Molecular identification of two strains of third-stage larvae of Contracaecum rudolphii sensu lato (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from fish in Poland

Contracaecum sp. larvae (L3) from fish were identified using nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacers ITS-1 and ITS-2 of the ribosomal DNA. The nematode larvae originated from fish in a freshwater situation (crucian carp Carassius carassius, from Selment Wielki Lake in Mazury, northeastern Poland) and a brackish-water region (Caspian round goby Neogobius melanostomus from the Baltic Sea, Gdafisk Bay at the Polish coast). Two strains (Contracaecum rudolphii A and B) of Contracaecum rudolphii senso lato, a parasite common at the adult stage in fish-eating birds, were identified. In fish from the freshwater site, only the strain temporarily designated C. rudolphii B was identified; in the brackish-water region, both strains were found, suggesting that fish serve as paratenic host for both genotypes. Contracaecum rudolphii sensu lato has been recorded in several species of fish-eating birds in Poland, particularly in the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, in which the abundance is highest. The results, although based on a restricted number of larvae, suggest that the life cycles of both genotypes can be completed in the Polish region and that at least one of them, C. rudolphii B, can develop both in fresh and brackish water.     

Parasitism in fishes and human riverside communities of the Huillinco and Natri lakes (Great Island of Chiloé), Chile

In April and December 1989, 35 fish from Lake Huillinco (42 degrees 48'S, 74 degrees 02'W) and 36 fish from Lake Natri (42 degrees 48'S, 73 degrees 50'W), in the Great Island of Chiloé (Chile) were examined. Coprological samples from 159 persons, 17 dogs, 19 pigs and 4 cats from around both lakes were examined for Diphyllobothrium spp. infection. In the Lake Huillinco the following helminths of fishes were determined: Contracaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. in Salmo trutta, Cauque mauleanum and Eleginops maclovinus; Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) dichelyneformis in S. trutta and E. maclovinus and Scolex pleuronectis in S. trutta. One specimen of Mugil cephalus did not show helminth parasites. Prevalence of infection were greater for Contracaecum sp. in S. trutta (75.0%) and C. mauleanum (76.0%); and Hysterothylacium sp. in E. maclovinus (75.0%). Mean intensity was higher for D. (C.) dichelyneformis in E. maclovinus. Contracaecum sp. in S. trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus kisutch and Galaxias maculatus; Acanthocephalus sp. in S. trutta and G. maculatus, S. pleuronectis in O. mykiss and Cystidicoloides sp. in G. maculatus were determined at Lake Natri. Prevalence and intensity of infection were higher for Contracaecum sp. in S. trutta and O. kisutch. Infection by Diphyllobothrium sp. was determined in one domestic cat. Prevalence of infection by intestinal protozoan and helminths in human population only showed significative differences for Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura that were higher in the Lake Huillinco. Importance of natural infection by helminth parasites for fish in cultured condition and possible mechanisms of infections in relation to the diet of fishes are discussed.     

Helminths parasitizing larval fish from Pantanal, Brazil

Fish larvae of 'corvinas' (Pachyurus bonariensis and Plagioscion ternetzi) from Sinhá Mariana Lagoon, Mato Grosso State, were collected from March 2000 to March 2004, in order to determine the parasitic fauna of fishes. Larvae from the two species were parasitized by the same endoparasites: Contracaecum sp. Type 2 (larvae) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the mesentery and Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) paraguayensis (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in the stomach and the terminal portion of the intestine. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the standard length of hosts and the abundance of acanthocephalans and nematodes, and that the prevalence of nematodes presented a significant positive correlation with the standard length of the two species of hosts, indicating the presence of a cumulative process of infection. The present study constitutes the first record of nematodes and acanthocephalans parasitizing larval fish, as well as the first record of endoparasites in fish larvae in Brazil. In addition, it lists a new locality and two species of hosts for Contracaecum sp. Type 2 (larva) and N. (N.) paraguayensis.     

