Taxonomic study of twoProteocephalus secies (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) parasitising coregonid fishes: the synonymy ofP. fallax La Rue, 1911 withP. exiguus La Rue, 1911

Type-specimens (syntypes) and comparative material of twoProteocephalus species,P. exiguus La Rue, 1911 andP. fallax La Rue, 1911, parasitic in coregonid fishes from the Holarctic Region, were evaluated taxonomically. Morphological and biometrical study revealed conspecificity of the taxa.P. fallax is therefore, considered to be a synonym ofP. exiguus. Supplementary information is added to the species diagnosis ofP. exiguus and a lectotype is designated herein.     

Synonymy of shape Proteocephalus pollanicola Gresson, 1952 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), a parasite of pollan,shape Coregonus autumnalis pollan,with shape P. exiguus La Rue, 1911

The systematic status of the tapeworm Proteocephalus pollanicola Gresson, 1952, a parasite of pollan Coregonus autumnalis pollan Thompson, was evaluated on the basis of freshly collected material from the type-locality (Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland). Comparison of morphological, biometrical and DNA data (RAPD method) from P. pollanicola and from P. exiguus La Rue, 1911, a very common parasite of coregonid fish, did not find any substantial differences between them to confirm the validity of P. pollanicola. Accordingly, P. pollanicola is considered to be a synonym of P. exiguus, a widely distributed parasite in the Holarctic.     

Redescription of Testudotaenia testudo (Magath, 1924) (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea), a parasite of Apalone spinifera (Le Sueur) (Reptilia: Trionychidae) and Amia calva L. (Pisces: Amiidae) in North America and erection of the Testudotaeniinae n. subfam.

Testudotaenia testudo (Magath, 1924) is redescribed from the intestine of the softshell turtle Apalone spinifera (Le Sueur) (Trionychidae) and the bowfin Amia calva Linnaeus (Amiidae) from Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, United States. A new subfamily, the Testudotaeniinae, is erected. The new taxon differs from all proteocephalidean subfamilies in the position of the genital organs in relation to the longitudinal internal musculature, i.e. the testes are cortical, rarely medullary; the ovary is partly medullary, with cortical lobes; the vitelline follicles are mainly medullary, with some follicles in the cortex; and the uterus is cortical. A key to the subfamilies of the order Proteocephalidea Mola, 1928 is provided. The most characteristic features of T. testudo are the precocious uterine aperture, the presence of internal uterine pores (as previously described for Proteocephalus paraguayensis (Rudin, 1917)), the eggs laid unripe, the very long strobila (up to 970 mm), and the presence of an anterior circular musculature in the suckers, which is considered as a good differential character. Three other species were found in Amia calva: Proteocephalus perplexus La Rue, 1911, P. ambloplitis (Leidy, 1887) and a new, undescribed form. Sequences of the partial nuclear 28S rRNA gene of specimens of T. testudo from Apalone spinulifera and Amia calva confirm the conspecificity of samples from these two very distinct hosts, which may represent a capture phenomenon. As the subfamily Adenobrechmoinae Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006 and the genus Adenobrechmos Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006 are based on the presence of an apical organ, a character which reflects a rather common convergence, we consider the Adenobrechmoinae to be a junior synonym of the Proteocephalinae La Rue, 1911 and Adenobrechmos a junior synonym of Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911. Adenobrechmos greeri Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006 thus becomes Ophiotaenia greeri (Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006) n. comb.     

