The Synthesium Brachycladiidae Odhner, 1905 (Digenea) association with hosts based on nuclear and mitochondrial genes

Synthesium pontoporiae, exclusive parasite of the endangered dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic and restricted to the South Atlantic and belongs to the Brachycladiidae family Odhner, 1905. The study of this family has been limited by the difficulty of accessing the parasites from their marine mammal hosts and as a consequence there is a paucity of genetic information available. Herein we present a genetic analysis using 18S rDNA sequences of S. pontoporiae and S. tursionis and the ND3 mtDNA sequence of S. pontoporiae. The genetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences of brachycladiids and acanthocolpids determined two major clusters associated with their definitive hosts, marine mammals and fishes, respectively. Considering the tree topology of brachycladiids ND3 mtDNA gene, two clusters were defined, one with the Synthesium species. This work contributes with fundamental genetic information on S. pontoporiae, and suggests a Brachycladiidae genetic evolution related to their hosts.     

Argentophilic structures of the miracidia and cercariae of Philophthalmus distomatosa n. comb. from Israel

The morphology and patterns of distribution of the argentophilic structures of miracidia and cercariae of Philophthalmus distomatosa n. comb. are described. The epidermal plate arrangement of the vast majority (94.2%) of miracidia studied conformed to the formula 6:8:4:2 = 20. The rest (5.8%) displayed the following patterns of arrangement of epidermal plates: 6:7:4:2 = 19; 6:6:4:2 = 18; and 6:4:4:2 = 16. Twenty papillalike structures were observed on the terebratorium. They were arranged along 1 axis, in 3 groups. Most commonly, 16 papillae were present on the body, located between epidermal plates of the first and second rows. The eye spots were located dorsally, near interepidermal space S1. The numbers, arrangements, and locations of the excretory pores varied. Patterns of distribution of the tegumentary papillae of P. distomatosa n. comb. cercariae are given, including those of the cephalic regions, periacetabular region, and tail. Argentophilic structures of the mentioned larval stages and of other parameters clearly distinguishing between the presently described species and those of P. lucipetus from Israel are summarized. On the basis of comparison of the presently described larval stages and those of other Melanoides tuberculata-associated larval stages of Philophthalmus in Israel and Jordan, the possibility exists that a third species occurs in Israel.     

Molecular Phylogeny and Surface Morphology of Marine Archigregarines (Apicomplexa), Selenidium spp., Filipodium phascolosomae n. sp., and Platyproteum n. g. and comb. from North-Eastern Pacific Peanut Worms (Sipuncula)

ABSTRACT. The trophozoites of two novel archigregarines, Selenidium pisinnus n. sp. and Filipodium phascolosomae n. sp., were described from the sipunculid Phascolosoma agassizii . The trophozoites of S. pisinnus n. sp. were relatively small (64–100 μm long and 9–25 μm wide), had rounded ends, and had about 21 epicytic folds per side. The trophozoites of F. phascolosomae n. sp. were highly irregular in shape and possessed hair-like surface projections. The trophozoites of this species were 85–142 μm long and 40–72 μm wide and possessed a distinct longitudinal ridge that extended from the mucron to the posterior end of the cell. In addition to the small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences of these two species, we also characterized the surface morphology and SSU rDNA sequence of Selenidium orientale , isolated from the sipunculid Themiste pyroides . Molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that S. pisinnus n. sp. and S. orientale formed a strongly supported clade within other Selenidium and archigregarine-like environmental sequences. Filipodium phascolosomae n. sp. formed the nearest sister lineage to the dynamic, tape-like gregarine Selenidium vivax . Overall, these data enabled us to reassess the molecular systematics of archigregarines within sipunculid hosts and make the following revisions: (1) Filipodium was transferred from the Lecudinidae (eugregarines) to the Selenidiidae (archigregarines), and (2) Platyproteum n. g. was established for Platyproteum vivax n. comb. (ex. S. vivax ) in order to account for the highly divergent morphological features and better resolved phylogenetic position of this lineage.     

Gastrointestinal helminths of the cetaceans Phocoena spinipinnis (Burmeister, 1865) and Cephalorhynchus eutropia (Gray, 1846) from the southern coast of Chile.

