Two Species of Stephanostomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from Marine Fishes off Namibia,Including S. Beukelaardori n. sp.

Stephanostomum kovalevae Parukhin, 1968 from the intestine of Lophius vomerinus off Swakopmund, Namibia, is redescribed. It is characterised by its large number (c. 73-88) of circum-oral spines, its relatively very long hindbody and the vitellarium reaching close to or just overlapping the ventral sucker. S. beukelaardori n. sp., from the intestine of Zenopsis conchifera off Walvis Bay, Namibia, is described. It belongs to the group of species where the vitellarium reaches the ventral sucker, and which has c. 32-38 circum-oral spines. It is closest to S. casum (Linton, 1910), but differs in lacking the lining of prominent spines in the ejaculatory duct, probably in egg-size and in both forebody and hindbody lengths.     

Four species of Stephanostomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from Seriola dumerili (Risso) (Teleostei: Carangidae) in the western Mediterranean,including S. euzeti n. sp.

Four species of Stephanostomum are described from various sites in Seriola dumerili from off Corsica, France. S. ditrematis (Yamaguti, 1939), from the stomach, pyloric caeca and duodenum, has 36 circum-oral spines. S. seriolae Yamaguti, 1970 is considered a synonym of S. ditrematis. S. filiforme Linton, 1940, from the mid-intestine, has 43-46 circum-oral spines. S. petimba Yamaguti, 1970, from the rectum, has a 42 circum-oral spines. S. euzeti n. sp. has 49-51 circum-oral spines, and differs from worms with a similar anterior extent of the vitellarium and circum-oral spine number in details of the vitelline distribution and the distances between the gonads. Attention is drawn to the presence in the rectum of S. dumerili of sympatric species differentiated mainly on circum-oral spine number.     

Species of Stephanostomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from fishes of Australian and South Pacific waters,including five new species

Nine species of Stephanostomum are described from Australian and Southern Pacific marine fishes: Stephanostomum madhaviae n. sp. [syn. S. orientalis of Madhavi (1976)] from Caranx ignobilis, off Hope Island, Queensland, with 30-34 circum-oral spines and vitelline fields almost reaching to the posterior extremity of the cirrus-sac; S. bicoronatum (Stossich, 1883) from Argyrosomus hololepidotus, off Southport Broadwater, Queensland; S. votonimoli n. sp. from Scomberoides lysan, off Moorea, French Polynesia (type-locality) and Western Samoa, with 33-38 circum-oral spines, a uroproct and the vitelline fields not reaching the cirrus-sac; S. nyoomwa n. sp. from Caranx sexfasciatus, off Heron Island, Queensland, with 33-38 circum-oral spines, a uroproct and the vitelline fields reaching the cirrus-sac; S. cobia n. sp. from Rachycentron canadum, off Heron Island, with 36 circum-oral spines, a uroproct and the vitelline fields reaching the cirrus-sac; S. petimba Yamaguti, 1970 from Seriola hippos, off Rottnest Island, Western Australia; S. pacificum (Yamaguti, 1951) from Pseudocaranx wrighti, off Fremantle, Western Australia; S. aaravi n. sp. from Lethrinus miniatus, off Heron Island, with 36-39 circum-oral spines, probably a uroproct and the vitelline fields reaching the ventral sucker; S. pagrosomi (Yamaguti, 1939) from L. nebulosus, L. miniatus and L. atkinsoni off Heron Island, Pagrus auratus, off Rottnest Island, Western Australia and Gymnocranius audleyi, off Heron Island. A digest of described species of Stephanostomum is included as an appendix.     

Monostephanostomum georgianum n. sp. (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from Arripis georgianus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Arripidae) off Kangaroo Island,South Australia,with comments on Monostephanostomum Kruse, 1979 and Stephanostomum Looss, 1899

Monostephanostomum georgianum n. sp. is described from Arripis georgianus off Kangaroo Island, South Australia. It differs from its congeners by the presence of a short second row of oral spines. M. manteri Kruse, 1979 is reported from A. georgianus off southern Western Australia and Kangaroo Island, South Australia and A. trutta off northern Tasmania. It is considered that the other two species, M. yamagutii Ramadan, 1984 and M. krusei Reimer, 1983, should probably be removed from this genus. Two new combinations are formed, M. gazzae (Shen, 1990) n. comb. (from Stephanostomum) and M. mesospinosum (Madhavi, 1976) n. comb. (from Stephanostomum). A key to the four recognised species of Monostephanostomum is given.     

