A new species of Acaenodera (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) parasitizing Conger orbignyanus (Pisces: Congridae) from the coasts of Argentina

A new species, Acaenodera spinosior, is described based on specimens collected from the intestine of Conger orbignyanus Valenciennes (Pisces: Congridae) caught in waters off Mar del Plata (38°08′S, 57°32′W), Argentina. Five of 36 congers examined were parasitized (prevalence: 13.9%, mean intensity: 2.6 ± 1.52, range: 1–5). The new species is distinguished from its only congener, Acaenodera placophora Manter and Pritchard, 1960, a parasite of congers off Hawaii, by its larger size, lacking eyespots, and exhibiting a greater number of circumoral, mid-ventral and lateral spines. This is the first record of Acaenodera Manter and Pritchard, 1960 in Atlantic waters.     

A bittern (Aves: Ardeidae) from the early Miocene of New Zealand

Herons (Aves: Ardeidae) are rare in the fossil record globally. Fossil taxa referred to Ardeinae and Nycticoracini are known from as early as the early Oligocene and ardeids undetermined to subfamily include some as old as the early Eocene. In Australasia, the pre-Pliocene record is restricted to one species from the early Miocene of New Zealand. On the basis of a tarsometatarsus and a coracoid we describe a new species of bittern (Ardeidae: Botaurinae) from the St Bathans Fauna, of early Miocene age, from Otago, New Zealand. This is only the third and the oldest pre-Quaternary record for Botaurinae globally.     

Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a newly recorded parasitoid of the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Argentina

We report the first record of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) parasitizing larvae of the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in tomato crops in Northern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Tomato moth larvae were sampled during four consecutive growing cycles, between 2003 and 2005, in 10 sites. Neochrysocharis formosa was present only in organic outdoor and protected crops, and predominantly during the late season. Parasitism rates varied from 1.5% to 5%. The finding of this species is a new record for Argentina and South America, and T. absoluta is a new host record.     

The southernmost record of a Neuryurini Hoffstetter, 1958 (Mammalia,Xenarthra, Glyptodontidae)

In this contribution we document the southernmost and probably the oldest record of the tribe Neuryurini (Glyptodontidae). The southernmost record of this tribe outside of Patagonia is Neuryurus sp. from Lujanian sediments (Luján Formation, late Pleistocene–early Holocene) at Quequén Grande River (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The first and only previous record of a specimen of the Neuryurini in Patagonia was reported from the upper levels of the Puerto Madryn Formation (Huayquerian SALMA, late Miocene), exposed in Península Valdés (Chubut Province, Argentina). The new specimen described here and assigned to an indeterminate Neuryurini was recovered at Estancia La Peninsular (Santa Cruz Province, Argentina). This locality has been recognized in geological studies as part of the Santa Cruz Formation (Santacrucian SALMA, late early Miocene), but there have been no fossils described from this site until now. Therefore, the new specimen represents, with the two confirmed records of Glyptodon Owen and Panochthus Burmeister (both from the Quaternary), the only non-Propalaehoplophorinae glyptodontids reported for Santa Cruz Province.     

New species of Trichuris (Nematoda:Trichuridae) from Akodon montensis, Thomas, 1913, of the Paranaense Forest in Argentina

Species of Trichuris (Nematoda:Trichuridae) parasitize a broad range of mammalian hosts. To date, 21 Trichuris species infecting nine families of rodents have been found in North and South America. Trichuris navonae n. sp. is described on the basis of specimens recovered from a species of forest-dwelling mice, Akodon montensis (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae), from nine localities of Misiones Province, Argentina. A comparison with all the species of Trichuris from North and South American rodents is given. The separation of the new species of Trichuris is based on morphologic and morphometrica features, such as the absence of a spicular tube, the presence of a cylindrical spicular sheath with sharp spines, a non-protrusive vulva, a long anterior-posterior portion of the body, a lengthy spicule, and a proximal and distal cloacal tube. This is the third record of this genus in rodents of the Sigmodontinae from Argentina and the fifth record from South American rodents. Despite the large number of potential host species, only about 1.9% of sigmodontine rodent species have been reported as hosts of Trichuris spp. It is suggested that this number represents but a small fraction of Trichuris spp. that occur in sigmodontine rodents, and that additional survey of this group should yield additional species.     