Paraphyly of Conodiplostomum Dubois, 1937

Adult trematodes of the genera Conodiplostomum Dubois, 1937 and Neodiplostomum Railliet, 1919 (Trematoda: Diplostomidae) parasitize the intestines of birds of prey, owls and, rarely, passeriform birds. Although the family is taxonomically unsettled, molecular phylogenetics have not been applied to analyze Conodiplostomum and Neodiplostomum and the reference DNA sequences from adult Diplostomidae are scarce and limit studies of their indistinct larval forms. We analyze the Conodiplostomum and Neodiplostomum spp. found during the examination of Czech birds performed from 1962 to 2017, and we provide comparative measurements and host spectra, including prevalence and intensity; we also provide and analyze the sequences of four DNA loci from eight diplostomid species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggested that Conodiplostomum spathula (Creplin, 1829), the type species of this genus, is nested in Neodiplostomum. Thus, we suggest the rejection of Conodiplostomum spathula (Creplin, 1829) and the resurrection of Neodiplostomum spathula (Creplin, 1829) La Rue, 1926 and reclassification of all species of Conodiplostomum with the neodiplostomulum type of metacercariae to Neodiplostomum as well. Conodiplostomum canaliculatum (Nicoll, 1914) is reclassified as Neodiplostomum spathulaeforme (Brandes, 1888). The molecular analysis suggested that Conodiplostomum perlatum (Ciurea, 1911), the species with the neascus type of metacercariae, belongs to Crassiphialinae Sudarikov, 1960. We erect the genus Ciureatrema gen. nov. Heneberg & Sitko and reclassify Conodiplostomum perlatum (Ciurea, 1911) as Ciureatrema perlatum (Ciurea, 1911) and establish it as a type species of Ciureatrema gen. nov. Further research should focus on the evolution of the neascus and neodiplostomulum types of metacercariae, as well as the evolution of the genital cone and pseudosuckers in Diplostomidae.     

Species of Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), parasites of coregonid and salmonid fishes from North America: taxonomic reappraisal

A taxonomic study of species of Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), from coregonid and salmonid fishes in North America, based largely on their type specimens, was carried out. None of the taxa studied possesses obvious autapomorphies that would justify its validity. On the contrary, all species share the following diagnostic features typical of Proteocephalus longicollis (Zeder, 1800) (syn. Proteocephalus exiguus La Rue, 1911), a polymorphic and widely distributed parasite in the Holarctic: (1) a spherical or club-shaped scolex, with sublaterally situated suckers and a vestigial but distinct and relatively large apical sucker; (2) the vagina possessing a well-developed vaginal sphincter and crossing mostly ventrally the proximal part of the cirrus sac; and (3) a long, thick-walled cirrus sac, overlapping vitelline follicles medially by more than its proximal half. Accordingly, Proteocephalus pusillus Ward, 1910; P. laruei Faust, 1920; "P. obtundus" La Rue, 1920 (nomen nudum); P. arcticus Cooper, 1921; P. wickliffi Hunter and Bangham, 1933; P. parallacticus MacLulich, 1943; P. californicus Haderlie, 1950; P. salmonidicola Alexander, 1951; and P. primaverus Neiland, 1952 are considered junior synonyms of P. longicollis.     

Electrophoretic separation of esterases of Alaria marcianae (La Rue, 1917) (Trematoda).

1. Disc electrophoresis was used to determine the esterase isoenzymes present in adults of the strigeoid trematode Alaria marcianae (La Rue, 1917). 2. Eight esterase bands were found with alpha-naphthyl acetate as the substrate and Fast Blue RR as the dye. 3. From results obtained with inhibitors, four different types of esterases were tentatively identified; cholinesterase (one band), ali-esterase or B-type (one band), arylesterase or A-type (2 bands) and acetylesterase or C-type (4 bands).     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Steringotrema</Emphasis> Odhner, 1911 (Trematoda: Fellodistomidae) from the New Zealand sole <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae</Emphasis> Günther off Kaka point in the Catlins,South Island,New Zealand

As a part of a comprehensive survey of macroparasites of commercially exploited fish species off the coast of Otago, New Zealand, the parasite fauna of the New Zealand sole Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae Günther was recently studied. Steringotrema robertpoulini n. sp. is described from this host and compared with known species of Steringotrema Odhner, 1911. The new species is readily distinguished from all of its congeners, except for S. divergens (Rudolphi, 1809) Odhner, 1911, by having the follicular vitellarium divided in four zones rather than two, and can be differentiated from S. divergens mainly by the posterior extent of the intestinal caeca in the hindbody, as well as by host association and geographical distribution. DNA sequences of the 28S ribosomal gene were generated and phylogenetic analyses were undertaken using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to assess the phylogenetic position of the new species within the family Fellodistomidae Nicoll, 1909. Analyses included the available sequences for 14 species of the family distributed among eight genera, along with nine species of other members of the order Plagiorchiida La Rue, 1957 as outgroups. The resulting topology shows that the new species of Steringotrema is nested as the sister species of Steringophorus dorsolineatus (Reimer, 1985) Bray, 1995. However, low nodal support indicates that relationships among these species are not fully resolved and require further revision and denser taxon sampling for more detailed molecular work. More information is required to draw further conclusions about the taxonomic status of the genera Steringotrema and Steringophorus Odhner, 1905.     

