Torquatoides trogoni n. sp. and Excisa ramphastina n. sp. (Nematoda: Habronematoidea: Habronematidae) in birds from the area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Two new species of habronematid nematodes are described in birds from the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Torquatoides trogoni n. sp., in Trogon massena, can be distinguished from T. torquata, T. bengalensis, and T. crotophaga in lacking lateral alae. Among species lacking lateral alae, the new species differs from T. balanocephala in having 14 versus 8-10 cephalic cuticular plaques, 21-22 versus 13-17 pairs of preanal papillae, and a beak-shaped versus U-shaped gubernaculum. The new species differs from T. singhi in body length, in having 21-22 versus 10 pairs of precloacal papillae, longer spicules, and larger eggs. The new species differs from T. crotophaga, the only other species known from Central America, in lacking lateral alae, and having 14 versus 6 cephalic cuticular plaques, 21-22 versus 17 pairs of precloacal and 3 versus 2 pairs of postcloacal papillae, and a gubernaculum. Excisa ramphastina n. sp., in Ramphastos sulfuratus, can be distinguished from E. excisa, E. biloba, E. buckleyi, E. dentifera, and E. khalili in having 1 lateral ala versus none, cervical papillae anterior versus posterior to the nerve ring, and asymmetrical caudal alae. Excisa ramphastina is similar to E. curvata in having cervical papillae anterior to the nerve ring but differs in having 1 lateral ala versus none, asymmetrical caudal alae, an average spicule ratio of 1:4.4 versus 1:3.3, and 4 versus 2 pairs of sessile papillae. The new species differs from E. columbi in having 1 versus 2 lateral alae, in the length of the spicules, in having a different spicule ratio, and in the numbers of sessile papillae.     

Three new Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) species from freshwater fishes in Mexico

The following 3 new species of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) are described from the intestines of freshwater fishes in Mexico, all belonging to the morphological group characterized by the presence of wide caudal alae, 3 pairs of subventral preanal papillae, and unequal spicules in the male: Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) jaliscensis n. sp. (type host: Agonostomus monticola) and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) gobiomori n. sp. (hosts: Gobiomorus maculatus [type host], Gobiomorus polylepis and Eleotris picta) from 2 rivers in Jalisco State, western Mexico, and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) mexicanus n. sp. (type host: Cichlasoma geddesi) from Xalapa District, Veracruz State (Gulf of Mexico region), southeastern Mexico. Procamallanus jaliscensis is characterized by the length of the spicules (606-900 microm and 282-354 microm), number (15-16) of spiral ridges in the buccal capsule, and the digit-like protrusion with 1 terminal cuticular spike on the female tail; P. mexicanus by the length of the spicules (456-480 microm and 231-233 microm), number (10-12) of spiral ridges in the capsule, and the shape of the female tail (conical with a suddenly narrowed distal part, without any terminal spikes); and P. gobiomori by the length of spicules (318-348 microm and 156-192 microm), number (8-10) of spiral ridges and by the digit-like protrusion with 2 terminal cuticular spikes on the female tail.     

A new species of camallanidae from Ageneiosus ucayalensis (Pisces: Siluriformes) from Pará State, Brazil

Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) belenensis n. sp. is described using light and scanning electron microcopy, based on specimens taken from Ageneiosus ucayalensis, Castelnau, 1855 (Pisces: Siluriforme), a freshwater fish commonly called mandubé, in Pard State, Brazil; Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) rarus is recorded from the same host. To our knowledge there are no previous reports of nematodes from this fish species. Procamallanus (S.) belenensis is characterized by the presence of 8-13 cuticular spiral thickenings coating 2/3 of posterior region of the buccal capsule of males and females (the anterior third is smooth); small sub-equal spicules; 3 and 4-5 pairs of pre- and post-cloacal papillae, respectively; the proportion of muscular and glandular esophagus is 1:1.5-2; males present 2 spike-like projections at the tail tip, which are absent in females by light microscopy. The most closely related species are Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) pintoi. The new species differs from the most closely related species by the presence of 8-10 cuticular spiral thickenings in the buccal capsule of males and 9-13 in the females, 8 pairs of male clocal papillae (3 pre- and 5 post-cloacal, respectively), and only males bearing 2 minute, spike-like projections at the posterior end.     

Two new kathlaniid species (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) parasitic in salamanders of the genus Andrias (Amphibia: Caudata: Cryptobranchidae)

The new nematode species, Falcaustra hanzaki n. sp. and Urodelnema takanoensis n. sp. (Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniidae), were found from the intestine of giant salamanders in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The first species is featured by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae (3 pairs of precloacal papillae, 8 pairs of postcloacal papillae and a single ventral precloacal papilla), the presence of a single pseudosucker, spicules equal in size (520–638 μm long), and V-shaped gubernaculum in males; vulva situated about 3/5 of a body in females. The second species is characterized by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae (5 pairs of precloacal papillae, 6 pairs of postcloacal papillae and a single ventral precloacal papilla), spicules equal in size (403–593 μm long), V-shaped gubernaculum in males; vulva situated about 3/5 of a body in females. The molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed using the partial 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA and the internal transcribed spacers 1 region in the nuclear DNA. This phylogenetic study raised a question about the validity of Family Kathlaniidae and related families of Cosmocercoidea.     