Gastrointestinal helminths of the cetaceans Cephalorhynchus eutropia and Phocoena spinipinnis accidentally entangled in gillnets off the coast of Queule, Chile, were identified from 1989 to 1990. Pseudoterranova sp., Polymorphus (Polymorphus) cetaceum and Synthesium tursionis occurred in both cetaceans. Additionally, Anisakis sp. and Braunina cordiformis were found in C. eutropia, and Anisakis simplex was identified from P. spinipinnis. The species with the highest prevalence and mean intensity of infection in P. spinipinnis and C. eutropia were P. (P.) cetaceum and B. cordiformis, respectively. The diet of both cetaceans consists mainly of fishes.     

Heliconema minnanensis n. sp. (Physalopteroidae: Physalopteridae) and Raphidascaris trichiuri (Yin and Zhang) n. comb. (Ascaridoidea: Anisakidae) in marine fishes.

Heliconema minnanensis n. sp. is described from the Chiloscyllium plagiosum south of the Minnan-Taiwan Bank Fishing Ground, Taiwan Strait. It is characterized by having the following combination of features. There are no longitudinal ridges in the posterior part of the body; the male has 4 pairs of precloacal papillae and 6-7 pairs of postcloacal papillae. The right spicule averages 0.2 mm long (1.1% of body length), and the left spicule averages 1.2 mm long (5.6% of body length), making an average spicule ratio of 1:5.2. The female has a vulva located on the left side of a thick membrane and 56-65% of the body length from the anterior end. Raphidascaris trichiuri (Yin and Zhang, 1983) comb. n., known previously from males only, is transferred from Cloeoascaris and redescribed, including material of both sexes from Muraenesox cinereus from the type locality.     

Bathygrillotia n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with redescriptions of B. rowei (Campbell, 1977) n. comb. and B. kovalevae (Palm, 1995) n. comb.

Bathygrillotia n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) is erected for B. rowei (Campbell, 1977) n. comb. and B. kovalevae (Palm, 1995) n. comb. The new genus is based on the possession of two bothria, an atypical, heteroacanthous, heteromorphous armature with longitudinal files of hooks on the external surface of the tentacle associated with each principal row, each consisting of a large anterior hook followed by two smaller hooks. Bathygrillotia is allocated to the Lacistorhynchoidea Guiart, 1927 and its relationships with Grillotia Guiart, 1927 are discussed.     

Sequence analysis of a pea comb locus on chicken chromosome 1

To facilitate gene identification, this study aimed to narrow the scope of the genome region affecting chicken comb type by using two bird populations. First, an F₂ resource population was generated by crossing Japanese game fowl (Shamo; pea comb, P/p and P/P) with White Plymouth Rock (single comb, p/p). Comb types of the 240 F₂ offspring produced by an F₁ intercross between eight males and 57 females were segregated at a ratio of 3:1 (pea:single). The pea comb locus was mapped to a chromosomal region on Gallus gallus chromosome 1 that was flanked by microsatellite markers MCW0112, MCW0019 and ABR521. The second population (five‐generation, n=1300 animals) was derived from a cross between Shamo and Rhode Island Red (single comb, p/p) that had been genotyped for additional polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellite markers within this region through development of chicken draft sequences. To close some gaps in these draft sequences, we constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome contig and sequenced it using the shotgun sequencing technique. Chickens selected from pedigrees in these populations were grouped by inheritance of a P or p haplotype at the locus constructed by the additional markers. Finally, this locus was fine‐mapped to roughly 60 kb based on the association of haplotypes and comb types. Chicken genome sequences suggest that the most likely polymorphism responsible for the pea comb locus is a duplicated sequence and that the sex determining region Y‐box 5 gene, one predicted gene and one expressed sequence tag in a critical region may be associated with the duplicated sequence.     

Observations on the life cycle of Carneophallus brevicaeca (Africa et Garcia 1935) comb. n. (Digenea: Microphallidae).

