Ellipsomyxa tucujuensis n. sp. (Myxozoa: Ceratomyxidae), a parasite of Satanoperca jurupari (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) from the Brazilian Amazon

The present study describes a new coelozoic, eukaryotic microparasite of the genus Ellipsomyxa Køie, 2003 (Ceratomyxidae: Myxozoa) found parasitizing the gallbladder of Satanoperca jurupari Heckel, 1840 collected in the Curiaú River Environmental Protection Area in Macapá, Amapá state, Brazil. The fish were collected using mesh cast net. The gallbladders were examined, preserved in 80% alcohol for molecular analysis (SSU rDNA gene), and fixed in Davidson for histological slide preparation. The new parasite had a prevalence of 81% in the gallbladder, asymmetric plasmodia, irregular free spores in the bladder fluid, with no cyst formation. The spores are elliptical, with characteristics of the genus Ellipsomyxa, and they had a mean length of 10.11 (8.56–10.5) μm, mean width of 7.81 (5.96–9.56) μm, and thick walls. The polar capsules are sub-spherical in shape, slightly asymmetrical, with a mean length of 3.12 (2.31–3.99) μm and mean width of 2.5 (2.22–2.95) μm, containing polar filament with five or six coils perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. The Bayesian Inference assigned the new species to a subclade formed by a lineage of Ellipsomyxa species from the Amazon region. Ellipsomyxa tucujuensis n. sp. is the sixth species of this genus described in fish from the Amazon region, and the first for the state of Amapá.     

Goezia bangladeshi n. sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from an anadromous fish Tenualosa ilisha (Clupeidae)

A total of 1432 hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha (=Hilsa ilisha) from 11 fresh water, brackish water and marine localities in Bangladesh yielded 13 adult Goezia bangladeshi n. sp., all specimens being found in the intestine of a single fish host caught in the lower Ganges. A total of 2372 Goezia juveniles were recovered from 490 infected fish (prevalence 34.2%). This is the first Goezia species recorded from Bangladesh, and it differs from other valid species by the number of caudal papillae (pre 7-9, para 3, post 6); encircled by tiny spines, the position of double papillae, the arrangement of body spines, and the length ratio of the intestinal caecum and the ventricular appendix (1: 3.33-4.72). Juveniles were free in the gut, embedded in the gut wall and encapsulated in mesenteries. Tenualosa ilisha serves as the definitive host, but the predominance of juveniles may indicate that piscivorous hosts may also serve as such. A list of the nominal Goezia species with important characters is provided.     

Dujardinascaris mormyropsis n. sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the osteoglossiform fish Mormyrops anguilloides (Linnaeus) (Mormyridae) in Central Africa

A new nematode species, Dujardinascaris mormyropsis n. sp. (Anisakidae), is described from specimens found in the stomach and intestine of the cornish jack Mormyrops anguilloides (Linnaeus) (Osteoglossiformes; Mormyridae) in the Sangha River (Congo River basin) in Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examination, the new species differs from the only other congeneric species parasitising fishes in Africa, D. malapteruri (Baylis, 1923), mainly in the presence of dentigerous ridges on lips, absence of lateral caudal alae in the cloacal region, in the anteriorly curved, non-bifid distal tip of the gubernaculum and larger eggs (60–90 × 52–78 vs 45 × 30 μm); males of D. mormyropsis are characterised by the presence of a ventral precloacal cuticular ornamentation not observed in other Dujardinascaris spp. Dujardinascaris mormyropsis and D. malapteruri also differ in the order of their fish hosts (Osteoglossiformes vs Siluriformes). Specimens previously reported as Dujardinascaris graberi Troncy, 1969, a junior synonym of D. malapteruri, from Mormyrops engystoma Boulenger in Chad belong to the new species D. mormyropsis.     

New records of Porrocaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from fishes of Bay of Bengal

The present paper deals with new records of nematoda of the family Anisakidae Railliet et Henry, 1912. During a study of the parasites of marine fishes (shark, ray and marine teleosts) of Bay of Bengal, females of interesting nematode parasites were found in stomach and body cavity of Chiloscyllium indicum (Gmelin), Torpedo panthera (Olfers), Pomadasys masculatus Bloch and Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier from Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam and Yarada (Andhra Pradesh). Most of the characters tally with Porrocaecum galeocerdonis and Hysterothylacium engraulisi, except for minor variations. Because of the non-availability of the male, it is not possible to assign the present specimens to any of the known species of the genera Porrocaecum and Hysterothylacium. Hence these are referred as Porrocaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. Chiloscyllium indicum and Torpedo panthera are new host records. Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam and Yarada are the new locality records.     

Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis,gen. nov., sp. nov. (Nematoda,Microlaimidae) from the Mediterranean (Calvi)

Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from the continental slope off Calvi (Mediterranean). The new genus Spirobolbolaimus belongs to the Microlaimidae Micoletzky, 1922 and is closely related to the genus Bolbolaimus Cobb, 1920. It can be differentiated from Bolbolaimus by its multispiral amphideal fovea and by its six rows of postamphideal setae.     

