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.     

New species of Falcaustra (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) in Nyctimystes cheesmani (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

Falcaustra batrachiensis n. sp. (Ascaridida, Kathlaniidae) from the large intestine of Nyctimystes cheesmani (Anura, Hylidae) is described and illustrated. Falcaustra batrachiensis represents the fifth Australo-Papuan species assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other Australo-Papuan species by the distribution pattern of the caudal papillae (8 precloacal, 2 adcloacal, 6 postcloacal, and 1 median), length of spicules (1.4-1.6 mm) and presence of pseudosuckers (5 or 6). Nyctimystes cheesmani was found to harbor 7 additional species of Nematoda, adults of Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Maxvachonia ewersi, Meteterakis crombiei, Physalopteroides milnensis, Pseudorictularia dipsarilis, Seuratascaris numidica, larvae in cysts of Abbreviata sp., and 1 species of Acanthocephala, Acanthocephalus bufonis. Nyctimystes cheesmani represents a new host record for each of these helminth species.     

Falcaustra greineri n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from Orlitia borneensis (Testudines: Emydidae)

Falcaustra greineri n. sp. from the large intestine of the turtle Orlitia borneensis is described and illustrated. Falcaustra greineri represents the 23rd Oriental species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (6 preanal, 0 adanal, 14 postanal, and 1 median), length of spicules (1.07-1.33 mm), and absence of pseudosucker.     

New species of kathlaniid (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) collected from hynobiid salamanders in Japan

Falcaustra odaiensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniidae) is described from the Japanese clawed salamander, Onychodactylus japonicus (Houttuyn, 1782), and Ishizuchi salamander, Hynobius hirosei Lantz, 1931 (Caudata: Hynobiidae), in Japan. This nematode is characterized by having multiple pseudosuckers in the male. It resembles Falcaustra araxiana, Falcaustra duyagi, Falcaustra lambdiensis, Falcaustra pillaii, Falcaustra siamensis, and Falcaustra washingtonensis, but is readily distinguished by the spicule length and/or egg size. This is the first Falcaustra species described from Japanese salamanders.     

Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum (Caudata: Ambystomatidae) from Washington State, USA.

Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from the intestine of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum is described and illustrated. Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. represents the 14th nearctic species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other nearctic species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae and number of posterior muscle groups of the male: 10 pairs of sessile caudal papillae--3 pairs precloacal, 1 pair adcloacal, 6 pairs postcloacal--and 5 posterior muscle groups.     

Two new species of Falcaustra and comments on helminths of Norops tropidolepis (Sauria: Polychrotidae) from Costa Rica

Falcaustra costaricae n. sp. from the intestines of the lizard Norops tropidolepis and F. heosemydis n. sp. from the large intestine of the turtle Heosemys depressa are described and illustrated. Falcaustra costaricae represents the 10th Neotropical species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Neotropical species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (10 preanal, 0 adanal, 12 postanal, and 1 median), length and width of spicules (510-561 microm long, 18-24 microm wide), and absence of pseudosucker. Falcaustra heosemydis represents the 29th Oriental species and is distinguished from other Oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (10 preanal, 0 adanal, 12 postanal, and 1 median), length of spicules (790-890 microm), and absence of pseudosucker. Norops tropidolepis was found to harbor 3 species of Nematoda, F. costaricae, Rhabdias anolis, and acuariid larvae, and 2 species of Acanthocephala (centrorhynchid cystacanths and oligacanthorhynchid cystacanths).     

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.     

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.     

New genus of Pharyngodonidae (Nematoda: Oxyuridea) and other helminths in Platymantis nexipus (Anura: Ranidae) from Papua New Guinea

Rokroknema novaebritanniae n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of Platymantis nexipus (Anura: Ranidae) is described and illustrated. Rokroknema represents the second Australo-Papuan genus assigned to the family Pharyngodonidae known to infect frogs. It is similar to Parathelandros (the other genus), but it is readily distinguished because the posterior pair of caudal papillae is not in the form of a rosette. Platymantis nexipus also was found to harbor 1 species of Digenea, Opisthioglyphe cophixali, and 5 additional species of Nematoda, adults of Aplectana krausi, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra batrachiensis, Icosiella papuensis, and larvae in cysts of Abbreviata sp., plus unidentified cystacanths of 1 species of acanthocephalan.     

Nematode parasites of the turtle Pelusios sinuatus (pelomedusidae: Pleurodira) from southern Africa

Summary Two nematode parasites are described from the turtle Pelusios sinuatus of southern Africa. Camallanus chelonius n. sp. (Camallanoidae) is easily distinguished from other species reported from Africa in possessing less than 10 smooth ridges in the buccal valves. It most closely resembles a group of seven species described from Indian amphibians but may be differentiated from these by a combination of characters: shape of the female tail and distal end of the spicules, male caudal papillae, presence or absence of small barbs between the bases of the buccal valve ridges. C. chelonius is intermediate in cephalic morphology between other Camallanus spp., which are all restricted to fish and amphibian hosts, and the genus Serpinema reported only in turtles. Falcaustra pelusios n.sp. (Cosmocercoidea) is the first species of the genus reported in pelomedusid turtles. It is easily distinguished from all other species by the presence of two large and complex cheilostomal rings in the cephalic end, a very short male tail, large gubernaculum, relatively short thick spicules and large number (more than 50 pairs) of subventral preanal muscle cells posterior to the sucker. ac]19810907     