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.     

Occurrence of parasites of the freshwater mugilid fish Liza abu (Heckel) from Basrah, southern Iraq

In monthly samples of Liza abu collected November 1981–October 1982 from Mehaijeran Creek, a western branch of Shatt–Al–Arab river south of Basrah, fishes were infected with the third larval stage of the nematode Contracaecum sp., the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus agilis and the gill crustacean Ergasilus mosulensis.
Generally, the changes in the percentage prevalence coincided with the changes in the mean intensity of infection. There were no significant differences between the infection of male and female fishes in the cases of the monthly variations of infection with Contracaecum sp. and of infection with both Contracaecum sp. and E. mosulensis , according to fish length, but in other cases more female fishes were infected than males.
Infection with Contracaecum sp. decreased gradually in the larger fishes. In the case of both N. agilis and E. mosulensis , the infection at first increased with increase in fish length but decreased in larger fishes.
Infection with Contracaecum sp. occurred only during May–August and disappeared during September. The peak for N. agilis was in April, and it disappeared during summer. Infection with E. mosulensis disappeared during winter months.     

西藏黑斑原鮡消化道寄生蠕虫的群落结构和感染情况

为了解西藏特有鱼类黑斑原鮡(Glyptosternum maculatum)消化道寄生蠕虫的群落结构和感染情况, 于2019年5—8月对383尾黑斑原鮡进行了调查。在黑斑原鮡消化道中共发现7种寄生蠕虫, 分别为深槽绦虫未定种(Bothriocephalus sp.)、原头绦虫未定种(Proteocephalus sp.)、异肉吸虫未定种(Allocreadium sp.)、新棘吻虫未定种(Neoechinorhynchus sp.)、裸鲤棘头虫(Echinorhynchus gymnocyprii)、Contracaecum eudyptulae和杆咽线虫未定种(Rhabdochona sp.), 并对各个物种的形态特征进行了描述。将黑斑原鮡按整个群体、不同性别和不同全长群体进行划分, 分别对其消化道寄生蠕虫的群落多样性和优势虫种进行分析, 并对各寄生蠕虫物种的感染情况进行统计。结果表明: 在黑斑原鮡群体中, 消化道寄生蠕虫群落的Shannon-Wiener指数为1.53, Berger-Parker指数为0.37, 优势物种为C. eudyptulae, 其感染数量、感染率、感染强度和平均丰度均为最高; 在黑斑原鮡不同性别群体中, Shannon-Wiener指数为0.26—1.57, Berger-Parker指数为0.34—0.93, 优势物种为C. eudyptulae, 雄性群体中新棘吻虫未定种也为优势虫种, 两者的感染率和平均丰度均较高; 在黑斑原鮡不同全长群体中, Shannon-Wiener指数为0.22—1.59, Berger-Parker指数为0.34—0.94, 优势物种为C. eudyptulae或新棘吻虫未定种, 感染率和平均丰度基本以二者为最高。研究进一步明确了西藏鱼类寄生虫的种类组成和寄生特点, 为研究体内寄生蠕虫的环境适应性及与宿主的协同进化提供基础资料。     

