Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of wild and cultured freshwater fishes in Taiwan,with notes on their origin

During 1988 parasitological surveys were carried out on the freshwater fish fauna on the island of Taiwan in 12 localities that included fishery stations, reservoirs, fish markets as well as natural rivers and swamps. A total of 28 fish species were examined, representing 14 families. This paper reports on the parasites of the genus Trichodina (Ciliophora, Peritrichida) of Taiwan. Fourteen trichodinid species were recorded of which five are new. Trichodinids collected in this study can be divided into four categories, based on their host association and possible region of origin. The first category includes trichodinids with an African origin, T. centrostrigeata Basson, Van As & Paperna, 1983, T. heterodentata Duncan, 1977, T. compacta Van As & Basson, 1989 and possibly T. canton n. sp. The second category is species with an Eurasian origin and includes T. acuta Lom, 1961, T. modesta Lom, 1970, T. mutabilis Hirschmann & Partsch, 1955, T. nigra Lom, 1961 and T. nobilis Chan, 1963. The third category comprises one species, T. maritinkae Basson & Van As, 1990, with an Afro-Asian distribution. The last category is composed of new species that are most likely native to Asia: these are T. matsu n. sp., T. mandarin n. sp., T. wulai n. sp. and T. pagoda n. sp.     

Trichodinid parasites (Ciliophora: Peritricha) from the gills of some Australian marine fishes

Three species of the genus Trichodina are reported from the gills of marine fishes in south-eastern Tasmania, Australia. Two of these species are new: T. australis n. sp. from five atherinid fish species, Atherinosoma microstoma, Leptatherina presbyteroides, Kestratherina brevirostris, K. esox and K. hepsetoides; and T. nesogobii n. sp. from Nesogobius sp. 1. One previously reported species, T. jadranica Raabe, 1958, was also found on Nesogobius sp. 1.     

Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of some River Nile fish, Egypt

Four species of trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) were collected from the gills of the following River Nile fish in Egypt: Hydrocynus forskalii, Mormyrus kannume, Schilbe mystus. These species are: Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977, Trichodina fahaka sp. n., Trichodinella epizootica Raabe, 1950, Tripartiella dactylodentata sp. n. Photomicrographs and morphometric data are presented for each species.     

Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of freshwater fishes of the Zambesi River System,with a reappraisal of host specificity

Over a period of five years parasitological surveys were carried out on the freshwater fish fauna in the eastern Caprivi which included the upper Zambesi River, a section of the Chobe and Kwando Rivers, and vast swampy areas. This area is well known for its wide variety of indigenous fish and has so far not been influenced in any way by introduced alien fish species. In these surveys 45 different fish species of 12 families were examined. This paper reports on the parasites of the generaTrichodina andHemitrichodina of the eastern Caprivi. A total of 15 species of parasites were recorded of which nine are new species described here-in. The list of host records of known species are expanded and an evaluation of host specificity based on information recorded in this survey as well as previously published data from southern Africa is provided.     

Trichodinid Protozoa (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) from Freshwater Fishes of Rybinsk Reservoir,USSR1

During the spring of 1981, trichodinid protozoa were collected from the gills or urinary bladder of the following species of fishes of Rybinsk Reservoir, USSR, located on the upper reaches of the Volga River system: Esox lucius, Rutilus rutilus, Leuciscus idus, Blicca bjoerkna, Abramis ballerus, Pelecus cultratus, Lota lota, and Perca fluviatilis. A total of 13 species of Trichodinidae was recovered from Rybinsk fishes, among which are three new species of the genus Trichodina: T. izyumovae n. sp. from the gills of L. idus, T. borokensis n. sp. from the gills of P. cultratus, and T. kupermani n. sp. from the gills of A. ballerus. Other species of trichodinids reported are T. modesta Lom, 1980; T. nigra Lom, 1969; T. pediculus (O. F. Müller, 1786); T. prowazeki Grupcheva & Lom, 1980; T. rostrata Kulemina, 1968; T. urinaria Dogiel, 1940; T. ophiocephalus Kostenko & Karaev, 1976; Paratrichodina incisa (Lom, 1959); Trichodinella epizootica (Raabe, 1950); and Tripartiella copiosa Lom, 1959. Photomicrographs and morphometric data are presented for each species and aspects of their host and geographic distribution discussed. Trichodina algonquinensis Li & Desser, 1983 is considered a synonym of T. urinaria Dogiel, 1940.     

