Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of southern African Anura: Polystoma claudecombesi n. sp. parasitic in Rana angolensis Bocage

Polystoma claudecombesi is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae (Monogenea) parasitic in the urinary bladder of the anuran host Rana angolensis. This parasite was collected at three localities in South Africa, namely Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve in Natal province, Witsieshoek Mountain Resort in the north-eastern Orange Free State and Bovenste Oog in the province of Transvaal. It is the largest African polystome described to date. Prevalence at Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve was 4.0% and 2.7% in two successive years, with a mean intensity of 1.0 (n=25 and 36, respectively). One of the two R. angolensis from Witsieshoek was infected with 5 parasites. The diversity and distribution of southern African polystomes is also discussed.     

Polystoma fuscus n. sp. (Polystomatidae) from the common spadefoot Pelobates fuscus (Pelobatidae) in Bulgaria

Polystoma fuscus n. sp. (Polystomatidae, Polystomatinae) is described from the urinary bladder of Pelobates fuscus (Pelobatidae) in Bulgaria. Its general morphology is similar to that of other members of the genus but distinguished from them by the underdeveloped hamuli similar to the larval hamular primordia. The new species is also differentiated from the members of the genera of the subfamily Polystomatinae described without hamuli.     

Polystoma luohetong n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from Rana chaochiaoensis Liu (Amphibia: Ranidae) in China

Systematic Parasitology - Polystoma chaochiaoensis from the urinary bladder of the chaochiao frog Rana chaochiaoensis Liu was briefly described in a symposium abstract and presented at the Third...     

Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of African Anura: Polystoma dawiekoki n. sp. parasitic in Ptychadena anchietae (Bocage)

Polystoma dawiekoki n. sp. is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae parasitic in the urinary bladder of the plain grass frog Ptychadena anchietae. This parasite was collected at Mkuze town and Mkuze Game Reserve in northern Kwazulu-Natal Province, in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, and at Bulwa in Tanga Province, East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. It is distinguished from other African Polystoma species by a combination of characters, including the body size, size and shape of marginal hooklets and the haptor length to body length ratio. The presence of adult, as well as subadult, parasites in the same individuals, as is known for Eupolystoma, represents a significant evolutionary departure from the pattern of transmission typical of Polystoma in most of the other anuran hosts.     

Polystoma nacialtuneli n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from the eastern spadefoot, Pelobates syriacus (Pelobatidae) in Turkey

Polystoma nacialtuneli n. sp. is described from the urinary bladder of the eastern spadefoot, Pelobates syriacus from Turkey. This is the fifth polystome species known from Turkey and the third species in Pelobates. We show that this new parasite species can be distinguished from other polystome species in the area by a combination of characteristics, including parasite size and the shape and size of the hamuli. Polystoma pelobatis from Pelobates cultripes has a pair of well-developed hamuli, while P. fuscus from Pe. fuscus characteristically has a pair of underdeveloped hamuli barely larger than the marginal hooklets. Polystoma nacialtuneli n. sp. has well-developed hamuli that vary significantly in shape. Phylogenetic relationships of P. nacialtuneli n. sp. within Polystoma, supplemented with molecular divergences estimated from internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences, indicate that they are well separated from their closest relatives, i.e. P. fuscus and P. pelobatis from Pe. fuscus and Pe. cultripes, respectively.     

Polystoma macrocnemis n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from the Iranian longlegged wood frog Rana macrocnemis (Ranidae) in Turkey

Polystoma macrocnemis n. sp. (Polystomatidae) is described from the urinary bladder of Rana macrocnemis (Ranidae) in Turkey. Its general morphology is similar to that of other members of the genus, but it is distinguished from closely related species by numerical parameters of the hamuli and also by its host species and geographical range.     

Eimeria reedi sp. n. and E. chobotari sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from Heteromyid Rodents

SYNOPSIS The oocysts of 2 new species of Eimeria are described from heteromyid rodents. The subspherical to ellipsoidal cocysts of Eimeria reedi from Perognathus formosus averaged 22.6 by 20.8 μ. An ellipsoidal polar granule was present. The oocyst residuum was a single globule about 8 μ in diameter. The ovoid sporocysts averaged 10.9 by 7.7 μ and had a residuum of 6-12 granules. A Stieda body and substiedal body were present in the sporocysts. Eimeria chobotari oocysts, from Dipodomys merriami and D. microps , were ellipsoidal to ovoid and averaged 47.7 by 35.2 μ. No polar granule was seen. The large oocyst residuum consisted of several granules of various sizes. The ovoid sporocysts averaged 15.8 by 11.3 μ and had a residuum of many small granules. A Stieda body and substiedal body were present in the sporocysts.     

Two newCandida species:Candida chilensis sp.n. andCandida valdiviana sp.n.

