A new allocreadiid (Trematoda) species from freshwater fish Heterandria bimaculata (Teleostei: Poeciliidae) in Southeastern Mexico

Paracreptotrema heterandriae n. sp. (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) is described from the intestine of the freshwater fish Heterandria bimaculata (Teleostei: Poeciliidae) from the upper basin of Río La Antigua, in Veracruz, Mexico. The new species is distinguished from the 3 others in the Paracreptotrema Choudhury, Pérez-Ponce de León, Brooks, and Daverdin, 2006 , mainly by having a feeble membranous cirrus sac containing an uncoiled seminal vesicle, instead of a well-developed muscular cirrus sac that encloses coiled seminal vesicle, pars prostatica, and ejaculatory duct as in the previously 3 nominal species. Moreover, eggs of the new species are larger than all others ([measurements in micrometers] eggs of P. heterandriae n. sp. 72.5 [70-75] × 40 [35-41]; P. blancoi 55.4 [52.5-62.5] × 38.5 [32.5-42.5]; P. mendezi 46 × 37; P. profundulusi 57 [52-60] × 27.8 [25-30]).     

Parvicapsula bicornis n. sp. and P. limandae n. sp. (Myxozoa, Parvicapsulidae) in Pleuronectidae (Teleostei, Heterosomata) from Denmark

Two species of Parvicapsula were found in the kidney tubules and the urinary bladder of 2 pleuronectid fish from the northern Oresund, Denmark. The coelozoic, spherical, disporic trophozoites of both species are 10 to 12 pm in diameter. The myxospores of both species are elongate, asymmetrical and slightly curved, and have spherical polar capsules. Parvicapsula bicornis n. sp. (6-8 x 5-6 microm, polar capsule 2.5 microm in diameter) occurs in Pleuronectes platessa. The polar capsules of P. bicornis are arranged symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis and its spores differ from other species of Parvicapsula in having two 2-3 microm long posterior processes of different length. Parvicapsula limandae n. sp. (8-11 x 4-5 pm, polar capsule 1.6 microm in diameter) is found in Limanda limanda. The polar capsules are arranged along the longitudinal axis. It differs from Parvicapsula unicornis Kabata, 1962, recorded from L. limanda, in the arrangement of the polar capsules and in the absence of a posterior horn-like projection. The phylogenetic relationship between P. bicornis n. sp., P. limandae n. sp. and other Parvicapsula spp. was examined with their partial small subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA) sequences. P. limandae n. sp. and P. asymmetrica appear to be closely related, while P. bicornis n. sp. and P. minibicornis are the most divergent members of the genus.     

A new species of Myxozoa, Henneguya rondoni n. sp. (Myxozoa), from the peripheral nervous system of the Amazonian fish, Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Teleostei)

Henneguya rondoni n. sp. found in the peripheral lateral nerves located below the two lateral lines of the fish Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Teleostei, Rhamphichthyidae) from the Amazon river is described using light and electron microscopy. Spherical to ellipsoid cysts measuring up to 110 microm in length contained only immature and mature spores located in close contact with the myelin sheaths of the nervous fibres. Ellipsoidal spores measured 17.7 (16.9-18.1)-microm long, 3.6 (3.0-3.9)-microm wide, and 2.5 (2.2-2.8)-microm (n=25) thick. The spore body measuring 7.0 (6.8-7.3)-microm long was formed by two equal symmetric valves, each with an equal tapering tail 10.7 (10.3-11.0) microm in length. The tails were composed of an internal dense material surrounded by an external homogeneous sheath of hyaline substance. The valves surrounded two equal pyriform polar capsules measuring 2.5 (2.2-2.8)-microm long and 0.85 (0.79-0.88)-microm (n=25) wide and a binucleated sporoplasm cell containing globular sporoplasmosomes 0.38 (0.33-0.42) microm (n=25) in diam. with an internal eccentric dense structure with half-crescent section. Each polar capsule contains an anisofilar polar filament with 6-7 turns obliquely to the long axis. The matrix of the polar capsule was dense and the wall filled with a hyaline substance. The spores differed from those of previously described species. Based on the ultrastructural morphology of the spore and specificity to the host species, we propose a new species name H. rondoni n. sp.     