A New Flagship Peritrich (Ciliophora,Peritrichida) from the River Rhine,Germany: Apocarchesium arndti n. sp.

ABSTRACT. We discovered a free‐living peritrich ciliate with outstanding features in the River Rhine. Its morphology and 18S rRNA gene sequence were studied with standard methods. Apocarchesium arndti n. sp. has several peculiarities. (i) There are ordinary zooids, macrozooids, and microzooids, which form a hemispherical rosette on a discoidal base, the stalk dish, locking the ～18 μm wide and up to 2 mm long, spirally contracting colony stalk. (ii) The stalk myoneme is connected only to the microzooids. (iii) A rosette contains up to 50 zooids not connected to each other but individually attached to the stalk dish with the scopula. (iv) The ordinary zooids are epistylidid, trumpet‐shaped (～6:1 length:width), about 180 × 30 μm in size, and have an ellipsoidal macronucleus subapically between oral cavity and dorsal side. (v) The myoneme system of the zooids, which can contract individually, forms a tube‐like structure in the narrow posterior half of the cell. (vi) The silverline pattern belongs to the transverse‐striate type. (vii) The oral apparatus is of usual structure, with kinety 1 of peniculus 3 distinctly shortened proximally. (viii) The 18S rRNA places A. arndti n. sp. as a distinct lineage near Vorticella and Carchesium. These data are used to provide an improved diagnosis of the genus Apocarchesium. Features (i)–(iii) and the molecular data indicate that Apocarchesium could be the type genus of a new peritrich family.     

Description of a marine peritrichous ciliate, Pseudovorticella sinensis n. sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia) from China

A new marine peritrich ciliate, Pseudovorticella sinensis n. sp. was isolated from a shrimp-farming pond in the littoral area of Qingdao, China. The morphology, infraciliature, and silverline system were studied based on living and silver-impregnated specimens. This species is characterized by (1) an elongated bell-shaped body that measures 50-60 x 35-45 microm in vivo, (2) one large, ventrally located contractile vacuole, and (3) a pellicle covered by a layer of transparent, cortical vesicles. The number of transverse silverlines from the peristomial area to the aboral ciliary wreath is 26-32, and from the aboral ciliary wreath to the scopula is 12-15. The stalk measures about 160-250 microm long x 5-6 microm wide. The spasmoneme has one row of conspicuous thecoplasmic granules, which are about 0.8 microm in diameter.     

Two trichodinid ectoparasites from marine molluscs in the Yellow Sea,off China,with the description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichodina caecellae</Emphasis> n. sp. (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Peritrichia)

The morphology and infraciliature of two ectoparasitic ciliates, Trichodina caecellae n. sp. and T. ruditapicis Xu, Song & Warren, 2000, parasitising the gills of marine molluscs from the Shandong coast of the Yellow Sea, China, were investigated following wet silver nitrate and protargol impregnation. T. caecellae was found on the small marine sand clam Caecella chinensis Deshayes and is distinguished mainly by the acute triangle-like blade, the very delicate central part and the needle-shaped ray. T. ruditapicis was studied based on four populations from three clams: two populations from Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams) and one each from Saxidomus purpuratus (Sowerby) and Solen grandis Dunker. All four populations fell within the range of morphometry and agreed closely in the overall appearance of the adhesive disc. However, variability was found in the denticle structure, especially in populations from different host clams. Our observations suggest that denticle morphology may be more or less variable between and within populations, and that such minor differences should not be overestimated. It should be emphasised that, except for the denticle morphology, the bright granules or circles in the centre of the adhesive disc represent another important feature facilitating the identification of this trichodinid species.     

Morphology and infraciliature of two new marine urostylid ciliates: Metaurostylopsis struederkypkeae n. sp. and Thigmokeronopsis stoecki n. sp. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida) from China

ABSTRACT. The morphology and infraciliature of two new marine urostylid ciliates, Metaurostylopsis struederkypkeae n. sp. and Thigmokeronopsis stoecki n. sp., collected from the coastal waters off Qingdao (Tsingtao), China, have been investigated. Metaurostylopsis struederkypkeae n. sp. is characterized by the slender body shape, small size, rose-reddish cell colour, and having two kinds of pigment-like granules. The larger pigment-like granules are yellow–green or grass-green in colour, oval in shape, and flattened, whereas the smaller ones are wine-reddish. Infraciliature and nuclear apparatus are similar to the well-known Metaurostylopsis marina. Thigmokeronopsis stoecki n. sp. is characterized by its large size with dark brown cell colour and grass-green cortical granules, which are large, blood-cell shaped, and sparsely distributed. The thigmotactic ciliature is conspicuous: 11–14 rows of densely arranged cirri occupy the most postoral area. Keys are provided for all the known species in both genera.     

Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritricha) from Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor) and Anodonta woodiana (Lea) in China, with descriptions of two new species of Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1838

During parasitological surveys in Chongqing, China, three trichodinids infecting a freshwater fish, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor), and a mollusc, Anodonta woodiana (Lea), were investigated. Two of these species were found to be new. Trichodina lechriodentata n. sp., from the fish, was identified by its small-sized body and irregularly rectangular blade, while T. rara n. sp., from the mollusc, is characterised by its overall dimensions, denticle morphology and the presence of a white speckle in some specimens. T. modesta Lom, 1979 is also described from the fish. Photomicrographs and morphometric data are presented for all of the species.     

Taxonomic characterization of two marine peritrichous ciliates, Pseudovorticella clampi n. sp. and Zoothamnium pararbuscula n. sp. (Ciliophora: Peritrichia), from North China

The morphology, infraciliature, and silverline system of two new peritrichous ciliates, Pseudovorticella clampi n. sp. and Zoothamnium pararbuscula n. sp., have been investigated based on both living and silver-impregnated specimens. Partial sequence of 18S-ITS1-5.8S rDNA of Z. pararbuscula is also determined in order to compare it with the closely related congener, Zoothamnium arbuscula. Zoothamnium pararbuscula can be distinguished from its close form Z. arbuscula by the different habitats, the appearance of the main stalk, the position of the contractile vacuole, and the information derived from 18S-ITS1-5.8S rDNA sequence analysis. Pseudovorticella clampi n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by its body shape and size, pellicle granules, habitat, and number of transverse silverlines.     

Taxonomic characterization of two marine peritrichous ciliates, Epicarchesium corlissi n. sp. and Pseudovorticella jiangi n. sp. (Ciliophora: Peritrichia), from northern China

Two new marine peritrich ciliates, Epicarchesium corlissi n. sp. and Pseudovorticella jiangi n. sp., were discovered in mariculture waters on the coast of northern China near Qingdao. Their morphology, infraciliature and silverline system were investigated based on both living and silver-impregnated specimens. E. corlissi is characterized as follows: marine Epicarchesium with dichotomously branched stalk; zooids elongate, approximately 60–70×25–35 μm in vivo; peristomial collar double-folded; macronucleus J-shaped; single, small contractile vacuole ventrally positioned; more than 60 striations between peristome and aboral trochal band, 13–18 from aboral trochal band to scopula; abstomal end of row 1 of infundibular polykinety 3 terminating at same level as rows 2 and 3 of infundibular polykinety 3; rows 2 and 3 of infundibular polykinety 3 much longer than row 1 and converging adstomally with infundibular polykinety 1. The new species P. jiangi is diagnosed as follows: marine Pseudovorticella; zooid inverted bell-shaped, approximately 80×60 μm in vivo and with a broad, flat, thin peristomial collar that measures approximately 90 μm across; pellicle with transparent cortical vesicles; macronucleus J-shaped; number of silverlines between peristome and aboral trochal band 20–24, from aboral trochal band to scopula 9–11; abstomal end of row 1 of infundibular polykinety 3 diverges from the other two rows of this polykinety and ends alongside row 3 of infundibular polykinety 2.     

Descriptions of two new marine scuticociliates,Pleuronema sinica n. sp. and P. wilberti n. sp. (Ciliophora: Scuticociliatida), from the Yellow Sea,China

Two new marine scuticociliates, Pleuronema sinica n. sp. and P. wilberti n. sp., collected from the sand beach of Qingdao, China, were investigated in vivo and following protargol impregnation. Ciliates of the genus Pleuronema are normally recognizable by their large sail-like paroral membrane although one species, P. grolierei, has shorter cilia in the paroral membrane. Neither of the new forms has the conspicuous paroral membrane in vivo so in this respect they are not typical members of this genus. Pleuronema sinica is characterized by its large, conspicuously flattened body, the possession of only one preoral kinety, the irregular-shaped macronucleus and the rather unusual structure of the oral apparatus. By contrast P. wilberti has a medium-size broad-oval body, six to eight preoral kineties and a highly differentiated membranelle 3 that is five- or six-rowed. An identification key is supplied for the 15 species of Pleuronema for which the infraciliature is known.     