Two new nitrate-assimilating yeasts isolated from decomposed wood ofNothofagus sp. are described. The namesCandida chilensis andCandida valdiviana are proposed.A table is given of the assimilation and fermentation reactions of the currently acceptedCandida species that use nitrate as the sole source of nitrogen.Candida koshuensis was not validly described so the nameCandida boidinii must be accepted for this species.The work done at the Universidad Austral de Chile had financial support of the Comisión Nacional de Investigatión Científica y Technológica (Proyecto No. 151).     

Polystoma cuvieri n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae), a parasite of the urinary bladder of the leptodactylid frog Physalaemus cuvieri in Paraguay

A new species of polystomatid monogenean, Polystoma cuvieri, is described from the urinary bladder of the leptodactylid frog Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger in Paraguay. This new species possesses a reticulated intestine and hamuli of about 350 microns long. The closest species is Polystoma napoensis Vaucher, 1987, described from Osteocephalus spp. in Ecuador. The Paraguayan material is distinguished by the blade size of the hamuli. The hamuli blades appear to be useful in Polystoma systematics.     

Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of Anura in southern Africa: Polystoma testimagna n. sp. parasitic in Strongylopus f. fasciatus (Smith, 1849)

Polystoma testimagna n. sp. is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae, parasitic in the urinary bladder of the striped stream frog Strongylopus f. fasciatus collected in the Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, Natal, South Africa. Parasite prevalence was found to be 50.0% and 27.7% in two successive years, and the mean intensity was 1.5 and 1.6, respectively. The species occurs together with another Polystoma species in the same water body and within one kilometre from a third species. Aspects of host specificity are discussed and data on the ecology and distribution of the host presented.     

A New Heterotrophic Cryptomonad: Hemiarma marina n. g., n. sp.

We report a new heterotrophic cryptomonad Hemiarma marina n. g., n. sp. that was collected from a seaweed sample from the Republic of Palau. In our molecular phylogenetic analyses using the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene, H. marina formed a clade with two marine environmental sequences, and the clade was placed as a sister lineage of the freshwater cryptomonad environmental clade CRY1. Alternatively, in the concatenated large and small subunit ribosomal RNA gene phylogeny, H. marina was placed as a sister lineage of Goniomonas. Light and electron microscopic observations showed that H. marina shares several ultrastructural features with cryptomonads, such as flattened mitochondrial cristae, a periplast cell covering, and ejectisomes that consist of two coiled ribbon structures. On the other hand, H. marina exhibited unique behaviors, such as attaching to substrates with its posterior flagellum and displaying a jumping motion. H. marina also had unique periplast arrangement and flagellar transitional region. On the basis of both molecular and morphological information, we concluded that H. marina should be treated as new genus and species of cryptomonads.     

Gloeococcus bavaricus n. sp. undCoelastrella compacta n. sp.

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Microsporidium goeldichironomi n. sp. and Microsporidium chironomi n. sp. (Microsporida: Apansporoblastina): Two new microsporidia from Florida chironomids

Two new species of Microsporida belonging to the genus Microsporidium are described. Microsporidium goeldichironomi n. sp. parasitizes the fat body of Goeldichironomus holoprasinus and Microsporidium chironomi n. sp. infects Chironomus attenuatus. Both microsporidia form uninucleate spores from rosette-shaped sporonts. M. goeldichironomi sporonts form 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, and possibly more spores. Two shapes of spores are produced, oval, or slightly pyriform spores measuring 3.70 ± 0.09 × 2.49 ± 0.13 μm and pyriform spores measuring 3.74 ± 0.44 × 2.04 ± 0.17 μm. Electron micrographs show that both types of spores are uninucleate, have 8 to 11 polar filament coils and a lamellate polaroplast showing several distinct regions. M. chironomi spores are pyriform and are often joined at the posterior end in groups of two or four. They measure 4.12 ± 0.37 × 2.45 ± 0.26 μm. The spores are uninucleate, have six to seven polar filament coils and a lamellate polaroplast showing two distinct regions. Neither species can be transmitted per os and thus are assumed to be transovarially transmitted. No pansporoblastic membrane is present in either species.     