Parastrombidinopsis shimi n. gen., n. sp. (Ciliophora: Choreotrichia) from the coastal waters of Korea: morphology and small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence

The planktonic ciliate Parastrombidinopsis shimi n. gen., n. sp. is described from both living cells and quantitative protargol-stained (QPS) preparations and the sequence of the small subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA) is reported. This species is almost oval when the cells are alive; when stained, it is cylindrical for the upper two-fifths, half-bowl shaped for the middle two-fifths, and narrow rodshaped for the lower one-fifth. The ranges (and mean +/- standard deviation, n = 20) of cell length, cell width, and oral diameter of living cells were 112-221 microm (168 +/- 39), 88-176 microm (121 +/- 30), and 53-110 microm (80 +/- 14), respectively, while those of the QPS-stained specimens (n = 54) were 88-225 microm (162 +/- 29), 55-163 microm (102 +/- 19), and 53-98 microm (69 +/- 9), respectively. Thirty-six to 48 external oral polykinetids had cilia 25-40 microm long. However, unlike Strombidinopsis species sensu stricto, P. shimi has an external oral polykinetid zone that is an open circle. This species has two shorter polykinetids associated with the end of the oral polykinetid zone, deep in the oral cavity. Like Strombidinopsis species in the subclass Choreotrichia, 36-50 somatic kineties were equally spaced around the cell body and extended from the oral to the posterior regions with 68-105 dikinetids per kinety. Both kinetosomes of each kinetid bore cilia 3-10 microm long. Parastrombidinopsis shimi had 2 (1-4) ovoid macronuclei of 20-82 x 15-32 microm. When properly aligned, the sequence of the SSU rDNA of P. shimi (GenBank Accession No. AJ786648) was approximately 5% different from that of Strobilidium caudatum and 6% different from that of two Strombidinopsis species. Based both on morphology and gene sequence divergence, we establish this is as a new species in a new genus belonging to the family Strombidinopsidae.     

A new genus and species of cyclocoelid from the black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (Recurvirostridae), from Galveston, Texas

Two black-necked stilts, Himantopus mexicanus (Recurvirostridae), from the Texas Gulf coast, died while in the care of bird rehabilitators and were found to be infected with Neoallopyge americanensis n. gen., n. sp. Neoallopyge n. gen. (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) differs from Allopyge in having the testes situated some distance from the posterior extremity, 2 uterine loops on each side extensively invading the space posterior to the testes, no intertesticular uterine loops, and it is a parasite of Recurvirostridae in the western hemisphere rather than Gruidae from the Old World. The new species is unlike Allopyge antigones, Allopyge ominosus, and Allopyge undulatus in having the genital pore located anterior to the cecal bifurcation rather than posterior to it, and it is unlike A. ominosus and A. undulatus, where the uterus is entirely intercecal in having the uterine loops extending laterally, reaching the body wall on both sides. The new species further differs from A. antigones, A. ominosus, and Allopyge skrjabini in having larger eggs (148 [140-155] microm by 55 [45-63] microm compared with 95 by 55 microm, 65-80 by 40-46 microm, 119-124 by 55-66 microm, respectively), and it differs from Allopyge adolphi and A. undulatus in having narrower eggs (154 by 75 microm, 144 by 86 microm, respectively).     

Two species of Prodistomum Linton, 1910 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from marine fishes of Australia

Prodistomum angelae (Kruse, 1981) n. comb. [originally Lepocreadium] is redescribed from the type-host, Scorpis georgiana, from off southwestern Western Australia. P. keyam n. sp. is described from Monodactylus argenteus from off southeastern Queensland. It differs from other members of the genus in its short ejaculatory duct. The genus Prodistomum Linton is discussed and redefined, and an updated key and record list of the nine recognised species are given.     

Myxobolus goensis n. sp. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae), a parasite of the gills of Mugil cephalus (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) from Goa, India

Two species of Myxobolus are reported from the gills of Mugil cephalus collected at Goa, India: M. goensis n. sp. and M. parvus Shulman, 1962. Myxobolus goensis n. sp. forms digitiform or rounded plasmodia between the gill rakers. Their spores are oval in frontal view, with tapered anterior extremity, and lemon-shaped in lateral view, measuring 9.7 (9.5-10.5) microm in length, 6.6 (6-7.5) microm in width, and 5.2 (5-6) microm in thickness. The polar capsules are pyriform and unequal in size. The larger ones are 5.3 (4.5-6) microm long and 2.4 (2-3) microm wide; the smaller ones are 2.4 (2-3) microm long and 1.8 (1.5-2) microm wide. The polar filament forms five turns aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the larger polar capsules. Within the smaller polar capsules the polar filament is difficult to observe and, apparently, forms three coils. The spores are distinctly different from other Myxobolus species infecting M. cephalus and other Mugil spp. Furthermore, the present material is also different from 204 Myxobolus species presenting differently sized polar capsules, representing nearly all the known species with this characteristic. The fact that only the M. cephalus specimens were infected among a sample of 206 fish specimens, comprising 27 different species, strongly suggests that this parasite is specific to M. cephalus.     

