The developmental cycle of Proteocephalus thymalli (Cestoda, Proteocephalidae)--a parasite of the Arctic grayling from Lake Baikal

The life cycle of Proteocephalus thymalli (Cestoda, Proteocephalidae), a parasite of Siberian glame (Thymallus arcticus), was repeated under experimental conditions. The first intermediate hosts, the copepods Epischura baicalensis, Cyclops kolensis and C. vicinus, were determined. The developmental time of P. thymalli in the first intermediate host was determined and the morphology of the larval and adult phases was described.     

Variability and phenotypic structure of Proteocephalus torulosus (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea)--a parasite of cyprinid fishes

Variability of 5 qualitative features of Proteocephalus torulosus from 6 fish species belonging to 5 genera of the subfamily Leuciscinae was studied. Itraspecific diversity is represented by 3 scolex forms, 2 types of proglottid structure, 3 proglottid shapes, and 2 variations of the female reproductive system characteristics. The parasite living in different host species form separate ecological forms differing in the number of phenotypes and their ratio. However, the same scolex and strobila phenotypes dominate in the range of the parasite. Two P. torulosus groupings have been recognised the European and Asian ones, which differ in the representation of the proglottid structure types.     

Mariauxiella pimelodi n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Monticelliidae): a parasite of pimelodid siluroid fishes from South America

Mariauxiella pimelodi n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda, Monticelliidae, Othinoscolecinae) is described from the South American siluriform fishes Pimelodus ornatus and Pimelodus sp. caught in Brazil and Paraguay. When compared with other genera of South American monticelliids, the new genus exhibits the following morpho-anatomical characters: the particular development of the distal circular musculature of the suckers acting as a sphincter; the medullar ovary projecting numerous lobules into the dorsal cortex; and the uterus situated in the ventral cortex but with numerous outgrowths penetrating the medulla and reaching the dorsal cortex in pregravid proglottids. The new species is the fourth monticelliid cestode recorded from Pimelodus.     

Description of Deviata rositae n. sp., a new ciliate species (Ciliophora, Stichotrichia) from Argentina

Soil samples were taken from a temporary pond located in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, during the dry phase in the summer of 2005. The ciliates were studied alive and after staining with protargol. Deviata rositae n. sp. measures 112-154 microm in length and 21-28 microm in width in vivo and has a vermiform body. The contractile vacuole is located in the mid-body on the left. The macronucleus is moniliform and there are 1-3 micronuclei. The oral apparatus is composed of 14-18 adoral membranelles and straight paroral and endoral membranes that never intersect each other. The somatic ciliature is arranged in four frontal cirri, one buccal cirrus, six long and slightly spiraled rows of cirri with the first right row extending up to the equatorial or sub-equatorial region, and two dorsal rows of dikinetids. This new species of Deviata primarily differs from its congeners by the number of macronuclear nodules and the number and disposition of the dorsal rows of dikinetids.     

Description of a new cestode species Mircia shigini gen. et sp. n. (Cyclophyliidea: Schistotaeniidae)

A new genus and species of cestodes from the great-crested grebe Podiceps cristatus collected in the Eastern Europe is described. The genus Mircia gen. n. in addition to the type species M. shigini gen. n. includes the following species formerly being included in the genus Joyeuxilepis Spassky, 1947: M. decacantha (Fuhrmann, 1913) comb. n., M. decacanthoides (Borgarenko et Gulyaev, 1991) comb. n., M. fimbriata (Borgarenko, Spasskaja et Spassky, 1972), comb. n., and M. uralensis (Gulyaev, 1989) comb. n. Brief revision of the genus Joyeuxilepis is provide.     

Wardium canarisi n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) parasite de Arenaria melanocephala (Aves: Charadrii) d'Alaska

The authors describe and illustrate Wardium canarisi n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae), an intestinal parasite of Arenaria melanocephala (Aves: Charadrii) from Alaska, characterised by a strobila 20–40 mm long, 10 aploparaksoid hooks 19–21 m long, a short cylindrical cirrus (40 m) covered with very minute spines (0.2 m), and a short (8–18 m) and extremely narrow (1 m) copulatory vagina. These characters have no equivalent, even approximate, among the 27 species of Wardium parasitic in the Charadrii which are reviewed. The genus Debrosia Spassky, 1987 appears to be justified.     

Sergentomyia gobica sp. n. (Diptera, Phlebotominae)--a new species of sandfly from the Mongolian People's Republic

17 males and 7 females of Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) gobica sp. n. were collected in Tsubulur-Khara-Nuru mountains (Bayan-Khongor region) of the Mongolian People's Republic in August of 1980 and in July of 1982. The new species is similar to S. (Parr.) sumbarica (Perfiliew), 1933.     

