Two new species of Haemaphysalis Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) in the H. (Rhipistoma) spinulosa subgroup,parasites of carnivores and hedgehogs in Africa

Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) princeps n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae) and H. (R.) camicasi n. sp. are described based on adults. Adults of H. princeps n. sp. were mostly collected from various carnivores (Carnivora: Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Viverridae) and hedgehogs (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae); few specimens were found on hare (Lagomorpha: Leporidae), various rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) and an antelope (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan. Few adults of H. princeps n. sp. were reared from nymphs collected on rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) and shrew (Soricomorpha: Soricidae). Adults of H. camicasi n. sp. were also mostly collected from various carnivores (Carnivora: Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Viverridae) and hedgehogs (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae); few specimens were found on different rodents (Rodentia: Muridae, Nesomyidae, Sciuridae), hare (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) and bushbaby (Primates: Galagidae) in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan and Togo. Males and females of both species can be differentiated from each other and other H. spinulosa-like ticks by their size, pattern of punctations on conscutum/scutum, size of setae, shape of genital structures, size and shape of spiracular plates, dorsal cornua, posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on palpal segments II and spur on coxae.

     

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.     

Low, complex and probably reticulated chromosome evolution of sciuromorpha (rodentia) and lagomorpha

Lagomorpha (rabbits and pikas) and Sciuromorpha (squirrels) are grouped in the Glires superorder. Their chromosome diversification, since their separation from the eutherian mammalian common ancestor, was characterized by a low rate of chromosome rearrangements. Consequently, the structure of some chromosomes was either conserved or only slightly modified, making their comparison easy at the genus, family and even order level. Interspecific in situ hybridization (Zoo-FISH) largely corroborates classical cytogenetic data but provides much more reliability in comparisons, especially for distant species. We reconstructed common ancestral karyotypes for Glires, Lagomorpha, Sciuromorpha, and Sciuridae species, and then, determined the chromosome changes separating these ancestors from their common eutherian ancestor. We propose that reticulated evolution occurred during the diversification of Glires, which implies that several pericentric inversions and Robertsonian translocations were conserved in the heterozygous status for an extensive period. Finally, among Lagomorpha and Sciuromorpha, we focused on Leporidae and Sciuridae chromosome evolution. In the various attempts to establish dichotomic evolutionary schemes, it was necessary to admit that multiple homoplasies (convergent and reverse rearrangements) occurred in Sciuridae and in a lesser degree, in Leporidae. In Leporidae, additional rearrangements were sufficient to propose a resolved phylogeny. However, a resolved phylogeny was not possible for Sciuridae because most of the rearrangements occurred in terminal branches. We conclude that a reticulated evolution took place early during the evolution of both families and lasted longer in Sciuridae than in Leporidae. In Sciuridae, most chromosome rearrangements were pericentric inversions involving short fragments. Such rearrangements have only mild meiotic consequences, which may explain the long persistence of the heterozygous status characterizing reticulated evolution.     

Haemodipsus brachylagi n. sp. (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae), a new sucking louse from the pygmy rabbit in Nevada

The male and female of Haemodipsis brachylagi n. sp. (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are described from specimens collected from a pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis (Merriam) (Lagomorpha: Leporidae), from Nevada. Morphological features that differentiate the new species from other known species of Haemodipsus are elucidated, and an identification key to both sexes of the 3 species now known from this genus in North America is included. Geographical distributions of the other 4 species of Haemodipsus known from other parts of the world are highlighted.     

A new species of the genus Zalophotrema (Digenea: Campulidae), Zalophotrema atlanticum n. sp., from the liver of the striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Atlantic waters

Zalophotrema atlanticum n. sp. from the liver of a striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833), stranded in the Canary Islands is described. This new species differs from the other Zalophotrema species in body dimensions and relative size and position of the suckers and cirrus-sac. This is the first record of a species of the genus Zalophotrema in the striped dolphin, and the Atlantic Ocean constitutes a new locality record for this genus.     