Reproductive ecology of a neotropical cichlid fish,Cichla monoculus (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae)

The reproductive ecology of the freshwater fish Cichla monoculus Spix, 1831 (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) was investigated in the Campo Grande Reservoir, Northeast Brazil. Rainfall, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity of the water were recorded monthly. Fish collected on a monthly basis were measured, weighted, dissected, sexed and the stage of maturation of the gonads were assessed by macro and microscopic means. The semi-arid study region has short spells of rain of 2-3 months duration interspersed with dry seasons. A positive correlation was observed between rainfall and air and water temperatures and conductivity of the water. The study population had an extended spawning season, with peak reproductive activity coinciding with low water temperatures. Males were longer and heavier than females on average and were larger at onset of sexual maturity. The size frequency distributions of the oocytes indicate that C. monoculus is a multiple spawner with an estimated batch fecundity of 3100. Condition factor showed an inverse relationship in relation to gonad size during maturation in both sexes and spent fish were in poor condition. In mature males, lipid stores in the post-occipital cephalic protuberance, a secondary sexual characteristic developed during the reproductive phase, which depleted in spent individuals. The success of this fish is attributed to its reproductive capacity and to the phenotypic plasticity that allows it to adapt to the harsh ecological conditions that prevail in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil.     

A new species of Hysterothylacium (Nematoda: Anisakidae) parasite of Ariopsis guatemalensis (Osteichthyes: Ariidae) from Tres Palos lagoon, Mexico

Hysterothylacium perezi n. sp. is described from the intestine of the "cuatete" Ariopsis guatemalensis Günther, 1864 (Osteichthyes: Ariidae), in Tres Palos, a coastal lagoon located in the Mexican Pacific basin. The new species differs from all other species of Hysterothylacium Ward and Magath, 1917, in possessing a spinous postcloacal pad. In addition, H. perezi is readily distinguished from the 21 species described in fishes from America and Hawaii by having the greatest number of caudal papillae (47 to 51 pairs + 1 single, precloacal papillae). This species is the third described from hosts inhabiting estuarine environments in America and the fourth reported in Mexico.     

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.     

Nudora omercooperi sp. nov. (Nematoda: Free-Living) from a unsual locality in South Africa

Summary Nudora omercooperi sp. nov. is described from a fresh-water spring below high tide mark at Claytons Rocks, South Africa. It is characterized by a massive gubernaculum and the form of various modifications of the cuticle.

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Résumé Nudora omercooperi sp. nov. est une forme plus originale avec des déformations caractéristiques de la cuticule et un gubernaculum très massif.

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Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History).     

Heliconema minnanensis n. sp. (Physalopteroidae: Physalopteridae) and Raphidascaris trichiuri (Yin and Zhang) n. comb. (Ascaridoidea: Anisakidae) in marine fishes.

Heliconema minnanensis n. sp. is described from the Chiloscyllium plagiosum south of the Minnan-Taiwan Bank Fishing Ground, Taiwan Strait. It is characterized by having the following combination of features. There are no longitudinal ridges in the posterior part of the body; the male has 4 pairs of precloacal papillae and 6-7 pairs of postcloacal papillae. The right spicule averages 0.2 mm long (1.1% of body length), and the left spicule averages 1.2 mm long (5.6% of body length), making an average spicule ratio of 1:5.2. The female has a vulva located on the left side of a thick membrane and 56-65% of the body length from the anterior end. Raphidascaris trichiuri (Yin and Zhang, 1983) comb. n., known previously from males only, is transferred from Cloeoascaris and redescribed, including material of both sexes from Muraenesox cinereus from the type locality.     

Huffmanela mexicana n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) from the marine fish Sphoeroides annulatus in Mexico

A new species of trichosomoidid nematodes, Huffmanela mexicana n. sp., is established on the basis of its egg morphology and biological characters. The dark-shelled, embryonated eggs of this histozoic parasite occur in masses in the inner layer of the swimbladder wall of the bullseye puffer fish Sphoeroides annulatus Jenyns, 1843 (Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontiformes) off the Pacific coast of Mexico (Sinaloa State) and are characterized mainly by their shape and size (63-69 x 30-33 microm), an aspinose surface, relatively small polar plugs, and their thick egg wall (4-5 microm). A key to Huffmanela species based on egg morphology is presented.     

Steganoderma (Steganoderma) valchetensis n. sp. (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from the relict fish Gymnocharacinus bergi (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in Argentina

A new species of Steganoderma (Steganoderma) (Digenea: Zoogonidae) was found in the digestive tract of the southernmost, endemic and scale-less characid, Gymnocharacinus bergi, inhabiting thermal headwaters of the Valcheta Creek in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Steganoderma valchetensis n. sp. is included in the subgenus Steganoderma because of having a sessile ventral sucker and caeca reaching to the testes. This new species can be distinguished from other species of this genus on the basis of body-length, sucker-ratio, the length of the cirrus-sac, the morphology of the seminal vesicle and gonads, and the location of the vitelline follicles and genital pore. The taxonomic status of the species of Steganoderma, parasitising the freshwater fishes of Patagonia, in southern Argentina, and Chile, is also discussed.     

Pancreatonema torriensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) from the pancreatic duct of Raja naevus

A new genus and species of nematode, Pancreatonema torriensis, from the pancreatic duct of Raja naevus caught off Aberdeen and north-west Scotland is described and aspects of its biology are discussed. According to the classification of Skrjabin, Sobolev & Ivashkin (1967) [Spirurata of animals and man and the diseases caused by them (4). Essentials of Nematodology, Vol. 16 (I.P.S.T. Translation No. 5904, Jerusalem, 1971)]it belongs to the family Rhabdochonidae, sub-family Prosungulonematinae, and is closely related to the genus Johnstonmawsonia. The taxonomy of the Prosungulonematinae is confused but it is suggested that Johnstonmawsonia should at present be restricted to those species of the genus described from marine teleosts, and that the species from freshwater teleosts should be included in the genus Prosungulonema.