Phyllodistomum funduli n. sp. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae) from Fundulus sciadicus Cope from Cedar Creek in western Nebraska

Phyllodistomum funduli n. sp. is described from the urinary bladder and ureters of the plains topminnow, Fundulus sciadicus, from Cedar Creek in Keith County, Nebraska (41 degrees 11.18'N, 101 degrees 21.77'W). Phyllodistomum funduli differs from most other Phyllodistomum species reported in possessing an oral sucker that is larger than the acetabulum. Currently, 7 other species of Phyllodistomum have been reported to possess this trait. A comparison of P. funduli with these 7 other species indicates that P. funduli is a distinct species, lacking notches, posterior body folds, caudal projections, or cephalic glands found in some congeners. There is no published report on parasites other than monogeneans inhabiting the plains topminnow, and there is no other report of members from the Gorgoderidae inhabiting any members of the Fundulidae.     

Swim bladder and posterior lateral line nerve of the nurseryfish, Kurtus gulliveri (Perciformes: Kurtidae)

The morphology of the swim bladder and inner ear of the nurseryfish, Kurtus gulliveri, appear adapted for enhanced pressure wave reception. The saccule is enlarged and surrounded by very thin bone and two large fontanelles that would present reduced resistance to pressure waves. The swim bladder is elaborate, with six dorsolaterally projecting pairs of lobes that are tightly encased in ribs and an additional caudally projecting pair of lobes encased in the first hemal spine. The ribs and musculature surrounding the swim bladder laterally are very thin, so that four or five "rib windows" are readily apparent on back-lit specimens. This swim bladder-rib configuration would also present reduced resistance to pressure waves to enhance function as a peripheral auditory structure. However, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and dissection reveal no anterior projections of the swim bladder that could serve as a mechanical coupling to the inner ear. The posterior lateral line nerve is well developed and lies directly over the tips of the ribs encasing the swim bladder lobes. This nerve is not, however, associated with a lateral line canal and a lateral line canal is absent on most of the body. We hypothesize that the posterior lateral line nerve transmits mechanosensory information from the swim bladder.     

A new genus and species of opisthogonimid (Digenea) of Liophis anomalus (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Uruguay

During a study on the helminth fauna of Liophis anomalus specimens deposited in the Reptile Collection of the Secci6n Zoología Vertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias, Uruguay, a new genus of Opisthogoniminae was found. Paracotyletrema n. gen. is described from the buccal cavity and esophagus of specimens from Departamento de Flores, Uruguay. This new genus differs from the other 2 Opisthogoniminae, Opisthogonimus and Westella, by having much smaller body size; maximum width at level of posterior end of oral sucker; oral sucker length more than one-fourth of body length; oral sucker and acetabulum separated by a distance of about the diameter of pharynx; cirrus pouch length more than half of body length; and testes in completely coincident zones. The type and only species, Paracotyletrema poncedeleoni n. gen., n. sp., is defined by the following diagnostic characters: mean oral sucker length one-third to one-half of body length; cirrus pouch of about body length, contorted, mainly acetabular; large, round testes in nearly adjacent fields, and an ovary nearly adjacent to right testis. Besides the type locality, Paracotyletrema poncedeleoni has been found in L. anomalus specimens from the Departamentos of Artigas and Treinta y Tres; therefore, it has a widespread distribution in Uruguay.     

A new genus and species of Brachycoeliidae (Digenea) from Chiropterotriton sp. (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Mexico and its phylogenetic position within the Plagiorchiida based on partial sequences of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene

