Calicotyle californiensis n. sp. and Calicotyle urobati n. sp. (Monogenea: Calicotylinae) from elasmobranchs in the Gulf of California

Two new species of Calicotyle (Monocotylidae: Calicotylinae) are described from elasmobranchs in the western Gulf of California. Calicotyle californiensis n. sp. is described from a single specimen collected from a gray smoothhound shark (Mustelus californicus, Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae). It is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of having vaginal pores opening within the intercecal space, distal regions of the vaginae twisting, proximal regions of the vaginae fusing medially to form a kidney bean-shaped structure, and a relatively long male copulatory organ recurving 3 times and passing between the distal penis bulb and the seminal vesicle. Calicotyle urobati n. sp. is described from 16 specimens collected from at least the cloaca and rectum of the round rays Urobatis halleri and Urobatis maculatus (Rajiformes: Urolophidae). It is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of having vaginal pores opening outside the intercecal space and proximal regions of the vaginae terminating at the level of the ceca. Members of Calicotyle have not been reported previously from the eastern Pacific Ocean or from these hosts. In the past, species of Calicotyle have been distinguished based primarily on the shape and length of the male copulatory organ and hamuli. Divisions of the vaginae and the positions of the vaginal pores are also useful in distinguishing members of the genus.     

Dendromonocotyle lasti n. sp. from the skin and Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Himantura sp. (Dasyatidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Seven specimens of rays of the genus Himantura which could not be identified to species were collected from waters near Dunwich, Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The five smallest specimens of Himanturasp. (disc width 218-302 mm; four female, one male) had a banded tail and the dorsal surface was uniformly grey/brown. The two largest individuals of Himantura sp. (disc widths 460, 533 mm; female and male, respectively) also had a banded tail but the grey/brown dorsal surface had white spots. Two new monogenean species (Monocotylidae: Monocotylinae) are described from both the plain and white-spotted specimens of Himantura. Dendromonocotyle lastin. sp. is distinguished from other species in the genus by the number of papillae on the haptor, by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and by the morphology of the proximal portion of the vagina. The muscular sheath which surrounds the male copulatory organ is also unique having sclerotised spines at the distal end. Dendromonocotyle species are skin parasites, but a total of five juvenile specimens of D. lasti were found on the gills of four rays. Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. from the gills is characterised by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and its accessory piece. One specimen of M. spiremae Measures, Beverley-Burton & Williams, 1990, originally described from the gills of Himantura fai Jordan & Seale off Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, was also found on the gills of one Himantura specimen. The site and host-specificity of the parasites and the identity of the hosts are discussed.     

Bychowskicotylids (Monogenoidea: Gastrocotylinea) infecting the gills of the sweetlips Diagramma labiosum Macleay (Haemulidae) in Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia,with the proposal of Lebedevia n. gen. and description of Lebedevia lebedevi n. sp.

Systematic Parasitology - Two species of Bychowskicotylidae (Monogenoidea: Gastrocotylinea) were collected from the gills of the sweetlips Diagramma labiosum Macleay (Haemulidae) obtained from...     

Euzetia occultum n. g., n. sp. (Euzetiinae n. subf.), a monocotylid monogenean from the gills of Rhinoptera neglecta (Rhinopteridae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia

Euzetia occultum n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) is described from the gills of the Australian cownose ray Rhinoptera neglecta Ogilby collected in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Euzetia has one central and ten peripheral loculi, which is similar to species in Decacotyle Young, 1967. However Euzetia is distinguished from other genera in the family by the presence of an additional loculus on either side of the central loculus. Because Euzetia does not fit into any of the six existing subfamilies in the Monocotylidae Taschenberg, 1879, as currently recognised, we propose the Euzetiinae n. subf. to accommodate the new genus. Euzetia occultum is described and illustrated fully. This is the first published record of a monocotylid from a species of Rhinoptera Cuvier.     

