Occurrence of Sanguinicola occidentalis Van Cleave and Mueller, 1932 in Perca flavescens and Campeloma decisum from a Michigan creek

Sanguinicola occidentalis (Trematoda: Sanguinicolidae) infected 58 (48%) of 120 yellow perch collected in 1997 and 40 (50%) of 80 yellow perch collected in 1998 from Silver Creek in lower Michigan. The mean intensity and mean abundance of this blood fluke were higher in 1998 than in 1997. The fluke was found in the bulbous arteriosus of the perch heart, free in the petri dishes when the gill filaments were teased apart, and in the body cavity washings, and 1 individual was associated with an eye. Of the 269 S. occidentalis examined from perch, none had eggs. Most perch examined and infected were only 1+ yr in age. Spearman's correlation coefficients between S. occidentalis intensity and host length in 1997 and 1998 were not significant. An additional 25 yellow perch (0+ yr in age) collected in 1998 were not infected. Thirty-seven (33%) of 113 snails (Campeloma decisum) examined in July and August 1999 from Silver Creek were infected with S. occidentalis.     

Occurrence of Bunodera sacculata Van Cleave and Mueller, 1932 in Perca flavescens from Silver Creek and Silver Lake,Michigan

Bunodera sacculata (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) infected 65 (54%) of 120 yellow perch collected in 1997 and 40 (50%) of 80 perch from Silver Creek in 1998. and 17 (30%) of 56 perch in 2000 from Silver Lake in lower Michigan. Gravid B. sacculata occurred in the pyloric ceca and anterior intestine. There were differences in monthly trends (July through August) in prevalences, mean intensities, and mean abundances of B. sacculata in Silver Creek between 1997 and 1998. The mean intensity +/- SD (8.2 +/- 9.1) and mean abundance (4.1 +/- 7.8) of B. sacculata were significantly higher in 1998 than in 1997 and 2000. An additional 20 perch (0+ in age) collected from the creek in July 1998 were all infected and had the highest mean intensity of 21.3 +/- 14.1.     

Phylogenetic affinities of Forticulcitinae (Haploporidae) parasites of mullet from the Americas,with the description of three new species and notes on the genera and key species

Systematic Parasitology - Members of Forticulcitinae Blasco-Costa, Balbuena, Kostadinova & Olson, 2009 include endoparasites of mullet fishes distributed worldwide. Adult specimens were...     

Gulf sturgeon summer habitat use and fall migration in the Pascagoula River, Mississippi, USA

The locations and habitat features of freshwater holding areas and the timing of fall migration are undocumented for Gulf sturgeon in the Pascagoula River drainage, Mississippi. Our objectives were to identify and characterize holding areas for Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), document their summer and fall movement patterns, and determine migration cues. To do this we captured, radio‐tagged, and monitored movement of Gulf sturgeon in the Pascagoula River drainage and analyzed these data using geographic information systems. From May to November Gulf sturgeon congregate in a holding area in the lower portion of the Pascagoula River and Big Black Creek [river kilometers (rkm) 57–68] and near Cumbest Bluff (rkm 40), before they return to the Gulf of Mexico. While in the holding area, Gulf sturgeon were typically found in deep locations, either in or downstream from river bends. As found in other rivers, Gulf sturgeon in the Pascagoula River showed little movement within the holding area and often stayed within a single river bend; although we observed local movements by some individuals (under 10 rkm). In the Pascagoula River, Gulf sturgeon initiated their migration out of fresh water from late‐September to mid‐October, coincident with shorter day length, falling water temperature (mean = 23.7°C, range 21–26°C), and elevated river flow. Our work demonstrates that the lower Pascagoula River serves as a vital area for Gulf sturgeon.     

Phylogenetic affinities of the enigmatic Bare‐faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon with description of a new genus

The recently described Bare‐faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon from Lao PDR has a very distinct morphology and habitat (karsts). Mitochondrial and nuclear data from the type material demonstrated that P. hualon is sister to members of the genus Spizixos. To highlight its unique morphology and phylogenetic distinctiveness, we describe a new monotypic genus for the Bare‐faced Bulbul.     

