Brain infecting kudoids of Australia's coral reefs, including a description of Kudoa lemniscati n. sp. (Myxosporea: Kudoidae) from Lutjanus lemniscatus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

A survey of the myxosporean fauna of Australian marine fishes revealed the presence of a number of putative species of Kudoidae (Multivalvulida) forming pseudocysts between the outer meningeal layer and the outer surface of the brains of the lutjanids Caesio cuning, Lutjanus carponotatus, Lutjanus ehrenbergii and Lutjanus fulviflamma and the mugilid Liza vaigiensis from Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and Lutjanus lemniscatus off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Morphometric data combined with Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses of small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was used for species identification and to explore relationships among these taxa. The brain-infecting taxa examined here formed a well-supported clade to the exclusion of non-brain infecting species in the phylogenetic analyses. The combined diagnostic approach identified an undescribed taxon, Kudoa lemniscati n. sp., from the brain of L. lemniscatus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, which we describe and characterise here. K. lemniscati n. sp. can be distinguished from all other species of Kudoa based on the combination of the distinct tropism for forming pseudocysts in the brain tissue, spores with 7 or 8 equal shell valves and 7 or 8 polar capsules, spore size and the differences in the SSU and LSU rDNA sequence data relative to other kudoids. Kudoa chaetodoni was found in the lutjanids C. cuning and L. carponotatus, expanding the known host range for this species to include chaetodontids and lutjanids. L. ehrenbergii and L. fulviflamma were infected with Kudoa lethrini off Lizard Island, a parasite previously known only from lethrinids. Specimens putatively identified as Kudoa yasunagai from Liza vaigiensis and Lutjanus ehrenbergii were morphologically similar and genetically identical over the SSU rDNA dataset to previously reported specimens, but differed by 4 to 11 nucleotides over the LSU dataset from the remaining isolates examined here. While these data are not definitive, they suggest the presence of a K. yasunagai complex.     

Cryptic species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euryakaina</Emphasis> n. g. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from sympatric lutjanids in the Indo-West Pacific

A survey of the endohelminth fauna of Indo-West Pacific Lutjanidae (Perciformes) revealed the presence of the species Siphoderina manilensis (Velasquez, 1961) Miller & Cribb, 2008 and S. marina (Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970) Miller & Cribb, 2008 in seven Lutjanus spp. from sites off the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, New Caledonia and Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. A combination of morphological and ribosomal DNA analyses of these cryptogonimids prompted the transfer of these taxa to a new genus, Euryakaina n. g., as E. manilensis n. comb. and E. marina n. comb., based on comparative analysis with other cryptogonimid taxa. Euryakaina n. g. is distinguished from all other cryptogonimid genera by the combination of a fusiform body, the few relatively small, widely spaced oral spines (sometimes absent), a highly lobed ovary, opposite to slightly oblique testes, vitelline follicles that extend from the anterior margin of the testes to slightly posterior to the intestinal bifurcation, and an excretory vesicle that bifurcates dorsal to the ovary and reunites briefly slightly posterior to the intestinal bifurcation. Morphometric analysis of these taxa alone suggests they should be reduced to synonymy, but DNA sequence analyses and ecological niche partitioning provide evidence that they form a cryptic species complex in sympatric lutjanids in the Indo-West Pacific. The secondary structure of the ITS2 rDNA for species of Euryakaina was also modelled and analysed for the presences of compensatory base changes (CBCs) or hemi-CBCs in order to explore the usefulness of these changes as a tool to help elucidate the taxonomy of this complex system. We also report what we interpret here as intraspecific variation in the ITS2 rDNA between individuals of E. manilensis from Lutjanus vitta recovered off the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.     

Dactylogyrids (Monogenoidea) parasitizing the gills of spinefoots (Teleostei: Siganidae): proposal of Glyphidohaptor n. gen., with two new species from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and G. plectocirra n. comb. from Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt

Nine species of Siganus (Perciformes: Siganidae) were examined for dactylogyrids (Monogenoidea) from the Red Sea, Egypt; the Great Barrier Reef, Australia; and the South China Sea, China. Species of Tetrancistrum were found on siganids from all 3 localities; Pseudohaliotrema spp. were restricted to siganids from the Great Barrier Reef; and species representing Glyphidohaptor n. gen. were found on siganids from the Red Sea and Great Barrier Reef. Siganus argenteus from the Red Sea and Siganus vulpinus from the Great Barrier Reef were negative for dactylogyrid parasites. Glyphidohaptor n. gen. is proposed for 3 species (2 species new to science) and the new species are described: Glyphidohaptor phractophallus n. sp. from Siganus fuscescens from the Great Barrier Reef; Glyphidohaptor sigani n. sp. from Siganus doliatus (type host), Siganus punctatus, Siganus corallinus, and Siganus lineatus from the Great Barrier Reef; and Glyphidohaptor plectocirra (Paperna, 1972) n. comb. (= Pseudohaliotrema plectocirra Paperna, 1972) from Siganus luridus and Siganus rivulatus from the Red Sea.     

Taxonomy, host-specificity and biogeography of Symmetrovesicula Yamaguti, 1938 (Digenea: Fellodistomidae) from chaetodontids (Teleostei: Perciformes) in the tropical Indo-west Pacific region

Combined molecular and morphological data demonstrate the presence of two species of Symmetrovesicula Yamaguti, 1938 in chaetodontid fishes from Australian waters. A total of 2,462 individuals of 46 species of chaetodontid at eight localities were dissected. Analysis of the rDNA ITS2 revealed the presence of three genotypes, two separated by a single base difference and the third differed from the other two by 10-11 base differences. Subsequent morphological examination identified a number of variations that supported the presence of two species; however, we found no additional evidence to support the presence of a third species corresponding to the single base variation. Thus, we take the conservative approach of recognising two species of Symmetrovesicula within Australian waters, S. chaetodontis Yamaguti, 1938 from off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia and S. gracilis n. sp. from off Ningaloo Reef, the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland and New Caledonia. Both species exhibit distinct restrictions to certain clades of chaetodontids.     

CONSPECIFICITY AND INDO-PACIFIC DISTRIBUTION OF SYMBIODINIUM GENOTYPES (DINOPHYCEAE) FROM GIANT CLAMS

We previously reported the occurrence of genetically‐diverse symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) within and between 7 giant clam species (Tridacnidae) from the Philippines based on the algal isolates' allozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns. We also reported that these isolates all belong to clade A of the Symbiodinium phylogeny with identical 18S rDNA sequences. Here we extend the genetic characterization of Symbiodinium isolates from giant clams and propose that they are conspecific. We used the combined DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 regions (rDNA‐ITS region) because the ITS1 and ITS2 regions evolve faster than 18S rDNA and have been shown to be useful in distinguishing strains of other dinoflagellates. DGGE of the most variable segment of the rDNA‐ITS region, ITS1, from clonal representatives of clades A, B, and C showed minimal intragenomic variation. The rDNA‐ITS region shows similar phylogenetic relationships between Symbiodinium isolates from symbiotic bivalves and some cnidarians as does 18S rDNA, and that there are not many different clade A species or strains among cultured zooxanthellae (CZ) from giant clams. The CZ from giant clams had virtually identical sequences, with only a single nucleotide difference in the ITS2 region separating two groups of isolates. These data suggest that there is one CZ species and perhaps two CZ strains, each CZ strain containing individuals that have diverse allozyme and RAPD genotypes. The CZ isolated from giant clams from different areas in the Philippines (21 isolates, 7 clam species), the Australian Great Barrier Reef (1 isolate, 1 clam species), Palau (8 isolates, 7 clam species), and Okinawa, Japan (1 isolate, 1 clam species) shared the same rDNA‐ITS sequences. Furthermore, analysis of fresh isolates from giant clams collected from these geographical areas shows that these bivalves also host indistinguishable clade C symbionts. These data demonstrate that conspecific Symbiodinium genotypes, particularly clade A symbionts, are distributed in giant clams throughout the Indo‐Pacific.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gynichthys diakidnus</Emphasis> n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from the grunt <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectorhinchus gibbosus</Emphasis> (Lacépède, 1802) (Perciformes: Haemulidae) off the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Gynichthys diakidnus n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) is described from the fish Plectorhinchus gibbosus (Lacépède) (Perciformes: Haemulidae) off Heron and Lizard Islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The monotypic Gynichthys n. g. is distinguished from all other cryptogonimid genera by the combination of a fusiform body, the lack of oral spines, a forebody that occupies approximately half or more of the body length, a deeply lobed ovary, opposite to slightly oblique testes, a seminal vesicle that is confined mainly in the forebody and the presence of multiple gonotyls in the form of two small slightly muscular pores or pseudosucker-like structures in the mid-line well anterior to the ventral sucker. Bayesian inference analysis of LSU rDNA data revealed that G. diakidnus n. sp. grouped relatively distant to species of the cryptogonimid genus Oligogonotylus Watson, 1976, which also have multiple gonotyls, suggesting that the presence of multiple gonotyls is homoplasious and has thus at least evolved twice in the family. The secondary structure of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) rDNA region was inferred for G. diakidnus using minimum free energy and homology modelling algorithms. A four helix model was inferred with helices I and IV being relatively short (<30 nucleotides) and helix three being the longest; this structure is homologous with that observed for other digeneans and eukaryotes in general.     

