels in slow lorises infected with Breinlia sergenti. Petter (Filarioidea: Dipetalonematidae)

Population dynamics of microfilarial production and eosinophilic levels in slow lorises infected with Breinlia sergenti, Petter (Filarioidea: Dipetalonematidae). International Journal for Parsitology 4: 383388. Observations have been made on microfilarial and eosinophilic levels in slow lorises infected with Breinlia sergenti. Animals given a single inoculation of 100-150 infective larvae exhibited three different patterns of microfilaraemia while superinfected animals showed enhanced microfilarial levels. It appeared that the number of inoculations as well as the interval between inocula are important factors in enhancing microfilarial levels. Two different types of incubation periods were seen, one at 100-120 days and the other at 200 days. The eosinophilic levels were investigated in some of the animals and an attempt was made to correlate these levels with the microfilaraemia. Cortisone injection appeared to promote a vigorous eosinophilia in some of the infected animals tested.     

Some aspects of the fine structure of the alimentary tract of the infective larva of Breinlia sergenti (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

The fine structure of the alimentary tract of the infective larva of Breinlia sergenti has been studied. The possible derivation of the oesophagus from the pharyngeal thread of the microfilaria is discussed.     

Cartilage in the cloaca: Phallodeal spicules in Caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

The presence of spicules (also termed spines, teeth, or denticles) on the intromittent organ, a character unique to male members of some species in the African caecilian family Scolecomorphidae, has long been known (Noble, '31; Taylor, '68; Wake,'72; Nussbaum,'85). However, their organization and structure has not been examined. Series of males of three species of Scolecomorphus were examined in order to determine the gross and histological organization of the spicules. Spicule morphology changes with ontogeny within species and differs grossly among species. The cellular organization of the spicules is remarkably similar among species, however. The spicules are composed of chondroid cartilage. The large discoid cells are arranged in “stacks” to form the projections, which emerge from an extensive base plate of the same cartilage. The spicules have a connective tissue sheath, which is not continuous with the cloacal epithelium. The sheath of the spicules may or may not be mineralized; the cartilage itself does not appear to be calcified. Mineralization apparently is not correlated with age, reproductive status, or season. Cartilage in the cloaca of these few species poses a series of questions about the interactions of developmental, structural, functional, and phylogenetic properties in the evolution of the reproductive biology of caecilians. J. Morphol. 237:177–186, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Africana telfordi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from the lizard,Enyalioides heterolepsis (Sauria: Iguanidae) from Panama

Africana telfordi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from the large intestine of the lizard Enyalioides heterolepsis collected in Panama is described and illustrated. Africana telfordi n. sp. represents the seventh species assigned to the genus and the second from the Neotropical Realm. It is distinguished from the other neotropical species, A. chabaudi, by the size and shape of the spicules. The spicules of A. telfordi are robust, analate, and 366-458 microm in length; those of A. chabaudi are narrow, alate, and 644-869 microm in length.     

Two new species of Pharyngodonidae (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea) and other nematodes in Agama caudospina (Squamata: Agamidae) from Kenya, Africa

Parapharyngodon kenyaensis n. sp. and Thelandros samburuensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of the agamid lizard (Agama caudospina) are described and illustrated. Parapharyngodon kenyaensis n. sp. is the 41st species assigned to the genus, and it differs from other species in that genus by possessing 3 pairs of caudal papillae, cloacal lip adornment, and spicules of 112-120 microm in length. Thelandros samburuensis n. sp. is the 31st species assigned to the genus, and it differs from other species in that genus by possessing swollen posterior annulations, 6 caudal papillae, a smooth anterior cloacal lip, and spicules of 43-52 microm in length. In addition to the 2 new nematode species, Abbreviata ortleppi (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) and Strongyluris ornata (Nematoda: Heterakidae) were found.     

Parhadjelia cairinae n. sp. (Nematoda: Habronematoidea: Habronematidae) in the Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Anseriformes: Anatidae), from the area de conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica

A new species of Parahadjelia occurs in the muscovy duck, Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The new species differs from Parhadjelia neglecta Lent and Freitas, 1939, in the body size, in the spicules shape and ratio of spicules, and in having 2 pairs of sessile papillae near the tail tip of the male. The characters exhibited by P. neglecta and the new species validate its generic status distinct from Hadjelia.     

A new species of Oswaldocruzia (Molineidae: Nematoda) in Chaunus marinus (Amphibian: Bufonidae) (Linneaus, 1758) from Brazil

Oswaldocruzia belenensis n. sp. (Strongylida: Molineidae) from the small intestine of Chaunus marinus (L.) from Belém, Pará State, Brazil is described and illustrated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Oswaldocruzia belenensis n. sp. is a neotropical species of this genus, harboring caudal bursa Type II, spicules divided in 3 branches, i.e., a blade, shoe, and fork. The blade is divided in 4 points, of which at least 2 are bifurcated. Cervical alae are absent; there is a simple cephalic vesicle and synlophe with low ridges perpendicular to the body without chitinous supports. The most closely related species are O. bonsi and O. lescurei. Oswaldocruzia belenensis n. sp. differs from O. lescurei and O. bonsi by the number and location of cephalic papillae, rays 2-3 and 5-6 running parallel and slightly separated, ray 6 not overlapping ray 8, and body structure morphometry. Oswaldocruzia belenensis n sp. also differs from O. lescurei by the discontinuity of the longitudinal ridges, the number of subdivisions of the blade, and the absence of extra processes at the bifurcation level of the fork of the spicules. The new species differs from O. bonsi by male and female body dimensions, the symmetry of the caudal bursa, dimension and subdivisions of the spicules without extra processes of the fork, 2 extra processes at the distal division of the blade, and location of ray 7 at the anterior margin of the cloacal aperture. Oswaldocruzia belenensis n. sp. represents the 82nd species assigned to the genus.     