Scorpidotrema longistipes n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Scorpis georgiana (Teleostei: Scorpididae) from southern Western Australia

Scorpidotrema longistipes n. g., n. sp. is described from the intestine of Scorpis georgiana Valenciennes (Scorpididae) from off Point Peron, Western Australia. The new genus is distinguished by the combination of a remarkably long and retractable ventral sucker peduncle, a possible uroproct, well-developed cirrus-sac and a uterine seminal receptacle. The subfamilial relationships of the new genus are troublesome. It incorporates features of the Opecoelinae, Stenakrinae and Plagioporinae. The absence of a canalicular seminal receptacle suggests a relationship with the Opecoelinae and Stenakrinae, whereas the well-developed cirrus-sac suggests a relationship with the Plagioporinae and Stenakrinae. The overall arrangement of the gonads is not similar to that of existing genera of Stenakrinae. It is concluded that the genus is best placed in the Stenakrinae although that subfamily may now be an artificial assemblage. This new genus forms part of a distinctive fauna of trematodes restricted to Australian southern temperate fishes.     

Steganoderma (Steganoderma) valchetensis n. sp. (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from the relict fish Gymnocharacinus bergi (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in Argentina

A new species of Steganoderma (Steganoderma) (Digenea: Zoogonidae) was found in the digestive tract of the southernmost, endemic and scale-less characid, Gymnocharacinus bergi, inhabiting thermal headwaters of the Valcheta Creek in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Steganoderma valchetensis n. sp. is included in the subgenus Steganoderma because of having a sessile ventral sucker and caeca reaching to the testes. This new species can be distinguished from other species of this genus on the basis of body-length, sucker-ratio, the length of the cirrus-sac, the morphology of the seminal vesicle and gonads, and the location of the vitelline follicles and genital pore. The taxonomic status of the species of Steganoderma, parasitising the freshwater fishes of Patagonia, in southern Argentina, and Chile, is also discussed.     

Catatropis hatcheri n. sp. (Digenea: Notocotylidae) from Heleobia hatcheri (Prosobranchia: Hydrobiidae) and notes on its life-cycle in Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of Catatropis Oghner, 1905 from a freshwater Neotropical prosobranch snail, Heleobia hatcheri (Hydrobiidae), is described. Naturally infected snails were collected from Nahuel Huapí Lake in Andean Patagonia. The characteristics of the larval stages are also presented. Experimental adults were recovered from the distal region of the intestinal caeca of chicks and ducklings and natural adults from a wild duck Anas platyrhynchos. Adults of Catatropis hatcheri n. sp. can be distinguished from all other species of the genus in having 10–12 (11) ventral glands in each lateral row, the cirrus-sac extending back to between the first third and the middle of the body, the metraterm shorter than the cirrus-sac, a previtelline field of 1,258–1,544 (1,396), vitelline follicles reach back to the anterior border of the testes with some follicles extending slightly lateral to them, only external testicular margin lobed and genital pore in median line just posterior to the intestinal bifurcation. In addition, the eggs have one filament on each pole, the rediae contain one or two mature cercariae, and the cercariae are tri-oculate, with a long tail and encyst in the environment.     

Bartoliella pritchardae n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) in Epinephelides armatus (Serranidae) from temperate marine waters of Western Australia

An opecoelid, Bartoliella pritchardae n. g., n. sp., is described from the intestine of Epinephelides armatus from Western Australia. The new genus has been assigned to the subfamily Opecoelininae Gibson & Bray, 1984, bringing the number of genera in the subfamily to two. Although the new genus is similar to Opecoelina Manter, 1934 morphologically, the pedunculate ventral sucker and complete absence of a cirrus-sac necessitate the erection of a new genus. A formal re-definition of the subfamily is given, based on the diagnoses of the genera Opecoelina and Bartoliella n. g.     

A revision of Hexacanalis Perrenoud, 1931 (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) and description of H. folifer n. sp. from the zonetail butterfly ray Gymnura zonura (Bleeker) (Rajiformes: Gymnuridae)

