Teratological Development in the Cephalic Anatomy of the Nematode Romanomermis culicivorax

Adults of Romanomermis culicivorax obtained from mass cultures were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy to determine the organization of their anterior sense organs. The normal pattern apparently consists of two lateral amphids plus six cephalic papillae. Lateral cephalic papillae contain two sense organs, each with a cuticular pore, while subdorsal and subventral papillae have three sense organs, each with a cuticular pore. About 30% of females and 80% of males examined showed aberrant developments in these sense organs. Both cuticle and underlying cells (hypodermis and neurons) are affected; some sense organs are absent while others are incompletely formed. Few aberrant worms were found in a smaller collection of worms reared in lower population densities. Perhaps aberrant forms are examples of teratological development resulting from, or promoted by, conditions used for mass rearing of biological control agents.     

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     

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.     

The freeliving nematode genus Parodontophora Timm 1963 (Nematoda: Axonolaimidae) is not exclusively marine: Parodontophora limnophila sp. nov. from freshwater in China

Parodontophora limnophila sp. nov. is described from Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake of China. It is characterized by having an amphid with its posterior end close to the base of the stoma, relatively short cephalic setae, opisthocephalic setae arranged as two subdorsal groups of three longitudinally arranged setae and two single subventral setae, excretory pore at the level of the anterior part of the stoma and renette gland 34–47% of the oesophageal length. To date, the new species is the only Parodontophora species found in freshwater habitats.     

Hirschmanniella pomponiensis n. sp. (Nemata: Pratylenchidae), Parasitic on Bulrush,Scirpus robustus Pursh

A new species of Hirschmanniella was found in bulrush roots; LM and SEM morphological studies revealed that it is distinct from other species in the genus. Therefore, it is designated Hirschmanniella pomponiensis n. sp. Six lips are fused to form a hexagonal labial plate, six inner sensilla encircle the stoma opening, and four cephalic sensilla open in the corners of subdorsal and subventral lips. Cephalic lip region consists of six or seven annuli. The female has incomplete areolation in the lateral field, the intestine overlaps the rectum, the tail tip is pointed and without annulation.     

Downstream changes in the composition of the parasite community of fishes in an Appalachian stream

The spatial distribution of 6 parasite species (Myxobolus sp., Dactylogyrus sp., Sterliadochona ephemeridarum, Plagioporus sinitsini, Allopodocotyle chiliticorum, Allocreadium lucyae) was studied in 5 species of fishes (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Clinostomus funduloides, Notropis chiliticus, Rhinichthys atratulus, Semotilus atromaculatus) in Basin Creek, an Appalachian stream in North Carolina. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and vector fitting were used to determine if the proximity of sampling sites was related to community similarity. Position along Basin Creek was significantly related to parasite community structure. Breaks in parasite community composition were imposed by waterfalls at upstream areas of Basin Creek that restricted distributions of C. funduloides, N. chiliticus, and S. atromaculatus and at the downstream limit of the study area by a break in the distribution of S. ephemeridarum coincident with the existence of a dam but were independent of suitable piscine host distributions. These discontinuities in parasite community composition imply that the relationship between proximity of sites and community similarity is predictive because distance between sites is related to the probability that fish at different sampling sites recruit parasites from different species pools. This relationship is not the same for all component communities.     

Synlophe patterns of the Haemonchinae of ruminants (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea)

The pattern of longitudinal ridges (synlophe) on the external cuticular surface of trichostrongylid nematodes has been shown to be of value for distinguishing species and determining relationships among higher taxa. In the process of studying Mecistocirrus digitatus, the large stomach worm of bovids of Asia that has been imported and established in the Americas, we observed remarkably similar synlophe patterns to those described for 3 species of Haemonchus and to those we examined in a species of Ashworthius. In all 3 genera, the synlophe is absent from the posterior part of the body. Only in Haemonchus does the synlophe extend beyond midbody. In both M. digitatus and Ashworthius sidemi, the synlophe extends posteriorly only about 1/4 of body length. In all 3 genera, the synlophe consists of about 30 ridges in the region of the esophagus with variation among species in specific areas, including additional pairs of subventral and subdorsal ridges and different lengths of sublateral ridges. This information is useful for identifying species and determining relationships among these large stomach worm parasites of cattle, sheep, goats, and farmed and wild cervids.     