New Pudicinae (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea) coparasites of Proechimys longicaudatus (Caviomorpha) from Bolivia. I--Description of Pudica ginsburgi n. sp. and Heligmostrongylus chiarae n. sp

Two new Pudicinae (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea, Heligmonellidae) coparasites of Proechimys longicaudatus (Caviomorph rodent) from Bolivia are described: Pudica ginsburgi n. sp. is differentiated from all the other species of the genus by the great length of the spicules and of the vestibule and by a different ratio of the length of the spicules on the length of the body. Heligmostrongylus chiarae n. sp. has very developed rays 4, strongly divergent from rays 5 as occurs in three other species, H. almeidai (Durette-Desset & Tcheprakoff, 1969), a parasite of Trichomys apereoides (= Cercomys cunicularius) from Brazil, H. squamastrongylus (Travassos, 1937), a parasite of Proechimys oris from Brazil and H. proechimysi Durette-Desset, 1970, a parasite of Proechimys semispinosus from Columbia. The specimens from Bolivia are differentiated from the three species by the division of the dorsal ray (anterior half versus posterior half) and by a different ratio of the length of the spicules on the length of the body.     

Parasites and associated pathology of the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Marsupialia)

Thirty-five swamp wallabies from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Australia were examined for parasites. Thirty-nine species of nematodes, five species of cestodes and eight species of arthropods were found. Wallabies from Queensland and northern New South Wales had a less diverse helminth fauna (23 species) than did wallabies from southern New South Wales and Victoria (32 species). Rugopharynx spp. and Cloacina spp. occurred in large numbers in the stomach but provoked no pathological changes. Known pathogenic species (Globocephaloides trifidospicularis and Hypodontus macropi) were encountered in small numbers only and did not produce any lesions. Pathological changes associated with parasites were: gastric nodules associated with Labiostrongylus clelandi and Parazoniolaimus collaris, bronchopneumonia due to Marsupostrongylus spp., biliary fibrosis associated with Progamotaenia festiva and fibrous peritonitis, pleuritis, pericarditis and eosinophilic splenitis due to Breinlia mundayi. Echinococcus granulosus was the only parasite found which also occurs in domestic animals.     

Redescription of Three Ektaphelenchus Species (Nematoda: Aphelenchina)

Three Ektaphelenchus species with unusual spicules are redescribed. Ektaphelenchus obtusus and E. riograndensis are redescribed from newly discovered material in the collection of the USDA Forest Service RMRS. Lectotype slides are designated for both species. Ektaphelenchus obtusus is characterized by a set-off head, lips of unequal size, double rows of oocytes and spermatocytes, and a hooked spicule terminus. Ektaphelenchus riograndensis is distinguished by a rounded head with six equal lips, and spicules with a large, rounded apex, and recurved terminus. A bursa and gubernaculum are absent in both species. Ektaphelenchus scolyti is redescribed from type material deposited in the collection of Rothamsted Experimental Station. It is characterized by a well set-off head, double rows of oocytes and spermatocytes, and spicules with a hooked terminus. A bursa and gubernaculum are absent.     

A new species of Vexillata (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina: Ornithostrongylidae) parasite of Heteromys desmarestianus (Rodentia: Heteromyidae) from Costa Rica

In July 1999, 2 heteromyid rodents Heteromys desmarestianus Gray, 1868, were collected from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and examined for parasites. Individuals of a new species of Vexillata (Travassos, 1937) Durette-Desset, 1970, were found from the intestine of hosts. Vexillata brooksi n. sp. differs from all other congeners by the presence of spicules divided at the tip instead of simple spicules. The new species closely resembles Vexillata legallae Denke, 1977, and Vexillata convoluta (Caballero and Cerecero, 1943); however, it can be distinguished from both species by possessing a smaller number of cuticular ridges at the posterior part of the body in males (9 vs. 11 and 12, respectively) and by the absence of a carene at this level.     

Aquatic nematodes from Ethiopia VIII; Enoplids,with descriptions of Brevitobrilus fesehai n.sp. and B. tsalolikhini n.sp. (Enoplida: Nematoda)

Two new and one known species of the genus Brevitobrilus, Epitobrilus setosus, Tripyla glomerans, and Ironus ignavus and I. sphincterus are described from sediments of LakesShala, Tana and Ziway, and River Abbay, Ethiopia. Brevitobrilus fesehai n. sp. can be recognized by acombination of characteristics: in having a narrowanterior end, short cephalic and outer labial setae,long and bow-shaped spicules, the posteriormostsupplement at a distance of less than a spicule lengthfrom cloacal opening, numerous micropapillae, andterminal and subterminal setae. B. tsalolikhinin.sp. can also easily be differentiated from allknown species in the genus in having a combination ofcharacteristics: long cephalic and outer labial setae,short spicules without median stiffening piece, theposteriormost supplement situated very close to thecloacal opening, supplements with straight duct thatmerges with the dorsal wall of the ampulla, andelongate spermatozoa. The remaining five species aredescribed in detail. Also scanning electronmicroscopic pictures of B. fesehai n.sp., B. tsalolikhini n.sp., Epitobrilus setosus andTripyla glomerans are presented.     

Boreostrongylus romerolagi n.sp. (Nematoda,Heligmonellidae) from a Mexican volcano rabbit,Romerolagus diazi

Summary Boreostrongylus romerolagi n.sp. is described and figured from the duodenum of Romerolagus diazi collected in Mexico and which died in the Zoological Gardens, Antwerp. It is distinguished from the two nearest species of the genus B. kinsellai and B. dalrymplei by the size of the genital cone, the branching of the dorsal ray and the shorter spicules. ac]19790718