Monocercus dokuchaevi sp. n. (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae)--a new species of cestodes from shrews of the North-Eastern Asia

A new cestode species, Monocercus dokuchaevi sp. n. is described from shrews of the genus Sorex from the Middle Kolyma plateau (Magadan Province). The new species is most closer to M. soricis (Neiland, 1953) by having regular alteration of genital atriums in the short strobila (up to 10 mm only). The size of rostellar hooks in M. dokuchaevi is intermedial between those in M. soricis and M. arioni (Sibold, 1850). In Monocercus dokuchaevi, the length of rostellar hooks is 0.038-0.045 mm (average 0.045 mm), in M. arioni, average is 0.05 mm, in M. soricis, limits are 0.027-0.033 mm. Two other species of the genus, M. baicalensis Eltyshev, 1971 and M. estavarensis Euzet et Jourdan, 1968, have much longer rostellar hooks, 0.07-0.08 and 0.092-0.106 mm, respectively, whereas the genital atriums in these species are altered irregularly.     

Two new species of Macrobothridium (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from rhinobatid elasmobranchs in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia, with notes on the status of the genus.

As a result of an investigation of metazoan parasites of elasmobranch fishes in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia, we discovered 2 new species of diphyllidean cestodes. Macrobothridium euterpes n. sp. is described from the spiral intestine of Rhinobatos rhinobatos, and Macrobothridium syrtensis n. sp. from the spiral intestine of Rhinobatos cemiculus. Macrobothridium euterpes is distinguished from the only other species in the genus (Macrobothridium rhynchobati) by the number of rostellar hooks, size, genital pore position, vagina position, and ovary shape. Macrobothridium syrtensis is distinguished from M. rhynchobati by the hook morphology, testis number, and overall size, and from M. euterpes by the number of rostellar hooks, testis number, genital pore position, vagina position, and ovary shape. These are the first 2 species added to the genus since its establishment in 1989. A standardized formula for representing the number and arrangement of rostellar hooks in diphyllidean species is presented.     

Bathygrillotia n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with redescriptions of B. rowei (Campbell, 1977) n. comb. and B. kovalevae (Palm, 1995) n. comb.

Bathygrillotia n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) is erected for B. rowei (Campbell, 1977) n. comb. and B. kovalevae (Palm, 1995) n. comb. The new genus is based on the possession of two bothria, an atypical, heteroacanthous, heteromorphous armature with longitudinal files of hooks on the external surface of the tentacle associated with each principal row, each consisting of a large anterior hook followed by two smaller hooks. Bathygrillotia is allocated to the Lacistorhynchoidea Guiart, 1927 and its relationships with Grillotia Guiart, 1927 are discussed.     

Morphology and geographical variation of Pseudokuhnia minor n.g., n.comb. (Monogenea: Polyopisthocotylea)

A new genus, Pseudokuhnia, is established for Kuhnia minor, family Mazocraeidae. It differs from Kuhnia in the presence of two dorso-lateral vaginae, supported by surface ridges; differently shaped large genital hooks, large hamuli and ovary; an opisthaptor which is ventral to and well separated from the body proper; and a rudimentary antero-supplementarium of the clamps. The Atlantic population of P. minor differs from the Pacific population mainly in the larger size of the hamuli and the smaller size of the large and small genital hooks.     

Acanthocephalus tahlequahensis sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) from the the stippled darter, Etheostoma punctulatum (Agassiz), in northeastern Oklahoma.

Acanthocephalus tahlequahensis sp. n. was recovered from the intestines of 4 species of freshwater fishes, Etheostoma punctulatum, E. spectabile, Nocomis asper, and Notropis pilsbryi, collected in northeastern Oklahoma. The new species is distinguished from all other species of Acanthocephalus, except A. japonicus (Fukui and Morisita 1936) Petrochenko 1956, and A. fluviatilus Paperna 1964, by having smaller proboscis hooks. The length of the proboscis hooks for males is 27 to 38 (33) mum and for females 35 to 46 (42) mum. A. tahlequahensis is smaller than either A. japonicus or A. fluviatilis, and has about half the number of longitudinal rows of proboscis hooks of A. japonicus and half the number of proboscis hooks in each longitudinal row of A. fluviatilus. In addition to having smaller hooks. A. tahlequahensis differs from other species of Acanthocephalus parasitizing North American fishes by its smaller, spindle-shaped trunk and more hooks in each longitudinal row.     

