Peculiarities of rostellum morphology and armature in the genera Kowalewskiella and Himantaurus (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae)

Scoleces of two dilepidid genera, Kowalewskiella Baczynska, 1914 and Himantaurus Spasskaja et Spassky, 1971, were investigated. The rostellar hooks of both are of davaineoid type, which is quite uncommon for the family. The morphology of their rostellar apparatus, especially the form of proboscis, differs much. But when the rostellum is retracted, the crown of hooks is folded in the same manner: hooks tips assume anterior direction. The muscular system of rostellar apparatus and the transformation of scolex in the act of rostellum's retraction of Kowalewskiella finds close analogy in Aploparaksis (family Hymenolepididae s.l.), and of Himantaurus--in Paradilepis (family Dilepididae). But such morphological and functional resemblance between scoleces of Kowalewskiella and Aploparaksis from one side and of Himantaurus and Paradilepis from another is undoubtedly a result of convergence. The morphological types of rostellar hooks in these pairs of genera are very different.     

New species of Cinclotaenia macy, 1973 (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae) from Cinclus leucocephalus tschudi (Passeriformes: Cinclidae) in Bolivia

Two new species of Cinclotaenia (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae) are described from the small intestine of Cinclus leucocephalus (Aves: Passeriformes: Cinclidae) collected in the Yungas region of Bolivia. Cinclotaenia minuta n. sp. is characterized by possessing a minute strobila with a maximum body length of 1.58 mm, consisting of 5-10 proglottids, 19-22 rostellar hooks with lengths from 16 to 17 microm, 12-17 testes per proglottid, and eggs forming packets without filaments. Cinclotaenia boliviensis n. sp. has bandlike strobila with a length up to 26 mm with 67-74 proglittids, 22 rostellar hooks with length 39-42 microm, 43-68 testes, and eggs forming packets possessing long filaments. The systematic position in Cinclotaenia of cestodes lacking filaments on the egg packets is confirmed. This is the first record of species of Cinclotaenia in dippers from Bolivia and also the first report of cestodes from Cinclus sp. in the Neotropical Region.     

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.     

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.     

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 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.     

Taeniarhynchaena micropalamae gen. et sp. n. (Cestoda, dilepididae) from the stilt sandpiper Micropalama himantopus (Bonaparte, 1826)

Taeniarhynchaena gen. n. differs from other genera in its long, cylindrical, proboscidiform rostellum that can be withdrawn and coiled within the rostellar sac. The distal end of the rostellum is expanded and bifid forming two lobes each bearing wrench-shaped hooks peripherally. Other generic characters are the regular alternation of genital apertures, genital ducts dorsal to excretory vessels, testes restricted to posterior moiety of the proglottis, and a persistent uterus. Type species: Taeniarhynchaena micropalamae gen. et sp. n. from the stilt sandpiper Micropalama himantopus (Bonaparte, 1826) taken near Churchill on Hudson Bay, Canada. It is 1.5 to 2.9 mm long with 11 to 16 proglottides. The rostellum 0.45 to 0.5 long and 0.023 to 0.036 mm in diameter has five hooks 0.023 mm long on each lobe. Testes 14 in posterior two-fifths of the proglottis.     

Rostellar apparatus of Fernandezia spinosissima (von Linstow, 1894) (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Davaineidae): microanatomy and fine structure

The rostellar apparatus of Fernandezia spinosissima is examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. It is described as composed of rostellum, pseudoproboscis, and two groups of glandular syncytia, one in the rostellum and the other inwards to the rostellum and the pseudoproboscis. The rostellum is a discoid cushion with muscular walls. There are numerous thin vertical muscular fibres and glandular syncytia inside it. Its tegument has slender microtriches. Peripherally, the rostellum is encircled by thin muscle fibres that protrude anteriorly between rostellar hooks and group posteriorly to form retractors. The rostellar hook guards are associated with a complicated network of muscles and nerves. The pseudoproboscis is a thick-walled ring around the apical part of the scolex adjacent to the rostellum. Its tegument has microtriches with modified spines that are interpreted as accessory spines. The walls of the pseudoproboscis possess a loose structure of parallel muscular fibres and glandular processes. The glandular syncytia, interpreted as modified tegumental perikarya, have basophilic cytoplasm and stain positively for protein and carbohydrate. They form cellular processes, which protrude to reach to the tegument. These results provide structural details characterising one of the rostellar types recognized in the order Cyclophyllidea, i.e. the davaineid rostellar apparatus.     

Description of Triaenorhina burti n. sp. (Cestoda: Paruterinidae) from the Malabar trogon Harpactes fasciatus (Pennant) (Aves: Trogoniformes: Trogonidae) in Sri Lanka

Triaenorhina burti n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Paruterinidae) is described from Harpactes fasciatus (Trogoniformes: Trogonidae) from the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The new species is characterised by: a body 24-32 mm long; 44 rostellar hooks alternating in two closely adjacent regular rows, with lengths of 63-65 microm (anterior row) and 39-41 microm (posterior row); regularly alternating genital pores; testes divided into two groups by the ovary and vitellarium; a gravid uterus forming a single oval sac; and a cylindrical paruterine organ not reaching the anterior proglottis margin. A key to the seven recognised species of Triaenorhina Spasskii & Shumilo, 1965 is presented.     