Redescription of Diesingium lomentaceum (Diesing, 1850) (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha)

Ardeirhynchus spiralis (Rudolphi, 1809) n. g., n. comb. (syns Echinorhynchus spiralis, Prosthorhynchus spiralis and Plagiorhynchus spiralis), a parasite of herons (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae), is redescribed on the basis of the holotype from Ixobrychus minutus and specimens from Ardeola ralloides (new host record) in Bulgaria. A. spiralis is a member of the family Polymorphidae and not of the Plagiorhynchidae in which it was previously classified. Ardeirhynchus n. g. is distinguished from the most morphologically similar genus, Arhythmorhynchus Lühe, 1911, by the position of the male genital system, which occupies the posterior 1/8-1/6 part of the trunk, the distribution of hypodermal nuclei in groups in the anterior part and in lateral rows along the length of the posterior part of the trunk, a considerably shorter neck, minute trunk spines and a terminal genital pore.     

Cytoembryology of some Malaysian dipterocarps, with some evidence of apomixis

KAUR, A., JONG, K., SANDS, V. E. & SOEPADMO, E., 1986. Cytoembryology of some Malaysian dipterocarps, with some evidence of apomixis. Embryological and cytological studies on some members of the Dipterocarpaceae were undertaken. Of the dipterocarps investigated 83% were diploids. Two new polyploids were observed, namely Shorea resinosa (2 n = 3x = 21) and Hopea subalata (2 n = 3x = 21). Multiple seedlings were observed in H. subalata, Shorea agami, S. argentifolia, S. ovalis, S. pauciflora and S. resinosa. For the first time embryological studies have conclusively demonstrated reproduction by agamospermy in 5. ovalis and S. agami. Considerable evidence leads to the inference that H. subalata, S. resinosa and 5. macroptera are also agamosperms. Each of these produces multiple seedlings. Of these apomictic species three are polyploids, namely S. ovalis (2 n = 4x = 28), H. subalata (2 n = 3x = 21) and S. resinosa (2 n = 3x = 21), whereas S. agami (2 n = 14) and S. macroptera (2 n = 14) are diploids.     

A brittle star bed from the Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina

Martínez, S., del Río, C.J. & Pérez, D.E. 2010: A brittle star bed from the Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina. Lethaia , Vol. 43, pp. 1–9.
As a consequence of the extremely poor fossil record of brittle stars, every new discovery is important. The Miocene example studied herein involves the recently described species Ophiocrossota kollenbergorum Caviglia, Martínez & del Río recovered from the Chenque Formation of southeastern Argentina. The information used here is derived from unpublished data and a new record from two discrete, thin, monospecific patches. The main taphonomic features of the patches, namely the presence of specimens concordant with bedding planes, (with either aboral or oral side upwards), and the good preservation of the delicate discs (ca. 6 mm wide on average), and the preservation of un-oriented arms complete with fragile tips (not wider than 0.2 mm), point to a suddenly buried census assemblage. Although broken or isolated arms were found, this is attributed to the erosive environmental conditions of the abrasion platform where the studied exposure is located today. Size frequency distributions suggest that both patches were buried at different seasons. Observed densities are 77 and 143 individuals/m², and distances between individuals are random. The arm length/disc diameter ratio indicates that Ophiocrossota kollenbergorum may have been an epifaunal surface dweller. No signs of predation (such as regenerated arms), were identified.     

Redescription of Camallanus hypophthalmichthys Dogel and Akhmerov, 1959 (Nematoda: Camallanidae) and its first record from fishes in China

The nematode Camallanus hypophthalmichthys Dogel and Akhmerov, 1959 is redescribed from specimens collected from the intestine of the bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis, from Liangzihu Lake (Yangtze River basin), Hubei Province, central China. The light and scanning electron microscopical examination made it possible to study in detail the morphology of this so far little-known species and to confirm its validity. The main specific features of C. hypophthalmichthys distinguishing it from the most similar Camallanus spp. is the presence of 3 small caudal processes on the male tail tip, 13-16 longitudinal ridges on the inner surface of the valve of the buccal capsule, and the arrangement of preanal and postanal genital papillae in the male. This finding represents a new host record, the first record of this parasite in the Yangtze River basin, and the first documented record of C. hypophthalmichthys from China. Camallanus hypophthalmichthys is considered a specific intestinal parasite of fishes of the cyprinid Hypophthalmichthyinae.     

Occurrence and treatment of the mange mite Notoedres muris in marsh rats from South America

The mange mite Notoedres muris is reported from a new host, the marsh rat (Holochilus brasiliensis) from Argentina. The infection involved alopecia and encrustations on the ears and face, and was treated successfully by a subcutaneous injection of ivermectin. The new record suggests that Notoedres muris has become self-maintaining within this marsh rat population.     