Characterization of Kudoa monodactyli n. sp. (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) from the Muscle of Monodactylus argenteus (Teleostei: Monodactylidae) from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Kudoa monodactyli n. sp. is described from the somatic musculature of Monodactylus argenteus from several localities in southern Queensland, Australia. This is the first record of a myxozoan parasite from the family Monodactylidae. The spores typically have five polar capsules, making this species similar to the four other five-valved Kudoa species (K. neurophila, K. muscularis, K. shulmani, K. cutanea) that have been described to date. However, morphometric measurements particularly of spore length and width make the species from M. argenteus distinct from the other species. Comparison of the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence of this species with its congeners for which sequence data are available, provides further evidence of novelty. Kudoa monodactyli n. sp. displays 38 (of 1,554) nucleotide differences compared with rDNA sequence of Kudoa neurophila, which on phylogenetic analysis places these species in clades exclusive of each other. Phylogenetic analyses also provide evidence that the number of valves per spore in this genus is an imperfect indicator of relatedness.     

Chaulioleptos haywardi n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Filimanus heptadactyla (Perciformes: Polynemidae) of Moreton Bay, Australia

Here we describe the first species of sanguinicolid blood fluke (Trematoda: Digenea) from a polynemid fish. Chaulioleptos haywardi n. gen., n. sp. is described from Filimanus heptadactyla Cuvier, 1829 (Perciformes: Polynemidae), the sevenfinger threadfin from Sandgate, Moreton Bay (southeast Queensland, Australia). Chaulioleptos haywardi differs from existing sanguinicolid genera in the combined possession of the following 7 characters: 2 testes, an entirely postovarian uterus, a uterine chamber, separate genital pores, an H-shaped intestine with abbreviated anterior caeca, tegumental spines in incomplete ventro-marginal transverse rows that are continuous along the length of the body, and vitelline follicles that are tightly compacted and subsequently appear to form a solid branching mass occupying the area anterior to intestinal bifurcation and extending posteriorly to the level of the posterior margin of the anterior testis. Chaulioleptos haywardi is most closely related to Paracardicola Martin, 1960 and Adelomyllos Nolan and Cribb, 2004.     

Two species ofCoitocaecum Nicoll, 1915 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia

Two species ofCoitocaecum Nicoll, 1915,C. gymnophallum Nicoll, 1915 andC. michaeli n. sp., are recorded, described and figured from the intestine ofAcanthopagrus australis from Moreton Bay, off south east Queensland. The holotype ofC. gymnophallum Nicoll, 1915 is examined, measured and figured for comparison.C. glandulosum Yamaguti, 1934 andC. robustum Wang, 1984 are reduced to synonymy withC. gymnophallum. The host specificity ofCoitocaecum spp. is discussed.     

Empruthotrema dasyatidis n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the olfactory sacs of Dasyatis fluviorum (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland

The monocotylid monogenean Empruthotrema dasyatidis n. sp. is reported from the olfactory sacs of the brown stingray, Dasyatis fluviorum Ogilby, 1908, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. This is the first record of Empruthotrema from the family Dasyatidae. E. dasyatidis n. sp. differs from other species of Empruthotrema by possessing eye pigment, which may be scattered, and by its small size. The generic diagnosis for Empruthotrema is amended.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of whiting (Sillaginidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland

Five species of whiting (Sillaginidae) inhabit Moreton Bay. The school whiting, Sillago bassensis , and stout whiting, S. robusta , are rare, caught occasionally by trawlers in areas of sandy substrates. The sand whiting, S. ciliata , golden-lined whiting, S. analis , and trumpeter whiting, S. maculata , are very common throughout the year. Sillago maculata is distributed almost throughout Moreton Bay, from 1 to 30 m depth. Sillago ciliata and S. analis are shallow water dwellers, from the shoreline to 3 m and 5 m depth, respectively. In the shallow waters, S. ciliata prefers the sandy substrates and S. analis the mud-sandy substrates. Distributions related to the depth, habitat preference, juvenile-adult grounds, food availability, interspecific competition, and winter season are discussed.     