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.     

Helminth and arthropod parasites of fishes in the mountain national parks of Canada

Sixteen parasite species including one monogenean, two digeneans, five cestodes, six nematodes. one acanthocephalan, and one copepod were collected from 257 fish of 13 species examined from 32 lake and nine stream sites in the mountain National Parks of British Columbia and Alberta. The following parasites are reported from Alberta for the first time: Bunodera luciopercae (Müller, 1776), Eubothrium rugosum Batsch 1786, Proteocephalus parallacticus MacLulich, 1943, Rhabdochona cascadilla Wigdor, 1918, Rhabdochona milleri Choquette, 1951, Contracaecum brachyurum (Ward & Magath, 1917), Bulbodacnitis truttae (Fabricius, 1794), Neochinorhynchus rutili (Mueller, 1780), and Ergasilus nerkae Roberts 1963. Tetraonchus variabilis Mizelle & Webb, 1953 and Rhabdochona milleri Choquette, 1951 are reported from British Columbia for the first time.     

New species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Bufo occidentalis (Anura: Bufonidae) from Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico

Rhabdias kuzmini n. sp., a parasite of the lungs of Bufo occidentalis, is described and illustrated. This Mexican taxon differs from the related species in the genus by the possession of 4 lips (2 subdorsal and 2 subventral) and 2 lateral pseudolabia, corpus not inflated, a larger barrel-shaped buccal capsule, equatorial vulva, and the presence of a slightly swollen cuticle in the anterior and posterior ends of the body. This is the 16th species described in the Neotropical Realm and the first species of Rhabdias described from endemic anurans in México.     

Deep-sea nematodes (Nemata, Prochaetosomatinae): new taxa from hydrothermal vents and a polymetallic nodule formation of the Pacific (East Rise; North Fiji and Lau Basins; Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone)

Dinetia nycterobia gen. et sp. n. (Draconematidae, Prochaetosomatinae) is described from a hydrothermal site of the East Pacific Rise. The new genus is characterized by body annulation reaching lip region and including spiral amphids, cuticle not thickened in head region, cephalic adhesion tubes without expanded base located in cervical region, pharynx with terminal bulb provided with a thick cuticularized lumen wall, and posterior adhesion tubes with bell-shaped end. Dinetia nycterobia , the type species, is characterized by the number of cephalic adhesion tubes (19 in male, 15 in female) and of the 4 rows of posterior adhesion tubes (5 tubes lateral, 14–19 subventral in male, 10–15 lateral, 13–20 subventral in female) and the shape and size of the spicules. Cephalochaetosoma pacificum notium subsp. n. from the Fiji deep-sea closely resemble C. pacificum pacificum from Philippines deep-sea but differs in male by the number of sublateral posterior adhesion tubes, the shape and size of the spicules, the number of cloacal setae, the structure of the testis and in both sexes by the spiny cuticular ornamentation, the shorter labial setae and morphometric data. A new genus and new species of Draconematidae is provisionally described, based on the observation of juvenile specimens from the polymetallic nodule formation.     

Scientific Report on the Belgian Expedition to The Great Barrier Reef in 1967. Nematodes II

Over hundred specimens of Desmoscolex were found in samples from Yonge Reef, Lizard Island and Nymphe Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia). In the present paper four new species are described: D. brevisetosus sp.n., characterised by the absence of subventral setae on the 2nd main ring and the presence of short subdorsal setae on the 16th main ring: D. dimorphus sp.n. characterized by the presence of sexual dimorphism (absence of sub-ventral setae on the 14th main ring, short subdorsal setae on the 16th main ring and smaller amphids in females); D. geraerti sp.n. and D. nymphianus sp.n. with the typical setal pattern and elongated laterally shifted subdorsal setae on the 13th, 16th and 17th main ring but the former species characterized by large bipartite amphids, cephalated spicules and trough-shaped gubernaculum; the latter species by the smaller rounded amphids with their posterior margin coinciding with that of the amphidial pore and by the short straight spicules.     

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.     