Description of Perkinsus beihaiensis n. sp., a new Perkinsus sp. parasite in oysters of Southern China

Oysters were collected from coastal locations in China from 1999-2006 for parasite analyses by molecular, culture, and histological techniques. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA gene complex were performed to detect the presence of Perkinsus species. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of amplified Perkinsus sp. DNAs indicated that a novel Perkinsus sp. infects Crassostrea hongkongensis, Crassostrea ariakensis, and other bivalve hosts from Fujian to Guangxi provinces in southern China. Prevalence of this Perkinsus sp. reaches as high as 60% in affected oyster populations. Analyses of nucleotide sequences of the rRNA ITS region and of large subunit rRNA and actin genes, consistently confirmed the genus affiliation of this Perkinsus sp., but distinguished it from currently accepted Perkinsus species. Parasite cell types, such as signet ring trophozoites of 2-8 microm diameter, were observed by histology, and application of both genus Perkinsus and Perkinsus species-specific in situ hybridization probes consistently labelled the same Perkinsus sp. cells in histological sections from infected oyster tissues. Combined phylogenetic and histological results support the identity of a new parasite species, Perkinsus beihaiensis n. sp.     

Description of a new species of coral-inhabiting barnacle, Darwiniella angularis sp. n. (Cirripedia, Pyrgomatidae) from Taiwan

The present study has identified a new species from the previously monotypic genus Darwiniella Anderson, 1992. Darwiniella angularissp. n. is similar to Darwiniella conjugatum (Darwin, 1854) in external shell morphology and arthropodal characters. Darwiniella conjugatum, however, has a sharper tergal spur and a less obvious adductor plate angle when compared to Darwiniella angularissp. n. Molecular analyses on mitochondrial DNA 12S rDNA and COI regions also support the morphological differences. Sequence divergences in 12S rDNA and COI between Darwiniella conjugatum and Darwiniella angularissp. n. are 5% and 13% respectively, which are equivalent to the inter-specific sequence divergences in other barnacles. Both Darwiniella species are common on Cyphastrea Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1848 corals and Darwiniella angularissp. n. is also collected from Astreopora de Blainville, 1830 corals in Taiwan.     

Sphinctocystis phyllodoces gen. n., sp. n. (Eugregarinida: Lecudinidae)--a new gregarine from Phyllodoce citrina (Polychaeta: Phyllodocidae)

A new species of aseptate gregarine, Sphinctocystis phyllodoces gen. n., sp. n., from the gut of a polychaete Phyllodoce citrina Malmgren, 1865 from White Sea is described. The electron and light microscopic data on trophozoits are presented. Taxonomy of the described species is discussed. Certain ultrastructural characters are included in generic and specific diagnoses. Order Eugregarinida Leger, 1900; suborder Aseptata Chakravarty, 1960; family Lecudinidae Kamm, 1922. GENUS: Sphinctocystis gen. n. TYPE SPECIES: Sphinctocystis phyllodoces sp. n. DIAGNOSIS: Characters of the family. Free trophozoits elongated, often with several annular constrictions. Anterior end asymmetric, without hooks, not separated from the body, with small apical papilla encircled by smooth area. Epicyte "classical", without additional axial formations at the tops of folds; epicytic folds high, monomorphic in cross sections, finger-shaped, with parallel sidewalls. In the gut of polychaetes. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: The new genus differs from Lecudina by having asymmetric anterior end, developed smooth area around the apical papilla, and monomorphic epicytic folds looking finger-shaped in cross sections. It also differs from Lankesteria by the absence of additional axial formations at the tops of the epicytic folds. It differs from both named genera by presence of annular constrictions on the trophozoit body. Sphinctocystis phyllodoces sp. n. DIAGNOSIS: Characters of the genus. Free trophozoits elongated, large, up to 617 x x 77 um. The average height of epicytic folds 976 nm, thickness 194 nm; there are 6-8 apical filaments and rippled dense structures per fold. Nucleus spherical (ellipsoid after fixation), 24-52 microm along longest axis, localised in anterior third of the body, carries several karyosomes of various size; 25-30 nm thick fibrils (possible fragments of nucleolonema) may be present in karyolymph. Other stages unknown. TYPE SERIES: Microscope preparation with 7 trophozoits, Karacci's haematoxylin stained, is kept in the Zoological museum of the Moscow State University (collection number: Z-1). TYPE HOST: Phyllodoce citrina Malmgren, 1865 (Polychaeta: Phyllodocidae). LOCALISATION: Mid-gut. TYPE LOCALITY: White Sea Biological Station of the Moscow State University, Yeremeyevsky Rapid, Velikaya Salma Strait, Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea.     