Macvicaria taksengi n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) in marine teleosts from Pinang,Malaysia

Summary A new species, Macvicaria taksengi (Opecoelidae: Plagioporinae), is described from the fishes Otolithes ruber and Sillago sihama from Pinang, Malaysia. It differs from most other members of the genus in the position of the ovary relative to the testes and the anterior position of the genital pore. A brief discussion on the Indo-West Pacific forms of the genus Macvicaria and related genera includes references to several new combinations: M. [Lebouria] isaitschikowi (Layman, 1930), M. [Plagioporus] sillagonis (Yamaguti, 1938), M. [Plagioporus] chrysophrys (Nagaty & Abdel Aal, 1969) and M. [Plagioporus (Plagioporus)] longisaccus (Fischthal & Kuntz, 1964).     

Ankistromeces mariae n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Meuschenia freycineti (Monacanthidae) off Tasmania

Ankistromeces mariae n. g., n. sp. is described from Meuschenia freycineti (Monacanthidae), the six-spined leatherjacket, from off northern Tasmania. The new genus differs from the 21 other sanguinicolid genera in the combination of the anteriorly intercaecal and posteriorly post-caecal single testis, the presence of a cirrus-sac, the absence of an auxiliary external seminal vesicle, separate genital pores, the typically post-ovarian uterus and the H-shaped intestine. A. mariae is the first sanguinicolid to be reported from a monacanthid fish.     

Revision of the Brazilian species of the genus Halipegus Looss, 1899 (Trematoda: Derogenidae)

Halipegus dubius Klein, 1905 is redescribed and illustrated from a Brazilian frog Leptodactylus ocellatus. The type-material of Halipegus genarchella (Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928) and Halipegus parva (Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928) are redescribed with original figures. New synonyms are proposed: Halipegus salmini Yamaguti, 1958 is considered a synonym of H. genarchella, H. tropicus (Manter, 1936) sensu Kloss (1966) of H. parva and Genarchella lenti Fábio, 1984 of H. overstreeti (Brooks, Mayes & Thorson, 1979) n. comb.     

Tormopsolus attenuatus n. sp. (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from Seriola hippos (Perciformes: Carangidae), Western Australia,with some observations on the relationships in the genus

A new acanthocolpid, Tormopsolus attenuatus n. sp., is described from the carangid Seriola hippos from waters off the coast of SW Australia. A cladistic analysis of the genus using 31 morphological and metrical characters indicates that the closest species is T. asiatica Parukhin, 1976 status amend. (previously T. orientalis asiatica). T. attenuatus differs from T. asiatica in its smaller overall dimensions, more attenuated outline, relatively shorter post-testicular region, vitelline interruption at the level of the ovary, papillae on the oral sucker and, possibly, much longer genital atrium. Other similar species, T. orientalis Yamaguti, 1934 and T. medius Reimer, 1983, differ in having interruptions of the vitelline fields at the level of both testes and at the level of the ovary.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Phyllopodopsyllus T. Scott (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from Africa with description of two new species

Two new species of marine, sand-dwelling harpacticoids are described: Phyllopodopsyllus pallaresae n. sp. from Namibia, and P. hartmannorum n. sp. from Tanzania. The hitherto unknown male of P. xenus (Kunz) is described from Namibia. Further remarks are made on P. furciger Sars from Tanzania.Zwei neue sandbewohnende Harpacticoiden-Arten werden beschrieben: Phyllopodosyllus pallaresae n. sp. von Namibia und Phyllopodopsyllus hartmannorum n. sp. von Tansania. Außerdem wird das bisher unbekannte Männchen von Phyllopodopsyllus xenus (Kunz) von Namibia beschrieben. Morphologische Merkmale von Phyllopodopsyllus furciger Sars werden anhand eines Fundes von Tansania ergänzt.     