西藏羊卓雍错高原裸鲤肠道寄生蠕虫的群落生态

为研究西藏羊卓雍错Yamdrok Lake高原裸鲤肠道寄生蠕虫的群落生态,探索寄生虫与西藏高原环境和独特的鱼类宿主三者之间的相互关系,以肠道寄生蠕虫为对象,于2020年7月对180尾高原裸鲤Gymnocypris waddellii [雌性120尾,雄性60尾,全长22.20—49.20 cm,平均全长(36.76±4.18) cm,体重77.3—896.7 g,平均体重(425.92±148.27) g]进行了剖检,对群落结构和种间关系等群落生态进行了分析。羊卓雍错高原裸鲤肠道寄生蠕虫群落由5个物种构成,分别为聂氏似短节绦虫Parabreviscolex niepini、对盲囊线虫Contracaecum eudyptulae、束首线虫未定种Streptocara sp.、新棘吻虫未定种Neoechinorhynchus sp.和异肉吸虫未定种Allocreadium sp.。感染率从高到低依次为新棘吻虫未定种、聂氏似短节绦虫、异肉吸虫未定种、对盲囊线虫和束首线虫未定种。平均丰度从高到低依次为聂氏似短节绦虫、新棘吻虫未定种、束首线虫未定种、异肉吸虫未定种和对盲囊线虫。群落的Marga...     

Infection status of larval anisakids in Astroconger myriaster collected from the Southern Sea near Pusan]

A study was presented on the anisakid larvae in Astroconger myriaster which were caught at the Southern Sea and saled at Pusan area. The nematodes were morphologically classified into Anisakis sp. and Contracaecum sp. after fixation in 70% ethanol and clearing in lactophenol. Total of 1,768 larval anisakids were collected from 259 (67.8% positive rate) out of 382 examined A. myriaster. Total 642 larvae of Anisakis sp. were obtained from 94 (24.6%) and 1,126 Contracaecum sp. were recovered from 165 (43.1%) fish. The average number of worms per infected fish was 4.6. The infection rate increased according to the length of fish, and all of the fish over 71 cm were found infected. The numbers (proportions) of recovered worms by the organs were 1,440 (80.5%) in the omentum, 166 (9.4%) in the intestine, 107 (6.0%) in the stomach, 32 (1.8%) in the skin, 18 (1.0%) in the muscle, 13 (0.7%) in the liver, and 2 (0.1%) in the head. The larvae in the muscle may infect the humans who are enjoying raw sliced meat of the fish.     

Helminth communities of four commercially important fish species from Chetumal Bay, Mexico

The relative importance of ecology and evolution as factors determining species richness and composition of the helminth communities of fish is a matter of current debate. Theoretical studies use host-parasite lists, but these do not include studies on a temporal or spatial scale. Local environmental conditions and host biological characteristics are shown to influence helminth species richness and composition in four fish species (Eugerres plumieri, Hexanematichthys assimilis, Oligoplites saurus, and Scomberomorus maculatus) in Chetumal Bay, Mexico. With the exception of H. assimilis, the helminth communities had not been previously studied and possible associations between environmental and host biological characteristics as factors determining helminth species richness and composition using redundancy analysis (RDA) are described. Thirty-four helminth species are identified, with the highest number of species (19 total (mean = 6.3 +/- 2.1)) and the lowest (9 (4.0 +/- 1.0)) occurring in H. assimilis and S. maculatus, respectively. The larval nematodes Contracaecum sp. and Pseudoterranova sp. were not only the helminth species shared by all four host species but also were the most prevalent and abundant. Statistical associations between helminth community parameters and local ecological variables such as host habitat use, feeding habits, mobility, and time of residence in coastal lagoons are identified. Phylogeny is important because it clearly separates all four host species by their specialist parasites, although specific habitat and feeding habits also significantly influence the differentiation between the four fish species.     

Parasites with zoonotic potential found in commercially important fish in Tamaulipas,Northeastern Mexico