Polkepsilonema mombasae gen. et sp.n. andPternepsilonema servaesae gen. et sp.n. (Nematoda,Epsilonematidae) from East African coasts

Two new genera and species from Kenyan tidal areas,Polkepsilonema mombasae gen. et sp.n. andPternepsilonema servaesae gen. et sp.n., are described. Both are characterized by the presence of at least fourteen subcephalic setae and by thick thorns on the ventral body region of males. In the first genus, eight to ten subcephalic setae are situated anterior to the amphid, and the ambulatory setae are bisinuous. In the second, the subcephalic setae are situated at the posterior edge of the rostrum, and the ambulatory setae are straight.A key to the 13 genera of the Epsilonematidae is presented.Abbreviations a body length divided by maximum body diameter - abd body diameter at level of anus - amph % diameter of amphid as a percent of head diameter - Asl length of anteriormost ambulatory seta of external subventral row - b body length divided by pharyngeal length - c body length divided by tail length - cs length of cephalic setae - dcs distance from rostrum edge to cephalic setae - gub length of gubernaculum - L body length - lct length of copulatory thorns - lpt length of precloacal thorns - mbd maximum body diameter of posterior body region - (mdb) minimum body diameter - mbd/(mbd) maximum body diameter divided by minimum body diameter - mbd ph body diameter at level of pharyngeal bulb - N number of body rings - ph length of pharynx - spic length of spicule measured along the arc - SSph length of subdorsal somatic setae in pharyngeal region - t tail length - tmr length of nonannulated tail region - V position of vulva as a percentage of total body length from anterior     

Tadaridanema delicatus (Schwartz, 1927) n. gen., n. comb. (Trichostrongylina: Molineidae) parasite of Molossidae bats

On the basis of the revision of the type material of Anoplostrongylus delicatus Schwartz, 1927, and new specimens collected from Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana (Saussure, 1860) in 4 arid localities from Mexico, we describe a new genus (Tadaridanema n. gen.), to which A. delicatus is transferred (as Tadaridanema delicatus (Schwartz, 1927) n. gen., n. comb.). This new genus differs from all other genera included in Anoplostrongylinae by having ray 2 larger than ray 3. In addition, T. delicatus can be differentiated from the type species of Anoplostrongylus (Anoplostrongylus paradoxus (Travassos, 1918)) because it possess vestibular branches equal in length, cephalic inflation divided into 2 regions, and synlophe with many small ridges at the midbody level, whereas in T. delicatus, vestibular branches are equal in size, cephalic inflation is simple in structure, and the synlophe has only 2 well-developed dorsal cuticular ridges.     

The taxonomy of Tylenchorhynchinae (Nematoda: Tylenchida) with longitudinal lines and ridges

Summary The taxonomy of those Tylenchorynchinae which have longitudinal lines or ridges on the cuticle is discussed. Dolichorhynchus is restricted to species with four incisures in the lateral field, lateral vulval flaps and a terminally notched bursa. D. prophasmis n. sp. is described. Neodolichorhynchus n. g. is erected for those species previously in Dolichorhynchus which have no lateral vulval flaps and a normal bursa, including: N. microphasmis (Loof, 1959) n.comb., N. judithae (Andrássy, 1962) n.comb., N. sulcatus (de Guiran, 1967) n.comb., and N. gladiolatus (Fortuner & Amougou, 1973) n.comb. Tessellus n.g. is proposed for T. claytoni (Steiner, 1937) n.comb. and T. pachys (Thorne & Malek, 1968) n.comb. the only remaining Tylenchorhynchus species with longitudinal cuticular lines. They are characterized by a rounded non-offset lip region, four incisures in the lateral field and a cuticular annulation divided into prominent blocks by deep longitudinal cuticular lines.     

Pterygodermatites (Mesopectines) senegalensis n. sp. (Nematoda, Rictulariidae), a parasite of Mastomys huberti (Rodentia, Muridae) in Senegal

Pterygodermatites (Mesopectines) senegalensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rictulariidae) is described from Mastomys huberti in Senegal. It differs from other species of the subgenus by the morphology of the head, which exhibits 4 simple cephalic papillae and a nearly axial buccal opening, the length of the spicules, the number of precloacal cuticular formations, and the absence of cephalic apophyses.     

