Proleptusmackenzieisp.n. (Nematoda, Spirurida) from Raja fyllae in the Barents Sea

Previous work on species of Proleptus Dujardin, 1845 and related genera is briefly reviewed. Proleptus mackenziei sp.n. is described and figured. P. mackenziei is close to P. obtusus, P. acutus and P. malayi but differs from them in the host, position of the vulva which is 2/5/ of the body length from the anus and in the detailed arrangements of the papillae on the male tail.     

A Redescription of the Cestodes Proteocephalus filicollis (Rudolphi) from Gasterosteus aculeatus L., and P. ambiguus (Dujardin) from Pungitius pungitius (L.)

Based on material from two stickleback species living in the same biotope, Proteocephalus filicollis (Rudolphi, 1802) and Proteocephalus ambiguus (Dujardin, 1845) are regarded as two distinct species. The most useful character for their discrimination is the presence and absence of an apical scolex of P. filicollis and P. ambiguus , respectively. Furthermore, transverse sections revealed that the longitudinal muscles consist of approximately 5 layers of muscle fibres in P. filicollis , as opposed to a single layer in P. ambiguus . The two species differ also in total length, width, number of segments and in the state (progress) of maturation of the proglottids along the strobila.     

New plagioporines (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from deep-sea fishes of the North Atlantic Ocean

Three new species of digenean are described from demersal fishes taken in deep waters of the northwestern and northeastern Atlantic Ocean: Podocotyle schistotesticulata n. sp. from Antimora rostrata; P. harrisae n. sp. from Coryphaenoides (Lionurus) carapinus; and Gaevskajatrema halosauropsi n. sp. from Halosauropsis macrochir. The status of the nominal species of the genus Podocotyle Dujardin, 1845 is presented in annotated summary, along with a tabulation of the distinctive characteristics of recognised species of the genus. Gaevskajatrema Gibson & Bray, 1982 is discussed and its diagnosis amended.     

Redescription de Agfa flexilis (Nematoda: Agfidae) parasite de l'appareil génital de Limax cinereoniger (Gastropoda: Limacidae)

L'espèce-type du genre Agfa Dougherty, 1977, A. flexilis (Dujardin, 1845), parasite de la limace Limax cinereoniger Wolf, 1803, est redécrite à partir d'un matériel nouveau. La validité de la famille des Agfidae Dougherty, 1955 est confirmée. Par contre, il semble que les Myolaimina Inglis, 1983 forment un groupe d'espèces dont les affinités sont douteuses.The type-species of the genus Agfa Dougherty, 1955, Agfa flexilis (Dujardin, 1845), a parasite of the slug Limax cinereoniger, is redescribed from new material. The validity of the family Agfidae Dougherty, 1955 is confirmed. Nevertheless, it seems that the Myolaimina Inglis, 1983 form a species assemblage of doubtful affinities.     

Redescriptions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monopylidium exiguum</Emphasis> (Dujardin, 1845) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. albani</Emphasis> (Mettrick, 1958) n. comb. (Cestoda: Dilepididae) from European passerine birds

Two species of Monopylidium Fuhrmann, 1899 are redescribed on the basis of specimens from their type-hosts: M. exiguum (Dujardin, 1845) from Troglodytes troglodytes L. (Passeriformes: Troglodytidae) on the Curonian Spit, Kaliningradskaya Oblast', Russia, and M. albani (Mettrick, 1958) n. comb. (originally Paricterotaenia albani Mettrick, 1958) from Sturnus vulgaris L. (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) in the Canton of Jura, Switzerland. In contrast to the previously proposed synonymy of these two species (Spasskaya & Spasskii, 1977), they are recognised as distinct and M. albani is revalidated.     

Redescriptions of Monosertum parinum (Dujardin, 1845) and M. mariae (Mettrick, 1958) n. comb. from European passerine birds, with an amended generic diagnosis of Monosertum Bona, 1994 (Cestoda: Dilepididae)

The type-species of Monosertum Bona, 1994, M. parinum (Dujardin, 1845), is redescribed on the basis of the neotype designated by Bona (1994). M. mariae (Mettrick, 1958) n. comb. (originally Paricterotaenia mariae Mettrick, 1958) is recorded and redescribed from Erithacus rubecula L. (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in the Kaliningradskaya Oblast', Russia (new geographical record). An amended generic diagnosis of Monosertum is presented.     