Parabrachycoelium longicaecum n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Brachycoeliidae) is described from the intestine of a plethodontid salamander Chiropterotriton sp. Hosts were collected in bromeliads at the cloud forest of Tlaquilpa, Veracruz, Mexico. Members of the Brachycoeliidae Looss, 1899 (sensu Yamaguti, 1971) are characterized by having a spined tegument; ceca usually short, not passing level of gonads, but longer in some species; gonads posterior to, or in region of, acetabulum, with ovary anterior to testes; a well developed cirrus pouch containing a bipartite seminal vesicle; and uterus occupying entire hind-body posterior to testes. However, this combination of morphological traits prevents the inclusion of the new taxon in any of the genera in that family; a new genus was, therefore, erected to accommodate the new species. The new taxon is readily distinguished from members belonging to Brachycoelium Dujardin, 1845, Mesocoelium Odhner, 1910, and Tremiorchis Mehra and Negi, 1925, by having long ceca extending into the posterior third of the body, slightly surpassing the testes, and vitellaria extending along the body. The new species morphologically resembles Caudouterina rhyacotritoni Martin, 1966, a digenean parasitizing a plethodontid salamander; however, the latter species lacks spines in the tegument and is actually placed within the Allocreadiidae. To demonstrate further the phylogenetic position of the new taxon, we sequenced the D1-D3 regions of 28S rRNA gene and conducted a phylogenetic analysis of available sequences for the order to which brachycoeliids belong (Plagiorchiida). Sequence divergence of the partial 28S rRNA gene confirms its distinction from the aforementioned brachycoeliids, and the phylogenetic position within the Plagiorchiida places the new species as closely related to a clade formed by Brachycoelium + Mesocoelium. Divergence levels and phylogenetic position within the Plagiorchiida verifies the validity of the new genus and its inclusion in Brachycoeliidae.     

Tergestia karachiense sp.n. (Trematoda, Fellodistomidae) from the Fish Stromateus sinensis of the Karachi Coast

This is the first report of the genus Tergestia from Pakistan. T. karachiense sp.n. is characterized by possessing relatively long esophagus, intestinal bifurcation in front of the acetabulum, oral lobes 12 in number, scanty irregular vitellaria, testis at the posterior extremity, and* relatively small eggs.     

Six new species of Lepidapedon Stafford, 1904 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from deep-sea macrourid fishes from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, with revised keys to the species of the genus

Species of the genus Lepidapedon are divided into various groups and subgroups based on vitelline distribution relative to the acetabulum and anterior extent of the excretory vesicle. Members of this genus predominantly parasitise gadiform fishes and are commonly collected from relatively deep waters. A recent study of deep-sea helminths from macrourids of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea revealed six new species of this genus. L. mexicanensis n. sp., of the elongatum group, elongatum subgroup, differs from other species in this subgroup in proportions (as % of body length), lacking confluent vitelline fields between both the ovary and anterior testis and the testes, and in having a smaller egg and body size. L. nezumiatis n. sp., of the elongatum group, desclersae subgroup, differs from both L. filiformis and L. desclersae in having intermediate egg and body sizes, and a longer oesophagus than prepharynx. L. caribbaei n. sp. and L. longivesicula n. sp., of the garrardi group, congeri subgroup, differ from L. congeri in having a sucker-ratio of 1:<1. L. caribbaei n. sp. and L. longivesicula n. sp. differ from each other in that L. caribbaei n. sp. has numerous long, barb-like, deeply imbedded spines, a less elongate body, an infundibuliform oral sucker, a similar-sized oesophagus and prepharynx, and a caecal bifurcation which is closer to the acetabulum than oral sucker, while L. longivesicula n. sp. has shorter, serrate or plate-like, lightly imbedded, widely to sporadically spaced spines, a more elongate body, a spherical to subspherical oral sucker, a longer oesophagus than prepharynx, and a caecal bifurcation which is closer to the oral sucker than acetabulum. L. desotoensis n. sp., of the rachion group, rachion subgroup, is distinct from both L. luteum and L. abyssensis in having a smaller size, lacking cervical glands or pharyngeal gland cells, and possessing dark-staining particles in the mesenchyme, while it differs from L. abyssensis specifically in having a much longer oesophagus than prepharynx, lateral vitelline fields that are not confluent intertesticularly, and wider eggs. L. zaniophori n. sp., also of the rachion subgroup, differs from both L. cascadensis and L. genge in having a smaller egg size, a shorter prepharynx and oesophagus than pharynx, and vitelline fields that are intertesticular but only slightly encroach between the ovary and anterior testis. L. sammari and L. spiniferi are designated as incertae sedis, and L. quiloni and L. stromateusi are designated as species inquirendae. New parasite keys and host records for Coelorinchus coelorhincus, C. caribbaeus and Nezumia cyrano are offered. Support is given to Lepidapedon probably being the dominant digenean genus in deep water.     