Morphology and infraciliature of a new marine ciliate Euplotidium smalli n. sp. with description of a new genus,Paraeuplotidium n. g. (Ciliophora,Euplotida)

The morphology and infraciliature of a new hypotrichous ciliate, Euplotidium smalli n. sp., isolated from eutrophic coastal water in Korea, were observed in living cells and investigated using the protargol impregnation technique. This new ciliate bears 13-14 frontoventral cirri, 7 transverse cirri, and 5-6 dorsal kineties. Neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirrus is present. The new species differs from the related species, Euplotidium agitatum Noland, 1937 in the different number of frontoventral and transverse cirri and different body shape. With the exception of Euplotidium agitatum, the known species of the genus Euplotidium Noland, 1937 with the presence of left marginal cirrus are assigned to a new genus, Paraeuplotidium n. g. Diagnosis of Paraeuplotidium is: Gastrocirrhidae with funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; left marginal cirrus present. Paraeuplotidium itoi (Ito, 1958) n. comb. is designated here the type species. Four additional species are included: Paraeuplotidium psammophilus (Vacelet, 1961) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium arenarium (Magagnini & Nobili, 1964) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium helgae (Hartwig, 1980) n. comb., and Paraeuplotidium prosaltans (Tuffrau, 1985) n. comb. An improved generic diagnosis of Euplotidium is suggested based on morphology and infraciliature characters: marine hypotrichs with a funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirri present.     

Hysterothylacium pseudotumbili n.sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the marine fishes of Visakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal.

Hysterothylacium pseudotumbili n.sp. from the stomach and body cavity of marine fishes. Chrorinemus tol Couvier. Saurida undosquamis (Richardson), Lutianus russelli (Bleeker), Rastrilliger kanagurta (Cuvier) and Saurida pseudotumbili Dutt and Vidyasagar collected from Visakhapatnam (Bay of Bengal) is described and figured. A detailed examination has allowed us to erect a new species of Hysterothylacium to accommodate the worm. It shows remarkable differences from other known species of Hysterothylacium in respect of body measurements, the papillae on the lips arrangement, location of nerve ring and excretory pore, long intestinal caecum, position of vulva, number and arrangement of caudal papillae and size of the spicules. The new species is designated as Hysterothylacium pseudotumbili. Saurida pseudotumbili is the new host record. This is the first report of the genus in this host. Visakhapatnam coast is the new locality record.     

Sindiplozoon coreius n. sp. (Monogenea: Diplozoidae) from the gills of Coreius guichenoti (Cyprinidae) in China

Sindiplozoon coreius n. sp. is described from the gills of Coreius guichenoti in Sichuan province, China. There is a smooth tegument and a cup-like widened area in the posterior part of the worm body, which are particular features of the genus Sindiplozoon. There are no branched intestinal caeca before the widened area, but some branches reach the fourth clamp in the hind body; there was no cross striation on the anterior arch of the anterior clamp jaw and medial part of the posterior jaw, which are distinguished from the other species in Sindiplozoon. In addition, S. coreius n. sp. shared the highest ITS2 sequence identity (96.0%) with S. ctenopharyngodoni. The established phylogenetic tree showed that the two species of Sindiplozoon formed a sister group. The k2p genetic distance between the new species and other diplozoids was higher than 3.4%, which suggested interspecific differentiation.     

Taxonomic characterization of Vorticella fuscaPrecht, 1935 and Vorticella parapulchella n. sp., two marine peritrichs (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) from China

Two marine peritrich ciliates, Vorticella fuscaPrecht (1935) and Vorticella parapulchella n. sp. were discovered in the littoral zone of Qingdao, northern China. Their morphology, infraciliature, and silverline system were described using live observation and silver impregnation. The poorly known species V. fusca is redescribed, adding information about the oral infraciliature and pellicular morphology. Vorticella parapulchella n. sp. is superficially similar to Vorticella pulchellaSommer (1951) but is distinguished from it by being markedly smaller and having much more widely spaced pellicular ridges. The infundibular infraciliature of V. parapulchella is extremely unusual in having infundibular polykinety 3 reduced to two rows, one of which has almost disappeared.