Williamsocoris, a new genus of Schizopteridae (Heteroptera) from Argentina

A new genus and species, Williamsocoris ornatus (Schizopteridae: Hypselosomatinae), is described from Argentina. This is the first record of the subfamily in South America. The particular structures of the rostrum of this new taxon are unique in the family.     

The oldest rhynchosaur from Argentina: a Middle Triassic rhynchosaurid from the Chañares Formation (Ischigualasto–Villa Unión Basin,La Rioja Province)

Rhynchosaurs first appear in the Early Triassic fossil record and flourished during the late Carnian as the dominant members of several assemblages worldwide. In Argentina, the rhynchosaur record is currently restricted to the Ischigualasto Formation of late Carnian–earliest Norian age. Recent fieldwork in the new locality of Brazo del Puma, in the lowermost levels of the Chañares Formation, yielded three rhynchosaur tooth-bearing bones, which were collected five metres above the contact with the underlying Tarjados Formation. The most complete specimen is the posterior end of the alveolar region of a left dentary. The dentary possesses densely packed tooth rows on the lingual surface and medial half of the occlusal surface, showing longitudinal Zahnreihen. The teeth of the occlusal surface are worn flat and those of the lingual surface are organized in multiple rows, supporting the referral of the specimen to Rhynchosauridae. In addition, the dentary teeth are conical to mesiodistally compressed, resembling the condition observed in hyperodapedontines. The rhynchosaur remains reported here are the oldest collected in Argentina and among the oldest in South America, together with an unnamed form from Brazil. The new rhynchosaur specimens come from levels in which dicynodonts are numerically dominant, whereas cynodonts are considerably less abundant. Accordingly, the specimens reported here bolster faunal differences within the Chañares Formation and add a new faunal component to this already diverse vertebrate assemblage.     

A new species of Trichodina (Ciliophora: Peritrichia) from the intestine of the surgeonfish Acanthurus xanthopterus

A population of a trichodinid (Ciliophora: Peritrichia) was found in the gut of the surgeonfish Acanthurus xanthopterus collected from Hawaii, South Africa and New Guinea and described as a new species. This is only the second record of a trichodinid from the intestine of a marine fish. In all the fish specimens examined, the micro-fauna normally found in other species of the fish family. Acanthuridae was absent and replaced entirely by the trichodinid population.     

Sabelliphilidae (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) associated with the tube anemone Pachycerianthus maua (Carlgren) and the horseshoe worm Phoronis australis Haswell off New Caledonia

Acuaria paraguayensis n. sp. is described on the basis of specimens from Sirystes sibilator (Vieillot) (Aves: Passeriformes, Tyrannidae) in Paraguay. In addition, A. mamillaris (Molin, 1860) from Cyanocorax cayanus (L.) (Corvidae) in Brazil is redescribed on the basis of its type-series from the collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna. A review of the species of Acuaria Bremser, 1811 in the New World is presented. Currently, 16 species belong to this genus, which are mostly parasitic in passeriform birds (one record in piciform birds). An identification key to the species of Acuaria occurring in the New World is presented. Acuaria multispinosa (Vigueras, 1938) originally described from Botaurus lentiginosus (Rackett) (Ardeidae) in Cuba, also known from various herons (Ciconiiformes, Ardeidae) in southern states of the USA, does not correspond to the generic diagnosis of Acuaria and is considered a species incertae sedis. Acuaria gracilis var. sturni Boyd, 1951 is elevated to full species rank as Acuaria sturni Boyd, 1951.     

Description of a new Capillariinae (Nematoda: Trichuridae) from Scapteromys aquaticus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Buenos Aires, Argentina

A new species of Capillaria is described on the basis of specimens recovered from the intestine of the swamp rat Scapteromys aquaticus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Argentina. Capillaria alainchabaudi n. sp. and a peculiar species from Australian marsupials are the only 2 species of Capillaria sensu stricto parasitic in mammals. A comparison with the Australian species and with the 18 species of this genus described from other vertebrates from the Western Hemisphere is given. The separation of the new species is based on morphologic and morphometrical features, such as intestine ending in cloaca beside ejaculatory duct, 2 lateral nonmembranous caudal lobes, 2 pairs of caudal non-pedunculated papillae, terminal part of cylindrical cirrus ornamented with thin and thick spines, spicule with apex not well sclerotized in the males, a conspicuous vulvar appendage in the females, and 2 bacillary bands. A survey of the literature revealed that the species of Capillariinae from rodents belong to 9 genera, and the total number of species is low compared to the high diversity and abundance of the hosts, particularly if the modern Muroidea are considered.