Biological tags for stock separation in Pacific herring Clupea harengus pallasi in California.

A survey of the parasites of Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) off northern California identified 1 species of Acanthocephala, 1 species of Cestoda, 2 species of Copepoda, 1 species and 1 family of Digenea, 3 species of Nematoda, and 3 species of Protozoa. From this survey, Lacistorhynchus dollfusi (Cestoda), Parahemiurus merus (Digenea), and Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum sp., Hysterothylacium sp. (Nematoda) were selected as potential tags. Herring were collected in Tomales, San Francisco, and Monterey bays for the following 9 yr and examined for these select parasites. The results suggest that these parasites can be used to distinguish the spawning stocks of San Francisco and Tomales bays. The distribution of the definitive hosts of the respective parasites suggests that the Tomales Bay fish are offshore during the nonbreeding season and the San Francisco Bay fish onshore. The similarity in parasitism between San Francisco Bay and the nonspawning population in Monterey Bay suggests that these 2 populations represent a single stock.     

Helminthofauna of wild canids in Azerbaijan and ways of its formation

The complete list of helminthes parasitizing canids in Azerbaijan is given; ways of formation of the canids' helminthofauna in Azerbaijan are reconstructed. As a result of our study, 42 helminth species were recorded; 25 of them parasitize jackals, 16 parasitize wolfs, and 39 species were found in foxes. The helminthofauna includes 5 species of Trematoda, 14 species of Cestoda, 1 species of Acanthocephala, and 22 species of Nematoda. By the life cycle, 32 species belong to biohelminthes and 10 species are geohelminthes.     

Parasite fauna of the burbot Lota lota L. in body of water of the Kol'skiĭ peninsula

The results of a parasitological study of the burbot Lota Iota L. inhabiting the Kola region are presented. 51 species of parasite were found on burbot in 16 waterbodies belonging to the White Sea and Barents Sea basins (Muxosporea - 7, Suctoria - 1, Peritricha - 6, Monogenea - 1, Cestoda - 6, Trematoda - 13, Nematoda - 6, Acanthocephala - 5, Hirudinea - 3, Bivalvia - 1 and Crustacea - 2 species). Data on the infestation of burbot by different parasite species and their prevalence in investigated waterbodies were obtained.     

Ecological-faunistical review of fish parasites in the Umbozero Lake (the Kola Peninsula)

Data on fish infestation by parasites in the Umbozero Lake are given. 90 species of parasites were identified including 16 species of Myxosporea, 2 Suctoria, 18 Peritricha, 12 Monogenea, 13 Cestoda, 18 Trematoda, 5 Nematoda, 2 Acanthocephala, 2 Hirudinea, and 2 species of Crustacea. Character of parasites' distribution in fishes of this lake and ecological peculiarities in the host-parasite system are demonstrated.     

Spatial variation in parasite abundance: evidence of geographical population structuring in southern garfish Hyporhamphus melanochir

Southern garfish Hyporhamphus melanochir were examined for metazoan parasites from nine sites in three regions (Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent and northern Kangaroo Island) in South Australia to document parasite assemblages, identify candidate species suitable for use as biological tags and investigate spatial variation in parasite abundance. Four ectoparasite and 10 endoparasite species were identified representing Cestoda, Trematoda, Monogenea, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Copepoda and Isopoda. Lernaeenicus hemirhamphi, Micracanthorhynchina hemirhamphi, Mothocya halei and Philometra sp. were suggested for 'permanent' biological markers. Multivariate discriminant function analysis showed that most sites could be distinguished based on differences in parasite abundance. Four endoparasites (Conohelmins sp., Hysterothylacium sp., M. hemirhamphi and Philometra sp.) were most important for site characterization. Limited spatial variation in permanent endoparasite abundance among localities in northern Spencer Gulf provided evidence for a distinct northern Spencer Gulf population with little interregional mixing. In contrast, considerable spatial variation in permanent endoparasite abundance between localities sampled off Kangaroo Island implied limited local movement and suggested H. melanochir may comprise a metapopulation structure. These results largely align with recent evidence from otolith chemistry that indicates fine-scale geographical population structuring in South Australian waters.     

