The brachylaimidae (Trematoda: Digenea) of Australian native mammals and birds,including descriptions of Dasyurotrema n. g. and four new species of Brachylaima

The Brachylaimidae of Australian native animals are revised. Brachylaima dasyuri (Johnston, 1913) is redescribed from Dasyurus viverrinus, Phascogale tapoatafa and Isoodon macrourus. B. simile (Johnston, 1913) is removed from synonymy with B. dasyuri, reinstated as a valid species and redescribed from Perameles nasuta, Isoodon obesulus and Antechinus stuartii. B. antechini Peisley & Howell, 1975 is reduced to synonymy with B. simile. B. brindabellensis n. sp. is described from Rattus fuscipes. B. walterae n. sp. is described from Antechinus swainsonii and A. stuartii. B. delecta n. sp. is described from Antechinus flavipes. B. sandarsae n. sp. is described from Antechinus godmani. B. pulchellum (Johnston, 1917) is redescribed from Leucosarcia melanoleuca. An unnamed Brachylaima species is described from Isoodon macrourus. New host records are Brachylaima dasyuri from Phascogale tapoatafa and B. simile from Perameles nasuta. Dasyurotrema mascomai n. g., n. sp. is described from Antechinus swainsonii. The new genus is placed in the Panopistinae. It differs from the existing genera by having a single loop of the uterus passing anterior to the ventral sucker and the genital pore posterior to the posterior testis but still distinctly ventral. A second species of Dasyurotrema is recorded, but not described, from Antechinus stuartii. Brachylaimid metacercariae are described from Rhytida capillacea, Helicarion virens, H. mastersi and Vercularion strangei. In no case was a host species found to harbour more than one species from any brachylaimid genus at a single geographical site.     

Monogenean stomach parasites of cichlid fishes from Cameroon: Two new species of the genusEnterogyrus Paperna, 1963 (Ancyrocephalidae)

Two ancyrocephalid monogeneans collected in Cameroon are described:Enterogyrus crassus n. sp. from the stomach ofTilapia nyongana andE. amieti n. sp. from the stomach ofSarotherodon galilaeus sanagaensis. The simultaneous occurrence ofE. cichlidarum Paperna, 1963 in the stomach of these two host species is also reported. The specificity of the two new species is discussed along with the value of haptor morphology (cupped or tongue-shaped) as a specific character in the taxonomy of the genusEnterogyrus.     

Entodiniomorph Ciliates from the Stomach of Hippopotamus amphibius, with Descriptions of Two New Genera and Three New Species

Entodiniomorph ciliates, belonging to the family Cycloposthiidae, are described from the stomach contents of Hippopotamus amphibius. Monoposthium acanthum gen. n., sp. n., with typical cycloposthiid structure, differs from other genera in having only 1 caudalium. Parentodinium gen. n., represented by P. africanum sp. n. and P. ostrea sp. n., although superficially resembling Entodinium, is considered to be a relatively unspecialized cycloposthiid.     

Three new species of the genus Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 (Nematoda, Trichostrongylina, Molineoidea) parasites of Enyalius spp. (Iguanidae) from Brazil

Three new species of the genus Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 belonging to the sub-family Molineinae are described from the stomach and/or the small intestine of Enyalius spp. from Brazil. They belong to group 6 of Ben Slimane, Chabaud & Durette-Desset (1996). In this group they share along with O. peruensis Ben Slimane, Verhaag & Durette-Desset, 1995, a parasite of Iguanidae from Peru the followings linked characters: (i) a caudal bursa of type II; (ii) cervical alae present; (iii) undulated cuticular ridges. The Peruvian species differs from the Brasilian species by the absence of a strut in the cervical alae, by a small number of cuticular ridges at mid-body and by a spicular fork with a ramified inner twig. Oswaldocruzio fredi n. sp., a parasite of the stomach and the small intestine of Enyalius iheringii, mainly differs from the two other species by the absence of the oesophageal ventral cuticular ridges. Oswaldocruzia benslimanei n. sp., a parasite of the small intestine of Enyalius bilineatus, differs from Oswoldocruzia burseyi n. sp., a parasite of the stomach of Enyalius perditus, by the division of the fork at 23.4 % of spicule length (versus 32 %), and the length of the blade longer than the fork. Oswoldocruzia subauricularis sensu Freitas, 1955 nec Rudolphi, 1819 and O. mazzai sensu Vicente, 1981 nec Travassos, 1935 should be considered as species inquirendae.     

Inducible xylitol dehydrogenases in enteric bacteria.