Prodistomum priedei n. sp. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from the deepwater cardinalfish Epigonus telescopus (Perciformes: Epigonidae) in the northern Atlantic Ocean

Prodistomum priedei n. sp. is described from Epigonus telescopus from the Porcupine Seabight. It differs from its closest relatives, P. waltairensis, P. hynnodi and P. alaskensis (Ward & Fillingham, 1934) n. comb. [originally Opechona], in its relatively smaller ventral sucker and smaller eggs. Other differentiating features are tabulated. Attention is drawn to the host-parasite relationship associating a lepocreadiine lepocreadiid with a perciform host, a relationship which is common in warm shallow waters but unusual in cold deep-sea conditions. This may indicate that host and parasite have colonised the deep sea simultaneously and co-evolved in that environment.     

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.     

Two new species of Pharyngodonidae (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea) and other nematodes in Agama caudospina (Squamata: Agamidae) from Kenya, Africa

Parapharyngodon kenyaensis n. sp. and Thelandros samburuensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of the agamid lizard (Agama caudospina) are described and illustrated. Parapharyngodon kenyaensis n. sp. is the 41st species assigned to the genus, and it differs from other species in that genus by possessing 3 pairs of caudal papillae, cloacal lip adornment, and spicules of 112-120 microm in length. Thelandros samburuensis n. sp. is the 31st species assigned to the genus, and it differs from other species in that genus by possessing swollen posterior annulations, 6 caudal papillae, a smooth anterior cloacal lip, and spicules of 43-52 microm in length. In addition to the 2 new nematode species, Abbreviata ortleppi (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) and Strongyluris ornata (Nematoda: Heterakidae) were found.     

Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae: Acanthostominae) from the alligator snapping turtle,Macroclemys temmincki

Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is described from specimens found in the intestine of an alligator snapping turtle Macroclemys temmincki from southern Mississippi. The most important diagnostic features of the new species are the general shape and proportions of the body, the position of the pharynx (relative length of the prepharynx and esophagus), the egg size, the relative length and position of the vitelline fields, and the number, shape, and size of the circumoral spines. The new species has a very elongated body (length-width ratio, 8.9-13.0:1), 26 circumoral spines, which are almost oval in shape, a long prepharynx and a very short (shorter than the pharynx) esophagus, a seminal receptacle situated between the ovary and the anterior testis, a uterus not extending posterior to the anterior margin of the ovary, a long-stemmed and short-armed excretory vesicle, and 2 anal openings. Some features of the external morphology, such as the suckers, circumoral spines, sensory papillae, tegumental spines, and morphology of the posterior end, are examined using scanning electron microscopy. A diagnosis differentiating A. macroclemidis n. sp. from some other acanthostomine digeneans is provided. Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is the first digenean reported from an alligator snapping turtle and represents the northernmost record of an acanthostomine from turtles.     

A new microsporidian infecting the musculature of the endangered tidewater goby (Gobiidae)

A previously unrecognized microsporidian (Kabatana newberryi n. sp.) is described from the musculature of Eucyclogobius newberryi (Gobiidae) in Big Lagoon, Humboldt County, California. Spores are ovoid, ranging in size from 2.8 +/- 0.3 microm in total length and 1.9 +/- 0.4 microm in width (measurements of 30 spores made by calculation from micrograph). The polar filament has 9-10 coils in 1-2 rows. Development occurs in direct contact with host muscle cell cytoplasm, without xenoma or sporophorous vesicle. Phylogenetic analysis of the new species and of 35 other microsporidians known to infect fish using 1115 base pairs of aligned 16S rRNA gene indicate the new species is most closely related to Kabatana takedai. However, the new species differs by 11% sequence divergence from K. takedai. Divergence in morphology and genetic data allow for diagnosis from all other fish-infecting microsporidia and supports recognition of a new species of microsporidian, Kabatana newberryi n. sp., presently known only from a suspected specific host, the endangered tidewater goby Eucyclogobius newberryi.     