Description of a new species of Gastornis (Aves,Gastornithiformes) from the early Eocene of La Borie,southwestern France

The early Eocene locality of La Borie is located near the village of Saint-Papoul, in southwestern France. It consists of clay deposits that have yielded numerous vertebrate fossils, including remains of the giant flightless bird Gastornis. These remains were initially attributed to the species G. parisiensis, which is otherwise recorded from the late Paleocene and earliest Eocene of the North Sea Basin. New fossil birds collected in the La Borie clay pit in 2018 include an almost complete mandible of Gastornis. We describe a new species of Gastornis based on this mandible and we show that the previously described remains from La Borie must be assigned to this new species. The new species differs from other species of Gastornis in the morphology of the mandible, maxilla and quadrate. The morphological diversity of the genus Gastornis, which existed in Europe for at least 17 million years, is emphasized.LSID of publication: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:10E7938B-C972-4127-94DC-169D35977B11.     

First detailed description of Hispanomys bijugatus Mein and Freudenthal, 1971 (Rodentia, Cricetodontinae) from the Upper Aragonian of La Grive-Saint Alban (France): Biostratigraphical implications

The material of Hispanomys bijugatus (Rodentia, Cricetodontinae) from La Grive-Saint Alban (carrière Lechartier, fissure L3) is described for the first time and compared with all species of the genus known to date. As common in the Upper Aragonian populations of Hispanomys, this taxon evidences a low variability. H. bijugatus shows some progressive characters with respect to the remaining Aragonian congeneric species, such as the absence of labial and lingual cingula surrounding the upper and lower molar valleys respectively, the increase in the number of roots on the second lower molar, and the lost of mesolophs. This suggests that H. bijugatus, in spite of being one of the oldest species of the genus, is relatively derived with regard to the coeval congeneric species. Because H. bijugatus and H. decedens are believed to be closely related species within the same lineage, the fact that the former shows a more progressive dental morphology than the latter suggests that the unnamed fissure-fillings from La Grive and La Grive M (with H. decedens only) are older than La Grive L3 (with H. bijugatus only). The coexistence of both species at locality L5 suggests an intermediate age.     

A new tapeworm from Compsophis infralineatus (Pseudoxyrhophiidae), an endemic snake of Madagascar: Scratching the surface of undiscovered reptilian parasite diversity

A new species of proteocephalid cestodes, provisionally assigned to the polyphyletic genus Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), is described from Compsophis infralineatus (Günther) (Serpentes: Pseudoxyrhophiidae) endemic to Madagascar. Ophiotaenia oreae n. sp. differs from all African and Asian species of Ophiotaenia by possessing more uterine diverticula (68–82 on one side). It is also characterised by the absence of an apical organ, the relative sizes of the cirrus-sac and ovary, the almost equatorial position of the gonopore, the diameter of the embryophore, and other biometric characteristics. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species indicate its relatedness to Indomalayan and Australasian proteocephalids from reptiles. Ophiotaenia oreae n. sp. formed a well-supported clade composed of species of Australophiotaenia de Chambrier, Beveridge and Scholz, 2018 from Australian snakes, Macrobothriotaenia ficta (Meggitt, 1931) from Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt in Boie from Vietnam, Ophiotaenia sp. from Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (Gray) from the Philippines, and Ophiotaenia bungari de Chambrier, Binh and Scholz, 2012 from Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider) from Vietnam. The only proteocephalid from Madagascan snakes sequenced so far, Ophiotaenia lapata Rambeloson, Ranaivoson and de Chambrier, 2012 from Madagascarophis colubrinus (Schlegel), does not form a monophyletic group with the new species. The actual species diversity of reptilian cestodes in Madagascar is undoubtedly underestimated. Because of the assumed strict (oioxenous) host specificity of reptilian proteocephalids and rich fauna of snakes occurring in Madagascar, it is plausible to expect the existence of dozens new species of proteocephalids on this island.     