Calicobenedenia Polyprioni n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenoidea: Capsalidae) from the external surfaces of wreckfish, Polyprion americanus (Teleostei: Polyprionidae), in the north Atlantic

Calicobenedenia polyprioni n. sp. (Capsalidae) is described from the external surfaces (skin and eye) of wreckfish, Polyprion americanus (Teleostei, Perciformes, Polyprionidae), from the north Atlantic Ocean. The monotypic Calicobenedenia n. gen. is proposed for this species and is characterized, in part, by its members possessing an aseptate haptor armed with 14 submarginal hooks and 1 pair of anchors, a common genital pore opening marginally immediately posterior to the left cephalic lobe, 2 testes juxtaposed near the body midlength, and by lacking cephalic suckers or adhesive discs, accessory haptoral sclerites, and a uterine valve. The new genus most closely resembles Entobdella, which differs from Calicobenedenia by having an aseptate haptor armed with 14 submarginal hooks, 2 pairs of anchors, and a pair of accessary sclerites.     

Diplaxine popovae gen. et sp. n., a new representative of the family Axinidae Unnithan, 1957 (Monogenoidea)]

A new species belonging to a new genus of Monogenoidea was found on the gills of Euleptorhamphus viridis from the Indian Ocean. The opisthohaptor of the new genus consists of two medially overlapping rows of clamps situated on a double fold along the oblique posterior margin of the body. Clamp are of Microcotyle type, their springs having accessory pieces. Three pairs of larval hooks are present. The genital atrium is armed with three groups of spines. The first group comprises spines surrounding the female aperture; the second one surrounds the cirrus in an incomplete circle; the third group consists of two lateral groups of spines arising from two muscular pad-like structures. Vagina armed with a chitionous spine opens on the right-hand side which is longer than the left-hand one. Behind the U-shaped ovarium vitellaria merge in an undifferentiated mass and completely cover the branches of the intestine and the testes. The new genus is close to the genera Chlamydaxine Unnithan, 1957 and Axine Abildgaard, 1794 differing from the former by an armed genital atrium and from the latter by two medially overlapping rows of clamps.     

A review of the Arhythmacanthidae (Acanthocephala) with a description of Heterosentis hirsutus n. sp. from Cnidoglanis macrocephala (Plotosidae) in Australia

Heterosentis hirsutus n. sp. is described from Cnidoglanis macrocephala (Siluriformes: Plotosidae) from the Swan Estuary, Western Australia. It is distinguished by having 14 longitudinal rows of 6-7 hooks per row on the proboscis, a trunk armed anteriorly and posteriorly (= genital spines) with minute spines and lemnisci that may extend to the posterior margin of the proboscis receptacle. The new species also has prominent fragmented nuclei in its trunk wall. New information is given for Heterosentis plotosi Yamaguti, 1935 from Plotosus lineatus (Siluriformes: Plotosidae) and H. paraplagusiarum (Nickol, 1972) Amin, 1985 from Paraplagusia guttata (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae), both from Queensland. A key to the species of Heterosentis Van Cleave, 1931 is provided. The Arhythmacanthidae subfamilies are reviewed: there is little utility in the recognition of these taxa because of the small number of genera involved and the validity of the characters on which they are based is in doubt, particularly whether trunk spines are present or absent. Only Acanthocephaloides Meyer, 1932, Breizacanthus Golvan, 1969, Euzetacanthus Golvan & Houin, 1964, Heterosentis, Hypoechinorhynchus Yamaguti, 1939 and Paracanthocephaloides Golvan, 1969 of the Arhythmacanthidae are considered valid. A key to these genera is provided. The monotypic genus Neoacanthocephaloides Cable & Quick, 1954 is considered a new synonym of Acanthocephaloides thus creating Acanthocephaloides spinicaudatus (Cable & Quick, 1954) n. comb. Arhythmacanthus Yamaguti, 1935 is maintained as a synonym of Heterosentis because the distinction between two and three hook types is made equivocal when the transition between the apical and subapical hooks is gradual.     

A new pentastomid from the black vulture

This article describes a new pentastomid species from the abdominal air sacs of a black vulture (Aegypius monachus Linnaeus, 1766) from central Spain. The parasite's morphological characteristics (as shown by light and scanning electron microscopy) suggest that it should be classified in the new genus. It is the third pentastomid species described in birds and the first for the Accipitridae. The mouth is almost terminal, there are 2 pairs of hooks behind the mouth, and the genital pore is immediately posterior to these structures, placing the new species within the Cephalobaenida. The anterior and posterior hooks are similar in size and are flanked by parapodial lob. Cuticular tubercles are absent, false annulations can be seen, and the parasite's eggs have 2 layers.     