Conservation and management implications of fine-scale genetic structure of Gulf sturgeon in the Pascagoula River, Mississippi

The anadromous Gulf sturgeon occurs along the north central coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is federally listed as threatened. We analyzed fine‐scale patterns of Gulf sturgeon population structure, focusing on the Pascagoula River drainage of Mississippi, in reference to movement patterns as determined via telemetry and capture data. We genotyped 361 Gulf sturgeon using eight microsatellite loci including samples from the Pascagoula, Pearl, Escambia, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, and Apalachicola river drainages. Pairwise F_ST estimates indicated that genetic structure occurs at least at the drainage level. The Pascagoula and Pearl rivers form a western group, demonstrating 100% bootstrap support for a division with drainages to the east. Assignment tests detected non‐natal genotypes occurring in all drainages. According to assignment tests, the Pascagoula supports an admixture of individuals, containing minimal influence from drainages to the east (2%) and substantial interaction with the Pearl River (14.1%). The occurrence of Pascagoula River fish in the Pearl was non‐reciprocal, observed at 1.1%. After accounting for non‐natal genetic diversity within the Pascagoula, there remained a disparity between a pooled Pascagoula group and the only documented spawning site within the drainage located in the Bouie River. We interpret this as an indication of a second genetic stock within the Pascagoula River drainage. Radio telemetry data suggest that spawning likely occurs in the Chickasawhay River, in areas isolated from the Bouie River spawning site by about 350 river kilometers. We emphasize the utility of integrating field and molecular approaches when delineating fine‐scale patterns of population structure in anadromous fishes.     

Phylogenetic position and description of a new species of subgenus Mus (Rodentia, Mammalia) from Thailand

Molecular, chromosomal and morphometric analyses of wild-caught mice of subgenus Mus from the central plain of Thailand are presented. These specimens are distinct from all species previously described in the literature. This has led to the characterization of Mus fragilicauda sp. n., a new member of the set of closely related species encompassed by the subgenus . While this species may be considered as a sibling and sympatric species of the Asian M. cervicolor , M. fragilicauda sp. n. is phylogenetically closer to the M. musculus complex of species and to the other European species of Mus .     

A new species of Heterosentis Van Cleave, 1931 (Acanthocephala, Arhythmacanthidae), a parasite of pinguipedid fishes in the southwest Atlantic

A new species of arhythmacanthid acanthocephalan, Heterosentis martini n. sp., parasitic in the Argentinean sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata (Cuvier) (Perciformes, Pinguipedidae) from the coasts of Argentina is described. Heterosentis martini n. sp. differs from all congeneric species by having 10 longitudinal rows of hooks in the proboscis, each with 7-8 hooks, consisting of 1 medium apical and 3 larger sub-apical hooks with root, and 3-4 smaller, basal, curved hooks with rudimentary roots and spines in both ventral and dorsal regions of the body. The most similar species, Heterosentis heteracanthus (Linstow, 1896) Van Cleave, 1931, and Heterosentis brasiliensis Vieira, Felizardo and Luque, 2009, also have 10 longitudinal rows of hooks, but H. heteracanthus differs from the new species by having only 3-5 (more frequently 4) hooks in each row, with only the anterior hook large and bearing a developed root. Heterosentis brasiliensis differs from the new species by possessing 2 sub-apical hooks in each row (instead of 3), similar body length but shorter proboscis, and trunk spines restricted to the ventral surface of body.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the Niviventer-Chiromyscus complex (Rodentia,Muridae) inferred from molecular data,with description of a new species

Based on molecular data for mitochondrial (Cyt b, COI) and nuclear (IRBP, GHR) genes, and morphological examinations of museum specimens, we examined diversity, species boundaries, and relationships within and between the murine genera Chiromyscus and Niviventer. Phylogenetic patterns recovered demonstrate that Niviventer sensu lato is not monophyletic but instead includes Chiromyscus chiropus, the only previously recognized species of Chiropus. To maintain the genera Niviventer and Chiropus as monophyletic lineages, the scope and definition of the genus Chiromyscus is revised to include at least three distinct species: Chiromyscus chiropus (the type species of Chiromyscus), Chiromyscus langbianis (previously regarded as a species of Niviventer), and a new species, described in this paper under the name Chiromyscus thomasi sp. n.     