Revision of Bursacetabulus (Diplostomidae: Diplostominae) with the proposal of Bursatintinnabulus n. gen., and description of Bursatintinnabus bassanus n. sp. and Bursacetabulus morus n. sp. from northern gannet, Morus bassanus (Aves), from the Texas gulf coast.

During a study of digeneans of shorebirds from the Texas gulf coast, 2 undescribed species of diplostomes were found in northern gannet, Morus bassanus. Bursatintinnabulus n. gen. (Diplostomidae) is established with reassignment of Bursacetabulus macrobursus Dronen et al., 1999, as type species, and the second species in the proposed genus is described, Bursatintinnabulus bassanus n. sp. Generic diagnosis of Bursacetabulus Dronen et al., 1999, is emended to include a conical hindbody, an inconspicuous pouchlike or conspicuous well-developed tribocytic organ, and digitiform vitellaria distributed mainly in the hindbody with processes extending into the tribocytic organ and ventrolaterally in the hindbody to the level of the testes. Bursacetabulus morus n. sp. is described as the second species in that genus. In Diplostominae, Bursacetabulus and Bursatintinnabulus n. gen. are most similar to Tylodelphys Diesing 1850, but can be distinguished by having smooth testes and vitellaria that extend ventrolaterally into the hindbody to the level of the posterior testis; and the absence of a genital cone, an acetabulum, and a prepharynx. Bursatintinnabulus n. gen. is different from Bursacetabulus and all other genera of Diplostominae by a well-developed, bell-like skirt surrounding the bursa.     

Dioctowittus spp. Chabaud and Le Van Hoa 1960 (Nematoda: Adenophorea) from Australian snakes

Dioctowittus denisoniae n. sp. from Denisonia punctata differs from D. wittei and D. chabaudi in the smaller size, lack of vestigeal male precloacal sucker, short egg-filaments, the presence of lateral expansions at the posterior end in the male, and in the expansions of the oesophageal tissue between the stichocytes. Dioctowittus sp. from Liasis amethystimus differs from the three described species in the posession of lateral lobes at both extremities.     

Culuwiya cichlidorum n. sp (Digenea: Haploporidae) from the black-belt cichlid Vieja maculicauda (Pisces: Cichlidae) from Nicaragua

A new haploporid trematode, Culuwiya cichlidorum n. sp., is described from the intestine of the black-belt cichlid Vieja maculicauda (=Cichlasoma maculicauda (Regan)) from the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua. It differs from congeneric species from freshwater and estuarine mugilid, cichlid, and gobiid fishes, previously placed to Saccocoelioides Szidat, 1954, and Carassotrema Park, 1938, in possessing the intestinal ceca reaching up to the posterior half of the testis and a bipartite, swollen external seminal vesicle. The new species also is characterized by a small, pyriform body, a well-developed prepharynx, a large pharynx, extensive vitelline follicles, confluent posterior to the testis that is situated near the posterior extremity, a uterus limited to the pretesticular and postacetabular region, and few, but relatively large, eggs (67-81 x 36-47 microm, i.e., about 12-14% of the body length) and miracidia without eye-spots. Culuwiya cichlidorum is also reported from Tomocichla tuba (Meek) in Nicaragua and species of Cichlasoma, Herichthys, Oreochromis, Parachromis, Petenia, Theraps, and Vieja from Mexico.     