Dermal toxicology of Lyngbya majuscula, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Lyngbya majuscula is a filamentous marine cyanobacterium with a worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical regions to a depth of 30 m. Over 70 chemicals have been isolated and characterised from this organism, many of which are biologically active. Previously, L. majuscula has been reported as implicated in negative health outcomes only in Hawaii and Okinawa. Recently large blooms of L. majuscula have occurred with increasing repetition in the Moreton Bay region as well as other areas along the Australian coastline.Lyngbya toxin A (LA) and debromoaplysiatoxin (DAT) were found in samples of L. majuscula collected from Eastern Moreton Bay and North Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia, respectively. Samples of L. majuscula were also obtained from West Maui, Hawaii and the freshwater Lyngbya wollei from Florida. A quantitative measure of the irritant effects of the chemicals found in L. majuscula was made using a mouse ear swelling test. The relative toxicities of two purified toxins, LA and DAT, were examined. These were found to produce swelling to a similar extent. The time course of inflammation and histopathological results were also similar for the two purified toxins. Less than 1 μg per ear of either toxin or a mixture (1:1) of the two toxins caused a measurable increase in ear thickness. When toxins were combined (1:1) there was an additive, not synergistic effect. Increases in ear thickness occurred within 15 min. Crude extracts of L. majuscula from Moreton Bay were also applied to mice ears. The effect of crude extracts from Eastern Moreton Bay was not fully explained by the measured LA content, suggesting other toxin(s) and/or modulating factors were present. The toxic effects of L. majuscula containing DAT from North Deception Bay were explained by the concentrations measured. Some samples of L. majuscula containing no measurable quantities of LA or DAT were found to exert an inflammatory response. This response had a different time course to the response produced by LA or DAT.     

Aggregation of sublittoral macrobenthos in Moreton Bay,Queensland

Quintuplicate samples of macrobenthos were collected by an 0.1 m² Smith-McIntyre grab from six selected sites in Moreton Bay at 8-week intervals on twelve occasions. This is part of a continuing study of time changes in the benthos. The present paper deals with the‘withinfives’data, mostly on a species basis. We show that there is, for most species, a close power curve relationship between variances (withinfives) and means (of fives): here v = am where V is variance, m is mean, and a and b are constants. Following Taylor's (1961, 1971) initial interpretations b is a measure of aggregation, although a values also have interpretive importance. Of eight-seven species studied there is a spectrum from highly aggregated (c. 65% of total) to random (c. 25%) to spaced (c. l0%). There is a comparable spectrum of transformations to produce variance stabilizing in the data. Power curve fitting also applies to total site populations (n) where b is 1.977 and data require log transformation, and to species densities (s) where b is 1.342 and data require cube-root transformation. The data are not entirely suitable for investigating the topographic scale of patchiness of species within the 20 m‘within-fives’traverses. A predominant patch width of 30 m or more was revealed.     

Growth and Reproduction of Double-Ended Pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Life-history characteristics of the double-ended pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch), were investigated to determine growth rate, degree of sexual dimorphism, size at maturity, and reproductive biology. Growth rates of wild juveniles and adults calculated from monthly progression of length-frequency modes ranged from 0.8mmd^–1 (fish lengths 120–145mm standard length (SL)) in summer to 0.2mmd^–1 in winter (185–200mm SL). Growth of laboratory-reared juveniles up to 63d old was greater, ranging from 0.8 to 2.3mmd^-1. The von Bertalanffy growth constant K was estimated at 0.0076d^{- 1}, or 2.8year^–1. Morphological differentiation between the sexes based upon abdominal pattern was possible for fish larger than 120mm SL, with females possessing a zigzag pattern on the abdomen. The association between this pattern and sex was confirmed by histological gonad analysis. Males were significantly longer than females during four of seven seasons examined, and a 1:1 sex ratio was determined for all seasons except autumn when the ratio was female biased. The breeding season was marked by the appearance of pregnant males between October and April, and during courtship both species exhibited increased pigmentation. The minimum paternal size at maturity was 185mm, the maximum length recorded 260mm. Clutch size ranged between 60 and 200 eggs, with a mean of 153. Ovaries had a sequential pattern of egg development, resulting in egg batches that approximated the number of eggs carried by brooding males. Additionally, all eggs in a brood were at the same developmental stage. This suggests that one female provides all of the eggs for one male per breeding event in a monogamous mating system.     

Ascarophisnema hoiae n. sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae), from the stomach of the trumpeter whiting,Sillago maculata Quoy & Gaimard (Perciformes: Sillaginidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia

Ascarophisnema hoiae n. sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) is described from the stomach of the trumpeter whiting, Sillago maculata Quoy & Gaimard (Perciformes: Sillaginidae) from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. It differs morphologically from the only other valid congener, A. tridentatum Moravec & Justine, 2010 in the shape of the sub-labium and in the lengths of the spicules and the morphology of their distal tips (bifid). It represents the first record of this genus from Australia and appears to be highly oioxenous, having been found only in this host species among 133 other species of fish examined at the same locality.