Redescription of Potamolithus paranensis (Pilsbry, 1911) and Potamolithus simplex (Pilsbry, 1911) (Gastropoda: Tateidae)

Potamolithus Pilsbry &; Rush, 1896 is a species-rich genus, endemic to South America, with many of its species considered Vulnerable due to a restricted distribution; half of them are called into question, since they are known only from their shells. The purpose of this article is to describe the anatomy of P. paranensis (Pilsbry, 1911 Pilsbry, H.A. (1911) Non-marine Mollusca of Patagonia. In: Scott, W.B. (Ed.), Reports of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia, 1896–1899, Vol 3, Zoology, Part V. The University, USA, Princeton, NJ, pp. 513–633. [Google Scholar]) and P. simplex (Pilsbry, 1911 Pilsbry, H.A. (1911) Non-marine Mollusca of Patagonia. In: Scott, W.B. (Ed.), Reports of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia, 1896–1899, Vol 3, Zoology, Part V. The University, USA, Princeton, NJ, pp. 513–633. [Google Scholar]) from the Argentinean Misiones province, and to evaluate the value of anatomical features in this genus. These two species differ in penis morphology and pigmentation, ctenidium length, and relative position of the opening of the pallial oviduct, seminal receptacle and bursa copulatrix. Consequently, it appears that anatomical data could help solve taxonomic conflicts that are currently unresolved by shell morphology alone.     

First record of the myzus species group (Acari: Podapolipidae: Eutarsopolipus Berlese, 1911) from Asia, with the description of two new species parasitising carabid beetles

Two new species of Eutarsopolipus Berlese, 1911 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Podapolipidae), belonging to the myzus species group, are described from the subelytra of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Iran. Eutarsopolipus anichtchenkoi n. sp. was found on Pterostichus sp. and E. terricolae n. sp. on Scarites terricola Bonelli. This is the first record of the myzus species group from Asia. A key to the adult females of this species group worldwide is provided, and the distribution and host range of all representatives of the group are discussed.     

Anopheles species composition explains differences in Plasmodium transmission in La Guajira,northern Colombia

Malaria in La Guajira, the most northern state of Colombia, shows two different epidemiological patterns. Malaria is endemic in the municipality of Dibulla whereas in Riohacha it is characterised by sporadic outbreaks. This study aimed to establish whether differences in transmission patterns could be attributed to different vector species. The most abundant adult female species were Anopheles aquasalis, exclusive to Riohacha, and Anopheles darlingi, restricted to Dibulla. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified using morphology and the molecular markers internal transcribed spacer 2 and cytochrome c oxidase I. All specimens (n = 1,393) were tested by ELISA to determine natural infection rates with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. An. darlingi was positive for P. vivax 210, with an infection rate of 0.355% and an entomological inoculation rate of 15.87 infective bites/person/year. Anopheles albimanus larvae were the most common species in Riohacha, found in temporary swamps; in contrast, in Dibulla An. darlingi were detected mainly in permanent streams. Distinctive species composition and larval habitats in each municipality may explain the differences in Plasmodium transmission and suggest different local strategies should be used for vector control.     

Species distinction among pollen grains of Abies,Picea, and Pinus in the rocky mountain area (A scanning electron microscope study)

Modern pollen grains from several species of Abies, Picea and Pinus occurring mainly in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States and Canada were examined using the scanning electron microscope. Distinguishing characteristics for the species were found using systematized observational and photographic methods on extensive collections.Preparation of the samples included acetolysis, critical-point drying to preserve three-dimensional morphology, and carbon-gold coating. The technique employed in preparing the pollen samples is outlined in detail in this paper.Species distinctions were based on types of morphological structures rather than on measurements of the grains or their parts; however, several subjective determinations of shape and proportion proved useful in distinguishing certain species.Pollen grains of Abies grandis, A. amabilis and A. lasiocarpa were found to differ in the morphology of the triradiate streak. Picea glauca and P. sitchensis differ in cappula morphology and P. engelmannii shows distinctive bladder proportion and placement. Pinus ponderosa differs from P. contorta on the basis of cappula morphology. Pinus monticola and P. albicaulis can, at the same time, be singled out from the other pines studied and distinguished one from the other by a combination of a cappula and cappa characteristics. Pinus cembroides is distinguished from the other pines by its characteristic cappa and P. edulis by shape, proportion and attachement of its bladders. Although Pinus monophylla showed no single distinctive morphological feature, it can be separated from the other pines studied by a process of elimination based on several characteristics.     

