Phylogeny and a revised classification of the Monogenoidea Bychowsky, 1937 (Platyhelminthes)

A hypothesis (CI=57.3%) on the evolutionary relationships of families comprising the class Monogenoidea is proposed based on 141 character states in 47 homologous series and employing phylogenetic systematics. Based on the analysis, three subclasses, the Polyonchoinea, Polystomatoinea and Oligonchoinea, are recognised. The analysis supports independent origins of the Montchadskyellidae within the Polyonchoinea and of the Neodactylodiscidae and Amphibdellatidae within the order Dactylogyridea (Polyonchoinea); the suborder Montchadskyellinea is raised to ordinal status and new suborders Neodactylodiscinea and Amphibdellatinea are proposed to reflect these origins. The Gyrodactylidea (Polyonchoinea) is supported by three synapomorphies and comprises the Gyrodactylidae, Anoplodiscidae, Tetraonchoididae and Bothitrematidae. The analysis supports recognition of the Polystomatoinea comprising Polystomatidae and Sphyranuridae. Evolutionary relationships within the Oligonchoinea indicate independent origins of three ordinal taxa, the Chimaericolidea (monotypic), Diclybothriidea (including Diclybothriidae and Hexabothriidae) and Mazocraeidea (with five suborders). The suborder Mazocraeinea comprises the Plectanocotylidae, Mazocraeidae and Mazoplectidae, and is characterised by two synapomorphies. The suborder Gastrocotylinea, characterised by presence of accessory sclerites in the haptoral sucker, is divided into two infraorders, the monotypic Anthocotylina infraorder novum and Gastrocotylina. Two superfamilies of the Gastrocotylina are recognised, the Protomicrocotyloidea and Gastrocotyloidea; the Pseudodiclidophoridae is considered incertae sedis within the Gastrocotylina. The suborder Discocotylinea comprises the Discocotylidae, Octomacridae and Diplozoidae and is supported by four synapomorphies. The monotypic Hexostomatinea suborder novum is proposed to reflect an independent origin of the Hexostomatidae within the Mazocraeidea. The terminal suborder Microcotylinea comprises four superfamilies, the Microcotyloidea, Allopyragraphoroidea, Diclidophoroidea and Pyragraphoroidea. The analysis supports incorporation of the Pterinotrematidae in the Pyragraphoroidea and rejection of the monotypic order Pterinotrematidea. The following taxa are also rejected for reasons of paraphyly and/or polyphyly: Articulonchoinea, Bothriocotylea, Eucotylea, Monoaxonematidea, Tetraonchidea, Gotocotyloidea, Anchorophoridae and Macrovalvitrematidae. The Sundanonchidae, Iagotrematidae and Microbothriidae were not included in the analysis because of lack of pertinent information regarding character states.     

A description of the new species of Tetraonchus strelkowi sp.n. (Monogenea: Tetraonchidae) from gills of the lenok (Brachymastix lenok) from the Tola river (Mongolia)

Tetraonchus strelkowi sp. n. described from gills of the lenok Brachymastix lenok from the Tola river (Mongolia) differs from T. roytmani by morphometric characteristics of the haptor and copulatory complex.     

A catalogue of the nominal species of the monogenean family Dactylogyridae Bychowsky, 1933 (excluding Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850)

A list of the nominal species of the Dactylogyridae Bychowsky, 1933 (with the exception of Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850) is presented. It consists of almost 100 specific names in 10 genera, with their hosts (to the generic level) and geographical region. A reference list to the authorities for the taxa is included.     

Studies of the inhibin family of hormones: a review

While the concept of a nonsteroidal entity of gonadal origin, which specifically regulates FSH secretion, was proposed over 50 years ago, problems linked to the assay, isolation and characterization of this protein have only recently been solved. The structure of inhibin from follicular fluid origin has been established as a heterodimer consisting of two subunits (alpha and beta) linked by disulfide bridges. The development of antisera specifically directed against the N-terminus part of the alpha-chain of inhibin has allowed the measurement of plasma levels of inhibin, as well as the evaluation of the biological effect of removal of endogenous inhibin. These studies have demonstrated age-related changes in the circulating levels of inhibin in the female rat and support the hypothesis that inhibin represents an important modulator of FSH secretion in this species.