Atractis marquezi n. sp. (Nematoda: Atractidae) and a revision of Atractis dujardin, 1845, sensu Baker, 1987

Atractis marquezi n. sp. from the large intestine of the tortoise Geochelone nigrita is described and illustrated. Atractis Dujardin, 1845, sensu Baker, 1987, is revised to contain only those atractids having a lagonoid spicule. The remaining species of Atractis sensu Baker, 1987, are assigned to Cyrtosomum, Pseudatractis, and Klossinemella. A. marquezi represents the 12th species to be assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Neotropical species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 2 pairs precloacal, 2 pairs adcloacal, and 6 pairs postcloacal.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aulacnema monodelphis</Emphasis> n. g., n. sp. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Angiostoma coloaense</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Angiostomatidae) from terrestrial molluscs of Vietnam

Two species of nematodes, Angiostoma coloaense n. sp. and Aulacnema monodelphis n. g., n. sp. (Angiostomatidae: Rhabditida) are described from terrestrial molluscs of Vietnam. Both species are characterised by a long bowl-shaped buccal cavity and typically angiostomatid male bursal alae, spicules and gubernaculum. The new genus, Aulacnema n. g., is erected for the first reported monodelphic angiostomatid. Angiostoma coloaense n. sp. can be distinguished from other species of Angiostoma Dujardin, 1845 by having a buccal cavity length greater than its width and the absence of tail spikes on both males and females.     

The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of sparid fishes of the western Mediterranean. IV.Peracreadium Nicoll, 1909 andCainocreadium Nicoll, 1909

The generaPeracreadium Nicoll, 1909 andCainocreadium Nicoll, 1909 are redefined and their validity discussed. Only one species ofPeracreadium, P. characis (Stossich, 1886) n. comb., is believed to occur in the Mediterranean region. This species, which is restricted toDiplodus [=Puntazzo] puntazzo and had previously been considered to be aspecies inquirenda, is redescribed and distinguished from other species of the genus; a neotype is designated.Cainocreadium labracis (Dujardin, 1845), the only species of the genus occurring in the Mediterranean region, is described fromDentex dentex and discussed in relation to its more usual host, the moronidDicentrarchus labrax.

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Résumé Les auteurs redéfinissent et discutent la validité des genresPeracreadium Nicoll, 1909 etCainocreadium Nicoll, 1909. Dans le genrePeracreadium, une seule espèceP. characis (Stossich, 1886) n. comb. a été trouvée jusqu'à ce jour en Méditerranée; elle parasiteDiplodus (=Puntazzo) puntazzo. Cette espèce était considérée comme unespecies inquirenda; elle est redécrite et comparée aux autres espéces de ce genre; un néotype lui est attribué. Dans le genreCainocreadium, une seule espèceC. labracis (Dujardin, 1845) est connue de Méditerranée. Celle-ci est redécrite à partir d'exemplaires trouvés chezDentex dentex.

     

Parasites of juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from Hunt Creek, Michigan

Four parasite species (Crepidostomum cooperi, Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum, Acanthocephalus dirus, Salmincola edwardsii) infected 215 juvenile brook trout (105 young-of-year; 110, 1-yr-old) from Hunt Creek, Michigan, in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Prevalences of these species in 2004 (main study year) varied from 29 to 37%. Crepidostomnum cooperi had the highest mean intensity and mean abundance, followed by C. ephemeridarum. The number of fish infected with each parasite species was significantly higher in 1-yr-old fish than in young-of-year fish. Also, the mean intensities and mean abundances of C. cooperi and C. ephemeridarum and the mean abundance of A. dirus were significantly higher in older fish. The mean intensity of C. cooperi and prevalence of A. dirus were significantly higher in fish between creek sections. Fish length had a significant positive effect on the abundances of C. cooperi and C. ephemeridarum; parasite species richness, on the abundances of A. dirus and S. edwardsii; and parasite species richness in the 2003 and 2004 trout cohorts, respectively. Crepidostomum cooperi, C. ephemeridarum, A. dirus, and S. edwardsii commonly infect Michigan brook trout. The small number of parasite species infecting Hunt Creek brook trout is similar to the number of parasite species of brook trout from other Michigan creeks.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Angiostoma</Emphasis> Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Angiostomatidae) from British terrestrial molluscs

Two new species of Angiostoma Dujardin, 1845 taken from the intestines of terrestrial molluscs (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) collected in the UK are described and illustrated. Angiostoma milacis n. sp. is parasitic in milacid and agriolimacid slugs and is closely related to A. asamati Spiridonov, 1985. Angiostoma zonitidis n. sp. was found in a zonitid snail and is most closely related to A. kimmeriense Korol & Spiridonov, 1992 (emend.), a species also from zonitid snails. An amended generic diagnosis is proposed. The distribution of A. limacis and A. milacis sp. n. in hosts is discussed and a key to the species of Angiostoma is presented.     

