A new heteronemertean from the Argentine coast of the Southern Atlantic

A new heteronemertean is described, Gastropionsanmatiensis n. gen. et n. sp. from Caleta de LosLoros, San Matías Gulf, Argentine Republic(41& deg;S; 64° 05 W). G. sanmatiensis is mainly defined by: (1) the structure ofits proboscis sheath; (2) enteronephridia and exonephridiasituated in the anterior part of the oesophagus; (3) a sphincterbetween the oesophagus and the intestine; (4) anintestinal sphincter. This lineid heteronemerteanseems to be very well adapted to oesophagealrespiration and excretion.     

Adrenergic innervation of the oesophagus in the cat (Fellis domestica) and rhesus monkey (Macacus rhesus)

Summary The distribution of monoamines in the pharynx and oesophagus of the rhesus monkey (Macacus rhesus) and the cat (Felis domestica) was investigated by means of fluorescence microscopical and chemical methods. Fluorimetric determinations reveal the presence of varying amounts of noradrenaline in the pharynx and oesophagus of the rhesus monkey. The lowest amount (0.05 (g/g) was found in the lower part of the oesophagus, the so-called sphincter-segment. The middle and upper part of the oesophagus contain medium amounts of noradrenaline (0.06–0.09 g) whereas the highest concentration was detected in the pharynx (0.14 (g/g). Neither dopamine nor adrenaline occurred in the tissue pieces analyzed. Fluorescence microscopically noradrenaline was found to be located in varicose intramural nerve fibre plexus which innervate mucous glands and blood vessels in the pharynx of both species. In the rhesus monkey, the lamina muscularis mucosae of all parts of the oesophagus is supplied by a well developed noradrenergic ground-plexus. Preterminal and terminal varicose nerve fibres are distributed in myenteric and submucous ganglia of the oesophagus; the number of such ganglia decreases towards the lower segment. The density of the adrenergic innervation is higher in myenteric when compared to submucous ganglia. The arrangement of the intraganglionic terminals suggests that both axosomatic and axodendritic contacts occur in Auerbach's ganglia whereas axodendritic contacts seem to predominate in Meissner's ganglia. Myenteric ganglia situated close to the submucosa as well as true submucous ganglia may be occasionally seen to be traversed by faintly fluorescent non-varicosed fibres which do not establish any synaptic contacts. The fluorescence intensity of intraganglionic varicosities varies considerably; accordingly the transmitter content of individual varicosities seems to be very variable. The adrenergic innervation of the lamina muscularis is restricted to single contorted fibres being sparsely distributed throughout the longitudinal smooth muscle layer. The circularly arranged smooth musculature of the sphincter-segment lacks an adrenergic nerve supply. The vagus nerve carries sympathetic adrenergic fibres to the lower oesophagus and the cardia. Species differences between the innervation pattern in rhesus monkeys and cats are outlined: No adrenergically innervated ganglia occur in the submucosa of the cat. However, part of the myenteric ganglia in cats exhibit an adrenergic innervation pattern similar to that seen in submucous ganglia of the rhesus monkey. They might therefore be regarded as morphologically equivalent to the plexus submucosus which is, however, present in the whole gut. The density of the noradrenergic ground-plexus in the muscularis mucosae of the cat's oesophagus is less than that of the corresponding plexus in rhesus monkeys.The influence of noradrenaline upon the smooth musculature and the neurons from myenteric as well as submucous ganglia is discussed. From the point of view of the adrenergic innervation there is no structure corresponding to the sphincterlike lower oesophageal segment.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Joachim-Jungius-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften, Hamburg.     

A new capillariid, Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichuroidea), from an elapid snake in West Bengal, India

Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae n. sp. is described from specimens from the oesophagus of a single snake, Naja naja (fam. Elapidae), caught from a garden at Kalyani, West Bengal, India. It is characterised by possessing: a medium body size; sinuous muscular oesophagus; stichosome consisting of distinctly subannulated stichocytes (30–48 in number); male tail having a membranous bursa supported by two wide lateral rays with bluntly pointed distal ends and not reaching to the posterior margin of the bursa; long spicule with spatula-like extension of the proximal extremity; spicular surface transversely marked; non-spinous but transversely folded spicular sheath; vulval lips non-elevated or only anterior lip slightly elevated; and oval eggs with protruding polar plugs. This represents the first record of a capillariid worm from a snake of the family Elapidae.     