Sympatric species of Deretrema Linton, 1910: D. combesae n. sp. and D. combesorum n. sp. (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from the manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Perciformes: Mullidae) from New Caledonia

Two sympatric species of Deretrema, D. combesae n. sp. and D. combesorum n. sp. are described from the manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus from off New Caledonia, South Pacific. D. combesae n. sp. does not fit any of the described Deretrema subgenera. The combination of the characters, tegumental spines, caeca reaching past the testes, the vitellarium reaching into the hindbody, much of the uterus at the level of and anterior to the gonads, a long oesophagus, testes in the hindbody and the pre-testicular ovary are not found in any of the described subgenera. D. combesorum n. sp. fits into the subgenus Deretrema (Deretrema), but differs from the described species in the sucker-ratio, eggs size, elongate shape and contiguous testes. The sympatry of these dissimilar species of Deretrema casts doubt on the value of the subgenera in Deretrema.     

Anthobothrium galeorhini n. sp. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea) a parasite of Galeorhinus galeus (Triakidae) from the Argentine coast

Anthobothrium galeorhini n. sp. (Eucestoda: Phyllobothriidae) collected from the spiral intestine of Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758) at the Puerto Madryn (Atlantic coastal region) is described. The new species differs from A. cornucopia as described by Euzet (1959) by the size of body, bothridia, gravid proglottids and eggs; by the neck length and by the different number of testes and proglottids. The size of bothridia and the gravid proglottids, the cirrus length and the number of testes allow differentiating the species here proposed from A. laciniatum Linton, 1890 as described by Euzel (1959). The body and cirrus sac size, the bothridia shape and the number of testes separate the species here described from A. parvum Stossich, 1895 as described by Yamaguti (1952). The anatomic differences between the cestode described by Arandas Rego (1977) and located laxonomycally under the name Anthobothrium laciniatum are listed and the systematic position of the cestode is discussed. Species parasitic of skates listed in scientific literature must be taxonomically reaccommodated, since their characteristics are not consistent with the diagnosis of Anthobothrium.     

Three new species of Progamotaenia (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from Australasian marsupials

Summary Three new species of Progamotaenia (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) are described from macropodid marsupials in Australasia. P. wallabiae n. sp. from Dorcopsis veterum in New Guinea is most similar to P. bancrofti (Johnston, 1912), P. johnsoni Beveridge, 1980, and P. aepyprymni Beveridge, 1976. It differs from P. aepyprymni in the occurrence of the testes in two lateral groups and the lateral position of the female genitalia, and differs from all three species in the number of testes and the lack of a pyriform apparatus. P. dorcopsis n. sp. also from D. veterum in New Guinea and P. queenslandensis n. sp. from Thylogale stigmatica in north-eastern Queensland are most closely related to P. lagorchestis (Lewis, 1914) and P. thylogale Beveridge & Thompson, 1979, differing in the number and distribution of the testes, the absence of proterogyny, the proglottis velum and pyriform apparatus. The number and distribution of testes are the main features distinguishing P. dorcopsis from P. queenslandensis. ac]19840112     

Deurithitrema gingae n.g., n.sp. (Digenea: Plagiorchioidea) from the kidneys of a salt-water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus Schneider) from Australia

Summary The name Deurithitrema gingae n. g., n. sp. is proposed for worms from the kidneys of one Crocodylus porosus from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The following combination of characters distinguishes the new genus from all others: prepharynx very short; oesophagus absent; caeca reaching to posterior end of body; testes tandem in middle third of body, contiguous or amost so; cirrus-sac large, over-reaches ventral sucker, contains bipartite seminal vesicle, prostatic regions and ejaculatory duct with spines around its opening into genital atrium; genital pore immediately in front of ventral sucker; uterus coiled to posterior end of body; vitellaria lateral from ventral sucker to slightly behind testes; excretory vesicle small, receiving a single ventro-lateral duct from each side behind end of uterine loops. Deurithitrema belongs to the superfamily Plagiorchioidea Dollfus, 1930. It superficially resembles a number of genera, but its relationships within the superfamily are obscure.     