Steinernema cholashanense n. sp. (Rhabditida, Steinernematidae) a new species of entomopathogenic nematode from the province of Sichuan, Chola Shan Mountains, China

During a random survey of entomopathogenic nematodes in the provinces of Sichuan and Gansu (eastern Tibet) in 2004, soil samples from several sites were collected and tested for the incidence of entomopathogenic nematodes. A new species was collected in this survey and it is described herein as Steinernema cholashanense n. sp. Steinernema cholashanense n. sp. is characterized by morphology and morphometry of the IJ and male. For the IJ, the new species can be recognized by the average body length 843 microm, esophagus length 125 microm, H%=39% and E%=81%. The lateral field pattern is 2, 5, 7, 4, 2. The male of the first generation is characterized by spicule shape and length and especially with prominent velum and the presence of a mucron on both generations. The average body length of the IJ of S. cholashanense n. sp. (843 microm) is shorter than that of S. oregonense (980 microm), S. kraussei (951 microm) and S. litorale (909 microm), similar to that of S. feltiae (849 microm), but longer than that of S. weiseri (740 microm), S. jollietti (711 microm) and S. hebeiense (658 microm). Esophagus length of the new species (125 microm) is closer to that of S. jollieti (123 microm) but longer than that of S. weiseri (113 microm) and shorter than that of S. oregonense (132 microm), S. kraussei (134 microm) and S. feltiae (136 microm). E% of the new species (81) is similar to that of S. kraussei (80), but smaller than that of S. jollieti (88), S. weiseri (95), S. oregonense (100) and S. feltiae (119). Spicule head length of the new species is almost the same as its width, this character is similar to that of S. kraussei but it is different from this species by its prominent velum. The new species can be recognized further by characteristics of sequences of ITS and D2D3 regions and cross hybridization with closely related species, S. feltiae, S. kraussei and S. oregonense.     

A new species of Comephoronema (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) from the stomach of the abyssal halosaur Halosauropsis macrochir (Teleostei) from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A new species of parasitic nematode Comephoronema macrochiri n. sp. (Cystidicolidae), is described from the stomach of the marine deep-sea fish Halosauropsis macrochir (abyssal halosaur) from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The new species, studied with both light and scanning electron microscopy, is characterized mainly by 6 pairs of preanal papillae, by which it principally differs from members of Ascarophis; the spicules are 297-375 microm and 99-120 microm long and fully developed eggs possess 2 long filaments on 1 pole. Rhabdochona beatriceinsleyae is transferred to Comephoronema as C. beatriceinsleyae (Holloway and Klewer, 1969) n. comb. Comephoronema macrochiri differs from all other congeners mainly in having eggs with filaments on 1 pole only, and from individual species by some additional features such as the number of preanal papillae, the shape of pseudolabial projections, and the body and organ measurements.     

Two new species of parasitic nematodes from the dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor (Pisces) off the Maldive Islands

Two new nematode species, Philometra gymnosardae n. sp. (Philometridae) and Heptochona maldivensis n. sp. (Rhabdochonidae), are described from the dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor (Rüppell) (Scombridae, Perciformes) from the Indian Ocean off the Maldive Islands (Republic of Maldives). The former species is characterized mainly by unequal, conspicuously long (859 and 435 microm) spicules; the structure of the caudal end in the male (found in the host's stomach); by markedly large, oval cephalic papillae (n = 8) of the outer circle; the presence of a small, anterior bulb on the very long esophagus; and 2 large caudal projections in the gravid female (parasitic in the host's body cavity). This is the first-known species of Philometra whose gravid females are present in the body cavity of tuna fishes. Heptochona maldivensis resembles H. stromatei but differs mainly in the position of deirids, shape of the muscular esophagus, character of postanal papillae, length of the left spicule (648 microm), much larger body measurements, location in the host (stomach), and the host type. Rhabdochona parastromatei Bilqees, 1971, is synonymized with H. stromatei, whereas Heptochona sindica Akram and Pie de Imprenta, 1988, and H. rivdica Akram, 1988, are invalid names. Heptochona varmai is transferred to another genus as Rhabdochona varmai (Gupta and Masoodi, 1990) n. comb. Rhabdochona varmai, Heptochona schmidtii Arya, 1991, and Rhabdochona marina Lakshmi and Sudha, 1999, are considered species inquirendae.     

New species of Cinclotaenia macy, 1973 (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae) from Cinclus leucocephalus tschudi (Passeriformes: Cinclidae) in Bolivia

Two new species of Cinclotaenia (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae) are described from the small intestine of Cinclus leucocephalus (Aves: Passeriformes: Cinclidae) collected in the Yungas region of Bolivia. Cinclotaenia minuta n. sp. is characterized by possessing a minute strobila with a maximum body length of 1.58 mm, consisting of 5-10 proglottids, 19-22 rostellar hooks with lengths from 16 to 17 microm, 12-17 testes per proglottid, and eggs forming packets without filaments. Cinclotaenia boliviensis n. sp. has bandlike strobila with a length up to 26 mm with 67-74 proglittids, 22 rostellar hooks with length 39-42 microm, 43-68 testes, and eggs forming packets possessing long filaments. The systematic position in Cinclotaenia of cestodes lacking filaments on the egg packets is confirmed. This is the first record of species of Cinclotaenia in dippers from Bolivia and also the first report of cestodes from Cinclus sp. in the Neotropical Region.     