Taxonomic revision of Joyeuxilepis Spassky, 1947 (Cestoda: Amabiliidae): redescriptions of J. acanthorhyncha (Wedl, 1855) and J. fuhrmanni (Solomon, 1932), a key and a new generic diagnosis

Systematic Parasitology - Two species of Joyeuxilepis Spassky, 1947 with 14 rostellar hooks are redescribed: J.&;nbsp;acanthorhyncha (Wedl, 1855) on the basis of specimens from Tachybaptus...     

Description and phylogenetic relationships of Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) from a shrew Suncus varilla minor in Malawi

Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. is described based on specimens obtained from a lesser dwarf shrew Suncus varilla minor collected in the Nyika National Park, Malawi. The new species is one of the smallest hymenolepidids known from African shrews and is morphologically closest to two other miniature hymenolepidids from African shrews, Staphylocystis loossi and S. khalili. The new species differs from both of them by a much smaller strobila size and fewer proglottids. The rostellar hooks in the new species are more numerous and smaller in size than in S. loossi. The rostellar hooks in R. gnoskei n. sp. are almost three times shorter than hooks in S. khalili. The hook shape in both S. loossi and S. khalili is substantially different from that in the new species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new species is close to Rodentolepis fraterna, a parasite of rodents. The new species clearly differs from R. fraterna by the much shorter strobila, larger hooks, relatively longer cirrus sac, rate of proglottid development, the number of eggs per proglottid and parasitism in shrews. Although the new species fits the current diagnosis of Rodentolepis, its generic allocation is provisional and will likely be revised in the future because the type species of Rodentolepis, R. straminea, belongs to a different well supported clade. Thus, a new genus needs to be established for the lineage that includes R. fraterna and R. gnoskei n. sp. However, this systematic rearrangement is not recommended until Staphylocystis pistillum, the type species of Staphylocystis, is included in future phylogenetic analyses. Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. is the first tapeworm species reported from shrews in Malawi and the first species of cestode reported from S. varilla minor and any member of Suncus in Africa.     

A new species of cestode, Vampirolepis muraiae n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), from a Chinese bat

Vampirolepis muraiae n. sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) is described on the basis of a single specimen from a mouse-eared bat, Myotis sp., from Yunnan Province, China. It is distinguished from its congeners on the basis of the size and shape of the rostellar hooks, which have a blade shorter than the guard, the tubular structure of the initial stage of the developing uterus and eggs with a thick outer coat.     

Description of Triaenorhina burti n. sp. (Cestoda: Paruterinidae) from the Malabar trogon Harpactes fasciatus (Pennant) (Aves: Trogoniformes: Trogonidae) in Sri Lanka

Triaenorhina burti n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Paruterinidae) is described from Harpactes fasciatus (Trogoniformes: Trogonidae) from the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The new species is characterised by: a body 24–32 mm long; 44 rostellar hooks alternating in two closely adjacent regular rows, with lengths of 63–65 μm (anterior row) and 39–41 μm (posterior row); regularly alternating genital pores; testes divided into two groups by the ovary and vitellarium; a gravid uterus forming a single oval sac; and a cylindrical paruterine organ not reaching the anterior proglottis margin. A key to the seven recognised species of Triaenorhina Spasskii & Shumilo, 1965 is presented.     

A new avian cestode Malika turdi n. spp. Dilepididae: Dipylidiinae) from the golden mountain thrush, Turdus dauma aureus Holandre in Japan

Malika turdi n. spp. (Dilepididae: Dipyliidinae) was described from the small intestine of a golden mountain thrush, Turdus dauma aureus Holandre, at Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. By having two rows of rostellar hooks, it resembles M. daviesi, M. himantopodis, M. kalawewaensis, and M. zeylanica, but is readily distinguished from the first three species by having non-spiny cirrus, and from the latter species by having a smaller scolex and more testes. This is the first report of Malika in Japan.     

Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. and Gibsonilepis swifti (Singh, 1952) n. g., n. comb. (Cestoda, Dilepididae) from the House Swift, Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) (Aves, Apodiformes) from Franceville, Republic of Gabon

Nine specimens of Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) were studied at Franceville, Haut-Ogooué Province, Republic of Gabon, for the presence of helminth parasites. Two cestode species of the family Dilepididae were recorded. Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. is distinguished from the most similar species P. europaea Georgiev & Murai, 1993 by having elliptical cirrus-sac, longer vagina, longer rostellar sheath and greater diameter of suckers. An identification key to the species of the genus Pseudangularia Burt, 1938 is proposed. The present study is the first record of the genus Pseudangularia in the Afrotropical Region. Our study confirms that, in dilepidids with vaginal sclerites from swifts, breaking off the cirrus after copulation is a frequent phenomenon. The genus Gibsonilepis n. g. is erected as monotypic for Vitta swifti Singh, 1952 (originally described from the same host species in India) and Gibsonilepis swifti n. comb. is proposed. Gibsonilepis n. g. is distinguished from Vitta Burt, 1938 by its highly elongate rostellum, rostellar sheath much bigger than rostellum, relatively small rostellar hooks possessing strongly developed guard, disc-shaped suckers with weak peripheral musculature and flat or convex central part, long and well-expressed neck, highly lobed two-winged ovary (lobes rounded) and presence of a band consisting of rows of spine-like microtriches along posterior margin of each proglottis. This is the first record of G. swifti in the Afrotropical Region. The separation of G. swifti from the genus Vitta (parasites of swallows) suggests that, contrary to previous opinions, no dilepidid genera are shared by Apodidae (swifts) and Hirundinidae (swallows).     

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.