Morganella morganii ATCC 25829, Providencia stuartii ATCC 25827, Serratia marcescens ATCC 13880, and Erwinia sp. strain 4D2P were found to induce a xylitol dehydrogenase when grown on a xylitol-containing medium. The xylitol dehydrogenases were partially purified from the four strains, and those from M. morganii ATCC 25829, P. stuartii ATCC 25827, and S. marcescens ATCC 13880 were all found to oxidize xylitol to D-xylulose. These three enzymes had KmS for xylitol of 7.1 to 16.4 mM and molecular weights ranging from 130,000 to 155,000. In contrast, the xylitol dehydrogenase from Erwinia sp. strain 4D2P oxidized xylitol at the C-4 position to produce L-xylulose, had a Km for xylitol of 72 mM, and had a molecular weight of 102,000.     

Survey of protozoan, helminth and viral infections in shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus and prawn Macrobrachium acanthurus native to the Jamapa River region, Mexico

We surveyed protozoan and metazoan parasites as well as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and infectious hypodermal hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus and the palaemonid prawn Macrobrachium acanthurus native to the lower Jamapa River region of Veracruz, Mexico. The presence of parasites and the infection parameters were evaluated in 113 palaemonid prawns collected during the northwind (n = 45), rainy (n = 38) and dry seasons (n = 30) between October 2007 and July 2008, and in 91 shrimp collected in the rainy season between May and June 2008. In L. setiferus, ciliates of the subclass Apostomatia (Ascophrys sp.) were evident in gills, and third-stage larvae of the nematode Physocephalus sexalatus were evident in the stomach. Cestodes of the genus Prochristianella were evident in the hepatopancreas, while some gregarines of the genus Nematopsis, as well as unidentified larval cestodes, were observed in the intestine. Histology identified Ascophrys sp. in association with gill necrosis and tissue melanization. Slight inflammation was observed in intestinal epithelium near cestode larvae. In M. acanthurus, epibionts of the protozoans Epistylis sp., Acineta sp. and Lagenophrys sp. were observed under uropods, periopods and pleopods. An unidentified ciliate of the Apostomatia was also found in the gills, and Nematopsis was identified in the intestine. No histopathology was observed in association with these parasites. Moreover, neither WSSV nor IHHNV were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in any of the L. setiferus or M. acanthurus analysed.     

New Pferastericola species (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) and a cladistic analysis of the Pterastericolidae

Two ncw species of the family Pterastericolidae which inhabit starfish arc dcscribcd. Pterastericola bergensis sp.n. from thc oesophagus and cardiac stomach of Psilaster andromecla has posterior gonopore and lateral vitellaria. Pterastericola asamushii sp.n. from the pyloric caeca of Astropecren scopurius has unciliated epithelium postcriorly and an anterior gonopore. A cladistic analysis of thc phylogcny of the Pterastcricolidae is presented. The withdrawal of the genus Trilohorhynchus is proposed.     

Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from Hemidactylus garnotii (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Cook Islands, Oceania

Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from the stomach of Hemidactylus garnotii collected in 1989 on Atiu, Cook Islands is described and illustrated. Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. represents the 21st species to be assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 10 pairs posterior subventral papillae; 2 pairs precloacal and 8 pairs postcloacal.     

Macropostrongyloides dendrolagi n. sp. and Mbaisonema coronatum n. g., n. sp., two new species of nematodes (Strongyloidea: Cloacinidae) from tree-kangaroos,Dendrolagus spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Irian Jaya,Indonesia

Two new species of strongyloid nematodes are described from tree-kangaroos, Dendrolagus spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Macropostrongyloides dendrolagi n. sp. from the colon of Dendrolagus dorianus (type-host) and D. mbaiso is distinguished from congeners by the presence of a cephalic inflation and paired lateral alae which extend along the body from the cephalic inflation. Mbaisonema coronatum n. g., n. sp., from the stomach of D. mbaiso, is allocated to the tribe Coronostrongylinea Beveridge, 1986, as the buccal capsule is reduced to a sclerotised annulus and the lining is inflated into lip-like lobes at the anterior extremity. The new genus is allied to Popovastrongylus Mawson, 1977, from which it is distinguished by the presence of a labial crown composed of numerous elements.     