     

Calicotyle hydrolagi n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) infecting the deep-sea Eastern Pacific black ghost shark Hydrolagus melanophasma from the Atacama Trench,with comments on host specificity of Calicotyle spp.

We describe Calicotyle hydrolagi n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) infecting the cloaca of deep-water Eastern Pacific black ghost sharks, Hydrolagus melanophasma captured as bycatch at a local fishery for Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides, (Nototheniidae) in the Atacama Trench using morphological and nucleotide (LSU rRNA and SSU rRNA) data. This new species is differentiated from its congeners by a number of characters, including the absence of a cecal diverticula, the size and shape of the male copulatory organ and the shape of the vagina, as well as by differences in molecular data (SSU rRNA and LSU rRNA). The suitability of some sclerotized structures such as the male copulatory organ (MCO) as a taxonomic character is discussed; specifically, we found that the relationship between MCO and total length exhibit different trends in members of Calicotyle isolated from sharks, skates and chimaeras. Additional efforts to obtain sample of Calicotyle species and further molecular studies based on ribosomal and mitochondrial genes are necessary to clarify the degree of host specificity in this genus. Additionally, this is the first report of a member of Calicotyle to be reported in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean.     

Identification, habitats and seasonal occurrence of juvenile whiting (Sillaginidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland

Three sympatric whiting species-(Sillaginidae)—sand whiting, Sillago ciliata , golden-lined whiting, Sillago analis , and trumpeter whiting, Sillago maculata , are common in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Their identification, habitats and seasonal occurrence of juveniles are studied. A key to identification of these species is provided. Juveniles of the three species inhabit shallow shores including lower sections of creeks and rivers; but 5. ciliata prefer sandy substrates with less than 1 m depth and S. analis favour muddy-sand substrates also with less than 1 m depth, while 5. maculata juveniles stay in muddy-sand to muddy substrates at 1–3 m depth. Sillago analis juveniles appear at the waters' edge from October to May each year.     

Calicotyle australiensis n. sp. and Calicotyle sp. (Monogenea,Monopisthocotylea) from the rectum and rectal glands,and Rugogaster hydrolagi Schell, 1973 (Trematoda,Aspidogastrea) from the rectal glands of holocephalans off the coast of southeastern Australia

Calicotyle australiensis n. sp. from Chimaera sp., caught off the coast of New South Wales, is described. It differs from the other species of the genus in the combination of the following characteristics: length of the penis-tube, absence of medial diverticula of the caeca and presence of hamuli. Calicotyle sp. from Rhinochimaera pacifica and Rugogaster hydrolagi from Chimaera sp. caught at the same locality are reported and illustrated.

     

Calicotyle australiensis n. sp. and Calicotyle sp. (Monogenea,Monopisthocotylea) from the rectum and rectal glands,and Rugogaster hydrolagi Schell, 1973 (Trematoda,Aspidogastrea) from the rectal glands of holocephalans off the coast of southeastern Australia

Calicotyle australiensis n. sp. from Chimaera sp., caught off the coast of New South Wales, is described. It differs from the other species of the genus in the combination of the following characteristics: length of the penis-tube, absence of medial diverticula of the caeca and presence of hamuli. Calicotyle sp. from Rhinochimaera pacifica and Rugogaster hydrolagi from Chimaera sp. caught at the same locality are reported and illustrated.     

Empruthotrema kearni n. sp. and observations on Thaumatocotyle pseudodasybatis Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the nasal fossae of Aetobatus narinari (Batiformes: Myliobatidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland

Empruthotrema kearni n. sp. and Thaumatocotyle pseudodasybatis Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) are reported from the nasal fossae of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari Euphrasen, 1790, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The discovery of E. kearni n. sp. is the first record of this genus from the Myliobatidae and a new geographical record for the genus. A comparison of T. pseudodasybatis from Florida, USA and from Queensland, Australia revealed morphometrical and microhabitat differences. The discovery of T. pseudodasybatis in Australian waters is a new geographical record for this species.