Paradiscogaster flindersi and P. oxleyi n. sp. (Digenea: Faustulidae): overlapping host and geographical distributions in corallivore chaetodontid fishes in the tropical Indo-west Pacific

A total of 2,868 individuals of 47 species of chaetodontids were examined for faustulids at seven major localities in the Tropical Indo-West Pacific (TIWP). Combined morphological and molecular analyses allowed us to describe Paradiscogaster oxleyi n. sp. from three localities in the TIWP and in three host species, Chaetodon lunulatus Quoy & Gaimard (type-host), C. ornatissimus Cuvier and C. meyeri Bloch & Schneider. Molecular analysis of the ITS2 region of rDNA from two host species and three localities supports the morphology-based conclusion that P. oxleyi n. sp. is the same species at the three localities. Paradiscogaster flindersi Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1994 is reported from three new localities in the TIWP and is now known from 13 chaetodontid species. Sequences from samples consistent with P. flindersi differed from those from P. oxleyi n. sp. in 11–12 base pairs. The host ranges of the two species overlap broadly. Neither species was found in French Polynesia but both were found at Swain Reefs on the Great Barrier Reef. Only one of the two species was found at each of the five other sites. Both species occur almost exclusively in specialist corallivores allowing the inference that the metacercariae occur in corals. Finally, a key to the species of Paradiscogaster is provided.     

Two new blood flukes (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Epinephelinae (Perciformes: Serranidae) of the Pacific Ocean

Pearsonellum pygmaeus n. sp. is described from Cromileptes altivelis (Serranidae), the Barramundi Cod, from Heron Island (southern Great Barrier Reef) and Lizard Island (northern Great Barrier Reef). This new species differs from Pearsonellum corventum (type and only species) in the combination of smaller overall body size, the relative distance of the brain from the anterior end, the relative lengths of both the oesophagus and the testis, the degree to which the testis extends outside the intercaecal field, the shape of the testis, the shape and size of the ovary and the extent to which the uterus loops around the ovary. There are in addition, 20 base pair differences between the ITS2 rDNA sequence of P. pygmaeus n. sp. and that of P. corventum. Three new host records for P. corventum are reported. Adelomyllos teenae n. g., n. sp. is described from Epinephelus coioides (Serranidae), the Estuary Cod, from Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland. The new genus differs from the 22 other sanguinicolid genera in the combined possession of two testes, a cirrus-sac, separate genital pores, a post-ovarian uterus and an H-shaped intestine. A. teenae n. sp. is the third sanguinicolid described from the Epinephelinae. Sanguinicolids have now been reported from 11 species of Serranidae.     

Identical digeneans in coral reef fishes from French Polynesia and the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) demonstrated by morphology and molecules

Three coral reef fish species, Zanclus cornutus, Chaetodon vagabundus and Naso lituratus, were collected in French Polynesia and on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. These fish species were each infected by one morphologically similar digenean species in both localities; Schistorchis zancli Hanson, 1953 was found in Zanclus cornutus, Preptetos laguncula Bray and Cribb, 1996 in Naso lituratus and Neohypocreadium dorsoporum Machida and Uchida, 1987 in Chaetodon vagabundus. In addition, on the Great Barrier Reef P. laguncula was also found in Naso unicornis and N. dorsoporum in Chaetodon ephippium and Chaetodon flavirostris. Morphometric differences between the species from the two sites were only slight. Sequences from the second internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA of each worm revealed total homology or negligible divergence between samples from hosts caught in French Polynesia and on the Great Barrier Reef. These results show that across more than 6000 km these digeneans are similar in morphology and genotype. Some species of fishes and molluscs are considered to have distributions that encompass the entire tropical Indo-West Pacific. These findings suggest that at least some of their parasites have similarly broad distributions.     

