Esquamula lacrimiformis n. g., n. sp., a New Member of Thaumatomonads that Lacks Siliceous Scales

We report a new naked cercozoan flagellate, Esquamula lacrimiformis n. g., n. sp., collected from a sandy beach in Japan. Its cells were 4.5–11.3 μm in length and 3.9–8.8 μm in width and possess two unequal flagella. Cells move in a smooth gliding motion and have a trailing long posterior flagellum. Phylogenetic analyses with small and large subunit ribosomal RNA genes revealed that E. lacrimiformis forms a novel lineage within the Thaumatomonadida, the members of which are flagellates with siliceous scales. However, our light and electron microscopic observations indicated that E. lacrimiformis cells do not possess any siliceous structures. Furthermore, other morphological characteristics, such as the shape of the extrusomes and the structural arrangement of the microbody, were clearly different from those of previously described thaumatomonads. On the basis of a combination of these morphological observations and our phylogenetic analyses, we conclude that E. lacrimiformis should be treated as a new species of a new genus and placed into a new family, Esquamulidae n. fam., under Thaumatomonadida.     

The flagellates of the termite Hodotermopsis sjoestedti with special reference to Hoplonympha,Holomastigotes and Trichomonoides trypanoides n. comb.

The termite Hodotermopsis sjoestedti harbours a symbiotic fauna of protists comprising at least 11 genera and a much larger number of species. Two oxymonad genera, Pyrsonympha and Dinenympha, are mixed with nine parabasalid genera, two trichomonads, Trichomitopsis termopsidis and Trichomonoides trypanoides n. comb., four spirotrichonymphid genera/species: Spirotrichonympha, Microjoenia, Holomastigotes lanceolata n. sp., Holomastigotes elongatum and three trichonymphid genera/species; Hoplonympha natator, Eucomonympha, Trichonympha. Hoplonympha natator has two anterior symmetrical bundles of ∼60 basal bodies/flagella separated by two parabasal plates. The cell surface is crenelated and covered by Fusiformis bacteria which adhere by a thin ridge of cell-coat. Phagocytosis and digestion of Fusiformis appear likely from electron microscopy observations. Holomastigotes lanceolata has five dexiotropic flagellar lines in the anterior part and only two in the posterior part, one striated root attached to the proximal section of the basal bodies, a striated lamina and a complete axostyle. Trichomonoides trypanoides corresponds to Trichomonas trypanoides Duboscq and Grassé, 1924; it has four anterior flagella and an enlarged recurrent flagellum which is similar to that of Pentatrichomonoides scroa. These results are in agreement with the molecular phylogeny study of Hodotermopsis sjoestedti flagellates by Ohkuma et al. (J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 47 (2000) 249) who found a small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence HsL8 grouping with that of Pentatrichomonoides scroa.     

Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae), from the gills of Himantura walga (Dasyatidae) off Sarawak, Borneo

Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae) is described from the gills of the dwarf whipray Himantura walga (Müller & Henle) collected in marine waters off Sarawak (Borneo), Malaysia. Septesinus n. g. is distinguished from other genera in the Monocotylidae by a combination of characters, including a haptor with one central and seven peripheral loculi, the presence of a highly sinuous ridge surmounting all haptoral septa, four rounded accessory structures on the dorsal surface of the haptor, and the anterior region with two pairs of anteromedian and three pairs of anterolateral gland-duct openings. Septesinus n. g. is accommodated in the Heterocotylinae. Septesinus gibsoni n. sp. is described and fully illustrated, and a key to the genera of Heterocotylinae is provided. The composition of the ridges surrounding the mouth of a number of heterocotyline species and their usefulness as a taxonomic character are examined. The identity of four specimens of Monocotyle Taschenberg, 1878, also recovered from the gills of this host species, is discussed.     

Heptamegacanthus niekerki n. g., n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the south-east African insectivore Chrysospalax trevelyani (Günther, 1875)

Heptamegacanthus niekerki n. g., n. sp. is described from the giant golden mole Chrysospalax trevelyani (Günther, 1875) from south-east Africa. It differs from other genera and species in the family mainly by its smaller size, and the number and greater size of hooks in the anterior ring. The family Oligacanthorhynchidae is briefly discussed and a host-parasite list is given for the family Chrysochloridae.     

Adelphamoeba galeacystis n. g., n. sp., an Amoeboflagellate Isolated from Soil*

SYNOPSIS. An amoeboflagellate isolated from common soil is described. The amoeboid stage is typically limax and contains a well differentiated uroid region. The flagellate has 2 flagella, which emerge anteriorly and are equal in length. It has a ventral cytostome near the anterior border. The cyst is helmet-shaped and without opercula. Polar masses are present during nuclear division.     