New schistorophine nematodes (Acuraiidae) from New Zealand shore birds

Viktorocara torea and Sciadiocara tarapunga n. spp. are described from specimens from the gizzards of Haematopus ostralegus finschi and Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus respectively. All hosts were collected in the South Island, New Zealand. V. torea is characterised by the possession of doubly bifid apices to the long spicule and absence of a subterminal spicular spur; presence of six preanal papillae, the first and second widely spaced: the muscular region of the oesophagus constituting about one quarter of the total length of the oesophagus. S. tarapunga is similar to S. umbellifera, but differs in having the muscular region of the oesophagus shorter than the glandular region, a more slender body in both sexes, much smaller spicules (78--91 micrometer and 275--359 micrometer) with the right spicule not more than one-third as long as the left one. The long spicule bears a pair of similar, rounded, laterally placed spatulate apices. It is suggested that Sciadiocara umbellifera of previous authors may encompass more than one species.     

Three new genera of nematodes (Strongyloidea: Cloacininae) from the redlegged pademelon,Thylogale stigmatica Gould (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from eastern Australia

Summary Cassunema exigua n.g., n.sp., Monilonema lacunosa n.g., n.sp. and Foliostoma macropodis n.g., n.sp. are described from the stomach of the redlegged pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould, 1860 (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), from north Queensland, Australia. All three genera belong to the subfamily Cloacininae Stossich, 1899 and to the tribe Macropostrongylinea Lichtenfels, 1980. The genus Cassunema is characterized by a poorly sclerotized buccal capsule with longitudinal ridges formed by the lining of the anterior part of the capsule. The genus Monilonema is characterized by a leaf-crown like flange at the mouth opening, a bulbous cervical collar, and paired dorsal and ventral tubular structures running internally and posteriorly from the collar. The genus Foliostoma is characterized by a leaf crown of tiny elements at the mouth opening, and oesophagus with short narrow anterior part, wide posterior part, bulb narrower than corpus and a heavily sclerotized ring between buccal capsule and oesophagus. A revised definition of the tribe Macropostrongylinea is given together with a key to the genera. ac]19810101     

Six new species of Lepidapedon Stafford, 1904 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from deep-sea macrourid fishes from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, with revised keys to the species of the genus

Species of the genus Lepidapedon are divided into various groups and subgroups based on vitelline distribution relative to the acetabulum and anterior extent of the excretory vesicle. Members of this genus predominantly parasitise gadiform fishes and are commonly collected from relatively deep waters. A recent study of deep-sea helminths from macrourids of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea revealed six new species of this genus. L. mexicanensis n. sp., of the elongatum group, elongatum subgroup, differs from other species in this subgroup in proportions (as % of body length), lacking confluent vitelline fields between both the ovary and anterior testis and the testes, and in having a smaller egg and body size. L. nezumiatis n. sp., of the elongatum group, desclersae subgroup, differs from both L. filiformis and L. desclersae in having intermediate egg and body sizes, and a longer oesophagus than prepharynx. L. caribbaei n. sp. and L. longivesicula n. sp., of the garrardi group, congeri subgroup, differ from L. congeri in having a sucker-ratio of 1:<1. L. caribbaei n. sp. and L. longivesicula n. sp. differ from each other in that L. caribbaei n. sp. has numerous long, barb-like, deeply imbedded spines, a less elongate body, an infundibuliform oral sucker, a similar-sized oesophagus and prepharynx, and a caecal bifurcation which is closer to the acetabulum than oral sucker, while L. longivesicula n. sp. has shorter, serrate or plate-like, lightly imbedded, widely to sporadically spaced spines, a more elongate body, a spherical to subspherical oral sucker, a longer oesophagus than prepharynx, and a caecal bifurcation which is closer to the oral sucker than acetabulum. L. desotoensis n. sp., of the rachion group, rachion subgroup, is distinct from both L. luteum and L. abyssensis in having a smaller size, lacking cervical glands or pharyngeal gland cells, and possessing dark-staining particles in the mesenchyme, while it differs from L. abyssensis specifically in having a much longer oesophagus than prepharynx, lateral vitelline fields that are not confluent intertesticularly, and wider eggs. L. zaniophori n. sp., also of the rachion subgroup, differs from both L. cascadensis and L. genge in having a smaller egg size, a shorter prepharynx and oesophagus than pharynx, and vitelline fields that are intertesticular but only slightly encroach between the ovary and anterior testis. L. sammari and L. spiniferi are designated as incertae sedis, and L. quiloni and L. stromateusi are designated as species inquirendae. New parasite keys and host records for Coelorinchus coelorhincus, C. caribbaeus and Nezumia cyrano are offered. Support is given to Lepidapedon probably being the dominant digenean genus in deep water.     

