Spermatological characters of monozoic tapeworms (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), including first data on a species from the Indomalayan catfish

The ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and mature spermatozoon in Lytocestus indicus (Cestoda: Lytocestidae) is described; this is the first representative of this group of monozoic, presumably most basal, tapeworms (Eucestoda) from the Indomalayan region to be documented in this manner. Similarly, as in other caryophyllideans, its spermiogenesis involves the formation of a conical differentiation zone with 2 centrioles associated with striated roots and an intercentriolar body. In the course of the process, 1 of the centrioles develops a free flagellum, which fuses with a cytoplasmic protrusion, whereas the other remains oriented in a cytoplasmic bud. Spermiogenesis is also characterized by the presence of electron-dense material in the early stages of spermiogenesis and a slight rotation of the flagellar bud. The mature spermatozoon of L. indicus is a filiform cell tapered at both extremities that lacks mitochondria; its nucleus has parallel disposition to the axoneme and does not reach up to the posterior extremity of the spermatozoon, which is typical for spermatozoa of the type III pattern. The new data confirm that caryophyllideans share the same type of spermiogenesis that is considered to be plesiomorphic in the Eucestoda. The existing information on spermatological ultrastructure of 8 members for 3 of 4 caryophyllidean families from different host groups (cyprinids and catostomids, both Cypriniformes, and mochokids and clariids, both Siluriformes) from 4 zoogeographical regions (Palearctic, Neotropic, Ethiopian, and Indomalayan regions) demonstrates great uniformity in spermiogenesis and sperm ultrastructure, which does not reflect different taxonomic position of the species studied.     

A new pleuropholid, Gondwanapleuropholis longimaxillaris n. g., n. sp. (Actinopterygii: Teleostei) from the Jurassic of north east Brazil

A basal teleost fish is described for the first time from the Upper Jurassic Pastos Bons Formation, Parnaíba Basin, northeastern Brazil. This new material is identified as a new genus and a new species, Gondwanapleuropholis longimaxillaris. This taxon shares a number of synapomorphies with the pleuropholids. The family Pleuropholidae is confirmed as member of the Teleostei.     

Calixolepis thuli n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) from the wood duck Aix sponsa (Anatidae) in America

Calixolepis thuli n. g., n. sp. is described and figured on the basis of the specimens from the wood duck Aix sponsa (L.) (Anseriformes: Anatidae) from Cuba and the USA. The tapeworm is characterised by: (1) strobila of medium size; (2) deep genital atrium; (3) external accessory sac; (4) unilateral genital pores, with female genital ducts situated anterior to male ducts; and (5) the following characteristic structure of the male and female terminal genitalia: the genital pouch has a stylet and a goblet-like structure, the calix; a cirrus is absent; and the thick-walled copulatory part of the vagina forms vaginal vestibule distally which may open through a vaginal papilla into the genital atrium. Other morphological structures indicate a relationship with species of the genus Sobolevicanthus Spasskii & Spasskaya, 1954 or with Cladogynia Baer, 1938 (Hymenolepididae). The differences between the tapeworms from Cuba and the USA suggest the possible occurrence of various morphological forms of Calixolepis.     

Macropostrongyloides dendrolagi n. sp. and Mbaisonema coronatum n. g., n. sp., two new species of nematodes (Strongyloidea: Cloacinidae) from tree-kangaroos,Dendrolagus spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Irian Jaya,Indonesia

Two new species of strongyloid nematodes are described from tree-kangaroos, Dendrolagus spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Macropostrongyloides dendrolagi n. sp. from the colon of Dendrolagus dorianus (type-host) and D. mbaiso is distinguished from congeners by the presence of a cephalic inflation and paired lateral alae which extend along the body from the cephalic inflation. Mbaisonema coronatum n. g., n. sp., from the stomach of D. mbaiso, is allocated to the tribe Coronostrongylinea Beveridge, 1986, as the buccal capsule is reduced to a sclerotised annulus and the lining is inflated into lip-like lobes at the anterior extremity. The new genus is allied to Popovastrongylus Mawson, 1977, from which it is distinguished by the presence of a labial crown composed of numerous elements.     