Description of Leishmania equatorensis sp. n (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), a new parasite infecting arboreal mammals in Ecuador.

Characterization is given of a new parasite, Leishmania equatorensis sp. n., which was isolated from the viscera of a sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and a squirrel (Sciurus granatensis), captured in humid tropical forest on the Pacific Coast of Ecuador. Data based on biological and molecular criteria, as well as numerical zymotaxonomical analysis, indicate that this parasite is a new species of the L. braziliensis complex. L. equatorensis is clearly distinguishable from all other known species within this complex, using the following molecular criteria: reactivity patterns with specific monoclonal antibodies, isoenzyme electrophoresis, and restriction-endonuclease fragment patterns of kinetoplast DNA (k-DNA).     

Helicoductus thulakoceras n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) parasite de Charadrius marginatus (Aves: Charadrii) d'Afrique du Sud

The authors describe and illustrate Helicoductus thulakoceras n. g., n. sp., a parasite of Charadrius marginatus (Aves: Charadrii) from South Africa. This hymenolepidid cestode is 1.5-3 mm long, with a rostellum armed with 10 diorchoid hooks 75-80 m long (mean 77 m) and anomalous terminal genital ducts. One spine (10-15 m long) is inserted at the ventral extremity of the male genital pouch. An invaginated cirrus is absent. A non-retractable and non-invaginable external tube, 25-30 × 4-2.5 m, appears as a spiral, sclerotinised, spinous canal, which is non-retractable, non-invaginable and directed dorso-ventrally from the genital pouch to a second ventral canal parallel with the male genital pouch; the second canal is thin and spine-like (15-20 × 1.5 m) with a thick hyaline muff. These peculiar anatomical structures are discussed. They are considered to justify the erection of a new genus.     

Gyrodactylus onegensis sp. n. (Monogenea)--a parasite of the bullhead (Cottus gobio L.)

A new species, Gyrodactylus onegensis sp. n., is described from gills of the freshwater sculpin Cottus gobio.     

Acanthocephalus reunionensis n sp (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae), a parasite of Anguilla species (Anguillidae) from Reunion Island

In a survey of 118 eels Anguilla bicolor, A. marmorata and A. mossambica, (Anguillidae) indigenous to Reunion Island in the Mascarene island group, western Indian Ocean, a new species of acanthocephalan, Acanthocepholus reunionensis n. sp., was found. With a proboscis hook formula of 19 rows of 4-5 hooks, and elongated cement glands arranged in three pairs, this species differs from all other species in the genus. This is the first record of the genus Acanthocephalus occurring in eels from the African Region.     

Helminths of rodents and marsupials from Papua New Guinea,with the description of two new species,Echinostoma echymiperae n. sp. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) and Vampirolepis peroryctis n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae)

The following rodents and marsupials from the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea have been examined for helminths: Anisomys imitator, Melomys spp., Pogonomelomys ruemmleri, Rattus spp., Echymipera kalubu and Peroryctes raffrayanus. Two new species and a number of new host records are reported. Echinostoma echymiperae n. sp., a digenean from the intestine of Echymipera kalubu, is characterised by the number of collar spines, the body armature and the shape and position of the gonads. Vampirolepis peroryctis n. sp., a cestode from the intestine of Peroryctes raffrayanus, is characterised by the length of the rostellar hooks, the shape of the ovary, the arrangement of the testes in a triangle and the extent of the cirrus-sac. Hymenolepis aklei, H. bradleyi, H. antechini, H. bettongiae, H. cercarteti, H. isoodontis and H. potoroi are transferred to Vampirolepis as new combinations. E. kalubu is a new host for Linstowia semoni and Pogonomelomys ruemmleri is a new host for Hymenolepis diminuta. V. peroryctis is the first platyhelminth to be reported from Peroryctes raffrayanus and Raillietina (Raillietina) sp. the second to be reported from the genus Melomys.     

Description of Goffartia phalacra n. sp. (Diplogastridae: Nematoda) from India

A new species, Goffartia phalacra n. sp. is described and illustrated. The body is thin and slender with L = 511 to 646 μm; a = 37.1 to 47.4; b = 4.8 to 6; c = 2.6 to 4.8; c′ = 13.6 to 32.8; V = 40% to 49% in females. Males are smaller but similar to females and the posterior region is strongly curved. The species is characterized by a tubular stoma, a smooth round lip region, anterior pharynx much smaller than posterior pharynx, two pairs of unicellular glands associated with the vagina, and males with a broad keel-shaped gubernaculum. G. phalacra n. sp. can be differentiated from all other species of the genus by its lip region and the structure of the gubernaculum. This is the first instance of a species of Goffartia occurring in a terrestrial habitat and the first report of a species from India.