Phylogenetic affinities of Auriculostoma (Digenea: Allocreadiidae), with descriptions of two new species from Peru

Two new allocreadiid trematodes are described from the intestine of characid fishes from Rio Itaya, a tributary of the Amazon River near Iquitos, Peru. Auriculostoma foliaceum n. sp. is described from Bryconops cf. caudomaculatus (Günther, 1864) Backup, 2003, and Auriculostoma diagonale n. sp. from Stethaprion cf. erythrops Cope, 1870. Auriculostoma foliaceum n. sp. differs from its congeners by having a foliated lateral margin and lacking vitelline follicles in the forebody. Auriculostoma diagonale n. sp. differs from all of its congeners except Auriculostoma platense (Szidat, 1954) Scholz, Aguirre-Macedo, and Choudhury, 2004, by having oblique rather than tandem testes and differs from A. platense by having a much more elongated cirrus sac. Phylogenetic hypotheses based on analyses of 3 alignments of partial sequences of the 28S rDNA gene conducted in this study provide a framework for revaluating the classification of Allocreadiidae Looss, 1902. The present analyses show that (1) Paracreptotrematina limi Amin and Myer, 1982, does not belong in the Allocreadiidae; (2) Creptotrematina aguirrepequenoi Jiménez-Guzmán, 1973 (spelled here without diacritic mark), does not belong to Paracreptotrematina Amin and Myer, 1982, but remains in the Allocreadiidae; (3) Auriculostoma astyanace Scholz, Aguirre-Macedo, and Choudhury, 2004, is closely related to C. aguirrepequenoi and Wallinia chavarriae Choudhury, Hartvigsen-Daverdin, and Brooks, 2002; (4) Megalogonia Surber, 1928, is retained as an accepted genus in the Allocreadiidae; and (5) Margotrema Lamothe-Argumedo, 1970, is found to be nested among 3 species of Crepidostomum Braun, 1900.     

Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Pseudaeginella (Amphipoda: Caprellidae), with the description of a new species from Brazil

The genus Pseudaeginella is analysed herein by cladistic methods based on a morphological data matrix of 49 characters × 18 terminal taxa. Based on the results, we comment on the phylogenetic position of Paradeutella within Pseudaeginella, and we propose Pseudaeginella multispinosa comb. nov. and Pseudaeginella tanzaniensis comb. nov. Pseudaeginella freirei sp. nov. is described from the Abrolhos Bank, north-eastern Brazil. We provide an updated key to the Pseudaeginella species.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F573E845-822E-41D6-8F58-FE54C5653A53     

Myzostomida from Madagascar, with the description of two new species

Four myzostomidan species were collected during a survey of echinoderms made on the Great Reef of Toliara, southwest Madagascar. The four species were associated with comatulid crinoids. Notopharyngoides aruensis infested the anterior part of the digestive lumen of Stephanometra indica. Comanthussp. aff.wahlbergiiwere infested by three myzostomidan species, two of them are new to science. Myzostoma polycyclus and Myzostoma pseudocuniculus n. sp. lived at the surface of crinoids. Myzostoma toliarense n. sp. live in soft cysts induced on crinoid arms. Cysts are always located close to the ambulacral grooves. They are each infested by one myzostomid.     

