A redescription of the pinniped parasite Contracaecum ogmorhini (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea), with an assessment of its antiboreal circumpolar distribution

The otariid seal parasite Contracaecum ogmorhini Johnston & Mawson, 1941 is redescribed based upon new material and the type specimens. The geographical records of this species indicate that it has an antiboreal circumpolar distribution with an isolated population on the south-west coast of North America. The species is considered to be morphologically more similar to Contracaecum spp. from birds than to those from phocid seals: its possible evolution is commented upon. The material identified as C. osculatum (Rudolphi) by Flores-Barroeta et al . is considered conspecific with C. ogmorhini , thus suggesting that it is this species, and not C. osculatum , which is responsible for abnormal tissue migration and brain damage in pinnipeds.     

Morphological distinction between adult Contracaecum radiaturn and Contracaecum osculatum (Nematoda, Anisakidae) from the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli)

Morphological characters of the anisakid ncmatodcs Contracaecum radialurn and C. osculutum from the Weddcll Sea are reviewed. Both species occur in stomachs of scals in high southern latitudes. Thc investigation aims at providing some rcliable criteria for quantitative routine light microscopy. Characters allowing a safe identification of the two spccics arc: spiculcs and tail structures in males; lips, intcrlabia and collar in both sexes. Oesophageal shape and intcrlabial striation cannot be recommended for idcntification purposes.     

The Morphology of Thynnascaris adunca (Rudolphi) (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea)

The following body parts of the fish nematode Thynnascaris adunca were studied by using SEM and TEM: anterior and posterior ends, digestive tract, particularly the oesophagus and its glandular tissue, male and female reproductive organs, excretory and nervous systems, and body wall. The ova in the uterus of a female studied by SEM were found to contain II-stage larvae: this is at variance with previous reports. Contrary to accepted views, each body wall muscle was found to have more than one process (arm) reaching the dorsal/ventral nerve.     

Allozyme and morphological identification of shape Anisakis,Contracaecum and Pseudoterranova from Japanese waters (Nematoda,Ascaridoidea)

Allozyme markers were used to identify anisakid nematodes from marine Japanese waters, morphologically assigned to three species complexes: Anisakis simplex (s. l.), Contracaecum osculatum (s. l.) and Pseudoterranova decipiens (s. l.). Samples assigned to A. simplex (s. l.) were found to correspond genetically to A. simplex sensu stricto, those of C. osculatum (s. l.) to C. osculatum A. No morphological characters are yet available to distinguish sibling species of these two complexes. As to the P. decipiens complex, two distinct species were detected: the first corresponded to P. decipiens C, previously recovered in the northern Atlantic, the second to P. decipiens D from Japan. The two species are genetically well differentiated, with five of the 19 loci tested showing distinct fixed alleles. Their reproductive isolation was proved by the lack of hybrids or recombinants in sympatric samples recovered from the same definitive host, Erignathus barbatus. P. decipiens D was found to correspond morphologically to Porrocaecum azarasi, previously considered a synonym of P. decipiens. Accordingly, the name Pseudoterranova azarasi (Yamaguti & Arima, 1942) n. comb. is proposed for P. decipiens D. Similarly, P. decipiens C fits in general morphology, type-locality and host with Ascaris bulbosa, also previously considered a synonym of P. decipiens. The name Pseudoterranova bulbosa (Cobb, 1888) n. comb. is proposed for P. decipiens C.     

The life history of Sulcascaris sulcata (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea), a parasite of marine molluscs and turtles

Berry G. N. and Cannon L. R. G. 1981. The life history of Sulcascaris sulcata (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea), a parasite of marine molluscs and turtles. International Journal for Parasitoiogy11: 43–54. The morphology, development and hatching of Sulcascaris sulcata eggs are described. Two moults occurred in the egg. Third stage larvae spontaneously hatched and were found to develop in marine bivalves and gastropods. Larvae grew steadily and after three to four months, when about 5 mm long, they moulted to fourth stage larvae characteristic of natural infections in bivalves from commercial catches. Experimentally, when fed to laboratory-reared Caretta caretta, the fourth stage larvae first attached at the oesophago-gastric junction where they moulted to adults in 7–21 days. Subsequent growth to mature adults was obtained by at least 5 months after infection. It is suggested that under natural conditions the life history may take up to 2 years to complete. These findings are discussed in relation to the predatory mode of feeding and the breeding habits of C. caretta and the significance of a possible health hazard to man.     

Coexistence and genetic variability of Contracaecum rudolphii A and Contracaecum rudolphii B (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, in the Baltic region

Although numerous genetically isolated entities within Contracaecum rudolphii sensu lato are presently defined, information on the distribution and ecology of these groups is nonetheless in demand. In the present study, information based upon DNA sequence data (restriction analysis and sequencing of rDNA) on the distribution of the species C. rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B in the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis from the Baltic region (Poland and Finland) is provided. These data corroborate previous work that identified C. rudolphii A in brackish water regions and C. rudolphii B in fresh water sites, although mixed infections also occur. The 2 species may inhabit the same host specimen. One rare heterozygote of the species was recorded.     