Human population is exposed to numerous parasitic ichthyozoonoses. Although Tamaulipas state (northeastern Mexico) is well known for its fishing and aquaculture industry, there are few reports of this type of zoonosis. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate whether the parasites that affect these fish may represent a zoonotic risk for the inhabitants of the area.The objective of this study was to identify molecular and/or morphologically muscle parasites of fish from coastal locations in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and assess the risk of infection for humans. Between 2017 and 2018, 764 individual fish belonging to 28 species were examined for parasites. Collected worms were processed for their identification using morphological characteristics. In addition, partial sequences of the large subunit (28S) ribosomal RNA gene were obtained from some species to corroborate their identity. Prevalence and mean intensity of all registered infections were calculated. A total of seven species of parasites were found: cestodes (Poecilancistrium caryophyllum), trematodes (Clinostomum tataxumui, Clinostomum cichlidorum), nematodes (Eustrongylides sp., Contracaecum sp.) and pentastomids (Sebekia purdieae, Sebekia sp.). Parasites infected 10 species belonging to different fish families (Ariidae, Centrarchidae, Centropomidae, Cichlidae, Eleotridae, Ictaluridae, Mugilidae and Sciaenidae). Congeneric species of parasites or related to those registered in this study have been identified as zoonotic agents in other regions of the world. Despite the low levels of infection (2.6–16.6% prevalence and 1–5.5 parasites per infected host), there is a latent risk of transmission to humans, so it is recommended to avoid eating raw or undercooked fish meat.     

Larvae of Contracaecum sp. among inshore fish species of southwestern Australia

Larval nematode infections were investigated in 236 fish from 17 estuarine and near-shore species in southwestern Australia. Larvae of the genus Contracaecum were found in 4 species of fish (Acanthopagrus butcheri, Sillaginodes punctata, Mugil cephalus and Aldrichetta forsteri). The prevalence and intensity of infection was highest in the 2 species of mullet: 81% infected and 9.8 +/- 1.5 larvae fish(-1) for M. cephalus; 100% and 12.7 +/- 3.7 larvae fish(-1) for A. forsteri. There was no evidence of post-mortem migration of worms from the visceral organs to the musculature of the fish.     

Proteocephalus ambloplitis and Contracaecum sp. from largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) stocked into Boundary Reservoir, Saskatchewan

Nonresident (introduced) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Boundary Reservoir, Saskatchewan were examined for helminths. Four species of parasites were found (Diplostomum sp., Proteocephalus ambloplitis, Pomphorhynchus bulbocolli, and Contracaecum sp.). Contracaecum sp. larvae were absent in age-0 and age-1 bass, but prevalence and mean intensity increased with age for bass age-2 or older. Similarly, the prevalence and mean intensity of P. ambloplitis plerocercoids in bass were low until age-2; older bass harbored significantly more plerocercoids. Analysis of stomach contents indicates that this pattern of recruitment for Contracaecum sp. and P. ambloplitis is probably due to increased feeding by largemouth bass on aquatic insects and cannibalism after age-2, respectively. Although Contracaecum sp. may have been established in the reservoir prior to the introduction of bass, we are certain that P. ambloplitis was introduced via stocking with infected fingerlings.     

Helminth communities of the lesser sandeel Ammodytes tobianus L. off the west coast of Ireland

The helminth parasites present in 412 lesser sandeels (Ammodytes tobianus) taken from June 1996 to May 1997 from the Aran Islands on the west coast of Ireland were examined. Ten helminth parasite species were recorded, and more than 92% of the sandeels were infected with at least 1 helminth species. Seven of the species were digeneans, including Brachyphallus crenatus, Hemiurus communis, Derogenes varicus, Lecithaster gibbosus, Opechona bacillaris, Cryptocotyle lingua, and Galactosomum lacteum; 2 nematodes, including Hysterothylacium sp. and Contracaecum sp.; and 1 cestode, Scolex pleuronectis. Three of the 7 digenean species were either larvae or immature. Only 2 species, the digeneans G. lacteum and H. communis, had prevalences greater than 50%. The dominant species was G. lacteum, accounting for 67% of all parasites present. The relationship between spawned groups, host length, and season versus the abundance, prevalence, species richness, and the total number of parasites in the infracommunities was investigated. No difference was found between the parasite communities of the 2 spawning races of the host population. Mean abundance and prevalence of the different parasite species showed seasonal variation. Numbers of parasite species and numbers of parasites increased with fish length. The role of A. tobianus as an intermediate host for helminths was assessed; it was determined that most were infectious to birds or mammals, with the majority of the parasite species being autogenic (infectious to fish). The mean number of parasites per fish was nearly a quarter of the value recorded for A. tobianus in the North Sea, where a much higher intensity of infection was recorded.     