A simple molecular technique for identifying marine host fish by sequencing blood-feeding parasites

Gnathiid isopods are common ectoparasites of fish on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. While screening for appropriate markers for phylogenetic studies of gnathiids, we found that primers for 12S and 16S rDNA preferentially amplified the host fish DNA instead of gnathiid DNA. This amplification occurred even when using gnathiids that were not engorged with host blood and adult gnathiids that do not feed on fish blood. This method could be used in host-parasite studies to identify hosts without having to sample parasites directly from the host (which can be costly and requires considerable skill in a marine environment). Target ribosomal DNA sequences can be amplified from total DNA extracted from parasites that are captured in funnel traps or plankton tows. Sequence data from these can be used to identify the hosts that gnathiids were feeding on before capture.     

Molecular phylogeny,diagnostics, and diversity of plant‐parasitic nematodes of the genus Hemicycliophora (Nematoda: Hemicycliophoridae)

The genus Hemicycliophora (Nematoda: Hemicycliophoridae) contains 132 valid species of plant‐parasitic nematodes, collectively known as ‘sheath nematodes’. Hemicycliophora spp. are characterized morphologically by a long stylet with rounded basal knobs and a cuticular sheath, present in juvenile and adult stages. Populations of 20 valid and 14 putative species of Hemicycliophora and Loofia from several countries were characterized morphologically using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecularly using the D2‐D3 segments of 28S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequences. LM and SEM observations provided new details on the morphology of these species. PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR‐RFLPs) of the D2‐D3 of 28S rDNA were proposed for identification of the species. Phylogenetic relationships within populations of 36 species of the genus Hemicycliophora using 102 D2‐D3 of 28S rDNA and 97 ITS rRNA gene sequences as inferred from Bayesian analysis are reconstructed and discussed. Ancestral state reconstructions of diagnostic characters (body and stylet length, number of body annuli, shape of vulval lip and tail), using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference, revealed that none of the traits are individually reliable characters for classifying the studied sheath nematode. The Shimodaira–Hasegawa test rejected the validity of the genus Loofia. This is the most complete phylogenetic analysis of Hemicycliophora species conducted so far. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

A new genus and species of cryptogonimid from Lutjanus spp. (Pisces: Lutjanidae) on the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia

Lobosorchis tibaldiae n. gen. and n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) is described from the intestine, pyloric ceca, and rectum of 2 species of Lutjanus (Pisces: Lutjanidae), Lutjanus carponotatus and Lutjanus fulviflamma, from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, and New Caledonia. The genus is tentatively placed in the Neochasminae and is distinguished within the Cryptogonimidae by the combination of follicular testes, oral spines, and vitelline follicles restricted to the anterior region of the body not extending posteriorly to the ventral sucker.     

Phylogenetic analysis of a group of palaeonemerteans (Nemertea) including two new species from Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Sundberg, P., Gibson, R. & Olsson, U. (2003). Phylogenetic analysis of a group of palaeonemerteans (Nemertea) including two new species from Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. — Zoologica Scripta, 32, 279–296.
Based on 18S rDNA nucleotide sequences and morphological characters, we reconstruct the phylogeny for a group of palaeonemerteans estimated to be monophyletic. Two new palaeonemertean species from Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia are included in the phylogenetic analysis. The results confirm that one of the species, Cephalothrix queenslandica sp. n., is part of the Cephalothrix–Cephalotrichella–Procephalothrix group. These genera are redefined phylogenetically under the name Cephalothrix based on the cladistic analysis. The other species, Balionemertes australiensis gen. et sp. n., is placed in a new genus which forms a sister taxon to Cephalothrix . The morphology of both new species is described in detail.     

Molecular phylogeny of gill monogeneans (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) and colonization of Indo-West Pacific butterflyfish hosts (Perciformes, Chaetodontidae)

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships among monogenean parasites of the Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes) from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Molecular phylogenies of selected taxa within the Dactylogyridae, including the ancyrocephaline parasites of butterflyfishes, based on two nuclear and one mitochondrial gene fragments (complete 18S rDNA, partial 28S rDNA (D1-D3), and partial 16S rDNA) were reconstructed using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Our results show the non-monophyletic nature of the monogenean fauna of butterflyfishes. The group is divided into two independent lineages. The first clade contains species of the genera Aliatrema and Euryhaliotrematoides , which parasitize Chaetodontidae exclusively. The second contains species of Haliotrema , a generalist group of parasites. The positions of several other species of the Ancyrocephalinae, including freshwater species, at the base of the two clades, provide strong evidence that the monogenean fauna did not result from a single colonization event, but rather that they have colonized their butterflyfish hosts independently at least twice.     