Metazoan parasite fauna of the bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, from Northern Chile. Influence of host age and sex.

The metazoan parasite fauna of Hippoglossina macrops (n = 123) from northern Chile (30 degrees S) is quantitatively described for the first time, and the role of host age and sex was evaluated. Twelve parasite species were recovered, including 5 ectoparasites (2 Monogenea, 2 Copepoda and 1 Piscicolidae) and 7 endoparasites (1 Digenea, 3 Cestoda, 2 Acanthocephala, and 1 Nematoda). The copepod Holobomolochus chilensis, the monogenean Neoheterobothrium sp., the adult acanthocephalan Floridosentis sp. and the hirudinean, Gliptonobdella sp. are new geographical and host records. The most prevalent ectoparasitic species were the monogenean, Neoheterobothrium sp. and the copepod, H. chilensis. Among endoparasites, the acanthocephalans Floridosentis sp. and Corynosoma australe were most prevalent and abundant. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection for most parasitic species were not affected by host sex, however the prevalence of Floridosentis sp. was significantly greater in males. Intensity of infection was positively correlated with host age for Neoheterobothrium sp., and negatively correlated for Floridosentis sp. and H. chilensis. The helminth species richness of the host H. macrops was lower compared to related flatfishes from the Northern Hemisphere. The relationship of the helminth fauna of H. macrops, its feeding habits and ecological habitats are discussed.     

The diet and infection of fishes in Cavendish Dock, Barrow-in-Furness

Some 934 fishes belonging to ten species were examined in Cavendish Dock, Walney Channel and in the River Duddon in order to study their diet and infection.
Because of the limited number of food species occurring in Cavendish Dock, the diet of fishes examined is similar and composed of twelve different species.
The diet of the flounders in Walney Channel differs markedly from those in the dock.
The infection with parasitic worms of fishes in Cavendish Dock is lower than in other localities.
Fifteen different species of parasitic worms belonging to Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda and Acanthocephala were recorded in fishes examined.
Salinity of the dock water influences the composition of the diet and infection of fishes in Cavendish Dock. Raised temperature and salinity are artificially introduced by human activities, and beiig controllable, could serve for experimental ecological investigations in     

Parasites of stone loach Barbatula barbatula (L., 1758) (Balitoridae) in small rivers of the upper and Middle Volga Basin

Infection by parasites has been studied in 189 specimens of Barbatula barbatula (Linnaeus, 1758) from eight rivers in Yaroslavl province over 4 years. A total of 41 parasite species are identified in stone loach. The following parasite taxa have been found: parasitic Protozoa (Kinetoplastidea (2), Myxozoa (6), and Ciliophora (7)) and parasitic Metazoa (Monogenea (5), Cestoda (4), Trematoda (9), Nematoda (4), Acanthocephala (3), and Bivalvia (1)). Stone loach is recorded for the first time as a new host for seven parasite species: Chloromyxum truttae Lèger, 1906, Gyrodactylus cobitis Bychowsky, 1933, Paracaryophylaeus gotoi (Motomura, 1927), Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus (Wedl, 1955), Paracoenogonimus ovatus Katsurada, 1914, Camallanus truncates (Rudolphi, 1814), and Neoechinorhynchus crassus Van Cleave, 1919. The most abundant parasites are Raphidascaris acus (Bloch, 1779) (28.6–100%, 1–64), Crepidostomum oschmarini Zhokhov et Pugacheva, 1998 (18.2–71.4%, 1–40), Paracoenogonimus ovatus (3.13–71.4% 1–34), and Gyrodactylus nemachili Bychowsky, 1936 (3.85–100%, 1–65).     