Hexacanalis Perrenoud, 1931 was erected for H. abruptus (Southwell, 1911) Perrenoud, 1931 based on the presence of six excretory vessels, a unique feature among the Lecanicephalidea. The genus has since been considered a junior synonym of Cephalobothrium Shipley & Hornell, 1906 or Lecanicephalum Linton, 1890, or as a genus inquirendum. Based on examination of the syntype series of H. abruptus, this species is redescribed and a lectotype designated. Examination of cestodes from the zonetail butterfly ray Gymnura zonura (Bleeker) from off Indonesian Borneo resulted in the discovery of a second species. Hexacanalis folifer n. sp. is unique among lecanicephalideans in its possession of an ovary that is U-shaped in cross-section and craspedote proglottids with prominent posterior dorso-ventral processes in the form of large lappets. The presence of six excretory vessels, confirmed in both species, supports the validity of Hexacanalis. An additional species, H. pteroplateae (Zaidi & Khan, 1976) n. comb., also from a butterfly ray, G. micrura (Bloch & Schneider) [as Pteroplatea micrura (Bloch & Schneider)], is transferred to this genus from Cephalobothrium Shipley & Hornell, 1906. A revised diagnosis of Hexacanalis is presented. Seven species of this genus remain species inquirendae. Hexacanalis appears to parasitise species of the Gymnuridae van Hasselt; however, specific identifications of the hosts are in need of re-evaluation. A summary of the cestode parasites of the Gymnuridae is presented.     

Isozyme variation and species relationships in the genus Lolium L. (ryegrasses,Graminaceae)

Thirty-two natural populations belonging to the eight species of the genus Lolium (ryegrass) or to Festuca pratensis (meadow fescue) were recorded for allelic frequencies at 13 isozyme loci. Cultivated ryegrass (L. perenne and L. multiflorum), meadow fescue, and the annual L. rigidum, are true outbreeders. The other species are true inbreeders, except for L. canariense, which shows a moderate level of cross fertilisation (20%). Hierarchical clustering from Nei's unbiased distance leads to four groups. The three self-pollinating, weed species, L. temulentum, L. remotum and L. persicum, belong to the first cluster, which is the most differentiated one. The second cluster comprises L. multiflorum, L. subulatum and most populations of L. rigidum. All L. perenne populations belong to the third cluster, as do two of L. rigidum. The average genetic distance within the L. perenne group is very low. Surprisingly, the fourth cluster groups together L. canariense and Festuca pratensis. The data suggest that L. rigidum is the species with the greatest diversity, and could be a common ancestor of the genus. Knowledge of historical processes of domestication could help to calibrate the molecular clock.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Grammatorcynicola</Emphasis> n. g. (Bucephalidae: Dolichoenterinae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Grammatorcynus</Emphasis> spp. (Scombridae) on the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

A new trematode genus, Grammatorcynicola n. g. (Bucephalidae: Dolichoenterinae), and two new species, G. brayi n. sp. and G. nolani n. sp. from the intestines of the scombrids, Grammatorcynus bicarinatus and Gr. bilineatus respectively, are reported from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Grammatorcynicola n. g. is placed in the Dolichoenterinae, as the pharynx is in the anterior quarter of the body, the caecum is tube-like and extends to the posterior quarter of the body, the cirrus-sac is small relative to the size of the worm when compared with other bucephalids and the pars prostatica is curved. Grammatorcynicola n. g. differs from other dolichoenterine genera in having a simple sucker-like rhynchus, the ovary anterior to the testes and by not having a particularly thick cirrus-sac wall.     

A taxonomic revision of Labiostrongylus (Labiostrongylus) (Yorke & Maplestone, 1926) and Labiostrongylus (Labiomultiplex) n. subg. (Nematoda: Cloacinidae) from macropodid and potoroid marsupials

The morphological characters used to differentiate species in the genus Labiostrongylus Yorke & Maplestone, 1926, parasitic in macropodid and potoroid marsupials, are discussed. The genus is divided into three subgenera Labiostrongylus (Labiostrongylus), L. (Labiomultiplex) n. subg. and L. (Labiosimplex) n. subg. on the basis of the presence or absence of interlabia and the morphology of the oesophagus. A key to the subgenera is given and a detailed revision of two of the subgenera is presented. Keys to each of the subgenera are given, the species discussed being: L. (L.) labiostrongylus) (type-species) (syn. L. (L.) insularis, L. (L.) grandis, L. (L.) macropodis sp. inq. and L. (L.) nabarlekensis n. sp., in the subgenus Labiostrongylus, and L. (Lm.) eugenii, L. (Lm.) novaeguineae, L. (Lm.) onychogale, L. (Lm.) uncinatus, L. (Lm.) billardierii n. sp., L. (Lm.) constrictis n. sp., L. (Lm.) kimberleyensis n. sp., L. (Lm.) thylogale n. sp., and L. (Lm.) potoroi, n. sp., in the subgenus Labiomultiplex.     