Description and morphological variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoechinorhynchus beringianus</Emphasis> n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from north-eastern Asia

Neoechinorhynchus beringianus sp. n. is described from Pungitius pungitius L. in north-eastern Russia. Since 1986, when it was first found, it was reported as 'N. pungitius Dechtiar, 1971'. However, this new species differs from the latter in having an egg shell without a prolongation of the fertilisation membrane, a larger proboscis and proboscis hooks, a subterminal position of the female genital pore and a more slender trunk, and it occurs in a different site in the intestine. N. beringianus has a small, stout body with an asymmetrical position of the proboscis, which is located ventrally to and at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the body. The proboscis is wider than long, the hooks are of equal size in each circle but diminish in size posteriorly, whereas the lemnisci are subequal in length. It differs from those species of Neoechinorhynchus Stiles & Hassall, 1905 with somewhat similar characteristics in body length, proboscis size and proportions, proboscis hook lengths, egg size, size-ratio of the cement gland and testes, and the number of giant nuclei in the tegument and lemnisci. In different geographical populations of the new species, the sizes of both the proboscis and proboscis hooks exhibit some variation.     

A new genus of Metadilepididae (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) parasitic in Terpsiphone rufiventer (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Ivory Coast.

Pseudadelphoscolex eburnensis, a new genus and species of metadilepidid Cyclophyllidea parasitic in the red-bellied paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer, from the Ivory Coast, is described. The new species is characterized by davaineidlike rostellar hooks, absence of a rostellar pouch, a huge cirrus pouch in gravid proglottids, a bilobed uterus that becomes progressively reticular, absence of a paruterine organ, and eggs with an internal coat forming a crescentic protuberance outside the embryophore. The presence of a single row of rostellar hooks together with the lack of spines on the sucker and the structure and position of the uterus exclude this new material from Davaineidae. It cannot be placed in Dilepididae due to the lack of a rostellar pouch or in Paruterinidae because of the lack of a paruterine organ. The position of the excretory ducts in relation to the genital pores and the alternance of these pores are the main characters used to exclude this new species from the known genera of Metadilepididae. The diversity of forms of Metadilepididae in intertropical terrestrial birds is increased, and the validity of this taxon is strengthened.     

About the fauna of the cestode family Hymenolepididae from ducks of Chukotka: on the validity of the genus Echinatrium

Four species of the genus Echinatrium Spassky et Jurpalova, 1965 are redescribed. The material was collected from ducks of the Chaunskaya lowland (Chukotka). Morphological study of genital apparatus in cestode species found was carried out. According to the priority rule, it is suggested that the genus Monosaccanthes Czaplinski, 1967 is a junior synonym of the genus Echinatrium.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 52. Diechodactylus joaberi n. g., n. sp. from the banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae) in southeastern Brazil

Diechodactylus joaberi n. g., n. sp. is described from the body surface of the banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo L. (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae) from southeastern Brazil. The new genus is proposed to accommodate species with five pairs of hooks in anterior bilateral clusters on the haptor, three pairs of hooks in a single cluster on the posterior margin of the haptor, sclerites R1 associated with the superficial bar, and confluent intestinal caeca. The presence of five pairs of hooks in two bilateral clusters anterior in the haptor permits the differentiation of species of Diechodactylus from species of all known genera of the Gyrodactylidae. The genus is likely a member of a clade of the Gyrodactylidae comprising genera with a similar hook distribution.     

A new genus and species of proteocephalidean tapeworm (Cestoda) from Pangasius larnaudii (Siluriformes: Pangasiidae) in Southeast Asia

A new proteocephalidean cestode is described from spot pangasius, Pangasius larnaudii (Siluriformes: Pangasiidae), from Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia and a new genus, Pangasiocestus , is proposed to accommodate it. The genus is placed in the Gangesiinae because its scolex possesses a large rostellum-like apical organ and its genital organs (testes, ovary, vitellarium, and uterus) are situated in the medulla, with some vitelline follicles paramuscular. Pangasiocestus romani n. gen. and n. sp., the type and only species of the new genus, is characterized mainly by its rosette-like scolex composed of 4 lobes bearing a small sucker in their center, and the apical part with a large, discoidal, rostellum-like apical organ devoid of hooks, by weakly developed inner longitudinal musculature formed by very few isolated muscle fibers, uneven size of testes in immature and mature proglottids, with lateral testes smaller and more dense than median ones, by very narrow lateral bands of vitelline follicles, formed usually by single follicles, and by the vagina anterior to the cirrus sac. This is the first proteocephalidean cestode from a pangasiid catfish identified to the species level (proteocephalidean cestodes from 3 Pangasius spp. reported in an unpublished account from Vietnam, misidentified as Proteocephalus osculatus (Goeze, 1782) [?= Glanitaenia osculata ], are not considered).     

Proemotobothrium n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with the redescription of P. linstowi (Southwell, 1912) n. comb. and description of P. southwelli n. sp.

A new genus, Proemotobothrium (Trypanorhyncha: Otobothriidae), is erected to contain P. linstowi (Southwell, 1912) n. comb. (syn. Otobothrium magnum Southwell, 1924) and P. southwelli n. sp. The new genus is characterised by two bothridia, paired bothridial pits, an acraspedote scolex, elongate bulbs, four hooks per principal row, hooks 4 (4') being small and uncinate, a single, filiform, intercalary hook between each principal row and by the arrangement, in tandem, of the two or three extra hooks of the armature of the external surface of the tentacle, a pattern previously known only in the family Mixodigmatidae. The two species are distinguished from one another on the basis of measurements of the scolex and bulbs, the sizes of the hooks of the principal rows and by the number and size of the additional hooks in the linear arrays on the external surface of the tentacle.     