Comparative study of helminth parasites of fishes from the Mogi Guassu river, collected during expeditions between 1927 and 1985

This paper concerns the parasitism of Nematoda, Trematoda, Acanthocephala and Cestoda from 1027 fishes of 45 species from Mogi Guassu river, examined in the years 1927, 1946, 1947, 1962, 1983 and 1985 as a contribution to the knowledge of the parasitological fauna in 58 years. Thirty two species of nematodes, 21 of trematodes, 3 of acanthocephalans and 2 of cestodes are reported. New hosts are presented for the nematodes Cucullanus pinnai, Spirocamallanus inopinatus and Travnema travnema, for the trematode Pararhipidocotyle jeffersoni and for the acanthocephalan Gorytocephalus spectabilis. New measurements for the trematode Creptotrema lynchy, tables, graphics and a list of the examined hosts with their parasites are presented.     

Patterns of interspecific variation in the heart rates of embryonic reptiles

New non-invasive technologies allow direct measurement of heart rates (and thus, developmental rates) of embryos. We applied these methods to a diverse array of oviparous reptiles (24 species of lizards, 18 snakes, 11 turtles, 1 crocodilian), to identify general influences on cardiac rates during embryogenesis. Heart rates increased with ambient temperature in all lineages, but (at the same temperature) were faster in lizards and turtles than in snakes and crocodilians. We analysed these data within a phylogenetic framework. Embryonic heart rates were faster in species with smaller adult sizes, smaller egg sizes, and shorter incubation periods. Phylogenetic changes in heart rates were negatively correlated with concurrent changes in adult body mass and residual incubation period among the lizards, snakes (especially within pythons) and crocodilians. The total number of embryonic heart beats between oviposition and hatching was lower in squamates than in turtles or the crocodilian. Within squamates, embryonic iguanians and gekkonids required more heartbeats to complete development than did embryos of the other squamate families that we tested. These differences plausibly reflect phylogenetic divergence in the proportion of embryogenesis completed before versus after laying.     

Parasites of fishes from Laurel Creek, Ontario

Two-hundred and nine fish of 13 species from Laurel Creek, Ontario, were examined for parasites between May and October 1973. Eighty-four species of parasites (22 of Protozoa, 24 of Monogenea, 17 of Digenea, 11 of Cestoda, 4 of Nematoda, 1 of Hirudinea, 1 of glochidia, and 4 of Crustacea) were collected and are listed and discussed.     

A Checklist of Metazoan Parasites from Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

An extensive literature survey on metazoan parasites from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss has been conducted. The taxa Monogenea, Cestoda, Digenea, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Crustacea and Hirudinea are covered. A total of 169 taxonomic entities are recorded in rainbow trout worldwide although few of these may prove synonyms in future analyses of the parasite specimens. These records include Monogenea (15), Cestoda (27), Digenea (37), Nematoda (39), Acanthocephala (23), Crustacea (17), Mollusca (6) and Hirudinea (5). The large number of parasites in this salmonid reflects its cosmopolitan distribution.     

Reptiles as a food resource

Reptiles have served as an important source of protein for human populations around the world. Exploitation for food is heaviest in the tropical and sub-tropical regions, but also occurs in temperate areas. Of all reptiles, turtles are the most heavily exploited for human consumption. High, unsustainable levels of exploitation for food are directly responsible for the precarious conservation status of many turtles. Crocodilians, snakes, and lizards may be locally important food sources, however, with the exception of a few lizard species, they are exploited in a less intense and generally non-commercial manner for human consumption. In comparison, the commercial skin trade poses a far greater threat to the survival of crocodilians as well as certain large snakes and lizards. Recent field reports have implicated the south east Asian medicinal trade as a growing threat to reptiles, especially turtles and snakes. There are few unequivocal examples of managed harvest programmes for reptiles that are economically and culturally viable, as well as biologically sustainable. Given the economic importance of reptiles as sources of protein and other highly valued commodities, it is imperative that more attention be focused on the development of sustainable use programmes for these species.     

How to catch a parasite: Parasite Niche Modeler (PaNic) meets Fishbase

Parasite Niche Modeler (PaNic) is a free online software tool that suggests potential hosts for fish parasites. For a particular parasite species from the major helminth groups (Acanthocephala, Cestoda, Monogenea, Nematoda, Trematoda), PaNic takes data from known hosts (maximum body length, growth rate, life span, age at first maturity, trophic level, phylogeny, and biogeography) and hypothesizes similar fish species that might serve as hosts to that parasite. Users can give varying weights to host attributes and create custom models. In addition to suggesting plausible hosts (with varying degrees of confidence), the models indicate known host species that appear to be outliers in comparison to other known hosts. These unique features make PaNic an innovative tool for addressing both theoretical and applied questions in fish parasitology. PaNic can be accessed at < http://purl.oclc.org/fishpest >.     