Numerical analysis of electrophoretic protein patterns of Providencia stuartii strains from urine, wound and other clinical sources

Eighty-six strains of Providencia stuartii (mainly of human origin) were characterized by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins. The strains came from various countries; 52 were from urine, 11 from wounds, five from blood (one of these also from urine), four from ear infections, two each from faeces and sputum, one from 'alimentation'and nine from unknown sources. The protein patterns, which contained 45 to 50 discrete bands, were highly reproducible. The patterns of 46 Prov, stuartii strains (selected to represent the full range of protein pattern diversity) plus those of the type strains of the four other Providencia species were used as the basis for two numerical analyses. In the first, which included all the protein bands, the Prov. stuartii strains formed 13 clusters at the 88% S level. In the second analysis, in which the principal protein bands (in the 33.8–40.7 kDa range) were excluded, 45 of the 46 Prov. stuartii strains formed a single cluster at the 82% S level, whilst the four Providencia reference strains remained unclustered. The 40 strains of Prov. stuartii not included in the cluster analysis were assigned to a protein type by calculating their similarity with the strains in the database used for the cluster analysis. We conclude that high resolution PAGE combined with computerized analysis of protein patterns provides the basis for typing clinical strains of Prov. stuartii . Reference strains of each of the 13 PAGE types identified are available from NCTC for inclusion in future studies.     

Numerical analysis of electrophoretic protein patterns of Providencia stuartii strains from urine, wound and other clinical sources

Eighty-six strains of Providencia stuartii (mainly of human origin) were characterized by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins. The strains came from various countries; 52 were from urine, 11 from wounds, five from blood (one of these also from urine), four from ear infections, two each from faeces and sputum, one from 'alimentation' and nine from unknown sources. The protein patterns, which contained 45 to 50 discrete bands, were highly reproducible. The patterns of 46 Prov. stuartii strains (selected to represent the full range of protein pattern diversity) plus those of the type strains of the four other Providencia species were used as the basis for two numerical analyses. In the first, which included all the protein bands, the Prov. stuartii strains formed 13 clusters at the 88% S level. In the second analysis, in which the principal protein bands (in the 33.8-40.7 kDa range) were excluded, 45 of the 46 Prov. stuartii strains formed a single cluster at the 82% S level, whilst the four Providencia reference strains remained unclustered. The 40 strains of Prov. stuartii not included in the cluster analysis were assigned to a protein type by calculating their similarity with the strains in the database used for the cluster analysis. We conclude that high resolution PAGE combined with computerized analysis of protein patterns provides the basis for typing clinical strains of Prov. stuartii. Reference strains of each of the 13 PAGE types identified are available from NCTC for inclusion in future studies.     

Teredoika aspectabilis sp. n., a new endoparasitic copepod from the gastropod mollusc, Clinopegma unicum, in the Sea of Okhotsk

A new species of the genus Teredoika Stock, 1959 is described. T. aspectabilis sp. n., the second species of the genus, was found in the kidney of Clinopegma unicum in the Okhotsk Sea while the type species is known from the stomach of the shipworm Teredo utriculus caught in the Gulf of Naples.     

Four new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenea,Gyrodactylidae) on gobiid fishes: combined DNA and morphological analyses

Four Gyrodactylus species parasitising four closely related gobiid species in European coastal waters were studied and compared with G. arcuatus Bychowsky sensu Bychowsky & Poljansky (1953) from Gasterosteus aculatus . These were G. gondae n. sp. from Pomatoschistus minutus and P. lozanoi , G. flavescensis n. sp. from Gobiusculus flavescens , G. arcuatoides n. sp. from P. minutus and G. branchialis n. sp. from P. microps. Combined molecular and morphological analyses, as well as morphometric and statistical methods, were used. The ssrRNA V4 region and the complete ITS rDNA region were sequenced. Genetically the four new species are clearly distinct from G. arcuatus . From a morphological point of view, the haptoral hard parts of G. gondae n. sp., G. flavescensis n. sp. and G. arcuatoides n. sp. are related to those of G. arcuatus, while these parts of G. branchialis n. sp. are different, but related to those of G. quadratidigitus Longshaw, Pursglove & Shinn, 2003. For the latter two species, a new species group is formed. The V4 and ITS sequence analyses, however, indicate a close relationship between G. branchialis and the three G. arcuatus-like species.     

Holotrich Ciliates from the Stomach of Hippopotamus amphibius, with Descriptions of Two New Genera and Four New Species

SYNOPSIS. Holotrich ciliates from the stomach contents of Hippopotamus amphibius are described, including details of their infraciliature. They are placed in 4 families: subclass Holotrichia, order Gymnostomatida, suborder Rhabdophorina, family Buetschliidae: Blepharozoum binucleatum n.sp., Cucurbella vivax n.g., n.sp.; order Trichostomatida, family Plagiopylidae: Paraplagiopyla kiboko n.g., n.sp.; family Paraisotrichidae: Paraisotricha minuta Hsiung, 1930; family Blepharocorythidae: Charonina hippopotami n.sp. Paraisotricha minuta appears identical to the form found in the cecum and colon of the horse; Blepharozoum binucleatum, Cucurbella vivax and Charonina hippopotami also approach species found in the digestive tract of Equidae. By contrast, Paraplagiopyla kiboko resembles species that are free-living or are commensal in the digestive tract of Echinodermata.     

