The occurrence of monogeneans of the subfamily Capsalinae (Capsalidae)--parasites of marine fishes

The data on an occurrence of capsalines in marine fishes are analyzed. 33 capsaline species among 55 recently known species are monoxienous, that points to the high specialization of these monogeneans. The majority of species are recorded from three subfamilies of perciform fishes: Scombridae, Istiophoridae, Xiphiidae. Possible factors causing the high specificity in monogeneans are discussed.     

New genus with two new species of capsalid monogeneans from dasyatids in the Gulf of California

We propose Listrocephalos n. gen. (Monogenea: Capsalidae: Entobdellinae) for 2 new capsalid species that infect the skin of 2 species of diamond stingrays (Dasyatidae) in the Gulf of California. We also provide additional observations on 2 previously described capsalid species, which infect the external body surface of stingrays and are currently in Entobdella Blainville in Lamarck, 1818, and transfer them to the proposed new genus. The members of this genus, Listrocephalos corona (Hargis, 1955) n. comb. (type species), Listrocephalos guberleti (Caballero and Bravo-Hollis, 1962) n. comb., Listrocephalos kearni n. sp., and Listrocephalos whittingtoni n. sp., differ from other entobdellines by the combination of having an anterolateral adhesive pad comprising 2 ventral columns of raised ovoid structures, I pair of glands that flank the preoral depression, a discoid and aseptate haptor that lacks a marginal valve but has clover-shaped papillae dispersed radially over its entire ventral surface, minute and nonoverlapping median haptoral sclerites, a bizarre chamber yielding a duct that opens on the surface of the penis, separate genital pores, and a gland of Goto located between the testes and ovary. Listrocephalos kearni n. sp. infects Dasyatis brevis and is most easily distinguished from its congeners by the combination of lacking penis tubules and having a convoluted proximal portion of the vas deferens that occupies the space between the ootype and ovary. Listrocephalos whittingtoni n. sp. infects Dasyatis longa and is most easily distinguished from its congeners by the combination of having penis tubules and a vaginal pore that is located posterior to the level of the uterus. We report specimens of L. corona from the ventral body surface of Dasyatis say from a new locality, Mississippi Sound, as well as specimens of L. guberleti from the skin of 2 new hosts, Urobatis maculatus and Urobatis concentricus, and a new locality, Elkhorn Slough, California. We provide a diagnostic key and a table of records for Listrocephalos spp.     

Dionchus postoncomiracidia (Monogenea: Dionchidae) from the skin of blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus (Carcharhinidae)

Postoncomiracidia of Dionchus sp. are described from specimens collected from the skin of 2 blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus, captured in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The parasites resemble nonciliated oncomiracidia hatched from eggs laid by Dionchus sp. on gills of a cobia Rachycentron canadum and adults of Dionchus remorae that were collected from gills of a common sharksucker Echeneis naucrates, captured in association with a third blacktip shark. The hamuli of the postoncomiracidia were morphologically similar to those of adult D. remorae. This is the first report of dionchids from an elasmobranch and from a location other than the gills. These findings support the idea that some dionchid oncomiracidia colonize the skin of sharks or other aquatic vertebrates that sponsor remoras, prior to transferring to other remoras and maturing.     

New monogeneans from the bathydemersal southern African endemic catshark,Holohalaelurus regani (Gilchrist, 1922)

The catshark genus Holohalaelurus Fowler is currently represented by five species distributed off the southern and eastern parts of the African coast. Very few parasitological records exist for any of these five species, representing a significant knowledge gap. We report the first monogenean species from the bathydemersal species Holohalaelurus regani (Gilchrist): a new species of Microbothriidae Price, 1936, Leptomicrobothrium holohalaelure n. sp. from the dorsal skin surface, and a new species of Hexabothriidae Price, 1942 representing a new genus, Scyliorhinocotyle narvaezae n. gen., n. sp., from the gill lamellae. Both monogenean records represent the first for any member of the catshark genus Holohalaelurus. Previously we focused on the identification of monogenean taxa of emerging veterinary importance for public aquaria. We now begin a focused effort to document a generally unexplored monogenean biodiversity from diverse marine habitats off South Africa.