A new pronocephalid, Pleurogonius tortugueroi n. sp. (Digenea), from the intestine of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Costa Rica

A new species of trematode, Pleurogonius tortugueroi n. sp. (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) is described from the lower intestine of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The new species differs from all other species of Pleurogonius by having a short oesophagus and oval testes close to lateral posterior limit of the body. It differs from all other species, except P. malaclemys Hunter 1961, by having an ovary between the testes; moreover the latter species is a parasite of freshwater turtles. All others members of the genus have a long oesophagus, testes placed to some distance from the posterior end, and the ovary is pretesticular. The new species appears most closely related to P. linearis Looss, 1901 but differs from it by having a different body shape, lappets of the head collar close at the cecal bifurcation level, a longer vitellarian field, different testis shape and position, ovary intertesticular, and different egg size.     

Revision of Microlaimidae, Erection of Molgolaimidae fam.n., and Remarks on the Systematic Position of Paramicrolaimus (Nematoda, Desmodorida)

The family Microlaimidae contains Bolbolaiminae subfam.n. (Bolbolaimus syn. Pseudomicro-laimus) and Microlaiminae ( Calomicrolaimus, Ixonema and Microlaimus ). The new family Molgolaimidae contains Aponematinae subfam.n. ( Aponema gen.n.) and Molgolaiminae subfam.n. ( Molgolaimus and Prodesmodora ). The main differentiating characters applied are: structures of the head region, shape of the oesophagus, position of the excretory pore, shape of the tail, structure of the gonads and ornamentation of the cuticle. The significance of porids and preanal supplements as distinguishing characters is, discussed. Microlaimidae are closely related to Desmodoridae; Molgolaimidae related to Spiriniidae. Paramicrolaimus is transferred from Microlaimidae to Spiriniidae.–Six species from the Øresund, Denmark, are redescribed: Microlaimus punctulatus Gerlach, 1950 and M. acinaces Warwick & Piatt, 1973; Aponema torosus (Lorenzen, 1973) gen.n., comb.n. (syn. Microlaimus torosus Loren-zen, 1973); Molgolaimus allgeni (Gerlach, 1950) comb.n. (syn. Microlaimus allgeni Gerlach, 1950) and M. turgofrons (Lorenzen, 1972) comb.n. (syn. Microlaimus turgofrons Lorenzen, 1972); Paramicrolaimus spirulifer Wieser, 1959.     

Three new species of Rhabdias Stiles et Hassall, 1905 (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) parasitic in Ptychadena spp. (Amphibia: Anura: Ptychadenidae) and an identification key to Rhabdias spp. from Afrotropical anurans

Three new species of lung-dwelling nematodes are described from the frogs Ptychadena anchietae (Bocage), P. oxyrhynchus (Smith), and P. uzungwensis (Loveridge) in southern Africa. All three species are medium-sized species of Rhabdias Stiles et Hassall, 1905, with the thick-walled buccal capsules measuring 11–13 μm × 6–11 μm, consisting of longer anterior and shorter posterior parts. Rhabdias athos n. sp. and R. porthos n. sp. are characterised by the rounded anterior end of the body and the presence of short dilatation of the oesophagus at its mid-length. Rhabdias porthos n. sp. has distinct excretory glands which are absent in two other species. Rhabdias aramis n. sp. is characterised by the truncated anterior end and the slight constriction of the oesophagus at the level of its mid-length. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-28S rDNA sequences placed R. aramis n. sp. in the clade consisting of R. engelbrechti Kuzmin et al., 2017 from South Africa and Eurasian Rhabdias spp., while R. athos n. sp. and R. porthos n. sp. formed a sister group to that clade. Identification key to 14 Rhabdias spp. parasitic in anuran amphibians from the Afrotropical Realm is provided.     

Paralepidapedon ostorhinchi (Korotaeva, 1974) n. comb. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) in Oplegnathus woodwardi (Waite) (Teleostei: Perciformes: Oplegnathidae) from off Rottnest Island,Western Australia

The digenean originally designated Lepidapedon (Lepidapedon) ostorhinchi is redescribed from its type-host, Oplegnathus woodwardi [= Ostorhinchus conwaii], from the waters off Western Australia. The discovery of a uroproct indicates that the generic designation is wrong and the worm should be Paralepidapedon ostorhinchi (Korotaeva, 1974) n. comb. It is distinct from its nearest relative, P. hoplognathi (Yamaguti, 1938), in having: a prominent post-oral ring; a distinct oesophagus; short anterior diverticula on the caeca; a long external seminal vesicle, ensheathed in a membrane bound gland-cell mass; and less anteriorly extensive vitellarium.     