Levels of infection of gastric nematodes in a flock of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Lake Biwa, Japan

A high prevalence (86.7%) of various species of nematodes was observed in the stomach of great cormorants living in Lake Biwa, Japan. There were varying numbers of adults belonging to two common genera, Eustrongylides Jagerskiold 1909 (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) and Contracaecum Railliet & Henry 1912 (Nematoda: Anisakidae). The first included common adenophorean nematodes comprising a single species, Eustrongylides tubifex and the second comprised ascaroid nematodes that contained four named species: Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964, Contracaecum microcephalum Yamaguti, 1961, Contracaecum multipapillatum Drasche, 1882 and Contracaecum chubutensis Garbin, 2008. After the prevalence and intensity of the infection had been noted, both types of nematodes were frequently observed to penetrate the mucosa and intrude into the wall of the glandular stomach, where they caused gross haemorrhage and ulceration. The Eustrongylides sp. was predominantly found in a nodular lesion of the proventricular wall, while Contracaecum spp. were observed either free in the lumen of the proventriculus or, on occasion, deeply penetrating its wall. Of the Contracaecum spp., C. rudolphii was the most prevalent. Grossly, large numbers of nematodes were present in infected stomachs (for C. rudolphii intensity was 1-34 and 3-57 nematodes in male birds and 1-21 and 1-32 in females; for C. microcephalum 1-2 and 1 in male birds and 1-2 in females; for C. multipapillatum 2 in male cormorants and no infection in females; for C. chubutensis 1-2 and 1 in male birds and 1-5 and 1 in females and for E. tubifex 1-5 nematodes in male birds and 2-8 in females). Ulcerative inflammation and hyperaemia were the most common pathological presentations, especially in areas that had been invaded by parasites. Microscopically, varying degrees of granulomatous inflammatory reactions were seen, in addition to degenerated nematodes which appeared to have deeply penetrated mucosal surfaces and were surrounded by fibrous connective tissues.     

西藏拉萨河鱼类内寄生蠕虫的种类组成及其群落特征

2004年7月对西藏拉萨河鱼类的体内寄生蠕虫进行了调查,共采集到7种鱼类,其中6种隶属于裂腹鱼亚科,1种隶属于鳅科。在这些鱼类中,共发现了2种棘头虫和1种棘头虫未定种、3种线虫、3种绦虫及异肉吸虫属(Allocreadium)的种类。它们分别是青海新棘吻虫(Neoechinorhynchus qinghaiensis)、裸鲤棘头虫(Echinorhynchus gymnocyprii)和新棘吻虫未定种(Neoechinorhynchus sp.),希蚋杆咽线虫(Rhabdochona hellichi)、对盲囊线虫(Contracaecum sp.)和胃瘤线虫(Eustrongylides sp.),东方短结绦虫(Breviscolex orientalis)、舌状绦虫(Ligula sp.)和裂头绦虫(Diphyllobothrium sp.),以及寄生裂腹鱼的异肉吸虫(Allocreadium spp.)。对青海新棘吻虫、杆咽线虫、东方短结绦虫、异肉吸虫和新棘吻虫未定种在鱼类中发育成熟的寄生虫进行了形态描述。从不同的裂腹鱼中获得的异肉吸虫属的种类未能鉴定到种;其他没有鉴定到种的寄生虫主要是利用鱼类作为中间寄主的种类,其种类鉴定则有赖于成虫的获得。迄今为止,青海新棘吻虫和裂腹鱼异肉吸虫(A.schizothoracis)仅在裂腹鱼类中被发现,可能表明裂腹鱼具有特异性的棘头虫和异肉吸虫。在所检查的7种鱼类中,除异齿裂腹鱼(Schizothorax oconnori)没有发现蠕虫外,其他6种鱼都发现了4~6种蠕虫,显示较高的物种丰富度;5种裂腹鱼蠕虫群落的Shannon-Wiener指数较高(0·6131~1·5434),而细尾高原鳅(Triplophysa stenura)的较低(0·2911);5种裂腹鱼寄生虫群落之间的相似性相对较高,为(0·1732±0·2303)~(0·3751±0·2758),而裂腹鱼与细尾高原鳅的相似性则较低,为(0·0288±0·0877)~(0·0916±0·1618)。在这些寄生蠕虫中,以鱼类为中间宿主的寄生虫种类有4种,他们都以鸟类为终末寄主,因而也在一定程度上反映了该地区的动物区系组成。     