Metacercariae of Carneophallus brevicaeca (Africa et Garcia 1935) comb. n. from the muscles of naturally infected shrimps, Macrobrachium sp., were force-fed to laboratory-reared 4- to 5-day-old albino rats and day-old chicks. Ovigerous worms were recovered from the small intestines of the rats after 1 to 5 days, and gradually disappeared in 10 days. Only 1 of 10 chicks was positive 24 hr after exposure. These findings contribute to out knowledge of the mode of transmission, prevention, and control of this medically important trematode in some regions of the Philippines where raw Macrobrachium sp. is consumed.     

Morphology and Infraciliature of a Marine Scuticociliate with a Polymorphic Life Cycle: Urocryptum tortum n. gen., n. comb.

A new genus and species combination are proposed for Urocryptum tortum n. gen., n. comb., a scuticociliate with a polymorphic life cycle. This marine ciliate was isolated from a sample taken at Gokasho Bay in Mie Prefecture (Japan). Specimens from different phases of the growth cycle were examined in vivo and with two silver staining techniques. Three life-history stages were observed: an exponential growth phase stage (trophont), a stationary phase stage (tomite), and finally a resting stage (cyst). The exponential growth form is laterally flattened and ovoid; it has 20-24 somatic kineties (SK) and a typical complement of scuticociliate oral structures. Polykinetid 1 (Pk1) has two longitudinal files of 6 kinetosomes (Ks); sometimes one or two additional kinetosomes are located anteriorly. Polykinetid 2 (Pk2) has two files of 6 or 7 Ks; a third file of three widely spaced kinetosomes is located on its right side, as well as a small curved row of 5 Ks positioned on the right hand side of the posterior end of Pk2. Polykinetid 3 (Pk3) has 3 rows of 4, 5, and 7 Ks's perpendicular to the haplokinety (Hk) or paroral membrane. The stationary growth phase cell is spindle-shaped and has a similar number of SK that are much more closely spaced than in exponentially growing specimens. Oral infraciliary structures are reduced in size, having fewer kinetosomes and being positioned more anteriorly in the cell. Pk1 is composed of two files of 5-Ks, Pk2 has only two files of 6-7 Ks, and Pk3 has two to three rows of 3-4 Ks. The Hk is displaced anteriorly and becomes straight, losing the shape typical of exponential growth phase cells. Cysts are pyriform with a wide cyst wall; no infraciliary structures were visible.     

Redescription of a poorly known marine ciliate, Leptoamphisiella vermis Gruber, 1888 n. g., n. comb. (ciliophora, stichotrichia, pseudoamphisiellidae), from the Yellow Sea, China

Leptoamphisiella vermisGruber, 1888 n. g., n. comb. (basionym Epiclintes vermisGruber, 1888) is an extraordinarily large and worm-like marine stichotrichous ciliate. Based on a population isolated recently from coastal waters of Qingdao, China, the living morphology and infraciliature are redescribed and its taxonomic position is defined. Accordingly, a new diagnosis for this species is suggested: large, marine Leptoamphisiella with a conspicuous layer of pellicular alveoli; 400-1000 microm x 40-70 microm in vivo; body band-like, highly flexible; about 40 membranelles; always three frontal and two buccal cirri; 52-80 transverse cirri (TC) extending to the posterior end of the buccal field; 57-79 left midventral and 44-62 right midventral cirri; 62-102 cirri in left and 63-91 cirri in right marginal rows (MR); 9-13 dorsal kineties that extend the full body length; about 100 macronuclear nodules and 5-13 micronuclei. The diagnosis for the new genus is as follows: vermiform Pseudoamphisiellidae with strongly contractile body, differentiated frontal, buccal, and highly developed TC; two remarkably separated midventral rows; one MR on each side of the body; frontoterminal and caudal cirri absent. Leptoamphisiella vermis n. comb. is fixed as the type species of the new genus.     