Descriptions of Chitwoodius brasiliensis n.sp., Chitwoodius rusticulus n.sp., and Vancterlindia venata n.sp. (Dorylaimida: Tylencholaimidae: Vanderlindiinae)

Chitwoodius brasiliensis n.sp. is described from soil around plant roots in Vicosa, MG State, Brazil. It has a body 1.9 mm (1.6-2.5) long, odontostyle and odontophore 33 μm (31-37) and 34 μm (31-36) long, respectively, and males with spicules 59-61 μm long. Chitwoodius rusticulus n.sp. from Colombian rain forest differs from other species of the genus in having a weakly muscular anterior part of the oesophagus, a pore-like vulva, and an unsclerotized vagina. Vanderlindia venata n.sp. from lucerne soil in South Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, differs from the type and only other known species of its genus in having a smaller and less slender body (L = 3.34 mm [3.15-3.71], a = 50 [46-53]), odontostyle 2.3-2.5 times lip region width long, and stylet guiding ring located at 1.2-1.4 times lip region width from anterior end.     

Cryptobia udonellae sp. n. (Kinetoplastidea: Cryptobiida) - parasites of the excretory system of Udonella murmanica (Udonellida)

A new cryptobiid flagellates, Cryptobia udonellae sp. n., is described from the excretory channels of Udonella murmanica. The body of flagellates is spindle-shaped. The flagellar pocket is subapical. Two flagella emerge from the pocket. One flagellum turns anterior and is forward-directed; the other flagellum is directed posterior and close to the ventral cell surface. The ventral groove is well developed. The cytostome opens just anterior to the flagellar pocket. The cytostome leads to the short cytopharynx. In the excretory channel of worms the flagellates C. udonellae sp. n. are attached to microvilli of epithelium or lay free in the lumen. Both flagellates have been studied with TEM. The unusual parasite system which involves organisms of four different phylums of animals has been described for the first time.     

Structure and Life Cycle of Trypanoplasma beckeri sp. n. (Kinetoplastida), a Parasite of the Cabezon,Scorpaenichthys marmoratus,in Oregon Coastal Waters*,†

SYNOPSIS. Structure of Trypanoplasma beckeri sp. n. from the cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (Ayres), is described from living specimens and from both Giemsa-, and protargol-stained smears. Flagellates from fish blood were usually long and slender, averaging 109.0 × 6.5 fan. The anterior flagellum averaged 8.5 μm; the recurrent flagellum bordered the body and terminated as a very short free flagellum, 2.5 μm long on the average. No true undulating membrane was observed, but in living individuals the recurrent flagellum undulated rapidly near its point of origin. The oval nucleus, averaging 8.5 × 4.0 μm, was located near the anterior cad of the body. An argentophilic, aciculum-like structure appeared to connect the nucleus to the area at the base of the flagella. The kinetoplast was not observed in fish blood forms. On the basis of laboratory experiments, the leech, Malmiana diminuta Burreson, was ascertained to be the vector for T. beckeri. Upon entry into the leech, flagellates became rounded, and division commenced within a few hours. Division continued for ?48 h and the flagellates became progressively smaller until reaching a length of ?10.0 μm. After 72 h they were found in high numbers in the proboscis sheath and also in the anterior crop of the leech. When infected leeches fed on an uninfected fish, flagellates were first observed in the fishes’ peripheral circulation 8 days later.     

Omemeea maxbassiensis n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Galleries of the Bark Beetle Lepersinus californicus Sw. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in North Dakota

Omemeea maxbassiensis n. gen., n. sp. was found inhabiting galleries of a bark beetle, Lepersinus californicus Sw., in green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. The genus differs from all other genera in the subfamily in its uniquely shaped umbrella-like head, distinctive stylet, and location of excretory pore.     

Durettechina beveridgei n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratidae) from Antechinus spp. (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia) from Australia

Durettechina beveridgei n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratidae) is described from Antechinus flavipes (Dasyuridae) from Victoria and New South Wales. A single female from A. bellus from the Northern Territory may also be D. beveridgei. This new genus is compared with other genera of the Echinonematinae, to which it has been assigned. The genus has a unique body armature and most closely resembles Chabaudechina, in the armature of the cephalic bulb, but has four rather than five rows of hooks, and Linstowinema, in having body hooks on the cuticle of the anterior region, but has 18–22 hooks in each row rather than 14–16. The hooks of Durettechina are also smaller and have a less complex root morphology than those of Linstowinema. Durettechina resembles Seurechina and Chabaudechina in having caudal alae into which papillae extend, but differs from both these genera in the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae, as well as in the body armature. Durettechina, is most different from Bainechina, which has neither hooks on a cephalic bulb nor body hooks on the anterior region nor caudal alae.     