Phylogenetic relationships of some common Indo-Pacific snappers (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences, with comments on the taxonomic position of the Caesioninae

The phylogenetic relationships of 27 species of common Indo-Pacific snappers (Lutjanidae) were explored using the 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes with minimum evolution, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Included were species representing four subfamilies, the Caesioninae, Etelinae, Paradicichthyinae, and Lutjaninae. Members of the closely related families Haemulidae, Lethrinidae, Nemipteridae and Sparidae, were included for outgroup comparisons and to explore the relationships between the Haemuloidea, Lutjanoidea and Sparoidea. Monophyly of the Lutjanidae was resolved. The Caesioninae was nested within the Lutjaninae, supporting the recent view that the Caesionidae should be treated as a synonym of the Lutjanidae. The subfamilies Etelinae and Paradicichthyinae were resolved as sister taxa to the remainder of the Lutjanidae, which corroborates previous cladistic analyses conducted to determine relationships of lutjanid subfamilies. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses suggest that Macolor is the sister taxon to the Caesioninae and may represent a transitional form between the Lutjaninae and Caesioninae. Three species of Western Atlantic lutjanids, Lutjanus campechanus, L. synagris, and Rhomboplites aurorubens, were included in the analyses to examine their relationships to Indo-Pacific species; they formed a well-supported clade nested within Pacific lutjanines suggesting that Atlantic species of Lutjaninae are derived from an Indo-Pacific lineage. Results of our molecular phylogenetic analyses are congruent with the general morphology and external colouration of the resolved groups of species of Lutjanus. The "black spot" complex containing L. fulviflamma, L. monostigma, and L. russelli was resolved with strong support, and had L. carponotatus nested within. The morphology of L. carponotatus suggests a close relationship to this group, and the lack of the black spot near the lateral line below the soft dorsal fin is possibly a secondary loss. As expected, the "blue-lined" species, L. kasmira and L. quinquelineatus, formed a strongly supported clade. Lutjanus bohar and L. gibbus, both distinctly red, long-lived fish that often accumulate large quantities of ciguatera toxin in their tissues, were resolved as sister taxa.     

Faustulid trematodes (Digenea) from marine fishes of Australia

Twelve species of faustulid trematode are described or redescribed from Australian marine fishes. Bacciger lesteri Bray, 1982 and B. sprenti Bray, 1982 are redescribed from Selenotoca multifasciata from Moreton Bay. It is suggested that the original host record for these species, Mugil sp., was incorrect. The genera Discogastroides, Odontocotyle and Pseudodiscogasteroides are synonymised with Paradiscogaster. The new combinations Paradiscogaster arabi (Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970), P. hainanensis (Shen, 1970), P. indicus (Srivastava, 1939), P. macrostomus (Shimazu & Kamegai, 1990), P. ostracii (Yamaguti, 1934) and P. pritchardae (Gupta & Ahmad, 1978) are proposed. Discogasteroides hawaiensis Hanson, 1955 is synonymised with P. ostracii. P. macrostomus and P. ostracii are redescribed from Ostracion meleagris and O. cubicus from the Great Barrier Reef. P. farooqii Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970 is redescribed from Monodactylus argenteus from Moreton Bay. The following new species are described: P. machidai n. sp. from Pomacanthus semicirculatus and P. sexstriatus from the Great Barrier Reef, P. dweorg n. sp. from Meuschenia galii, P. lobomyzon n. sp. from Tilodon sexfasciatus and P. habilis n. sp. from Pelates octolineatus, all from Western Australia. Antorchis pomacanthi (Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970) Machida, 1975 is redescribed from Pomacanthus semicirculatus and P. sexstriatus from the Great Barrier Reef. The new combination Antorchis intermedius (Madhavi, 1975) is proposed for Parantorchis intermedius. Parayamagutia ostracionis is redescribed from O. cubicus from the Great Barrier Reef. Trigonocryptus conus is redescribed from Arothron hispidus from South-east Queensland and from A. nigropunctatus from the Great Barrier Reef. The new combination Trigonocryptus australiensis (Kurochkin, 1970) is proposed for Pseudodiscogasteroides australiensis. The Echinobrevicecinae is reduced to synonymy with the Faustulidae.     