A new species of haploporid (Digenea) from the South China Sea

Megasolena dongzhaiensis n. sp. was collected from the intestine of Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus) (Perciformes: Scatophagidae) from the Dongzhai Bay (110 degrees 32'-37'E, 19 degrees 51'-20 degrees 1'N), Hainan Province, China. It resembles Megasolena acanthuri Machida and Uchida, 1991 in having larger body size, but it differs from the latter species in having an oral sucker that is larger, instead of smaller, than the acetabulum (sucker length ratio 1:0.456-0.494, and width ratio 1:0.61-0.65 in M. dongzhaiensis n. sp., as opposed to 1:1.3-1.7 in M. acanthuri). Moreover, the cuticle is spinose rather than aspinose; there is a band of circular muscle in the pharynx, and its eggs are smaller instead of larger (0.062-0.068 x 0.036-0.039 in M. dongzhaiensis n. sp., compared with 0.087-0.103 x 0.058-0.072 in M. acanthuri). Finally, the intestinal bifurcation is anterior, instead of dorsal, to the acetabulum. It resembles other species of Megasolena Linton, 1910 in having oral sucker larger than the acetabulum, and in having a circular muscle band in the oral sucker and pharynx, but it differs in having a larger body and smaller eggs. This is the first record of a Megasolena species from ray-finned fishes as well as in China.     

First report of parasites from pinnipeds in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, with a description of a new species of Philophthalmus (Digenea: Philophthalmidae)

A new species of digenetic trematode and 2 species of ectoparasites from Zalophus wollebaeki Silvertsen, 1953 (Carnivora: Otariidae) in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, are reported. These include an eye fluke of Philophthalmus Looss, 1899 (Echinostomata: Philophthalmidae) as well as, to our knowledge, the first report of Antarctophthirus microchir (Trouessart and Neumann, 1888) Enderlein, 1906 (Arthropoda: Anoplura) and Orthohalarachne diminuata (Doetschman, 1944) Newell, 1947 (Arthropoda: Acarina) from this host and location. Philophthalmus zalophi n. sp. differs from the 4 other marine species of Philophthalmus (P. andersoni Dronen and Penner, 1975; P. burrili Howell and Bearup, 1967; P. hegeneri Penner and Fried, 1963; and P. larsoni Penner and Trimble, 1970) by its mammalian host, large body size, lack of tegumental spines, posterior length of seminal vesicle, placement of genital pore, size ratio of oral sucker to acetabulum, shape and size of testes, and size ratio of ovary to testis.     

A new species of Allocreadium (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from freshwater fishes in the Danjiangkou Reservoir in China

A new species of Allocreadium, Allocreadium danjiangensis n. sp., is described from the intestine of several species of freshwater fish, including Abbottina rivularis (Basilewsky, 1855), Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis nigripinns (Güther, 1873), Gnathopogon argentatus (Sauvage et Dabry 1874), Opsariichthys uncirostris bidens (Gunther, 1873), and Erythroculter mongolicus mongolicus (Basilewsky, 1855) (Cyprinidae) from the Danjiangkou Reservoir in central China. The main morphological characters of the new species are as follows: vitelline follicles numerous, extending from the level of acetabulum to posterior extremity, distributed over both sides around the ceca; cirrus sac relatively large, developed, lying obliquely anterior to the acetabulum, extending from the level of the intestinal bifurcation to the central level of acetabulum, and overlapping left or right cecal; and ovary much smaller than testes, generally close to or even overlapping the anterior border of anterior testis. Observation by scanning electron microscopy shows only 2 kinds of tegumental formations, i.e., papillae and tubercles, instead of 3 types of tegumental formations, i.e., papillae, bosses, and minute sensor receptors observed on other species of the Allocreadiidae. The tegumental striations of the present species vary on the different parts of the body. In addition, a new structure, identified as the "groove" with a tonguelike tubercle, was observed on the inner wall of acetabulum.     

Five new species of Acanthobothrium (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) from the freshwater stingray Himantura chaophraya (Batoidea: Dasyatidae) in Malaysian Borneo