Pseudempleurosoma gibsoni n. sp., a new ancyrocephalid monogenean from Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Sciaenidae) from off the southeastern coast of Brazil

Pseudempleurosoma gibsoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) is described from the oesophagus of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner) from off the coast of Brazil. The type-species of Pseudempleurosoma Yamaguti, 1965, P. carangis Yamaguti, 1965, is redescribed and the diagnosis of the genus is amended. Metadiplectanotrema Gerasev et al. 1987 is considered synonym of Pseudempleurosoma. This genus now contains four species, including P. carangis, P. caranxi Gerasev et al., 1987 n. comb., P. myripristi Gerasev et al., 1987 n. comb. and the one new species.     

On the oesophagus of ascaris lumbricoides

Summary The oesophagus ofAscaris lumbricoides is built up by a muscular-epithelial part containing the ordinary muscle fibres which run from the three sides of the oesophagus lumen towards the periphery and a system of fibres and fibrous plates at the margin of the triradiate oesophagus lumen. In four complete series ofA. lumbricoides (males and females) the nuclei of both kinds of fibres were constant in arrangement and number. The glandular system of the oesophagus consists of a large dorsal gland and two smaller subventral ones. The opening of the dorsal gland is at the anterior end of the oesophagus in the middle between nerve ring and lips. The openings of the two subventral glands are placed in the posterior end of the oesophagus in the middle of the two subventral slides at the same level. The dorsal gland fills with its ramifications the space between the muscle fibres of the three sectors with the exception of the most anterior end of the oesophagus before the opening of the dorsal gland and the subventral sectors in the posterior end of the oesophagus. The subventral sectors of the posterior end are filled by the ramifications of the two subventral glands. The ramifications of these three glands are connected. The three nuclei of the three glands have their place in the posterior end of the oesophagus, the nuclei of the subventral glands are situated in the most ventral part of each subventral sector close to each other, the nucleus of the dorsal gland has a complicated form and extends over the whole breadth of the dorsal sector. With 10 figures in the text.     

New and described species of nematodes from shorebirds (Charadriiformes) collected in spring in Iceland

The following were found in shorebirds collected during late April and early May shortly after their arrival in Iceland. Voguracuaria lankesteri n. g., n. sp. was found in the oesophagus of eight of 20 whimbrels Numenius p. phaeopus. The new genus resembles Syncuaria, but males have an area rugosa and small caudal alae, females are didelphic and the vulva is distant from the anus. Also, Syncuaria spp. occupy the gizzard rather than the oesophagus. Skrjabinocerca europaea n. sp. was found in the oesophagus of six of 22 ringed plovers Charadrius h. hiaticula (type-host) and in one dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii. The new species is readily distinguished by the presence of a cuticular flange at the distal end of the left spicule, its slightly recurrent cordons and its longer right spicule. Skrjabinocerca prima previously reported from American avocets Recurvirostra americana in North America is recognised as a distinct species and named S. americana n. sp. Ancyracanthopsis shikhobalovi found in the gizzard of whimbrels and Viktorocara charadrii found in the gizzard of ringed plovers are redescribed. Other nematodes found in the birds were Chevreuxia revoluta, Cosmocephalus capellae, C. obvelatus, Echinuria sp., Streptocara sp., Ancyracanthopsis parvialatus, Schistorophus cornutus, S. cirripedesmi, Sciadiocara bihamata, Viktorocara limosae, Microtetrameres sp., Tetrameres sp., Stellocaronema skrjabini and Porrocaecum semiteres.     

Hystrignathus dearmasi sp. n. (Oxyurida, Hystrignathidae), first record of a nematode parasitizing a Panamanian Passalidae (Insecta, Coleoptera)

Hystrignathus dearmasi sp. n. (Oxyurida: Hystrignathidae) is described from an unidentified passalid beetle (Coleoptera: Passalidae) from Panama. It resembles Hystrignathus cobbi Travassos & Kloss, 1957 from Brazil, by having a similar form of the cephalic end, extension of cervical spines and absence of lateral alae. It differs from the latter species by having the body shorter, the oesophagus and tail comparatively larger, the vulva situated more posterior and the eggs ridged. This species constitutes the first record of a nematode parasitizing a Panamanian passalid.     