Morphology and infraciliature of a new marine ciliate Euplotidium smalli n. sp. with description of a new genus,Paraeuplotidium n. g. (Ciliophora,Euplotida)

The morphology and infraciliature of a new hypotrichous ciliate, Euplotidium smalli n. sp., isolated from eutrophic coastal water in Korea, were observed in living cells and investigated using the protargol impregnation technique. This new ciliate bears 13-14 frontoventral cirri, 7 transverse cirri, and 5-6 dorsal kineties. Neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirrus is present. The new species differs from the related species, Euplotidium agitatum Noland, 1937 in the different number of frontoventral and transverse cirri and different body shape. With the exception of Euplotidium agitatum, the known species of the genus Euplotidium Noland, 1937 with the presence of left marginal cirrus are assigned to a new genus, Paraeuplotidium n. g. Diagnosis of Paraeuplotidium is: Gastrocirrhidae with funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; left marginal cirrus present. Paraeuplotidium itoi (Ito, 1958) n. comb. is designated here the type species. Four additional species are included: Paraeuplotidium psammophilus (Vacelet, 1961) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium arenarium (Magagnini & Nobili, 1964) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium helgae (Hartwig, 1980) n. comb., and Paraeuplotidium prosaltans (Tuffrau, 1985) n. comb. An improved generic diagnosis of Euplotidium is suggested based on morphology and infraciliature characters: marine hypotrichs with a funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirri present.     

Spirocamallanus cricotus sp. n. and S. halitrophus sp. n. (Nematoda: Camallanidea) from fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Spirocamallanus cricotus sp. n. (= S. pereirai, in part) and S. halitrophus sp. n. are described from marine fishes of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Spirocamallanus cricotus has a ledge anterior to the basal ring in the buccal capsule, similar spicules with a ratio of 1:1.4 to 2.1, 3 pre- and 5 postcloacal papillae, and 8 rectal glands in the female; S. halitrophus lacks the ledge and possesses dissimilar spicules with a ratio of 1:1.3 to 1.8, 3 pre- and 6 postcloacal papillae, and 4 rectal glands in the female.     

A new monozoic tapeworm, Lobulovarium longiovatum n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), from barbs Puntius spp. (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in the Indomalayan region

A new caryophyllidean cestode is described from barbs Puntius spp. (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), with P. sophore (Hamilton) as its type-host, in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins in India and Bangladesh, and a new genus, Lobulovarium n. g., is proposed to accommodate it. The genus belongs to the Lytocestidae because its vitelline follicles are situated in the cortex. It is typified by: (i) a peculiar ovary, which is roughly H-shaped, but with asymmetrical, irregular lobes on its ventral and dorsal sides; (ii) an extensive vitellarium formed by numerous vitelline follicles scattered throughout the cortex; (iii) a long, conical postovarian part of the body with numerous vitelline follicles; (iv) a broadly digitate scolex with a slightly protrusible central cone; (v) a single gonopore (male and female genital ducts open via a single pore and a common genital atrium is absent); and (vi) a small number of testes (< 60). Molecular data (partial sequences of the lsrDNA) indicate that Lobulovarium longiovatum n. sp. belongs among the most basal caryophyllidean cestodes, being unrelated to species from siluriform catfishes in the Indomalayan region. Paracaryophyllaeus osteobramensis (Gupta & Sinha, 1984) Hafeezullah, 1993 (syn. Pliovitellaria osteobramensis Gupta & Sinha, 1984) from another cyprinid fish, Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton), in Uttar Pradesh, India, is tentatively transferred to Lobulovarium as L. osteobramense (Gupta & Sinha, 1984) n. comb. It differs from L. longiovatum by having much smaller eggs (length <50 μm versus >90 μm in L. longiovatum), which are spherical (length/width ratio 1:1 versus 2.5-3:1 in the new species), and the presence of vitelline follicles alongside the ovarian lobes (almost completely absent in L. longiovatum).     

Sundapolystoma chalconotae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from Rana chalconota (Schlegel) of Peninsular Malaysia

Sundapolystoma chalconotae. n. g., n. sp. (Polystomatidae, Polystomatinae) is proposed for a new polystomatid from the urinary bladder of Rana chalconota (Schlegel) in Peninsular Malaysia. This is the first species of polystomatid to be described from the amphibians of Peninsular Malaysia and the second for the Southeast Asian region. This new genus, as exemplified by S. chalconotae, differs from other polystomatids, and in particular Parapolystoma Ozaki, 1935 (P. bulliense (Johnston, 1912) Ozaki, 1935 and P. johnstoni Pichelin, 1995), in having a tubular uterus and a single diffuse testis. P. crooki Vande Vusse, 1976 is similar to S. chalconotae in having a similar type of uterus and testis, and is re-assigned as Sundapolystoma crooki (Vande Vusse, 1976) n. comb. S. chalconotae differs from S. crooki in having anchors with a longer outer root rather than a longer inner root and 7-8 genital spines compared to 9-13 in S. crooki.     