Helminth parasites of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) from southern Indiana, USA

Very little is known about parasitic diseases of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). The objective of this study was to examine the parasitic fauna of eastern box turtles collected from southern Indiana, USA. Turtles (n = 40) were salvaged mostly as road kills from southern Indiana between May and October 2009. Seven species of helminths in total were found parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract, including two digenean trematodes (Brachycoelium salamandrae and Telorchis robustus) and five nematodes (Oswaldocruzia pipiens, Cosmocercoides dukae, Falcaustra affinis, F. chelydrae and Serpinema trispinosus). We report prevalence, abundance and mean intensity of infection for all helminths. Helminths were not found in any other organs examined (heart, gonads, liver, heart, kidney and urinary bladder) and no ectoparasites were found. Overall, mean intensity of infections was low (1-14 parasites/host), suggesting that these parasites are unlikely to be associated with negative health impacts. This constitutes the first study of this kind for Indiana.     

Cordonema n. g. (Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniinae) from the salamander Cryptobranchus allegheniensis (Cryptobranchidae) of North America

Summary Falcaustra mackini (Walton, 1941) is redescribed. The anterior extremity is shown to be supported by three cordons arising from between the lips; the two subdorsal cordons are always curved on to the dorsal lip, whereas the ventral cordon curves on to either the right or left subventral lip. This cephalic morphology differs markedly from Falcaustra sensu stricto. F. mackini is designated type of Cordonema n. g. (Kathlaniinae). Cordonema cryptobranchi (Walton, 1930) n. comb. and C. variabilis (Walton, 1941) n. comb., both occurring in Cryptobranchus allegheniensis, the host for C. mackini, are included in the new genus. ac]19801207     

Helminths of Pholidobolus montium (Sauria: Gymnophthalmidae) from Ecuador with description of a new species of Skrjabinodon (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea: Pharyngodonidae)

Skrjabinodon aspercaudus n. sp. from the large intestine of Pholidobolus montium (Gymnophthalmidae) from Ecuador is described and illustrated. Skrjabinodon aspercaudus represents the 29th species assigned to the genus and the 6th species from the neotropical region. The new species differs from all other species assigned to Skrjabinodon by the presence of small bosses on the surface of the tail filament of both males and females. In addition to the new species, P. montium harbored the cestode, Cairaella henrii, and third-stage larvae of a species of Physaloptera.     

Two new species of Nomimoscolex (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea,Monticelliidae) from Gymnotus carapo (Pisces: Gymnotiformes) in Argentina

Nomimoscolex guillermoi n. sp. and N. dechambrieri n. sp. are described from the gymnotiform fish Gymnotus carapo from Argentina. The new species are placed into Nomimoscolex based on the cortical position of the vitelline follicles, and medullary position of the testes, ovary, and uterus. Both species were compared to the 13 species considered valid in the genus. The combination of features distinguishing N. guillermoi from N. dechambrieri is (1) the position of the vagina to cirrus pouch (anterior or posterior vs always anterior respectively), (2) the total number of testes (41-85 vs 108-130 respectively), (3) the distribution of the vitelline follicles (arranged in dorso-lateral and ventro-lateral bands vs lateral bands respectively), (4) the length of the uteroduct (ending 58% vs 35% from posterior margin of mature proglottis respectively), and (5) the presence of gland cells in the scolex (unicellular glands in the apical region and the external margin of suckers vs the presence of unicellular glands in the apex and other grouped in a cluster medially to the suckers respectively).     

DNA methylation in mycobacteria: Absence of methylation at GATC (Dam) and CCA/TGG (Dcm) sequences

Abstract The presence of 6-methyladenine and 5-methylcytosine at Dam (GATC) and Dcm (CCA/TGG) sites in DNA of mycobacterial species was investigated using isoschizomer restriction enzymes. In all species examined, Dam and Dcm recognition sequences were not methylated indicating the absence of these methyltransferases. On the other hand, high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of genomic DNA from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis showed significant levels of 6-methyladenine and 5-methylcytosine suggesting the presence of DNA methyltransferases other than Dam and Dcm. Occurrence of methylation was also established by a sensitive genetic assay.     

A new species of miniature Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the upper Rio Paraguay basin,Mato Grosso state,Brazil

A new miniature species of Characidium is described from the upper Rio Paraguay basin, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a dark-brown humeral blotch, vertically elongated (spanning 5 to 7 horizontal scale rows), with the shape of an upside-down acute triangle. Additionally, it can be diagnosed by a short lateral line (6 to 8 perforated scales), the absence of a conspicuous peduncular blotch, a lower number of principal caudal-fin rays (14–16) and by absence of the adipose fin. The new species is the smallest species of the genus; the largest specimen was 19.3 mm standard length.     

2 new species of Stilestrongylus (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) parasites of Peromyscus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Mexico

Stilestrongylus peromysci n. sp. collected from Peromyscus difficilis (Hidalgo state, México), differs from other species in the genus in number of the spines (30) in the synlophe (both sexes) and because the eighth ray arises from the root of the ninth ray; S. hidalguensis n. sp. parasitised Peromyscus sp. and differs from all other congeneric species in the presence of 24 spines in the male synlophe and in the arrangement of the bursal rays (2-2-1 in the right lobe and 2-3 in the left lobe). A key to the species of Stilestrongylus is provided.