Descriptions of Wardula bartolii n. sp. (Digenea: Mesometridae) and three newly recorded accidental parasites of Boops boops L. (Sparidae) in the NE Atlantic

Four species of digeneans parasitic in the bogue Boops boops from the Spanish coast of the NE Atlantic are described. All are new records for this host, but one species is new and the other three are considered to be accidental parasites. Wardula bartolii n. sp. (Mesometridae) is distinguished from its two congeners on the basis of a range of morphometrical features, such as the post-ovarian extent of the uterus, the relative length of the attachment organ, the position of the pharynx and vitelline fields, and the absence of anterior caecal diverticula. The other three species are Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 (Lecithasteridae) and Accacladium serpentulum Odhner, 1928) (Accacoeliidae).     

Descriptions of some unusual digeneans from Boops boops L. (Sparidae) and a complete checklist of its metazoan parasites

Six species of digeneans, including three new host records, are described from the bogue Boops boops off the Spanish NE Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts. The species involved are: Robphildollfusium martinezgomezi López-Román, Gijón-Botella, Kim & Vilca-Choque, 1992, Magnibursatus caudofilamentosa (Reimer, 1971) Gibson & K?ie, 1991, Lepocreadium album Stossich, 1890, Steringotrema pagelli (van Beneden, 1871) Odhner, 1911, Tetrochetus coryphaenae Yamaguti, 1934 and Stephanostomum euzeti Bartoli & Bray, 2004 (metacercaria). B. boops is a new host for 11 metazoan parasites (six digeneans, three acanthocephalans, one copepod and one isopod) recovered in this study. These are reported and incorporated into a complete checklist of the metazoan parasites of B. boops throughout its distributional range. It comprises summarised information for 67 species in 260 host-parasite records and includes the name of the parasite species, the locality of the host, and the author and date of the published record. The taxonomy is updated and annotations are made on the validity of the records and synonymies.     

Descriptions of Cosmocampus retropinnis sp. n., Minyichthys sentus sp. n. and Amphelikturus sp. (Pisces, Syngnathidae) from the Eastern Atlantic Region

Pelagic juvenile pipefishes, representing three genera previously unrecorded from the eastern Atlantic region, are reported from collections of the 1928–30 DANA expedition. Cosmocampus retropinnis sp. n., with dorsal-fin origin on tail and 6.75–8.0 subdorsal rings (S Morocco to Gambia), Minyichthys sentus sp. n., with patches of spinules on snout and 42 tail rings (W Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean off N Morocco and Canary Is.), and Amphelikturus sp. (off Sierra Leone) are described and figured. The subgenus Minyichthys Herald and Randall is rediagnosed as a genus characterized, in part, by an 8-rayed caudal fin. A key is provided to the nine genera of Syngnathidae known from the eastern Atlantic region.     

Degeneration of the tongue of Boops [(Boops boops L., 1758) (Teleost, Sparidae)] parasitized by Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae) (author's transl)

Host fishes (Boops boops) parasitized by the cymothoid isopod Meinertia oestroides show an atrophied tonuge: its length and its initial weight can decrease of about 50%. These morphological variations are connected with deep histological alterations, such as: A more or less important vanishing of epidermis. A disorganization of the connective tissue, by numerous invading blood cells. A total vanishing of cargilage and a partial vanishing of bone, resulting from the lysis of their own fundamental substance.     