Redescription of Enterobius anthropopitheci (Gedoelst, 1916) (Nematoda,Oxyurida), a parasite of chimpanzees

Enterobius anthropopitheci (Gedoelst, 1916), a parasite of the chimpanzees Pan troglodytes and P. paniscus, is redescribed. E. anthropopitheci can be distinguished from the two closely related species parasitic in man, E. vermicularis (L., 1758) and E. gregorii Hugot, 1983, by the following characters: in the males, the cuticular pericloacal ornamentation, and the size and shape of the spicule; in the females, the lateral alae, which are simple in the pinworms of man, are simple only anteriorly and divided into two crests at the mid-oesophageal level in the parasite of chimpanzees.Enterobius anthropopitheci (Gedoelst, 1916), parasite des chimpanzés, Pan troglodytes et P. paniscus, dans toute leur aire de répartition est redécrite. E. anthropopitheci est très proche par sa morphologie des deux oxyures de l'Homme, E. vermicularis (L., 1758) et E. gregorii Hugot, 1983, dont il diffère toutefois par les caractères suivants: chez le mâle, ornementation cuticulaire péricloacale, taille et forme du spicule; chez la femelle, aile latérale simple sur toute sa longuer chez les oxyures de l'Homme, simple dans la région antérieure se dédoublant en deux crêtes au milieu de l'oesophage, chez l'oxyure parasite des chimpanzés.     

Palaearctic species of the genus Confluaria Ablasov (Cestoda,Hymenolepididae): a redescription and synonymy of C. capillaris (Rudolphi, 1810)

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

Centrids, a pair of asymmetrically arranged sense organs in Ascaris suum (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea)

Two prominent, asymmetrically placed cuticular somatic sensilla, called centrids, are reported in Ascaris suum Goeze, 1782, the pig roundworm. The right centrid is situated much more anteriorly on the body than is the left one. The centrids are globular in the fourth-stage larva and obviously void of an apical pore, suggesting at least a tactile function. In adult worms, the centrids are platelike, lacking a globular expansion. The observation on the presence of asymmetrically placed centrids in A. suum gives further impetus to the importance assigned to sense organs in the classification and identification of nematodes. The name centrid was originally chosen to indicate the placement of the papillae in the midbody region of worms. The name centrid, rather than, e.g. postdeirid, is proposed to be used when denoting asymmetrically oriented midbody sensilla among the Ascaridida and papillae, when shown homologous to these, of species within the Rhabditea generally. This proposal is in line with the name "Mittelk?rperpapillen" originally adopted to denote homologous sensillae in Cucullanidae (Seuratoidea) by T?rnquist in 1931.     

New species of Kiluluma Skrjabin, 1916 (Nematoda: Strongylida) from the white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simium (Burchell), with a redescription of K. solitaria Thapar, 1924

Three species of Kiluluma Skrjabin, 1916 were identified in Ceratotherium simium (Burchell) from a captive population in New South Wales, Australia, based on analysis of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of ribosomal DNA. One species was identified as K. solitaria Thapar, 1924 and is redescribed. A second species is new and is described here as K. ceratotherii n. sp. The third species is new but was represented by two individuals only and is described but is not named.     

The life-cycle of Plagiorchis maculosus (Rudolphi, 1802) Braun, 1902 (Trematoda: Plagiorchiidae), a parasite of swallows (Hirundinidae)

During 1984 eggs of Plagiorchis maculosus were obtained from the faeces of naturally infested nestlings of Hirundo rustica and Delichon urbica near Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany. Developmental stages and adults were reared in the laboratory using Lymnaea stagnalis and Radix auricularia for daughter-sporocysts and cercariae, larvae of Chaoborus for metacercariae, and a canary for adults. Eggs from the faeces of the canary were reared once more up to the metacercarial stage for comparison. Infection experiments were negative with Radix peregra and Galba palustris as first intermediate hosts and chickens as final hosts. The stages of the life-cycle are figured and described in detail, including the chaetotaxy of the cercaria. Characteristics distinguishing P. maculosus from related species are discussed. A medium for in vitro excystation of metacercariae is presented. It is suggested that the range of the final hosts and the geographical distribution of P. maculosus be reconsidered in the light of study of its larval stages. ac]19860715     

Ultrastructure of the contact surfaces of Passalurus ambiguus (Rudolphi, 1819) (Nematoda)

The ultrastructure of the contact surfaces (integument and intestinal wall) of the nematode Passalurus ambiguus has been studied. The integument is composed according to the scheme common for all nematodes and includes a cuticle, hypodermis and a muscular layer. The specificity is with regard to the epicuticle, the different number of the cuticular sublayers in the anterior, central and the posterior parts of the worm body and the absence of a basal cuticular membrane. The intestinal wall consists of epithelial cells with microvilli. The ultrastructural characteristics of both contact surfaces indicate their main functions--absorption, secretion, transport, protection, movement, etc.     

Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) as a Possible Source of Invasion of Marine Predators with Contracaecum osculatum in the Southern Baltic Sea

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - Sprat is one of the most important fish in the food webs of the open part of the Baltic Sea. It is a crucial element in the diet of predators, which include...     

A new species of Thelastomathidae (Nematoda) a parasite of Neocurtilla claraziana Saussure (Orthoptera,Gryllotalpidae) in Argentina

Gryllophila cephalobulata n. sp. (Nematoda, Thelastomatidae) a parasite of the mole cricket Neocurtilla claraziana (Orthoptera, Gryllotalpidae) isolated in Buenos Aires Province, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by cuticle annulated all along the length of the body; the first ring has 4 lobules, the second one has 14 lobules, the others rings are simple, the stoma is short and has 4 small teeth, the genital papillae are arranged in 5 pairs, of which 3 pairs are preanal and 2 pairs are postanal. The tail appendage of the male is long and filiform.