Scorpidotrema longistipes n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Scorpis georgiana (Teleostei: Scorpididae) from southern Western Australia

Scorpidotrema longistipes n. g., n. sp. is described from the intestine of Scorpis georgiana Valenciennes (Scorpididae) from off Point Peron, Western Australia. The new genus is distinguished by the combination of a remarkably long and retractable ventral sucker peduncle, a possible uroproct, well-developed cirrus-sac and a uterine seminal receptacle. The subfamilial relationships of the new genus are troublesome. It incorporates features of the Opecoelinae, Stenakrinae and Plagioporinae. The absence of a canalicular seminal receptacle suggests a relationship with the Opecoelinae and Stenakrinae, whereas the well-developed cirrus-sac suggests a relationship with the Plagioporinae and Stenakrinae. The overall arrangement of the gonads is not similar to that of existing genera of Stenakrinae. It is concluded that the genus is best placed in the Stenakrinae although that subfamily may now be an artificial assemblage. This new genus forms part of a distinctive fauna of trematodes restricted to Australian southern temperate fishes.     

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.     

Mariauxiella pimelodi n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Monticelliidae): a parasite of pimelodid siluroid fishes from South America

Mariauxiella pimelodi n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda, Monticelliidae, Othinoscolecinae) is described from the South American siluriform fishes Pimelodus ornatus and Pimelodus sp. caught in Brazil and Paraguay. When compared with other genera of South American monticelliids, the new genus exhibits the following morpho-anatomical characters: the particular development of the distal circular musculature of the suckers acting as a sphincter; the medullar ovary projecting numerous lobules into the dorsal cortex; and the uterus situated in the ventral cortex but with numerous outgrowths penetrating the medulla and reaching the dorsal cortex in pregravid proglottids. The new species is the fourth monticelliid cestode recorded from Pimelodus.     

Tunicothrix rostrata n. g., n. sp., a new urostylid ciliate (Ciliophora, Stichotrichia) from the Yellow Sea

The morphology and infraciliature of a new ciliate, Tunicothrix rostrata n. g., n. sp., isolated from the Yellow Sea, are investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation. Tunicothrix rostrata measures about 160 x 40 mum in vivo, and has a frontal beak-like protrusion, a conspicuous cortical alveolar layer, two right marginal rows, and usually three distinct midventral pairs. The discovery of T. rostrata enables us to reconsider the classification of Erniella wilberti, a curious ciliate with obscure midventral pairs. Both species are highly similar in overall appearance and nuclear and ciliary pattern. Thus, they are united in a new genus of the family Urostylidae, Tunicothrix, and E. wilberti is transferred to Tunicothrix: Tunicothrix wilbertiLin and Song, 2004 n. comb. By contrast, Erniella filiformis, type species of Erniella, has several ventral rows and does not belong to the urostylids. Tunicothrix rostrata is easily distinguished from T. wilberti by its beak-like anterior protrusion and by the distinctly elongated right marginal row 2, which curves anteriorly on the dorsal side of the cells. Tunicothrix is closely related to Parabirojimia, differing by the invariably two (vs. five-eight) right marginal rows and the conspicuous (vs. ordinary) alveolar layer, a unique feature in urostylid ciliates.     

A description of Cinclotaenia georgievi n. sp. (Cestoda: Dilepididae), a tapeworm from the dipper Cinclus cinclus (L.) (Passeriformes: Cinclidae)

Cinclotaenia sp., described originally by Georgiev & Genov (1985) from the dipper Cinclus cinclus (L.) in Bulgaria, has recently been identified from the same host in the Carpathian Mountains in the Slovak Republic. This tapeworm is considered to be a new species, which is named C. georgievi n. sp. It is characterised by: a scolex armed with 23-27 (predominantly 24-26) hooks in two rows; hooks 30.5-36 microm long, with a blade 10-13.5 microm long and resembling in shape the diorchoid hooks of hymenolepidids; irregularly alternating genital pores with simple genital atria; a slightly conical cirrus armed by small spines of up to 3 microm in length; 24-51 testes posterior to a bi-alate, branched ovary; a gravid uterus filled with egg packets; and eggs with filaments. C. georgievi n. sp. differs from the closely-related C. tarnogradskii (Dinnik, 1927) in the slightly higher number of rostellar hooks, which have longer blades, and a larger cirrus.     

Macropodicoptes mironovi n. g., n. sp. (Acariformes: Sarcoptidae), a new mange mite from Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest) (Diprotodonia: Macropodidae)

A new mange mite species, Macropodicoptes mironovi n. g., n. sp. (Acariformes: Sarcoptidae), is described from Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest) (Diprotodontia: Macropodidae) from the Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, NSW, Australia. This is the fourth species and third genus allocated to the sarcoptid subfamily Diabolicoptinae, whose representatives exclusively parasitise marsupials. The new genus differs from Diabolicoptes Fain & Domrow, 1974, in both sexes, by the proportions of the gnathosoma, the shape of many hysterosomal setae and the absence of setae e1, pRII-II, sRIII and solenidion ω3I; and, in males, by the lack of fusion of coxal apodemes I.