     

New species of the genus Chelopistes (Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from Pakistan

A new species of Chelopistes Kéler from common turkey fowl Meleagris gallopavo L. from Karachi, Pakistan is described in detail with reference to morphology and genitalia. The new species is also compared with its closest known ally, Chelopistes meleagridis, a common cosmopolitan parasite previously described from common turkey fowl.     

Species of the genus Crotonia (Acari: Cryptostigmata) from New Zealand

Five new species of Crotonia from New Zealand ( C. cervicorna, C. cupulata, C. longibulbula, C. tuberculata and C. reticulata ) are described as new, and two species ( C. cophinana (Michael 1908) and C. caudatis (Hammer 1966)) are redescribed. Five species groups of the genus are characterized and a key to the adequately described species of the world is presented.     

New records of the genus Micromyzodium (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Korea

The aphid genus Micromyzodium David, 1958 is newly recognized in the Korean Peninsula. This genus is characterized by very long dorsal abdominal hairs, almost 3 to 4 times as long as the basal diameter of antennal segment III. Colonies of two Micromyzodium species, Micromyzodium kuwakusae Uye, 1924 and Micromyzodium nipponicum Moritsu, 1949, were collected on Fatoua villosa Nakai (Urticales: Moraceae) and Perilla frutescens Britton (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), respectively. In this study, important characteristics are redescribed, illustrated, and measured for the apterous viviparous females of these species.     

A new genus and two new species of dactylogyrid monogeneans from gills of Neotropical catfishes (Siluriformes: Doradidae and Loricariidae)

A new genus of dactylogyrid monogeneans (Ancyrocephalinae), Paracosmetocleithrum n. gen., is erected to accommodate P. trachydorasi n. sp. from Trachydoras paraguayensis (Siluriformes: Doradidae) in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. The new genus differs from Neotropical dactylogyrids in the presence of a well-developed ornamentation in the middle portion of the ventral bar, and a sclerotized patch on the surface of the dorsal bar with an inconspicuous medial process that possesses two submedial projections arising from the tapered ends of this patch. In addition, Demidospermus rhinelepisi n. sp. is described from Rhinelepis aspera (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). The new species, which is the fifth species of the genus described from loricariids, can be differentiated from congeners by the possession of a sclerotized patch attached to the middle portion of the ventral bar, and by morphology of the accessory piece, which presents broad ends, tapering in the centre, rounded proximal end, distal end folding on both sides with folds extending to approximately ¾ of the accessory piece length. Molecular data on both new species are also provided and species composition of Demidospermus, recently revealed as polyphyletic by molecular studies including the present one, is discussed.     

The current composition of the subfamily Encotyllabinae (Monogenoidea: Capsalidae)

The historical account and recent taxonomic consideration of the monogenean subfamily Encotyllabinae are given. Main criteria used for diagnostics of the subfamily and its genera are discussed.     

中国涡蛛属1新种记述(蜘蛛目:妩蛛科)

记述采于太行山区的中国妩蛛科Uloboridae涡蛛属1新种:旺氏涡蛛Octonoba wanlessi sp.nov..     

New peculiar entedonine genus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae) from Western Australia

Abstract Clypecharis gen. n. is described for a new species C. rostrifera sp. n. from Western Australia. The new genus is characterised by the unique shape of the lower face, which is produced into a peculiar forked rostrum, and by the elongate mandibles situated in a 'crossbill"s beak' position. The flagellum of the new species is shortened and clavate. Its segments are very closely approximated, with the two-segmented funicle hardly distinguishable from the three-segmented clava. The morphological peculiarities of Clypecharis and its possible relationships with other entedonine genera are discussed.     

New genus of Ptereleotrinae (Gobioidei) from the South China Sea

A new genus and species Zagadkogobius ourlazon gen. et sp. nov. characterized by an unusual (for the subfamily Ptereleotrinae) combination of characters is described. A single specimen was collected at a depth of 73 m in the southwestern South China Sea to the south of the Anambas Islands. Based on the combination of characters, the new genus is most similar to the genus Nemateleotris. However, the species of the latter genus are associated exclusively with coral reefs. A key to the genera of the subfamily Ptereleotrinae is presented.     