Cardicola aurata sp. n. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Mediterranean Sparus aurata L. (Teleostei: Sparidae) and its unexpected phylogenetic relationship with Paradeontacylix McIntosh, 1934

A new sanguinicolid trematode, Cardicola aurata sp. n., is described from gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L., from off the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The morphology of C. aurata sp. n. generally agrees with the diagnosis of the genus, however, in contrast to all other reported Cardicola spp. the male pore is located sub-medially at the posterior end of the body instead of sinistrally before the posterior end of the body. Based on a comparison of the morphology as well as partial 28S and ITS2 rDNA sequence data from the present species with that from closely related species, it was decided to emend the diagnosis of Cardicola rather than create a new genus, as the aberrant position of the male pore is likely to be an autapomorphy. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a close relationship between Cardicola and Paradeontacylix, two genera with considerable morphological differences; C. aurata sp. n. occupies a position intermediate to these genera. Thus, a morphological comparison of Cardicola, Paradeontacylix and Braya, a genus which is morphologically similar to Cardicola but clusters basal to the Cardicola/Paradeontacylix clade, was conducted. The results of this comparison showed that despite large differences with regard to body shape, the organisation of the internal organs is very similar in species of Cardicola and Paradeontacylix. The synopsis of morphological data and molecular phylogeny allows for interpretations regarding the importance of different morphological features for the phylogenetic inference of the Sanguinicolidae.     

Boreascotia megavesicula n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Hemiuridae: Lecithochiriinae) in the nototheniid fish Lepidonotothen macrophthalma (Norman) from the sub-Antarctic Atlantic

Boreascotia megavesicula n. g., n. sp. is described from the intestine of the fish Lepidonotothen macrophthalma from the North Scotia Ridge, Sub-Antarctic, Atlantic Ocean. The new genus has an ecsoma, placing it in the family Hemiuridae, and a distinct prostatic vesicle, placing it in the subfamily Lecithochiriinae, but is distinct from the other members of the subfamily in having an elongate, tubular seminal vesicle, which reaches well into the hindbody and overlaps the anterior testis.     

Moniligerum blairi n. g., n. sp. and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Trematoda: Digenea) from the West Indian Manatee,Trichechus manatus L.

Moniligerum n. g. is erected for Moniligerum blairi n. sp. (Opisthotrematidae) and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Nudacotylidae) is described, both from the small intestine of Trichechus manatus L. from Martin County, Florida. The new genus is placed in the family Opisthotrematidae Poche, 1926, subfamily Lankatrematinae Yamaguti, 1958. Moniligerum differs from other genera in the subfamily (Lankatrema Crusz & Fernand, 1954, and Lankatrematoides Blair, 1981) by the possession of an anterior collar and in the form of the ovary (compact and not transversely elongated) and vitellarium (single median lobed mass). Nudacotyle undicola differs from N. valdevaginatus, the most similar species, in body size, the length of the caeca, the shape of the vitellarium and the position of the genital pore, cirrus pouch and ovary.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.     

Prodistomum priedei n. sp. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from the deepwater cardinalfish Epigonus telescopus (Perciformes: Epigonidae) in the northern Atlantic Ocean

Prodistomum priedei n. sp. is described from Epigonus telescopus from the Porcupine Seabight. It differs from its closest relatives, P. waltairensis, P. hynnodi and P. alaskensis (Ward & Fillingham, 1934) n. comb. [originally Opechona], in its relatively smaller ventral sucker and smaller eggs. Other differentiating features are tabulated. Attention is drawn to the host-parasite relationship associating a lepocreadiine lepocreadiid with a perciform host, a relationship which is common in warm shallow waters but unusual in cold deep-sea conditions. This may indicate that host and parasite have colonised the deep sea simultaneously and co-evolved in that environment.     

The life-cycle of Helicometra gibsoni n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae)

The life-cycle of Helicometra gibsoni n. sp., an opecoelid trematode of marine fishes, is elucidated and the life-history stages are described. Natural infections with the cercariae, which are typically opecoelid in many respects but characterised by having very long, extensile tails, were found in the intertidal snail Anachis terpsichore collected from the Lawson's Bay Coast, Bay of Bengal. Metacercariae were found in the thoracic muscles of the shooting shrimp Alphaeus malabaricus as prominent, reddish-brown, oval cysts. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that 14 days are required for the development of cercaria into the infective metacercarial stage in shrimps. Natural infections with the adult fluke were found in Scorpaenopsis cirrhosus. Therapon jarbua served as an experimental host. Fourteen-day-old metacercariae fed to T. jarbua developed into egg-producing adults in 40–43 days. Intra-specific variations noted in the flukes obtained from natural and experimental infections are presented. H. fasciata of Madhavi (1975) is regarded as a synonym of H. gibsoni.     