Cercaria patellae Lebour, 1911 developing inPatella vulgata is the cercaria ofEchinostephilla patellae (Lebour, 1911) n. comb. (Digenea,Philophthalmidae)

The echinostome cercaria,Cercaria patellae Lebour, 1911, which develops in the limpetPatella vulgata (Prosobranchia, Diotocardia, Patellidae), was investigated by light and scanning microscopy. The highest prevalence of limpets with rediae/cercariae occurred on bare rocks on the upper part of the shore. The prevalence was higher in larger snails and in those which had an orange foot-sole. The cercariae penetrated into other gastropods,Aplysia punctata (Opisthobranchia, Cephalaspidea, Aplysiidae),Acanthodoris pilosa (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchiata, Lamellidorididae) andP. vulgata. No differences in size were found between metacercariae which naturally infected onlyP. vulgata and five-day-old metacercariae from experimental infections. Inin vitro experiments excystation of metacercariae from natural infections took place as a passive process after a double treatment with pepsin and trypsin which caused the dissolution of the cyst wall. After metacercariae from natural infections were fed to one-day-old chickens, the young adults developed. Detailed morphometrical data on rediae, cercariae and metacercariae are compared with previously published measurements of living specimens. Chaetotaxy demonstrated a distinct distribution of tegumental papillae of cercariae, resembling that of the Echinostomatidae or Philophthalmidae. Scanning electron microscopy of adults revealed short, blunt spines anteriorly, while flattened serrated spines occurred on the posterior tegument. Morphometry revealed no major differences to previously published data. Considering all ecological data and comparing the morphological data with those of previous publications by different authors, we conclude thatC. patellae Lebour, 1911, the cercaria in the limpet, is a developmental stage of a digenean in the intestine of the oystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus and should be referred toEchinostephilla patellae (Lebour, 1911) n. comb.     

Description of Zoothamnium foissneri n. sp. and redescription of Z. duplicatum Kahl, 1933 and Z. mucedo Entz, 1884, three species of marine peritrichous ciliates

Three marine peritrichs, Zoothamnium foissneri n. sp., Z. duplicatum Kahl, 1933 and Z. mucedo Entz, 1884, were isolated from the littoral area of Qingdao, China. The morphology, infraciliature and silverline system were studied on living and silver-impregnated specimens. Z. foissneri is distinguished from congeners by its slender zooid shape, size, appearance of peristomial border, the form of peniculus 3, colony form and habitat. Based on the Qingdao populations, supplementary information is given for two known species showing that Z. duplicatum can be distinguished by the zooid shape and size, the number of silverlines between the aboral trochal band and the scopula, and the form of peniculus 3, while Z. mucedo can be distinguished from other species of similar zooid shape and size by the form of peniculus 3 and the number of silverlines between the oral area and the aboral trochal band.     

Description and DNA barcoding of Crematogaster fraxatrix Forel, 1911 and two new closely related species from Cambodia and Indonesia (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Crematogaster fraxatrix Forel, 1911 and two new species, C. chhangi sp. n. and C. simboloni sp. n., are described from Cambodia and Indonesia, respectively. DNA sequences were generated for C. fraxarix and the two newly described species using 3 amplications of two regions of the mitochondrial gene COI with a total of 1129 bp. The mean interspecific divergences are 9.4% and 23.5% for C. fraxatrix vs. C. chhangi, C. simboloni, respectively. DNA sequences reveal that C. simboloni is found to be genetically distinct from the other two species, but C. chhangi is not distinct from C. fraxatrix.