Two unusual myxozoans,Kudoa quadricornis n. sp. (Multivalvulida) from the muscle of goldspotted trevally (Carangoides fulvoguttatus) and Kudoa permulticapsula n. sp. (Multivalvulida) from the muscle of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) from the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Two unusual myxozoan parasites are described from the somatic muscle of 2 reef fishes from Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Kudoa quadricornis n. sp. from the somatic muscle of Carangoides fulvoguttatus is morphologically consistent with other Kudoa sp., having 4 polar capsules and 4 shell valves. Kudoa quadricornis n. sp. is unique in that it has a pyriform spore body with a greater length than width (7.82-9.95 and 5.94-8.66 microm, respectively) and distinct posterolateral projections. Spores of Kudoa permulticapsula n. sp. observed within pseudocysts of the somatic muscle tissue of Scomberomorus commerson are different from those of all other myxozoans. The ovoid spores (length, 4.69-6.65 microm; width, 8.42-9.92 microm; thickness, 6.36-8.33 microm) contain 13 polar capsules with an equal number of shell valves. Phylogenetic analysis using small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of K. quadricornis n. sp. and K. permulticapsula n. sp. showed that these parasites cluster within a clade comprised of Kudoa species. This brings into question the division of parasites of the Multivalvulida into genera based solely on polar capsule numbers.     

Host specificity and local infection dynamics of Kudoa leptacanthae n. sp. (Multivalvulida: Kudoidae) from the pericardial cavity of two Zoramia spp. (Perciformes: Apogonidae) at Lizard Island lagoon, Queensland, Australia

Kudoa leptacanthae n. sp. was identified within the pericardial cavities of two apogonid species, Zoramia leptacantha and Zoramia viridiventer, from waters off Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef. The species shows a close taxonomic affinity, both morphologically and genetically, to Kudoa shiomitsui Egusa & Shiomitsu 1983 reported from a tetraodontid and scombrid, both from Japan. The infection was at high prevalences (average=75.8%±0.63, n=343) within schools of the two host species. Different sporogonic stages ('developing' and 'fully-developed') were observed in pseudocysts within the pericardium of the hosts. Kudoa leptacanthae n. sp. appears to be a persistent infection within the Zoramia species hosts. No seasonal variation was detected for this host/parasite system and the parasite did not affect host condition, when assessed using host length/weight ratio as a coarse indicator. We hypothesise that a source of infection in close proximity to the home patch reef of apogonid schools may lead to the high prevalence and intensity of infection reported in this study.     

Taxonomy, host specificity and dietary implications of Hurleytrematoides (Digenea: Monorchiidae) from chaetodontid fishes on the Great Barrier Reef

Five new and five previously described species of Hurleytrematoides are reported from 19 of 34 chaetodontid species examined from the Great Barrier Reef; new species are H. faliexae n. sp., H. galzini n. sp., H. loi n. sp., H. morandi n. sp., and H. sasali n. sp. Previously described species are H. coronatum, H. fijiensis, H. prevoti, H. bartolii, and H. zebrasomae. The genus is rediagnosed in the light of morphological variation of the new species; the degree of spination and shape of the terminal genitalia distinguish individual species. Species of Hurleytrematoides infect almost every clade of the family Chaetodontidae found on the Great Barrier Reef, but obligate corallivores are not infected. All ten species were found at Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef, but only six at Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef. For three of the four species not present at Lizard Island, the absence appears to be statistically significant. Although all species are apparently restricted to chaetodontids on the GBR, specificity within the family varies from oioxenous to euryxenous; a core/satellite host paradigm explains the distribution of several species.     

Ostracoda (Crustacea) from Lizard Island,northern Great Barrier Reef,Australia. II. The family Paradoxostomatidae Brady & Norman, 1889

The present paper deals with the taxonomy of the ostracod family Paradoxostomatidae Brady & Norman, 1889 from the coral reefs around Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. 18 species were found, all of them belonging to the genusParadoxostoma Fischer, 1855. 2 species had been previously described from Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef. 1 species had been described from the Red Sea. 2 species are left in open nomenclature.