Influence of the cymothoid isopods Meinertia oestroides, Meinertia parallela, and Anilocra physodes (Crustacea; parasites of fish) on the growth of hosts, Boops boops and Pagellus erythrinus (Sparidae) (author's transl)]

Studies of weight-size (W = aLb) and growth (L = aT + b) in fish (Boops boops and Pagellus erythrinus), potential hosts of some Cymothoid isopods (Meinertia oestroides, Meinertia parallela, and Anilocra physodes) have been performed. Infested fishes show a slight decrease in weight compared to normal fish. Cymothoid do not exert a significant influence on the weight-size ratio; on the other hand, a delay in growth does occur.     

Pygidiopsis ardeae n. sp. (Digenea: Heterophyidae: Pygidiopsinae) in the grey heron Ardea cinerea L. from Denmark

A new species, Pygidiopsis ardeae (Heterophyidae, Pygidiopsinae), is described, using both light and stereoscan electron microscopy, from the grey heron Ardea cinerea L. (Ardeidae) from Denmark. The species has previously (as P. genata) been recorded in dogs fed on plaice and flounders from Danish waters. It developed experimentally in domestic chickens and pigeons. No species of Pygidiopsis Looss, 1907 has previously been described from birds in northern Europe. P. ardeae is very similar to the type-species, P. genata Looss, 1907, from Egypt, but the two species have different life-cycles. P. ardeae differs from P. piclaumoreli Dollfus & Capron, 1958 from Senegal in its size and the disposition of vitelline follicles. P. plana (Linton, 1928) Price, 1933, from a green heron from the eastern USA, is larger than P. ardeae and has a wide, sac-like prepharynx.     

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.     

Strzeleckia major n. g., n. sp. and S. minor n. sp. (Digenea: Hasstilesiidae) from Antechinus swainsonii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in Australia

Strzeleckia major n. g., n. sp. and S. minor n. sp. are described from the dusky antechinus Antechinus swainsonii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) from the Kosciusko National Park in southern New South Wales, Australia. The two species were found together in the same individual host animals but occupy different sites in the intestine. The new genus is placed within the Hasstilesiidae, where it differs from the only other genus, Hasstilesia, by being more elongate and in having larger suckers, tandem testes, the ovary between rather than opposite the testes, and in having the caeca not reaching the posterior end of the body. It is suggested that the life-cycles of these species are similar to those of other hasstilesiids. Pupillid snails may act as sole intermediate hosts.     

Descriptions of Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina) from Haryana,India

Two different nematodes were isolated from the bark of Albizia lebbeck trees; one from insect infested and another from noninfested, healthy tree. Based on the biological, morphological, and molecular evidences, the nematodes are described as Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina). Deladenus albizicus n. sp., isolated from insect-infested tree, multiplied on the fungus Nigrospora oryzae. Myceliophagous females of this nematode reproduced by parthenogenesis and spermathecae were indistinct. Infective females, readily produced in the cultures, are dorsally curved. Only one type of males containing small-sized sperms in their genital tracts were produced in the culture. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.75 to 1.71 mm, a = 32.3 to 50.8, b = 9.3 to 11.2, b’ = 5.2 to 7.3, c = 27.2 to 35.6, V = 91.0 to 93.3, c’ = 2.0 to 2.9, stylet = 11 to 12 µm, excretory pore in the region of median pharyngeal bulb, 43 to 47 µm anterior to hemizonid. Deladenus processus n. sp., isolated from bark of healthy A. lebbeck tree, was cultured on Alternaria alternata. Myceliophagous females reproduced by amphimixis and their spermathecae contained rounded sperms. Infective females were never produced, even in old cultures. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.76 to 0.99 mm, a = 34 to 49, b = 13.3 to 17.7, b’ = 3.8 to 5.8, c = 19.6 to 22.8, V = 92.2 to 93.5, c’ = 2.7 to 3.5, stylet = 6 to 7 µm, excretory pore in the proximity of hemizonid, tail conoid, tapering from both sides to a long pointed central process. It is proposed to classify Deladenus species in three groups: durus, siricidicola, and laricis groups based on female and spermatogonia dimorphism, mode of reproduction, and insect parasitism.     