Molecular systematics and Holarctic phylogeography of cestodes of the genus Anoplocephaloides Baer, 1923 s. s. (Cyclophyllidea,Anoplocephalidae) in lemmings (Lemmus,Synaptomys)

The present molecular systematic and phylogeographic analysis is based on sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) (mtDNA) and 28S ribosomal DNA and includes 59 isolates of cestodes of the genus Anoplocephaloides Baer, 1923 s. s. (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae) from arvicoline rodents (lemmings and voles) in the Holarctic region. The emphasis is on Anoplocephaloides lemmi (Rausch 1952) parasitizing Lemmus trimucronatus and Lemmus sibiricus in the northern parts of North America and Arctic coast of Siberia, and Anoplocephaloides kontrimavichusi (Rausch 1976) parasitizing Synaptomys borealis in Alaska and British Columbia. The cox1 data, 28S data and their concatenated data all suggest that A. lemmi and A. kontrimavichusi are both non‐monophyletic, each consisting of two separate, well‐defined clades, that is independent species. As an example, the sister group of the clade 1 of A. lemmi, evidently representing the ‘type clade’ of this species, is the clade 1 of A. kontrimavichusi. For A. kontrimavichusi, it is not known which one is the type clade. There is also fairly strong evidence for the non‐monophyly of Anoplocephaloides dentata (Galli‐Valerio, 1905)‐like species, although an earlier phylogeny suggested that this multispecies assemblage may be monophyletic. The results suggest a deep phylogenetic codivergence of Lemmus spp. and A. lemmi, primarily separating the two largely allopatric host and parasite species at the Kolyma River in east Siberia. There are also two allopatric sublineages within each main clade/species of A. lemmi and Lemmus, but the present distributions of the sublineages within the eastern L. trimucronatus and clade 1 of A. lemmi are not concordant. This discrepancy may be most parsimoniously explained by an extensive westward distributional shift of the easternmost parasite subclade. The results further suggest that the clade 1 of A. kontrimavichusi has diverged through a host shift from the precursor of L. trimucronatus to S. borealis.     

A phylogenetic study of Lepidapedoides Yamaguti, 1970 (Digenea) with a key and descriptions of two new species from Western Australia

Two new species of the genus Lepidapedoides are described from the aulopodid teleost Aulopus purpurissatus from south-western Australia. Both are distinguished from other Lepidapedoides spp. by their pedunculate ventral sucker. Lepidapedoides pistoris n. sp. and L. elongatrium n. sp. are distinguished by the possession of a narrow, elongate form, a long ventral sucker to ovary distance, the vitellarium reaching only to the posterior level of the cirrus-sac, the cirrus-sac length and the deep genital atrium with the metraterm entering distally to its base in L. elongatrium. A key to species of the genus is given. A character matrix is included for the genus. Poorly resolved phylogenetic trees indicate two main lineages in the genus. The two new species described here are resolved as sister taxa. The new combination Lepidapedoides freitasi (Kohn &; Fernandes, 1970) is formed for Acanthocolpoides freitasi.     

Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. and Gibsonilepis swifti (Singh, 1952) n. g., n. comb. (Cestoda, Dilepididae) from the House Swift, Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) (Aves, Apodiformes) from Franceville, Republic of Gabon

Nine specimens of Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) were studied at Franceville, Haut-Ogooué Province, Republic of Gabon, for the presence of helminth parasites. Two cestode species of the family Dilepididae were recorded. Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. is distinguished from the most similar species P. europaea Georgiev & Murai, 1993 by having elliptical cirrus-sac, longer vagina, longer rostellar sheath and greater diameter of suckers. An identification key to the species of the genus Pseudangularia Burt, 1938 is proposed. The present study is the first record of the genus Pseudangularia in the Afrotropical Region. Our study confirms that, in dilepidids with vaginal sclerites from swifts, breaking off the cirrus after copulation is a frequent phenomenon. The genus Gibsonilepis n. g. is erected as monotypic for Vitta swifti Singh, 1952 (originally described from the same host species in India) and Gibsonilepis swifti n. comb. is proposed. Gibsonilepis n. g. is distinguished from Vitta Burt, 1938 by its highly elongate rostellum, rostellar sheath much bigger than rostellum, relatively small rostellar hooks possessing strongly developed guard, disc-shaped suckers with weak peripheral musculature and flat or convex central part, long and well-expressed neck, highly lobed two-winged ovary (lobes rounded) and presence of a band consisting of rows of spine-like microtriches along posterior margin of each proglottis. This is the first record of G. swifti in the Afrotropical Region. The separation of G. swifti from the genus Vitta (parasites of swallows) suggests that, contrary to previous opinions, no dilepidid genera are shared by Apodidae (swifts) and Hirundinidae (swallows).     