Glossocercus chelodinae (MacCallum, 1921) n. comb. (Cestoda: Dilepididae) from freshwater turtles in Australia and a redefinition of the genus Bancroftiella Johnston, 1911

Glossocercus chelodinae (MacCallum, 1921) n. comb. is redescribed from fresh material recovered from the intestine of an Australian freshwater turtle, Chelodina expansa. G. chelodinae can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the shape of its rostellar hooks. It is suggested that this species has colonised fish-eating turtles from fish-eating birds. The morphological relationships among Parvitaenia, Bancroftiella and Glossocercus are discussed. The diagnosis of Bancroftiella is amended and marsupials are eliminated as hosts. Bancroftiella sudarikovi Spasskii &; Yurpalova, 1970 becomes a synonym of Glossocercus glandularis (Fuhrmann, 1905); only B. tenuis Johnston, 1911, the type-species, and B. ardeae Johnston, 1911 remain in the genus.     

A description of Cinclotaenia georgievi n. sp. (Cestoda: Dilepididae), a tapeworm from the dipper Cinclus cinclus (L.) (Passeriformes: Cinclidae)

Cinclotaenia sp., described originally by Georgiev & Genov (1985) from the dipper Cinclus cinclus (L.) in Bulgaria, has recently been identified from the same host in the Carpathian Mountains in the Slovak Republic. This tapeworm is considered to be a new species, which is named C. georgievi n. sp. It is characterised by: a scolex armed with 23-27 (predominantly 24-26) hooks in two rows; hooks 30.5-36 microm long, with a blade 10-13.5 microm long and resembling in shape the diorchoid hooks of hymenolepidids; irregularly alternating genital pores with simple genital atria; a slightly conical cirrus armed by small spines of up to 3 microm in length; 24-51 testes posterior to a bi-alate, branched ovary; a gravid uterus filled with egg packets; and eggs with filaments. C. georgievi n. sp. differs from the closely-related C. tarnogradskii (Dinnik, 1927) in the slightly higher number of rostellar hooks, which have longer blades, and a larger cirrus.     

A revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalonchos</Emphasis> Baer &; Euzet, 1962 (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae), with the description of two new species and transfer of two species to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Biloculuncus</Emphasis> Nasin,Caira &; Euzet, 1997

The onchobothriid tapeworm genus Megalonchos Baer & Euzet, 1962 is revised and the generic diagnosis amended based on the examination of some of Southwell's material of M. mandleyi (Southwell, 1927) Baer & Euzet, 1962, the type-specimens of M. dubius Prudhoe, 1969 and M. musteli Prudhoe, 1969, and material of two new species, M. sumansinghai n. sp. and M. shawae n. sp., collected from the snaggletooth shark Hemipristis elongatus off northern Australia. Based on their possession of two pairs of uni-pronged hooks (rather than one pair of bi-pronged hooks) and possession of, rather than lack of, post-vaginal testes, M. dubius and M. musteli are transferred to Biloculuncus Nasin, Caira & Euzet, 1997 as B. dubius (Prudhoe, 1969) n. comb. and B. musteli (Prudhoe, 1969) n. comb. Both new species of Megalonchos differ from M. mandleyi in their possession of conspicuously smaller hooks and shorter cephalic peduncles. The new species are readily distinguished from one another in that, whereas the pores of the axial prongs of the medial and lateral hooks are located well anterior to the middle of the prong in M. sumansinghai n. sp., they are well posterior to the middle of the prongs in M. shawae n. sp. In addition, the base of the lateral hook is longer relative to that of the medial hook in the latter species than it is in the former species. The proglottid anatomy of valid species of Megalonchos is described for the first time, and the lack of post-vaginal testes is confirmed for the genus. In addition, members of this genus appear to be characterised by a sacciform uterus that extends only to the level of the cirrus-sac and an ovary that is H-shaped in frontal view and bilobed in cross-section. Species of Megalonchos have now been reported from two of the eight known species of hemigaleid sharks.     

Acanthocephaloides cyrusi n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from southeast African teleost fishes

A new species,Acanthocephaloides cyrusi, is described from the fishesSolea bleekeri andPomadasys commersoni from Lake St. Lucia, Natal, South Africa. It is distinguished from the other species in the genus by the more marked sexual dimorphism in length, the arrangement of hooks, the proboscis with the longest hooks at the anterior-most extremity and the greater size of the proboscis hooks and body spines. An acanthella, which may represent this species, was found in the tanaidApseudes digitalis.