Proemotobothrium n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with the redescription of P. linstowi (Southwell, 1912) n. comb. and description of P. southwelli n. sp.

A new genus, Proemotobothrium (Trypanorhyncha: Otobothriidae), is erected to contain P. linstowi (Southwell, 1912) n. comb. (syn. Otobothrium magnum Southwell, 1924) and P. southwelli n. sp. The new genus is characterised by two bothridia, paired bothridial pits, an acraspedote scolex, elongate bulbs, four hooks per principal row, hooks 4 (4') being small and uncinate, a single, filiform, intercalary hook between each principal row and by the arrangement, in tandem, of the two or three extra hooks of the armature of the external surface of the tentacle, a pattern previously known only in the family Mixodigmatidae. The two species are distinguished from one another on the basis of measurements of the scolex and bulbs, the sizes of the hooks of the principal rows and by the number and size of the additional hooks in the linear arrays on the external surface of the tentacle.     

Tadaridanema delicatus (Schwartz, 1927) n. gen., n. comb. (Trichostrongylina: Molineidae) parasite of Molossidae bats

On the basis of the revision of the type material of Anoplostrongylus delicatus Schwartz, 1927, and new specimens collected from Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana (Saussure, 1860) in 4 arid localities from Mexico, we describe a new genus (Tadaridanema n. gen.), to which A. delicatus is transferred (as Tadaridanema delicatus (Schwartz, 1927) n. gen., n. comb.). This new genus differs from all other genera included in Anoplostrongylinae by having ray 2 larger than ray 3. In addition, T. delicatus can be differentiated from the type species of Anoplostrongylus (Anoplostrongylus paradoxus (Travassos, 1918)) because it possess vestibular branches equal in length, cephalic inflation divided into 2 regions, and synlophe with many small ridges at the midbody level, whereas in T. delicatus, vestibular branches are equal in size, cephalic inflation is simple in structure, and the synlophe has only 2 well-developed dorsal cuticular ridges.     

Bacillus penetrans n. comb. Causing a virulent disease of plant-parasitic nematodes

The prokaryotic and bacterial nature of the incitant of a lethal disease of economically important plant-parasitic nematodes was confirmed by electron microscopy. The organism (formerly Duboscqia penetrans Thorne, Microsporea: Protozoa) was renamed Bacillus penetrans n. comb., Bacillaceae. B. penetrans produces an endospore typical of Bacillus spp., and its life cycle and spore morphology are similar to B. popilliae and B. lentimorbus, the “milky disease” organisms of insects. It differs from the latter pathogens in spore shape, in the dichotomously-branched colonies formed in the host pseudocoelom by nonseparating vegetative cells, and in that the spores are not known to be ingested by nematodes. Substantial reductions in Pratylenchus scribneri populations and in root-knot disease of tomato were obtained in glasshouse tests with the pathogen. Endospore production in vivo presents the first possibility of biological control of pest nematodes with inoculum of a highly specific virulent pathogen.     

Tetrapetalonema (T.) panamensis (McCoy, 1936) comb. n. (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) in Colombian primates, with a description of the adults.

Microfilaria panamensis McCoy, 1936 was identified in the blood of Cebus apella, C. capucinus, C. albifrous, and Saguinus oedipus from various regions in Colombia. Adult worms, recovered from the subcutaneous connective tissues of C. apella and S. oedipus, were identified with this microfilaria and are described as Tetrapetalonema (T.) panamensis (McCoy, 1936) comb. n. This nematode is smaller configuration of the female tail and in the appearance of the spicules, and T. barbascalensis which differs in the placement of the vulva relative to the base of the esophagus and in the structure of the right spicule. The spicular ratio of T. panamensis (1.6 to 2.1) is lower than that of any other member of the subgenus (2.6 to 10.8). The host induced and/or geographic variation of microfilariae and adults of T. panamensis is discussed.