The Females and immatures of Paracricotopus Thienemann and Harnisch, 1932, with the description of a new species (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Revised and emended generic diagnoses for all stages and both sexes of Paracricotopus Thienemann and Harnisch are given. The genus appears most closely related to Rheocricotopus Thienemann and Harnisch with some similarities of larvae and females to Nanocladius Kieff. and Mesocricotopus Brund. All stages and both sexes are described or redescribed of the Palaearctic Paracricotopus niger (Kieffer) and of Paracricotopus glaber n. sp. from South Carolina.     

Loaches of the genus Lepidocephalichthys, from Manipur, with description of a new species

A new species Lepidocephalichthys manipurensis , is described, confined to the Chandel district of Manipur near the adjoining borderland areas of Manipur, India and Burma (Myanmar). It is distinguished by the following combination of characters: a sharp small black dot just above the upper base of the caudal fin; 8–9 dorsal short dark ashy brown bars from occiput to the base of the caudal fin; absence of scales on the vertex of head; caudal fin fork, pectoral, ventral and anal fins are non-immaculate; least depth of caudal peduncle 50·00–60·24% (mean 54·09) of its length and 7·69–8·11% L , S (mean 8·22); caudal fin with 4–5 W-shaped bands: a single dark black stripe from tip of snout to eye; 8–11 spots on the mid lateral line; and 30–31 vertebrae. A key to the identification of lepidocephalid loaches of Manipur is provided.     

Pareuchiloglanis (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Pearl River,China with description of three new species

We describe three new species of Pareuchiloglanis. Based on a comparison of 17 valid species of Pareuchiloglanis, the genus can be divided into two groups contingent on their gill opening size and the anus position. One group, which we call the large gill opening group, has a large gill opening extending to the base of the first pectoral-fin element; the anus is obviously closer to pelvic-fin insertion than the anal-fin origin; this group includes five species distributed in the Red and Pearl Rivers, China. The other group has a small gill opening extending only to the middle base of the pectoral-fin elements; the anus is usually located at the midpoint of the pelvic-fin insertion to the anal-fin origin or slightly behind. This group includes the other 12 species, which are distributed in the Mekong and Yangtze Rivers. The large-gill-opening group can be divided into two sub-groups based on the length of the caudal peduncle. One sub-group has a long caudal-peduncle and the distance from the anal-fin origin to caudal-fin base is greater than distance from the pelvic-fin insertion. This sub-group is only distributed in the Pearl River drainage. Another sub-group has a short caudal peduncle and the distance from the anal-fin origin to the caudal-fin base is typically smaller than the distance from the pelvic-fin insertion. This sub-group is only distributed in the Red River basin of China and Vietnam. The former will be called the large-gill-opening group with long caudal peduncle in the text and only includes one species P. longicauda. During our ongoing taxonomic work of specimens collected from Nanpan-jiang and Beipan-jiang (upper Pearl River drainage in Yunnan, China), some Pareuchiloglanis specimens that had the characters of the large-gill-opening group with long caudal peduncle represent three undescribed species.     

Gastrotrichs from interstitial fresh water,with a description of four new species

A study was performed on freshwater gastrotrichs living in the interstitial habitat of some lakes in Latium and of Lake Garda (Italy). Thirty-two chetonotids were collected, twenty-five of which could be identified. Four are new to science (Chaetonotus (Hystricochaetonotus) benacensis, Heterolepidoderma lamellatum, Ichthydium plicatum, I. squamigerum), and two are new to the Italian fauna (Heterolepidoderma macrops, H. majus). The faunistic composition of the lakes is compared with previous data. Interstitial gastrotrichs are less varied and abundant than those of epibenthos and periphyton, but often are of taxonomical and zoogeographical interest. The presence in the interstitial of some epibenthic and periphytic species demonstrates their capacity to colonize ecologically different habitats. The grain size of the substrate was not clearly correlated with faunal richness, but there was a possible influence of the amount of the organic detritus in the sediment. Morphological analysis showed a prevalence of small sized animals, with poorly ornamentated cuticular covering and well developed locomotory ciliature, as probable adaptations to interstitial life.