First report of Litomosa spp. (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from Malagasy bats; review of the genus and relationships between species

The presence of the filarial genus Litomosa in Malagasy bats is demonstrated by the finding of L. goodmani n. sp. from Miniopterus gleni and Litomosa sp. (male unknown) from M. manavi, both in the Special Reserve of Ankarana. These materials are compared to the 22 Litomosa species, including two Indian species originally placed in the genus Litomosoides, L. fotedari (Gupta and Trivedi, 1989) n. comb. and L. tewarii (Gupta and Trivedi, 1989) n. comb., and the new taxon L. seurati n. sp. (= L. beaucournui Bain, 1966 pro parte), type-host Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Algeria, distinguished by the narrow area rugosa and the female caudal extremity with two conspicuous points, instead of several small ones. The Malagasy material belongs to a group of species close to the type, L. filaria, which have a male area rugosa composed of cuticular bosses and microfilariae folded within the sheath, and which are parasitic in Vespertilionidae, Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae from Africa and Europe. The two Malagasy species resemble L. seurati n. sp., L. beshkovi Jancev, 1971, L. chiropterum Ortlepp, 1932, L. adami Petit, 1980 and L. ottavianii Lagrange et Bettini, 1948, with the enlarged third segment of the buccal capsule. L. goodmani n. sp. is distinct with its small size and female caudal extremity with a single point, which is suppressed in old mature worms; the females of Litomosa sp. have two conical points. Relationships among Litomosa species appear to be dependent upon both the chiropteran host groups and the geographical region.     

Scanning electron microscopy of viable and calcified Onchocerca gibsoni

Holdsworth P. A. 1987. Scanning electron microscopy of viable and calcified Onchocerca gibsoni. International Journal for Parasitology17: 957–964. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of adult Onchocerca gibsoni revealed that the cephalic ends of male and female specimens possessed features of little value for differentiation from other species. The marked cuticular ridges of the mid-body region of female worms were highlighted using SEM, as were the cuticular annulations and the body constriction at the anal region. Male specimens revealed the uniform annulations of the worm body along with the caudal papillae and the spicules. Microfilariae (mff) possessed cephalic papillae, lateral lines and cuticular annulations similar to adult worms. The cephalic hook was the most prominent feature at the anterior end of the mff. Calcification of adult worms was found to be mainly internal, however, one specimen was recorded with external calcification. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the composition of the calcification to be of calcium phosphate.     

Systematics of species referred to the genus Angiostrongylus

Based on morphological criteria of the male bursa, angiostrongylid nematodes often placed in the genus Angiostrongylus Kamensky (1905) were found to be heterogeneous, comprising species which are relegated to 5 distinct genera: Angiostrongylus Kamensky, 1905 (syn. Haemostrongylus Railliet and Henry, 1907); Parastrongylus Baylis, 1928 (syn. Pulmonema Chen, 1935, Rattostrongylus Schulz, 1951, Morerastrongylus Chabaud, 1972, Chabaudistrongylus Kontrimavichus and Delyamure, 1979); Angiocaulus Schulz, Orlov and Kutass, 1933; Gallegostrongylus Mas-Coma, 1977 (syn. Thaistrongylus Ohbayashi, Kamiya and Bhaibulaya, 1979 n. syn); and Stefanskostrongylus Drozdz, 1970. These genera all contain species located primarily in specific host groups: Angiostrongylus in carnivores; Parastrongylus in rodents (Muridae), Angiocaulus in mustelids; Rodentocaulus in rodents (Cricetinae), Gallegostrongylus in rodents (Muridae), and Stefanskostrongylus in insectivores. Species in each genus include: Angiostrongylus (A. vasorum, A. raillieti, A. chabaudi); Parastrongylus (P. tateronae, P. cantonensis, P. mackerrasae, P. sandarsae, P. sciuri, P. petrowi n. comb., P. dujardini, P. schmidti, P. costaricensis n. comb., P. malaysiensis n. comb., P. ryjikovi n. comb., P. siamensis n. comb.); Angiocaulus (A. gubernaculatus, A. ten n. comb., A. sp. Caballero, 1951); Rodentocaulus (R. ondatrae) and Gallegostrongylus (G. ibicensis, G. andersoni, G. harinasutai n. comb.). Angiostrongylus pulmonalis is likely similar to Stefanskostrongylus soricis and is transferred to this genus. Angiostrongylus minutus is removed to Stefanskostrongylus.