Cthulhu Macrofasciculumque n. g., n. sp. and Cthylla Microfasciculumque n. g., n. sp., a Newly Identified Lineage of Parabasalian Termite Symbionts

The parabasalian symbionts of lower termite hindgut communities are well-known for their large size and structural complexity. The most complex forms evolved multiple times independently from smaller and simpler flagellates, but we know little of the diversity of these small flagellates or their phylogenetic relationships to more complex lineages. To understand the true diversity of Parabasalia and how their unique cellular complexity arose, more data from smaller and simpler flagellates are needed. Here, we describe two new genera of small-to-intermediate size and complexity, represented by the type species Cthulhu macrofasciculumque and Cthylla microfasciculumque from Prorhinotermes simplex and Reticulitermes virginicus, respectively (both hosts confirmed by DNA barcoding). Both genera have a single anterior nucleus embeded in a robust protruding axostyle, and an anterior bundle flagella (and likely a single posterior flagellum) that emerge slightly subanteriorly and have a distinctive beat pattern. Cthulhu is relatively large and has a distinctive bundle of over 20 flagella whereas Cthylla is smaller, has only 5 anterior flagella and closely resembles several other parababsalian genera. Molecular phylogenies based on small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) show both genera are related to previously unidentified environmental sequences from other termites (possibly from members of the Tricercomitidae), which all branch as sisters to the Hexamastigitae. Altogether, Cthulhu likely represents another independent origin of relatively high cellular complexity within parabasalia, and points to the need for molecular characterization of other key taxa, such as Tricercomitus.     

Trois Especes Nouvelles d'Ophryoglenes: O. gelifera n. sp., O. mucosa n. sp., O. multimicronucleata n. sp. (Cilies Holotriches Peniculiens)

SYNOPSIS. A previous study with P. de Puytorac on O. bacterocaryon(3) has shown the methods of studying this Ciliate and has specified the general and buccal morphology, the morphogenesis, and the biology of vegetative individuals (theront, trophont, tomont, tomites) of this species. Three species we are describing now offer numerous common features with O. bacterocaryon. We consider them as the proper characters of genus Ophryoglena and we only insist on the specific particularities of O. gelifera, O. mucosa and O. multimicronucleata. O. gelifera is a large Ophryoglene differing from the others by a slightly asymetric, curved, spindle-shaped theront; the ellipsoidal tomont secretes abundant and clear jelly. The theront possesses one thick spindle-shaped macronucleus, one voluminous spherical micronucleus, fitting with the macronucleus. Its somatic infraciliature is dense, its buccal infraciliature is characteristic, especially in the shape of peniculus P1. This species cannot be mistaken for O. pectans Mugard(2) although it is rather near it. O. mucosa is a very small Ophryoglene. The theront has one thick elliptical macronucleus, one small micronucleus; the buccal orifice is not kidney-shaped, but quite pointed in front; there is no tragus; the somatic infraciliature is not close; the peniculus P1 is characteristic. The tomont is ellipsoidal and surrounded by a thick mucous gangue. The tomites are not close together. O. mucosa is very different from O. gelifera and O. pectans Mugard(2). O. multimicronucleata. Near to O. polymicrocaryon Mugard(2), this Ophryoglene differs from it by the small size of all its vegetative elements and especially by its nuclear-apparatus. The latter includes numerous (5 to 6) bulky spherical micronuclei and one macronucleus looking like blackpudding which can be compared to that of O. singularis Canella and Trinchas(1). The theront is spindle-shaped and of a dark-grey colour. The spherical tomont secretes a mucous gangue which is not very thick. Besides, the somatic infraciliature and buccal in fraciliature of the theront (peniculus P1 especially) make O. multi micronucleata quite distinct from O. polymicrocaryon Mugard(2).     

Sarcocystis fayeri sp. n. from the horse.

Hearts, diaphragms, esophagi, and spinal cords from 266 horses were obtained at slaughter in Creston, Ohio. Tissues were examined microscopically for Sarcocystis in sections, digested in trypsin to obtain bradyzoites, and fed to 10 dogs and 10 cats. Intramuscular cysts were found in selections of two hearts from 57 horses and four esophagi from 107 horses. The cysts were up to 900 micron long and up to 70 micron wide. The cyst wall was 1 to 2 micron thick and cross-striated. The enclosed bradyzoites were banana-shaped, 15 to 20 by 20 to 3 micron, and contained several PAS-positive granules. Bradyzoites were found in trypsin digests of seven of 57 (13%) equine tissues (heart, diaphragm, esophagus but not spinal cord) in one experiment and 10 of 47 (21%) esophagi, eight of 47 (17%) diaphragms but none of 47 hearts and spinal cords in another experiment. All of 10 dogs shed sporulated sporocysts or oocysts in feces 12 to 15 days (12 in one, 13 in eight, and 15 days in one) after digesting tissues from 169 horses. The sporocysts were 11 to 13 (12.0 +/- 0.5) by 7 to 8.5 (7.9 +/- 0.5) micron. In histologic sections of canine small intestine the sporocysts were located in the lamina propria near the tips of the villi. The 10 cats fed tissues from 266 horses did not shed Sarcocystis. A new name, S. fayeri, is proposed for this organism. Sarcocystis fayeri sporocysts (12 by 8 micron) are shorter than those of S. betrami (15 by 10 micron), the other species of Sarcocystis from the horse. The prepatent period is 12 to 15 days for S. fayeri and 8 days for S. bertrami (synonym S. equicanis Rommel and Geisel 1975).