Physalopteroides arnoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteroidea) and other intestinal helminths of the mourning gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris (Sauria: Gekkonidae), from Arno Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Oceania

Physalopteroides arnoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteroidea) from the intestinal tract of the gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris is described and illustrated. Physalopteroides arnoensis is the 18th species to be assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 22 posterior subventral pedunculated papillae; 8 precloacal papillae in symmetrical pairs; 14 postcloacal papillae, 6 papillae immediately postcloacal in symmetrial pairs and remaining 8 papillae asymmetrically placed, 3 on right, 5 on left. Other helminths found include Pharyngodon lepidodactylus, Hedruris hanleyae, Maxvachonia chabaudi, and larvae of Ascarops sp. Our review of Physalopteroides removes all subspecies designations; Physalopteroides minor Caballero, 1969 n. comb is proposed.     

Heliconema brooksi n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the ophichthid eel Ophichthus gomesi in the Gulf of Mexico

Heliconema brooksi n. sp. is described from the shrimp eel, Ophichthus gomesi, in Mississippi Sound. This species is distinguished from other members of the genus by possessing in the male 40 or more tessellated longitudinal ridges, a spicule ratio averaging 1:10.6, 4 precloacal papillae, and 6 postcloacal papillae. Females have a protruding vulvular flap. Both sexes have a prominent sclerotized cardium. Heliconema brooksi is morphologically most closely related to Heliconema heliconema. A juvenile worm from the white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, in the same locality may be the infective stage.     

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.     

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Heliconema hainanensis sp. nov. (Spirurina: Physalopteridae) from congers in the South China Sea,with a key to the species of Heliconema

Heliconema hainanensis sp. nov. collected from Uroconger lepturus (Richardson) (Anguilliformes: Congridae), Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskål) and Congresox talabonoides (Bleeker) (Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae) in the South China Sea was described using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species differs from its congeners by the following morphology: pseudolabia, the number and arrangement of caudal papillae (4 pairs of pedunculate precloacal papillae arranged in 2 groups of 2 and 2 pairs and 6 pairs of pedunculate postcloacal papillae arranged in 4 groups of 1, 2, 1 and 2 pairs), the length of spicules [left spicule 0.51-0.69 mm, right spicule 0.20-0.27 mm, spicule (right:left) ratio 1:2.20-2.69] and the morphology of the female tail tip. In addition, specimens of the new species collected from the three different hosts and specimens of an unidentified species of Heliconema collected from U. lepturus were characterised using molecular methods by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA. Analyses and comparison of the ITS sequence of H. hainanensis sp. nov. with Heliconema sp. support the validity of the new species based on morphological observations. An identification key to the species of Heliconema is also provided.     

Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from Hemidactylus garnotii (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Cook Islands, Oceania

Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from the stomach of Hemidactylus garnotii collected in 1989 on Atiu, Cook Islands is described and illustrated. Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. represents the 21st species to be assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 10 pairs posterior subventral papillae; 2 pairs precloacal and 8 pairs postcloacal.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Steinernema costaricense</Emphasis> n. sp. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. puntauvense</Emphasis> n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), two new entomopathogenic nematodes from Costa Rica

Steinernema costaricense n. sp. and S. puntauvense n. sp. were recovered during a survey for native entomopathogenic nematodes in Costa Rica. Morphological data, molecular (28S rDNA sequence data) studies and cross-hybridisation tests were used for diagnostic and identification purposes. Additionally, 28S rDNA sequence data were used to assess the evolutionary relationships of the new species with other Steinernema spp. Morphological diagnostic features for S. costaricense n. sp. include: the body size of the infective juvenile (av. 1,696); the presence of protruding 'horn-like' cephalic papillae; the position of the excretory pore in the infective juvenile (av. 77 microm) and the first generation male (av. 117 microm); the D% value of the infective juvenile (av. 53) and the first generation male (av. 56); the E% value of the infective juvenile (av. 85); and the morphology of the spicules and gubernaculum of the first generation male. Diagnostic traits for S. puntauvense n. sp. are: the position of the excretory pore in the infective juveniles (av. 25 microm); the shape and size of the spicules and gubernaculum of the first generation male; and the shape of the tail of the first generation female. In addition to these traits, 28S rDNA sequences analysis and hybridisation tests showed that both new Steinernema species are distinct and unique entities.     

Tetrameres (Gynaecophila) aspicula n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae), a proventricular parasite of the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi in Argentina

Tetrameres (Gynaecophila) aspicula n. sp. is described from the proventriculus of the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot) (Ciconiiformes, Threskiornithidae) from Argentina. The new species is characterised by the absence of spicules, by possessing two ventral rows of extremely small spines in males, extending along the second half of body length, and by the tiny, very feebly developed postcloacal papillae. T. (G.) aspicula n. sp. is compared to the remainder of the species in the subgenus as well as to other species of Tetrameres which lack or possess feebly developed spines. The absence of spicules is a character shared with two other species in the genus, T. (G.) gynaecophila and T. (G.) deccani,from which the new species differs in body size, the arrangement of caudal papillae and the somatic spination in males. A pair of somatic papillae, previously unreported in species of this genus, was found just on or ventral to the lateral line at various regions of the body length. The homology of these structures to other paired somatic papillae described in nematodes is discussed.     

Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) chetumalensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from the Mayan sea catfish,Ariopsis assimilis,off the Caribbean coast of México

Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) chetumalensis n. sp. is described from the stomach and intestine of the Mayan sea catfish Ariopsis assimilis (Günther, 1864), from the Bay of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México. It is characterized by bifurcate deirids; males have 3 pairs of preanal papillae, 6 pairs of postanal papillae, 2 pairs of transverse elongate adanal papillae surrounding the cloacal aperture, wide caudal alae, spicules of unequal length, and a gubernaculum, and females have a rounded tail bearing a digit-like process terminating in 2 spines. This is the seventh Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) species reported from fishes in Mexico and the first one recorded in sea catfishes of the Ariidae.     

Cucullanus costaricensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae), a parasite of Bagre pinnimaculatus (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from Río Tempisque, Costa Rica

A new species of nematode, Cucullanus costaricensis n. sp., is described from the Red Sea catfish Bagre pinnimaculatus from Río Tempisque, Costa Rica. The new species is characterized by the following traits: spicules and gubernaculum length (0.48 +/- 0.02 [0.45-0.50] and 0.20 +/- 0.02 [0.18-0.21], respectively); a protruding cloacal region in males, and the arrangement of caudal papillae (1 medial unpaired precloacal papilla and 10 pairs of papillae: 3 precloacals [first pair subventral and anterior to ventral sucker; second and third pairs posterior to ventral sucker; second pair asymmetric and subventral; third pair slightly subventral and closer to cloacal opening], 3 subventral adcloacal pairs [pairs 4-6], and 4 pairs of postcloacal papillae [seventh pair lateral, eighth pair subdorsal, ninth and tenth pairs subventral]); and lateral phasmids between the seventh and eighth pairs of postcloacal papillae. This finding represents the first record for a species of Cucullanus in Central America.     

Falcaustra kutcheri n. sP. (nematoda: kathlaniidae) from Geoemyda yuwonoi (testudines: emydidae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Falcaustra kutcheri n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from feces of the turtle Geoemyda yuwonoi is described and illustrated. Falcaustra kutcheri n. sp. represents the 68th species to be assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 10 pairs of sessile caudal papillae, 4 pairs precloacal, 1 pair adcloacal, 5 pairs postcloacal.     

Steinernema siamkayai n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), an entomopathogenic nematode from Thailand

Steinernema siamkayai n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) is a new entomopathogenic nematode isolated in Lohmsak, Thailand. Morphology, hybridisation and molecular studies indicated the distinctness of S. siamkayai n. sp. from other Steinernema spp. Diagnostic characters include: the total body length (398–495 m) and tail length (31-41m) of the third-stage infective juvenile and lateral field pattern with 6-8 longitudinal ridges; the presence of a tail mucro in both first and second generation females and males; the size and shape of the spicules and gubernaculum, and the arrangement of the genital papillae of the first and second generation males; and the shape of the vulva and tail of the first generation female and second generation female     

Pseudascarophis genypteri n. sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasite from the red ling Genypterus chilensis off Chile.

A new nematode belonging to the Cystidicolidae is described, Pseudascarophis genypteri n. sp. was found in the intestine of the red ling Genypterus chilensis, sampled off Talcahuano, Chile. It is distinguished from Ascarophis species mainly by the absence of cephalic papillae and of submedial and medial labia. The other species in the genus, Pseudascarophis kyphosi Ko, Margolis, and Machida, 1985, found in Kyphosus cinerascens, and P. tropica (Solov'eva, 1996), found in Parupeneus chrysopleuron, differed principally from P. genypteri in the form of pseudolabia, number of pre- and postanal papillae, and length of spicules.     

New species of Falcaustra (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) in Platysternon megacephalum (Testudines: Platysternidae) from China

Falcaustra taimoshanensis n. sp. (Ascaridida, Kathlaniidae) from the feces of Platysternon megacephalum (Testudines; Platysternidae) is described and illustrated. Falcaustra taimoshanensis n. sp. represents the 32nd Oriental species assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other species by the distribution pattern of the caudal papillae (6 precloacal, 2 adcloacal, 12 postcloacal, and 1 median), length of spicules (765-791 μm), and presence of 1 pseudosucker.     

Description of Distolabrellus veechi n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda:Rhabditidae)

A new, monotypic genus and species in the subfamily Mesorhabditinae is described and illustrated. The primary character which separates the species and genus from all others in the Rhabditidae is a lip region with six set-off and well-separated liplets of two alternating shapes. Other diagnostic characters are transverse and fine longitudinal body striations, cuticular micropores, a prismatic prostom, well-developed esophageal collar, and three denticles on each metarhabdion. Males have a peloderan, open bursa bearing two pre- and seven post-anal bursal papillae, fused spicules over 50 μm long, and paired diverticulate cement glands associated with the vas deferens.