Biomechanical properties of the layered oesophagus and its remodelling in experimental type-1 diabetes

Passive biomechanical properties in term of the stress-strain relationship and the shear modulus were studied in separated muscle layer and mucosa-submucosa layer in the oesophagus of normal and STZ (streptozotocin)-induced diabetic rats. The mucosa-submucosa and muscle layers were separated using microsurgery and studied in vitro using a self-developed test machine. Stepwise elongation and inflation plus continuous twist were applied to the samples. A constitutive equation based on a strain energy function was used for the stress-strain analysis. Five material constants were obtained for both layers. The mucosa-submucosa layer was significantly stiffer than the muscle layer in longitudinal, circumferential and circumferential-longitudinal shear direction. The mechanical constants of the oesophagus show that the oesophageal wall was anisotropic, the stiffness in the longitudinal direction was higher than in the circumferential direction in the intact oesophagus (P < 0.001) and in the muscle layer (P < 0.05). Diabetes-induced pronounced increase in the outer perimeter, inner perimeter and lumen area in both the muscle and mucosa-submucosa layer. The growth of the mucosa-submucosa layer (P < 0.001) was more pronounced than the muscle layer (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the circumferential stiffness of the mucosa-submucosa layer increased 28 days after STZ treatment. In conclusion, the oesophagus is a non-homogeneous anisotropic tube. Thus, the mechanical properties differed between layers as well as in different directions. Morphological and biomechanical remodelling is prominent in the diabetic oesophagus.     

Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov''eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.     

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.     

黑斑侧褶蛙消化道重量及长度的性别和季节差异

消化道是联系脊椎动物能量摄入和能量支出之间关系的纽带,其重量和长度对外界环境具有高度的敏感性和弹性(flexibility)。以黑斑侧褶蛙(Pelophylax nigromaculata)为研究对象,测定了山东聊城地区2012年夏季(16只,8♀/8♂)、秋季(19只,9♀/10♂)及翌年春季(17只,8♀/9♂)其体重、体长、胴体湿重和干重系数、总消化道及各段(食道、胃、小肠和大肠)的湿重、干重和长度系数的性别和季节差异(双因素方差分析),对有性别差异的指标,用单因素方差分析分别比较了雌、雄蛙的季节差异。结果显示,1)雌蛙的体重、体长均高于雄蛙,都在秋季最高,春季或夏季最低;雄蛙的胴体湿重系数高于雌蛙,夏季高于秋季;胴体干重系数既无性别差异,也无季节差异。2)除食道湿重系数无性别差异外,雌蛙总消化道及各段的湿重系数均高于雄蛙;除胃湿重系数无季节差异外,春季或秋季的总消化道及各段的湿重系数都高于夏季;雌蛙的总消化道干重和胃干重系数高于雄蛙,食道、小肠和大肠的干重系数无性别差异,所有的干重系数均无季节性差异。3)除雌蛙的大肠长系数高于雄蛙外,总消化道及各段的长度系数均无性别差异,春季和秋季的总消化道长、食道长及胃长系数均高于夏季,小肠长和大肠长系数均无季节性差异。结果表明,随着季节更替,黑斑侧褶蛙消化道各段的重量和长度表现出一定的弹性特征,这与各器官的功能及其生活环境的多样性是相适应的。     

A comparison of food capture and ingestion in juveniles of two flatfish species, Pleuronectes platessa and Limanda limanda (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes)

Juvenile plaice, Pleuronectes platessa ( n =6, 151–197 mm SL) and dab Limanda limanda ( n =6, 119–180.5 mm SL) feeding on pieces of mussel flesh were studied by high-speed (200 fields s⁻¹) videophotography at 11) C. Prey capture cycles (involving jaw protrusion and opercular expansion) were described in both species. The capture cycle was followed by at least one cycle (similar to the capture cycle in all respects except food intake) which is believed to transport food to the oesophagus. The transport cycle (or cycles) was followed by a species-specific number of normal respiratory cycles (7 or 8 in plaice, 11 or 12 in dab) and a final single cycle when food debris was violently ejected from the opercular cavity. The respiratory cycles and ejection cycle cleansed the orobranchial/opercular cavities and gills. Differences between the species were relatively minor, but plaice captured and transported food more quickly than dab.