The effects of periodic eutrophication on parasitism and stock identification of Trematomus bernacchii (Pisces: Nototheniidae) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, is suited for the study of the effects of eutrophication on diet-related parasites of Trematomus bernacchii (Boulenger, 1902) (Pisces). It has been relatively well studied, the environment is predictable, and there are significant differences in primary productivity over small distances. The differences in parasitism for 5 helminth species can be attributed to the enrichment processes in the sound. The prevalences of the acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus sp., the nematode Ascarophis nototheniae, the digenean Dinosoma sp., and the cestode Phyllobothrium sp. are significantly higher on the east side of the sound than on the west. The prevalence of the digenean Lepidepedon garrardi was significantly higher on the west side. We believe that the differences in the prevalences of infection between the east and west sides suggest that at least the benthic, adult fish do not readily move from one side of the sound to the other. We report the following (new host records are marked by asterisks): Echinorhynchus sp., Corynosoma hamanni (Acanthocephala); Phyllobothrium sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., Trypanorhyncha (Cestoidea); Clavellopsis (Copepoda); Dinosoma sp., Lepidepedon garrardi (Digenea); Pseudobenedenoides brachicola, Polyopisthocotylea (Monogenea); Contracaecum sp., Ascarophis nototheniae (Nematoda); Myxoproteus sp., Henneguya sp., Ceratomyxa sp., and Zschokkella sp. (Protozoa).     

Two new species of Contracaecum Railliet & Henry, 1912 (Nematoda: Anisakidae), C. fagerholmi n. sp. and C. rudolphii F from the brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis in the northern Gulf of Mexico

DNA sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and mitochondrial rrnS and cox2 genes, and analysis of polymorphisms in restriction profiles in the ITS and rrnS, were used to characterise anisakid nematodes belonging to Contracaecum Railliet & Henry, 1912 infecting the brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (L.) in Galveston Bay, Texas and Sarasota Bay, Florida. Molecular data led to the detection of two new species: Contracaecum fagerholmi n. sp., which was also supported by clear morphological evidence, and Contracaecum rudolphii F, a new cryptic species within the Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 complex. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that C. fagerholmi and C. rudolphii F form two well-separated clusters, with C. fagerholmi being closely related to Contracaecum bioccai Mattiucci et al., 2008 and C. rudolphii F being included in the C. rudolphii complex. C. fagerholmi can be readily differentiated morphologically from all of its congeners, other than C. microcephalum (Rudolphii 1809) and the five currently recognised members of the C. rudolphii complex (C. rudolphii A, B, C, D and E). C. fagerholmi differs from C. microcephalum in the length of the spicules and the shape of the distal tip of the spicules, and from C. rudolphii (sensu lato) in the shape and size of the ventro-lateral and dorsal lips and by having interlabia which are not distally bifurcate. Further studies are needed to determine which morphological characteristics can be used to distinguish the cryptic species of the C. rudolphii complex in order to assign them with formal names. The recovery of a third species, C. bioccai, from the brown pelican confirms its occurrence in this host and extends its known geographical distribution.