Diplectanids (Monogenea) parasitic on the gills of the coralgroupers Plectropomus laevis and P. leopardus (Perciformes, Serranidae) off New Caledonia, with the description of five new species and the erection of Echinoplectanum n. g.

Echinoplectanum n. g. is erected for diplectanids which have a male copulatory organ comprising a tubular sclerotised penis with a muscular reservoir at its proximal extremity and an protrusible cirrus, often with spiny ridges, at its distal extremity, and a female copulatory organ comprising a sclerotised vaginal sac, often with two thin tubes. All species have similar squamodiscs made of rows of rodlets, with the central rows forming closed circles, and haptoral parts with a similar shape but different measurements; they are distinguished on the basis of the size and morphology of the male copulatory organ and sclerotised vagina. Five new species are included in Echinoplectanum and are all parasites of coralgroupers, Plectropomus spp., off New Caledonia, South Pacific. Two are from P. laevis (Lacépède): E. laeve n. sp. (type-species) has a large elongate penis, 53[Formula: see text]m in length, a cirrus with spiny ridges and a spherical vagina with two long thin tubes; and E. chauvetorum n. sp. has a large elongate penis, 51[Formula: see text]m in length, a cirrus with thin spiny ridges, and a pear-shaped vagina with two short thin tubes. Three species are from P. leopardus (Lacépède): E. leopardi n. sp. has an elongate penis, 36[Formula: see text]m in length, an unspiny cirrus and a triangular vagina; E. pudicum n. sp. has a very small elongate penis 14[Formula: see text]m in length and no visible vagina; and E. rarum n. sp. has a short thick penis 18[Formula: see text]m in length and a ring-shaped vagina with two thin tubes. In addition, Diplectanum plectropomi Young, 1969, from P. maculatus off Western Australia, and D. echinophallus Euzet & Oliver, 1965 from Epinephelus marginatus in the Mediterranean Sea and Senegal, West Africa, both herein redescribed from the type-specimens, are transferred to Echinoplectanum, as E. plectropomi n. comb. and E. echinophallus n. comb., respectively. Six of the seven species of Echinoplectanum are parasitic in members of Plectropomus from the South West Pacific, but one (E. echinophallus) is a parasite of Epinephelus marginatus and has been recorded only from the Mediterranean and East Atlantic; it is suggested that Echinoplectanum is associated with Plectropomus, a basal genus among the epinephelines, and that host-switching to Epinephelus marginatus occurred, whose distribution extends from Europe to the Indian Ocean. Morphological characteristics of the copulatory organs suggest that a "chastity belt versus spiny penis" sperm competition pattern prevails in Echinoplectanum spp.     

Pararalichus gen.n. (Acarina, Pterolichidae) from New World parrots (Aves, Psittacidae)

Pararalichus gen.n. (Pterolichidae, Pterolichinae) is described; two species groups, from species of Brotogeris Vigors and Touit Gray, respectively, include two named and ten new species. From Brotogeris : the type species Pararalichus dilatatus (Favette & Trouessart) stat.n., comb.n. [= Protolichus ( Mesolichus ) hemiphyllus dilatatus ] from Brotogeris jugularis (Müller), Brazil, Guatemala, Panama; P. chrysopteri sp.n. from B. chrysopterus (L.). Guyana, Surinam; P. cyanopterae sp.n. from B. cyanoptera (Pelzeln), Bolivia, Peru; P. pyrrhopteri sp.n. from B. Pyrrhopterus (Latham), Ecuador, Peru; P. sanctithomae sp.n. from B. sanctithomae (Müller), Bolivia, Peru; P. tiricae sp.n. from B. tirica (Gmelin), Brazil; P. versicolori sp.n. from B. versicolorus (Müller), Brazil, Peru. From Touit: P. hemiphyllus (Mégnin & Trouessart) comb.n. [ =Pterolichus (P.) hemiphyllus ] from Touit batavica (Boddaert), Surinam, Trinidad; P. dilectissimae sp.n. thrn T. dilectissima (Sclater & Salvin), Colmbia, Costa Rica; P. huetii sp.n. from T. huetii (Temminck), Brazil, Guyana, Peru; P. parpuratae sp.n. from T. purpurata (Gmelin), Brazil, Guyana, Surinam; P. surdae sp.n. from T. surda (Kuhl), Brazil. All hosts are Central and South American parrots. Mesolichus Trouessart, 1899 is recognized as a monotypical genus.