Five new species of Acanthobothrium (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) are described from the spiral intestine of the Freshwater whipray, Himantura chaophraya, in the Kinabatangan River in Malaysian Borneo. Based on criteria set forth in a previous categorization scheme for species of Acanthobothrium, these consist of 3 Category 1 species, Acanthobothrium asnihae n. sp., Acanthobothrium saliki n. sp., and Acanthobothrium zainali n. sp.; a Category 8 species, Acanthobothrium etini n. sp.; and a Category 2 species, Acanthobothrium masnihae n. sp.. Acanthobothrium asnihae n. sp. differs from all Category 1 species in its possession of a horizontal band of weak musculature that divides the posterior loculus in half. Among Category 1 species, A. saliki n. sp. differs from all but Acanthobothrium southwelli in its possession of postovarian testes. It differs from A. southwelli in its possession of fewer testes and a greater number of proglottids. Acanthobothrium zainali n. sp. differs from the 25 other Category 1 species in a combination of overall size, muscular pad and hook shape, arrangement and number of testes, ovary configuration in cross section, position of ovarian isthmus, and genital pore position. Acanthobothrium etini n. sp. is distinguished from all 5 other Category 8 species in its lack of testes from the proglottid antiporal and postporal regions and in testis number. Acanthobothrium masnihae n. sp. differs from the 35 other Category 2 species in its possession of fewer testes, postporal testes, or a greater number of proglottids. A key to Acanthobothrium species parasitizing H. chayophraya is presented. This represents the first report of Acanthobothrium from freshwater stingrays belonging to a family other than the Potamotrygonidae.     

Bilatorchis papillogenitalis n.g., n.sp. (Paramphistomidae: Orthocoelinae), a parasite of the red lechwe (Kobus leche Gray, 1850) from Zambia

Summary Bilatorchis papillogenitalis n.g., n.sp. from the red lechwe, Kobus leche Gray, 1850, from Zambia is described and illustrated. It is assigned to the subfamily Orthocoelinae Price & McIntosh, 1953 and distinguished from other members of the subfamily by the lateral and symmetrical position of the testes in the posterior third of the body between the caecal ends and the acetabulum, the intertesticular position of the ovary and Mehlis' gland and the limited extent of the caeca which end only at the level of the anterior border of the testes. A new type of genital atrium, papillogenitalis type is proposed for B. papillogenitalis, Calicophoron papillosum, Carmyerius parvipapillatus and, possibly, Orthocoelium parvipapillatum. The genus Cochinocotyle Gupta & Gupta, 1970 is moved to the subfamily Orthocoelinae.Supported by a scholarship grant under the 4th Education Project of the Philippines with the World Bank.Supported by a scholarship grant under the 4th Education Project of the Philippines with the World Bank.     

A new pronocephalid, Pleurogonius tortugueroi n. sp. (Digenea), from the intestine of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Costa Rica

A new species of trematode, Pleurogonius tortugueroi n. sp. (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) is described from the lower intestine of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The new species differs from all other species of Pleurogonius by having a short oesophagus and oval testes close to lateral posterior limit of the body. It differs from all other species, except P. malaclemys Hunter 1961, by having an ovary between the testes; moreover the latter species is a parasite of freshwater turtles. All others members of the genus have a long oesophagus, testes placed to some distance from the posterior end, and the ovary is pretesticular. The new species appears most closely related to P. linearis Looss, 1901 but differs from it by having a different body shape, lappets of the head collar close at the cecal bifurcation level, a longer vitellarian field, different testis shape and position, ovary intertesticular, and different egg size.     

A new species of Opisthioglyphe (Trematoda: Telorchiidae) from gall bladder of turtles in Malaysia

Opisthioglyphe sharmai n. sp. is described from the gall bladder of the Malayan box turtle, Cuora amboinensis, and the black marsh turtle, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, in Malaysia. The new species is morphologically similar to Opisthioglyphe ranae and some other members of the genus parasitic in amphibians and reptiles. Opisthioglyphe sharmai n. sp. is easily differentiated from all other members of the genus by the cirrus sac extending posterior to the ventral sucker, while in all previously known species the cirrus sac is entirely or mostly preacetabular with the base of the structure not reaching beyond mid-line of the ventral sucker. Despite the overall stable morphology, O. sharmai n. sp. is characterized by highly variable arrangement of testes, from tandem to opposite. It is only the second representative of the genus described from turtles and the first species of Opisthioglyphe parasitic in gall bladder, while all previously described members of the genus are parasitic in the intestine of their hosts.