Rhipidocotyle genovi n. sp. (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from the intestine ofGaidropsarus mediterraneus (L.) (Gadiformes: Gadidae) from the Black Sea

Rhipidocotyle genovi n. sp. is described from the fishGaidropsarus mediterraneus (L.) (Gadiformes: Gadidae) in the Black Sea. Morphological features characteristic of this species include: an anterior sucker with seven prominent muscular appendages; a pharynx rather posterior in position; ovary and testes relatively anterior in position, usually anterior to the pharynx; a long (in relation to body length) sucker, cirrus-sac and excretory vesicle; the presence of a pre-oral lip; and contiguous vitelline fields which form an arch. The new species is distinguished fromR. galeata, R. lamberti andBucephalus marinum. This is the first member of the genus whose adults are recovered from Black Sea marine fishes. Metacercariae, which encyst in large numbers in the musculature and fins of the blenniid fishesBlennius tentacularis, B. sanguinolentus, B pavo, B. sphinx andB. zvonimiri and exhibit a similar morphology to the adult, are described.     

Echinostoma luisreyi n. sp. (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) by light and scanning electron microscopy

The entire life cycle of the Brazilian Echinostoma luisreyi n. sp., of the 37-collar spine E. revolutum group, has been observed under experimental conditions. The snail Physa marmorata serves as its first natural intermediate host. This species and the planorbid Biomplalaria glabrata act as experimental second intermediate hosts. The worm recovery rate was 51.3 and 0.6% for mice and hamsters, respectively, but the infection did not develop in the quail Coturnix coturnix. The natural vertebrate host is not known. The most important morphological character of the new species separating it from the other Echinostoma species studied is the oral corner spines that increase in size from the latero-oral to the ventro-oral regions. The ratio of the sizes of the smaller oral spines and the larger aboral ones was 1.7:1.0. Also, the excretory pore is radially wrinkled and dorsally subterminal. Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy confirmed the characters that differentiate the new species and the most closely related species.     

Dicrocoeliidae (Trematoda: Digenea) of Australian mammals with description of Dicrocoelium antechini n. sp., Athesmioides aiolos n. g., n. sp. and Platynosomum burrman n. sp.

Dicrocoelium antechini n. sp. is described from the bile ducts of Antechinus swainsonii and A. stuartii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) from New South Wales. The species differs from all others in the genus in that the caecal bifurcation is well posterior to the ventral sucker and testes. Athesmioides aiolos n. g., n. sp. is described from Rattus fuscipes and R. lutreolus from New South Wales and from R. norvegicus, R. lutreolus and Pseudomys higginsi from Tasmania (all Rodentia: Muridae). The genus Athesmioides is characterised by the presence of unilateral vitelline follicles and an undivided caecum. Platynosomum burrman n. sp. is described from Isoodon macrourus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) from the Northern Territory. It differs from other species in a combination of characters regarding the shape of the forebody, the arrangement of the gonads, the disposition of the uterus and the size of the eggs. The taxonomic status of Platynosomum australiense (Sandars, 1958), Brachylecithum insulare Angel & Pearson, 1977 and Brachylecithum hydromyos Angel & Pearson, 1977 are summarised. Records are presented of undescribed dicrocoeliids from the marsupials Petaurus breviceps, Planigale maculata and Dasyurus hallucatus and the murids Rattus fuscipes and Melomys sp.