The anterior process of the malleus in extant Lagomorpha (Mammalia)

The anterior anchoring of the malleus of 30 extant species of Lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, pikas) has been studied on the basis of histological serial sections and µCT‐scans. It is shown that former studies of Oryctolagus, Lepus, and Ochotona are incomplete, because the rostral part of the processus anterior of the malleus is always lacking due to damage of this extremely delicate structure. Our study shows that in perinatal stages of Leporidae the praearticulare develops a prominent processus internus that fits into a groove at the ventral side of the tegmen tympani; this “tongue and groove”‐arrangement may act as a hinge. In adult stages, the rostral end of the praearticulare fuses synostotically with the medial process of the ectotympanic. Torsional strain produced by rotation around the axis of the middle ear ossicles at sound transmission must, therefore, be experienced by the extremely thin but highly elastic bony pedicle of the processus internus praearticularis. The free ending processus anterior of a late fetal Ochotona shows a short processus internus praearticularis, which does not articulate with the tegmen tympani. During postnatal development the middle ear of Ochotona becomes considerably remodelled: not only does excessive pneumatization of the tegmen tympani and tympanic cavity wall occur, but the short processus anterior is fused synostotically to a bone trabecula of the tegmen tympani meshwork. The thin and elastic bone bridges are not equivalent in Leporidae and Ochotonidae, that is, they must have evolved convergently. Fleischer's classification with Oryctolagus possessing a “freely mobile type” of middle ear ossicles cannot be supported by our observations. The same holds true for Ochotona, which does not represent a “freely mobile type” either. Thus, we suggest for the lagomorph middle ear ossicles a new category: the “bone elasticity type.”     

Tooth Morphology in Fossil and Extant Lagomorpha (Mammalia) Reflects Different Mastication Patterns

The functional interpretation of the cheek teeth and the mastication cycle of Lagomorpha are deduced from various aspects of tooth morphology of fossil and extant species. Mastication is composed of an almost orthal shearing and transverse grinding in a lingual direction. Shearing blades are not only indicated by facets but as well by thickened enamel. A primary shearing blade (PSB) inherited from stem lagomorphs occurs in all examined species. It can be correlated with facets 1 and 5 (sensu Crompton 1971) and occurs in very few mammals; it is conspicuously absent in the sister-taxon Rodentia. A secondary shearing blade (SSB) occurs in derived Ochotonidae and two basal Leporidae (Romerolagus and Pronolagus) as a convergent pattern. In fossil ochotonids from Europe, the “lagicone structure” is gradually reduced in favor of the SSB. Thus, ochotonids strengthen the shearing ability, whereas most leporids favor the grinding function realized by the partial crenulation of the enamel band of the re-entrant folds. For the mastication cycle, the distinct phases were recognized, related to phase I of the tribosphenic model. The first movement (phase Ia) is directed almost orthally, the second (phase Ib) lingually. Only in Lepus europaeus was an additional phase detected, which might correspond to phase II.     

Oryctolagus giberti n. sp. (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) du Pléistocène inférieur de Cueva Victoria (Murcie, Espagne)

A new species of leporid (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) is described based on the material from the Lower Pleistocene of Cueva Victoria (Murcia, Spain). This species, named Oryctolagus giberti n. sp., presents several intermediate characters between the first known representative of the genus, O. laynensis, from the Middle Pliocene of Spain, and the modern European rabbit (O. cuniculus), specially at the level of the palate, the mandible, the third lower premolar, the ulna, the coxal and the femur. In this respect, Oryctolagus giberti n. sp. is a firm candidate to occupy the vacant phylogenetic place between these two species. It also questions the results of molecular studies that date the divergence of groups A and B of Oryctolagus cuniculus at about 2 Myr ago.