Helicotylenchus oleae n. sp. and H. neopaxilli n. sp. (Hoplolaimidae), Two New Spiral Nematodes Parasitic on Olive Trees in Italy

Helicotylenchus oleae n. sp. and H. neopaxilli n. sp., from olive roots and soil in Italy, are described and illustrated. Helicotylenchus oleae can be distinguished from the related species H. canadensis and H. tunisiensis especially by the smaller styler, its distinctive tail shape, and a tail longer than one anal body width. Helicotylenchus neopaxilli differs from the close species H. paxilli by having a conical, anteriorly truncated labial region, shorter stylet, and phasmids always anterior to level of anus. Also illustrated and discussed are histopathological changes within feeder roots of olive caused by the feeding activity of the semi-endoparasitic H. oleae.     

Morphology and phylogeny of Bryophryoides ocellatus n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Colpodea) from in situ soil percolates of Idaho,U.S.A.

We describe the morphology and 18S rDNA phylogeny of Bryophryoides ocellatus n. g., n. sp., a bryophryid ciliate inhabiting in situ soil percolates from Idaho, U.S.A. The new genus is distinguished from other bryophryid genera by a combination of the following features: (1) kreyellid (irregularly meshed) silverline pattern, (2) polymorphic adoral organelles in the preoral suture, (3) absence of vestibular kineties. In phylogenetic analyses, Bryophryoides ocellatus is most closely related to Bryophrya gemmea. The 18S rDNA sequence pairwise distance of 2% between these genera, while similar to that between many colpodidan species, exceeds that between some colpodidan genera (e.g. Mykophagophrys and Pseudoplatyophrya, 1.1%), further supporting establishment of the new genus. Topology hypothesis testing strongly supports the monophyly of the Colpodida including the bryophryids. Despite weak nodal support, tests of topology constraints narrowly reject the non-monophyly of the sequenced Bryophryidae (Bryophrya + Bryophryoides + Notoxoma). Likewise, the monophyletic origin of the sequenced Bryophryidae is indicated in the phylogenetic networks though with low support.     

Platyamoeba stenopodia. n. g., n. sp., a Freshwater Amoeba*

SYNOPSIS. Platyamoeba stenopodia n. g., n. sp., isolated from a lake in Alabama, is an amoeba with flattened form, usually more than 2.5 × as long as broad, the anterior half hyaline and the posterior half granular, with a single vesiculate nucleus at the posterior edge of the hyaline region. It forms a transitory floating stage with slender, hyaline pseudopods. Its cyst is spherical, uninucleate, with a smooth inner wall and a thinner, closely applied outer wall, which is often slightly wrinkled. Length of locomotive amoeba 15–36 μ diameter of cyst 7–11.5 μ Reproduction by binary fission with mesomitotic nuclear division, the nuclear membrane disappearing in prophase. The genus Platyamoeba is erected for amoebae including this organism; the type species is P. placida.     

Two New Diophrys‐Like Genera and Their Type Species,Apodiophrys ovalis n. g., n. sp. and Heterodiophrys zhui n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora: Euplotida), with Notes on Their Molecular Phylogeny

ABSTRACT. Based on both morphological and molecular information, two new euplotid genera Apodiophrys n. g. and Heterodiophrys n. g. are described in the present paper. Apodiophrys n. g. is defined as sculptured Diophryinae with bipartite adoral zone; frontoventral cirri arranged in Diophrys‐pattern; marginal cirri located in two clearly separated groups. Heterodiophrys n. g. is recognizable by the combination of Diophrys‐like frontoventral cirri and the unique structure of several marginal cirri that are arranged in a long row. The type species for both new genera, Apodiophrys ovalis n. sp. and Heterodiophrys zhui n. sp., collected from southern China sea, are described. The small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences for both new taxa are determined. Phylogenetic analyses based on these data indicate that Apodiophrys is most closely related to Paradiophrys, which then clusters with Uronychia species. Thus, Apodiophrys–Paradiophrys is separated from other typical Diophrys‐like genera in the SSU rRNA gene trees. The new genus Heterodiophrys is basal to the sister group of Diophrys–Diophryopsis, hence belongs to the “core”Diophrys‐complex.     

Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp. and Leptomonas spp.: enzymes of ornithine-arginine metabolism

Eight species of trypanosomatid flagellates, Trypanosoma cruzi, T. mega, T. conorhini, Leishmania donovani, L. braziliensis, Leptomonas seymouri, L. collosoma, and L. samueli, were examined for the presence of enzymes of the arginine-ornithine metabolism. Arginase was found in species of the genera Leishmania and Leptomonas. Citrulline hydrolase was found only in species of Leptomonas. Trypanosoma spp. did not present any of the mentioned enzymes. Ornithine carbamoyltransferase and argininosuccinate lyase were found only in Leptomonas samueli, which also possessed arginine deiminase. With the sole exception of L. samueli the other species seem to present a uniform enzyme constitution, peculiar to their genera and different from the enzyme patterns of other genera of trypanosomatids already known. The potential usefulness of these findings for taxonomical purposes is discussed.     

Moniligerum blairi n. g., n. sp. and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Trematoda: Digenea) from the West Indian Manatee,Trichechus manatus L.

Moniligerum n. g. is erected for Moniligerum blairi n. sp. (Opisthotrematidae) and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Nudacotylidae) is described, both from the small intestine of Trichechus manatus L. from Martin County, Florida. The new genus is placed in the family Opisthotrematidae Poche, 1926, subfamily Lankatrematinae Yamaguti, 1958. Moniligerum differs from other genera in the subfamily (Lankatrema Crusz & Fernand, 1954, and Lankatrematoides Blair, 1981) by the possession of an anterior collar and in the form of the ovary (compact and not transversely elongated) and vitellarium (single median lobed mass). Nudacotyle undicola differs from N. valdevaginatus, the most similar species, in body size, the length of the caeca, the shape of the vitellarium and the position of the genital pore, cirrus pouch and ovary.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.     

Chilomastix equi n.sp., from the Intestine of the Indian Horse

Chilomastix equi n.sp., from the intestine of the Indian horse is described. The normal shape of the body is pyriform, posteriorly drawn out into a spike. The spiral groove is U-shaped and runs from one lateral side to the other. The nucleus is either ovoidal or spheroidal with an eccentric endo-some. Four blepharoplasts are present from which arise the anterior flagella, the cytostomal flagellum and the cytostomal fibrils. The arrangement of the four blepharoplasts differs markedly from the other known species, three being on the anterior border located in one row and the fourth adjacent to the nucleus. The three anterior flagella, arising from the first three anterior blepharoplasts, run backwards. The cytostomal flagellum arises from the fourth blepharoplast and rarely protrudes beyond the broad cytostome. The cytostome has a peculiar shape which distinguishes it from other species. The dimensions of the new species range (in microns) 15.7 to 31.5 in total length, 8.5 to 16.5 in body length proper, 6.0 to 15.5 in breadth and 4.0 to 17.0 in the length of the spike.     

Light and Electron Microscopic Description of a Colorless Euglenoid,Serpenomonas costata n. g., n. sp.1

ABSTRACT. A new genus of rigid, colorless, phagotrophic euglenoid is described from a standing pond on a salt marsh. The cell body measures 21–25 μm long, is about 18 μm wide, has a slight dorso-ventral flattening, and is marked by distinct pellicular ridges. The organism, described as Serpenomonas costata, has two unequal, antapically inserted, heterodynamic flagella. The shorter flagellum is anteriorly directed during swimming and the longer one trails posteriorly. Cells move along the substrate with a creeping motion. The ingestion apparatus is composed of separate ribs extending the length of the cell and is incorporated into the ventral pellicular ridge. The apparatus is independent of the canal and reservoir and is not protrusible. The taxonomic affinities of Serpenomonas with other euglenoids are discussed.     

Cetorhinicola n. g., Shirleyrhynchus n. g. and Stragulorhynchus n. g., three new genera of trypanorhynch cestodes from elasmobranchs in Australian waters

Three new genera of trypanorhynch cestodes are described from Australian elasmobranchs: Cetorhinicola acanthocapax n. g., n. sp. from Cetorhinus maximus (Gunner, 1765), with four bothridia joined by avelum, a typical heteroacanthous armature with the ends of the hook rows not meeting on the external surface, and enlarged hooks on the base of the tentacle; Shirleyrhynchus butlerae n. g., n. sp., from Dasyatis fluviorum Ogilby, 1908 and D. sephen (Forsskal, 1775), with four bothridia, typical heteroacanthous armature, enlarged basal hooks, testes in linear rows, and lacking seminal vesicles; Stragulorhynchus orectologi n. g., n. sp., from Orectolobus tentaculatus (Peters, 1864) (type-host), O. maculatus (Bonnaterre, 1788) and O. ornatus (de Vis, 1882), with four bothridia, poeciloacanthous armature, with a band of hooklets on the external surface of the tentacle, external seminal vesicle, hermaphroditic duct, accessory seminal vesicle and post-ovarian testes. None of the new genera is readily accommodated by the existing classification of the Trypanorhyncha: the first two genera are tentatively allocated to the Gilquiniidae and the last to the Gymnorhynchidae.