Precipitating activity in the sera of plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L. to a helminth antigen

An antigen abstract of Proleptus obtusus an intestinal nematode of the common dogfish has been shown to precipitate with a serum component of plaice. As the parasite has never been shown to infect plaice it is suggested that perhaps the serum component might be C–reactive protein (CRP). However, characterization of the component revealed that it was specific immunoglobulin analagous to antibody of the IgM class. It is suggested the helminth antigen involved is cross–reacting with a common antigen to which the plaice is normally exposed.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation and phylogenetic relationships of Jasus spp. (Decapoda: Palinuridae)

The seven species of rock lobster in the genus Jasus have a fragmented circumpolar distribution, inhabiting continental or island waters of the Southern Ocean. Gene flow between nominal species is possible as the planktonic larval stages of Jasus are widely dispersed in major oceanic gyres. Restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from five species ( J. verreauxi, J. novaehollandiae, J. edwardsii, J. lalandii and J. tristani ) was used to assess taxa previously defined only by morphological criteria. Intraspecific mtDNA nucleotide sequence diversity was generally high (0˙33–0˙99%). An absence of episodic population bottlenecks and extinctions, attributable to a teleplanic (far wandering) and prolonged pelagic stage, may be a significant factor contributing to this variation. New Zealand ( J. edwardsii ) and Australian ( J. novaehollandiae ) populations appear to be conspecific and should be referred to as J. edwardsii ; however, a significant difference in the magnitude of mean sequence diversities between these populations may indicate restrictions to gene flow across the Tasman Sea. The genome of J. verreauxi is highly distinct from the genomes of the other species (nucleotide sequence diversity: 14˙92–16˙67%), supporting the existence of 'verreauxi' and 'lalandii' groups within Jasus . High sequence diversities separating J. edwardsii, J. lalandii and J. tristani (4˙41–7˙36%) indicates longterm reproductive isolation. Hypotheses for the evolution of 'lalandii' group Jasus , which suggest a relatively recent divergence of J. lalandii and J. tristani , are not supported by phylogenetic reconstruction. Instead, it gives systematic validity to the grouping of J. lalandii with J. edwardsii as proposed by the existing taxonomy.     

Associations of fire ant phorids and microhabitats

We examined flight activity patterns for a guild of fire ant parasitoids in western Argentina in relationship to their host's location (mound/foraging trail) and light condition (full sun/partial sun/full shade) at different scales, from the individually sampled mound to the full day's summation for each species. We asked first whether taxa showed preferences among these conditions, and second, whether certain species and sexes might be found together more frequently than expected to by chance. All species, except the P. obtusus species complex, were significantly more likely to be found attacking ants at disturbed mounds than at paired foraging trails. The P. nocens complex and P. litoralis were more likely to be in the shade when temperatures were above the overall mean of the study (28.3 degrees C), whereas others, such as the P. obtusus complex and P. tricuspis, were more likely to be in full sun under these same conditions. Our analyses indicated that a limited set of species, particularly P. nocens with P. litoralis, and males with female P. obtusus and P. tricuspis, were more likely to be found together than expected. We also found decreasing proportions of males with increasing time of analysis. We discuss the implications of host location, metereological conditions, and sex ratios in relationship to ongoing classical biological control efforts using species of these phorids.     

Systematic status of Laurotravassoxyuris bravoae Osorio-Sarabia, 1984 (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) [= Atractis bravoae (Osorio-Sarabia, 1984) n. comb.: Cosmocercidae]

Re-examination of type-specimens of the nematode Laurotravassoxyuris bravoae Osorio-Sarabia, 1984, originating from the type-host, Cichlasoma istlanum Jordan et Snyder, from Mexico, has shown that these do not belong to Oxyuroidea Cobbold, 1864; in fact, the specimens included in the type-series of L. bravoae belong to two different families of the Cosmocercoidea Railliet, 1916: the Atractidae Railliet, 1917 and the Cosmocercidae Railliet, 1916. Both forms are described. Since the holotype of L. bravoae belongs to the former family, this species is transferred to Atractis Dujardin, 1845 as A. bravoae (Osorio-Sarabia, 1984) n. comb., whereas the female nematodes, belonging to the latter family, cannot be explicitly assigned to a genus or a species (although they might be conspecific with Raillietnema kritscheri Moravec, Salgado-Maldonado & Pineda-López, 1993). A. bravoae is the first species of Atractis reported from fishes; its morphology differs distinctly from that in other congeners.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthocephaloides irregularis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from marine fishes off the Ukrainian Black Sea coast

Acanthocephaloides irregularis n. sp. (Arhythmacanthidae) is described from four species of marine fishes in the Gulf of Odessa and Sukhyi Lyman, Ukrainan Black Sea waters, making it the tenth species of the genus. The hosts are the combtooth blenny Parablennius zvonimiri (Kolombatovic) (Blenniidae), the mushroom goby Ponticola eurycephalus (Kessler) (Gobiidae), the tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas) (Gobiidae) and the black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster Risso (Syngnathidae). The new species is most similar to its closest relative, Acanthocephaloides propinquus (Dujardin, 1845), in proboscis shape and armature (12 longitudinal rows of 5 hooks) and the shape of the trunk, reproductive system and lemnisci, but differs in having randomly distributed trunk spines. These trunk spines are organised in circular rings of individual spines separated by aspinose zones. The new species is also unique in having an anterior trunk collar, a very large triangular cephalic ganglion, nucleated pouches at the posterior end of the proboscis receptacle, and hooks and spines with roots bearing anterior manubria. Valid and invalid species of Acanthocephaloides Meyer, 1932 are listed and a key to all ten species is included.