Parasitism of two zoonotic reservoirs Dasyprocta leporina and D. fuliginosa (Rodentia) from Amazonas, with Trichostrongylina nematodes (Heligmonellidae): description of a new genus and a new species

A new genus and a new species of Heligmonellidae nematodes are described parasiting the stomach of three agoutis (two Dasyprocta fuliginosa and one D. leporina) captured in the middle and high Negro river microregion, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The new genus, as well as its type-species, are closely related to the trichostrongylids included in Fuellebornema, particularly on what concerns the pattern of the caudal bursa, but differing from them by the characteristics of the synlophe, that presents a poorly developed carene, when compared to the referred number of body ridges in Freitastrongylus n. gen. and consequently in F. angelae n. sp.,in which the ridges are well developed and the carene at mid-body has a similar size when compared to the ridge situated in front of the right field (ridge no. 5). Caudal bursa is of the type 1-4, with rays 9 shorter than rays 10, with a very long genital cone.     

Nematodes from the squeaker fishes Synodontis nigromaculatus and S. vanderwaali from the Okavango River, Botswana, including three new species

Five nematode species were recorded from the stomach and rectum of the spotted squeaker Synodontis nigromaculatus Boulenger or the finetooth squeaker S. vanderwaali Skelton & White (Mochokidae, Siluriformes) from the Okavango River, Botswana: Falcaustra similis n. sp. (Kathlaniidae), Labeonema africanum n. sp. (Cosmocercidae), Synodontisia okavangoensis n. sp. (Pharyngodonidae), Procamallanus ( Procamallanus ) laeviconchus (Wedl, 1861) (Camallanidae) and Spinitectus sp. (Cystidicolidae) (only a single female). F. similis (type-host Synodontis nigromaculatus ) differs from the similar species F. straeleni Campana-Rouget, 1961 mainly by the number and disposition of the male caudal papillae and the structure of the mouth; L. africanum (type-host S. nigromaculatus ) differs from its congeners in having distinctly longer spicules (105-120 microm), a relatively shorter gubernaculum (30-36 microm) and in the number and arrangement of the male caudal papillae; Synodontisia okavangoensis (type-host Synodontis nigromaculatus ) is characterised principally by crescent-shaped cephalic papillae, length (87 microm) and shape of the spicule as well as large eggs (0.156-0.180x69-102 microm). Synodontisia moraveci Anderson & Lim, 1996 is transferred to a newly established genus, Royandersonia n. g., (as its type-species) as R. moraveci (Anderson & Lim, 1996) n. comb. Some taxonomic problems concerning Procamallanus ( P .) laeviconchus are discussed. All species were studied by scanning electron microscopy for the first time.     

Rugonema labiatum n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from the stomach of Macropus irma (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Western Australia

Rugonema labiatum n. g., n. sp. is described from the stomach of Macropus irma (Jourdan) from Western Australia. The new genus possesses four branches to the dorsal ray, has a cylindrical buccal capsule and lacks a cervical groove, placing it within the subfamily Cloacininae Stossich, 1899. The presence of a prominently striated buccal capsule and labial as well as cephalic collars places the genus within the tribe Pharyngostrongylinea Popova, 1952, but it is distinguished from all existing genera within the tribe by the possession of four lips. The presence of lips is an important characteristic of the related tribe Zoniolaiminea (Popova, 1952) and the characters used in distinguishing these two tribes are discussed.     

Two new genera and species of cystidicolids (Nematoda,Cystidicolidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia

Two new nematode species of the family Cystidicolidae, each representing a new genus, were recovered from marine perciform fishes off New Caledonia, South Pacific: Ascarophisnema tridentatum n. gen., n. sp. from the stomach of the Japanese large-eye bream, Gymnocranius euanus (Günther) (Lethrinidae) and Metabronemoides mirabilis n. gen., n. sp. from the stomach of the painted sweetlip, Diagramma pictum (Thunberg) (Haemulidae). Ascarophisnema is characterized mainly by its cephalic structures (presence of two tooth-like projections on either side of the base of each pseudolabium, dorsal and ventral inner extensions of each pseudolabium recurved laterally in apical view, and submedian sublabia fused together dorsally and ventrally) and the presence of trident-like deirids, and Metabronemoides by its unique cephalic structures (presence of one dorsal and one ventral labium and four large dorsolateral and ventrolateral labia, and absence of sublabia). Rhabdochona gymnocranius (considered a species inquirenda) is provisionally transferred to the former genus as Ascarophisnema gymnocranius (Yamaguti, 1935) n. comb. To date, a total of seven species of cystidicolids are reported from marine fishes off New Caledonia.