环境决定爬行动物性别研究的进展

爬行动物的性别决定机制有两种,一种是由环境决定性别,另一种是异型性染色体决定性别。前者,在爬行动物中具有普遍性;未发现有异型性染色体的爬行动物,其性别由环境因子决定。剧烈的环境条件,可能压倒基因型性别决定。H-Y抗原,可检测未发现异型性染色体决定性别物种的遗传决定型。     

The herpetofauna of Timor-Leste: a first report

Fieldwork conducted throughout Timor-Leste in September 2004 and July 2009 resulted in a collection or recording of 263 herpetological specimens (100 amphibians, 163 reptiles), comprising at least seven species of frogs and toads, 20 species of lizards, seven species of snakes, two species of turtles, and one species of crocodile. Among the amphibians, the most frequently encountered species were toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), rice paddy frogs (genus Fejervarya), and rhacophorid treefrogs (Polypedates cf. leucomystax). All three variants of rice paddy frogs encountered represent undescribed species similar to Fejervarya verruculosa from neighboring Wetar Island. Records of Fejervarya cancrivora and Fejervarya limnocharis for Timor Island are apparently errors based on misidentification. We obtained voucher specimens for a total of 147 lizards and voucher photographs only for four specimens of Varanus timorensis. Aside from geckos frequently associated with human habitations (e.g., Gehyra mutilata, Gekko gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, Hemidactylus platyurus), we discovered an as yet undescribed species of bent-toed gecko, genus Cyrtodactylus, in the Same valley. Our specimens of Hemidactylus platyurus are the first record of this species from Timor-Leste. Commonly encountered skinks included four-fingered skinks (genus Carlia), wedge skinks (genus Sphenomorphus), and night skinks (genus Eremiascincus). Notable among the 15 snakes collected was the frequency of pitvipers (Cryptelytrops insularis), which amounted to over 25% of all snakes. Our specimen of the wolfsnake Lycodon subcinctus is the first record of this species for Timor-Leste. Based on these findings, it appears that the biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles in this remote corner of Wallacea is much greater than previously thought, particularly with respect to scincid lizards. The detail we provide in the species accounts is designed to allow the use of this report as a preliminary field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Timor-Leste. However, survey work is ongoing.     

Late Quaternary reptile extinctions: size matters,insularity dominates

Aim A major Late Quaternary vertebrate extinction event affected mostly large‐bodied ‘megafauna’. This is well documented in both mammals and birds, but evidence of a similar trend in reptiles is scant. We assess the relationship between body size and Late Quaternary extinction in reptiles at the global level. Location Global. Methods We compile a body size database for all 82 reptile species that are known to have gone extinct during the last 50,000 years and compare them with the sizes of 10,090 extant reptile species (97% of known extant diversity). We assess the body size distributions in the major reptile groups: crocodiles, lizards, snakes and turtles, while testing and correcting for a size bias in the fossil record. We examine geographical biases in extinction by contrasting mainland and insular reptile assemblages, and testing for biases within regions and then globally by using geographically weighted models. Results Extinct reptiles were larger than extant ones, but there was considerable variation in extinction size biases among groups. Extinct lizards and turtles were large, extinct crocodiles were small and there was no trend in snakes. Lizard lineages vary in the way their extinction is related to size. Extinctions were particularly prevalent on islands, with 73 of the 82 extinct species being island endemics. Four others occurred in Australia. The fossil record is biased towards large‐bodied reptiles, but extinct lizards were larger than extant ones even after we account for this. Main conclusions Body size played a complex role in the extinction of Late Quaternary reptiles. Larger lizard and turtle species were clearly more affected by extinction mechanisms such as over exploitation and invasive species, resulting in a prevalence of large‐bodied species among extinct taxa. Insularity was by far the strongest correlate of recent reptile extinctions, suggesting that size‐biased extinction mechanisms are amplified in insular environments.     