New species of the genus Glaesotropis (Insecta: Coleoptera: Anthribidae) from Rovno amber

A new species of the fungus weevil genus Glaesotropis is described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber. G. diadiasashai sp. nov. differs from G. weitschati and G. minor described from Baltic amber in having a longer rostrum and in the structure of its antennae, with the third and fourth antennomeres being longer than the first and second ones. Additionally, the new species differs from G. weitschati in being smaller, in having unswollen frons, and weakly and smoothly concave elytral margin near hind coxae. The new species also differs from G. minor in having an uninterrupted posterior transverse carina on the pronotum, elytra less convex longitudinally, and a slightly broadened rostrum at the attachment of antennae.     

First published record of the pathogenic monogenean parasite Neobenedenia melleni (Capsalidae) from Australia

The monogenean Neobenedenia melleni (MacCallum, 1927) Yamaguti 1963 is a well-known and virulent pathogen in culture conditions recorded from the skin of many teleost fish species worldwide. Until now, N. melleni has not been reported from wild or cultured fish in Australian waters. This study documents a recent outbreak of N. melleni that occurred on Lates calcarifer (barramundi) cultivated in sea cages in Hinchinbrook Channel between Hinchinbrook Island and mainland Queensland, Australia, which resulted in the loss of 200,000 fish (50 tonnes). The origin of this outbreak is unclear because N. melleni has not been recorded from any wild host species in Australia and strict quarantine regulations exclude the possibility of its introduction on imported fish. We propose that N. melleni occurs naturally on wild populations of some teleost species in Australian waters and that the few surveys of wild fish conducted along the east coast have failed to report this species. The possibility that uncharacteristically low water temperatures led to the outbreak is discussed.     

The genus Neurosema (Psocoptera, Calopsocidae) from New Guinea

Abstract Three species of Neurosema are recognized: N.apicalis McLachlan (redescribed, lectotype designated), N. sp. ( N.apicalis sensu Enderlein – mis-identification) and N.pulchra sp.n., and a key to these is given. Separation of genera in the Calopsocidae is briefly discussed.     

New species of the genus Cranichis (Orchidaceae, Cranichidinae) from Colombia

Two new species of the Neotropical genus Cranichis are described: Cranichis carlos-parrae Szlach. & Kolan. and Cranichis zarucchii Szlach. & Kolan. Both species are known exclusively from the Colombian Andes, where they were found growing in montane forests and paramo above 2,550 m of elevation. Each species is described and illustrated, and the habitat and distribution data are provided. A distribution map of the new species is presented. A dichotomous key for identification Colombian species of Cranichis is provided.     

New species of the genus Zygnemopsis (Zygnematales,Chlorophyceae) from India

Three new species of the genus Zygnemopsis (Skuja) Trans. 1934 (Z. benghalensis sp. nov.; Z. pseudolahaulensis sp. nov., and Z. scrobiculata sp. nov.) are described from West Bengal, India.     

Morphological variation in the cosmopolitan fish parasite Neobenedenia girellae (Capsalidae: Monogenea)

Intra-species morphological variation presents a considerable problem for species identification and can result in taxonomic confusion. This is particularly pertinent for species of Neobenedenia which are harmful agents in captive fish populations and have historically been identified almost entirely based on morphological characters. This study aimed to understand how the morphology of Neobenedenia girellae varies with host fish species and the environment. Standard morphological features of genetically indistinct parasites from various host fish species were measured under controlled temperatures and salinities. An initial field-based investigation found that parasite morphology significantly differed between genetically indistinct parasites infecting various host fish species. The majority of the morphological variation observed (60%) was attributed to features that assist in parasite attachment to the host (i.e. the posterior and anterior attachment organs and their accessory hooks) which are important characters in monogenean taxonomy. We then experimentally examined the effects of the interaction between host fish species and environmental factors (temperature and salinity) on the morphology of isogenic parasites derived from a single, isolated hermaphroditic N. girellae infecting barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Experimental infection of L. calcarifer and cobia, Rachycentron canadum, under controlled laboratory conditions did not confer host-mediated phenotypic plasticity in N. girellae, suggesting that measured morphological differences could be adaptive and only occur over multiple parasite generations. Subsequent experimental infection of a single host species, L. calcarifer, at various temperatures (22, 30 and 32?°C) and salinities (35 and 40‰) showed that in the cooler environments (22?°C) N. girellae body proportions were significantly smaller compared with warmer temperatures (30 and 32?°C; P?<?0.0001), whereas salinity had no effect. This is evidence that temperature can drive phenotypic plasticity in key taxonomic characters of N. girellae under certain environmental conditions.