Metazoan arasites of fish from the Smallwood Reservoir, Labrador, Canada

Three-hundred and thirty-two fish of eight species (5 Salmo salar , 68 Salvelinus fontinalis , 32 S. namaycush , 102 Coregonus clupeaformis , 1 Prosopium cylindraceum , 107 Esox lucius , 14 Catostomus catostomus , 3 Couesius plumbeus ) from the Smallwood Reservoir, Labrador, Canada, were examined for metazoan parasites, using conventional parasitological techniques.
Fifteen genera of parasites were recovered (two of Monogenea, two of Digenea, four of Cestoda, three of Nematoda, two of Acanthocephala and two of Copepoda), these including seven new host records.
Significant differences were noted in the prevalence of the various parasites which were common to the different species of fish examined. No differences were recorded in the parasite burden of male and female fish. There was no correlation between the number of parasite species per infected fish and host age except in the case of Salvelinus namaycush . Food items of the fish examined were also noted.     

A checklist of parasites recorded on sticklebacks (Actinopterygii: Gasterosteidae) from Poland

Parasites of the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.), and the nine-spined stickleback, Pungitius pungitius (L.), from brackish and freshwater habitats in Poland are listed. The following list was compiled from published records and own long-term studies. Parasites are listed alphabetically in meaningful groups of parasites with notes about their location on the host and distribution in Poland with references. A total of 51 species (taxa) of parasites were recorded on G. aculeatus (3 Apicomplexa, 1 Microsporidia, 3 Peritrichia, 1 Myxozoa, 7 Digenea, 2 Monogenea, 10 Cestoda, 10 Nematoda, 7 Acanthocephala, 3 Copepoda, 1 Branchiura, 2 Hirudinea, 1 Bivalvia) and 16 parasites on P. pungitius (1 Apicomplexa, 1 Microsporidia, 2 Peritrichia, 4 Digenea, 1 Monogenea, 2 Cestoda, 2 Nematoda, 1 Copepoda, 1 Branchiura, 1 Bivalvia).     

Helminths of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) in western Kentucky

Seventy raccoons (Procyon lotor) from western Kentucky were examined for helminths from December 1985 through May 1986. Twenty-three species of helminths were collected including 10 species of Trematoda (Brachylaima virginiana, Euryhelmis squamula, Eurytrema procyonis, Fibricola cratera, Gyrosoma singulare, Maritreminoides nettae, Mesostephanus appendiculatoides, Metagonimoides oregonensis, Paragonimus kellicotti, Pharyngostomoides procyonis), 2 species of Cestoda (Atriotaenia procyonis, Mesocestoides variabilis), 10 species of Nematoda (Arthrocephalus lotoris, Baylisascaris procyonis, Capillaria putorii, C. plica, Crenosoma goblei, Dracunculus insignis, Gnathostoma procyonis, Molineus barbatus, Physaloptera rara, Trichinella spiralis), and 1 species of Acanthocephala (Macracanthorhynchus ingens). A mean of 6.4 (3-11) helminth species per host was recorded. Fibricola cratera, Atriotaenia procyonis, Mesocestoides variabilis, Arthrocephalus lotoris, Capillaria plica, Dracunculus insignis, Molineus barbatus, and Physaloptera rara were ubiquitous parasites of the raccoon, whereas specific nidi were observed for Eurytrema procyonis, Gyrosoma singulare, Paragonimus kellicotti, Baylisascaris procyonis, Trichinella spiralis, and Macracanthorhyncus ingens. With an overall prevalence of 10% or higher, 15 of the 23 helminth species were considered common parasites of the raccoon in western Kentucky. When the 10% prevalence rate was applied within geographical quadrants to correct for the presence of nidi it was found that 18 of the 23 helminth species were common and 5 were regarded as rare parasites of the raccoon. Two species of nematodes, T. spiralis and B. procyonis, displayed a markedly higher prevalence in male raccoons.