Molecular phylogeny of Haematoloechus Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae), with emphasis on North American species

Phylogenetic hypothesis of 23 populations corresponding to 18 species of the digenean Haematoloechus from America, Europe, and Africa, based on ribosomal DNA 28S partial sequences (approximately 890 bp), is presented. Genetic divergence between the in-group and the out-groups ranged from 9.7 to 14.5% and within the in-group, from 0.9 to 12.2%. Eight most parsimonious trees 569 steps long were obtained, with a consistency index of 72%. Groups in the tree are not congruent with those in previous classification schemes of species in the genus, based on a small number of morphological characters. For this subset of Haematoloechus species, plesiomorphic hosts are species of Rana, with 2 colonizations to other amphibian groups. African species appear to have diverged after the separation of Gondwana and Laurasia. Therefore, South American species should appear as the closest relatives of African species when included in the analysis. The evidence presented suggests an ancestral wide distribution of North American representatives of the group, followed by successive contraction, amplification, and fragmentation of ranges and speciation events as a result of the intense volcanic activity in the central part of Mexico since the late Tertiary, the drying climate of western and central United States and northwestern Mexico from the early Eocene to the Pleistocene, and the glaciation during the Pleistocene.     

Revision of the Afrotropical genus Notomela Jacoby, 1899 with description of N. joliveti sp. n. from Principe Island (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae,Alticini)

The Afrotropical flea beetle genus Notomela Jacoby, 1899 is reviewed. Notomela joliveti sp.n. from Principe Island is described. The following new synonymies are established: Notomela cyanipennis Jacoby, 1899 = Notomela viridipennis Bryant, 1941, syn. n. = Notomela cyanipennis macrosoma Bechyné, 1959, syn. n. In addition, the new combination is established: Notomela fulvofasciata Jacoby, 1903 is transfered to Amphimela [Amphimela fulvofasciata (Jacoby, 1903), comb. n.]. Micrographs of male and female genitalia, scanning electron micrographs of some diagnostic morphological characters, a key to identification, and distributional data for all species of Notomela, are provided.     

Saturnius minutus n. sp. and S. dimitrovi n. sp. (Digenea: Hemiuridae) from Mugil cephalus L. (Teleostei: Mugilidae), with a multivariate morphological analysis of the Mediterranean species of Saturnius Manter, 1969

Three species of the bunocotyline genus Saturnius Manter, 1969 are described from the stomach lining of mugilid fishes of the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Two of the species are new: S. minutus n. sp. occurs in Mugil cephalus off the Mediterranean coast of Spain; and S. dimitrovi n. sp., a parasite of M. cephalus off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and the Spanish Mediterranean coast, was originally described as S. papernai by Dimitrov et al. (1998). In addition, S. papernai Overstreet, 1977 is redescribed from M. cephalus off the Spanish Mediterranean coast and from Liza aurata and L. saliens off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The three species are distinguished morphometrically using univariate and multivariate analyses. These results were verified using Linear Discriminant Analysis which correctly allocated all specimens to their species designations based on morphology (i.e. 100% successful classification rate) and assigned almost all specimens to the correct population (locality). The following variables were selected for optimal separation between samples: the length of the forebody, ventral sucker and posterior testis, the length and width of the posteriormost pseudosegment, and the width of the muscular flange at ventral sucker level.     

The genus Deretrema Linton, 1910 (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from southern Great Barrier Reef fishes,with a description of Deretrema woolcockae n. sp.

Two species of Deretrema (Zoogonidae) are reported from labrid fishes from the Great Barrier Reef. D. nahaense Yamaguti, 1942 is recorded from the gall-bladders of the labrids Thalassoma hardwicke (Bennett), T. jansenii (Bleeker), T. lunare (Linnaeus) and T. lutescens (Lay & Bennett). This species is recognised, despite having been formerly synonymised with D. pacificum Yamaguti, 1942. In addition to morphological distinction, D. nahaense appears to have strict host-specificity for the genus Thalassoma. D. woolcockae n.sp. is described from the gallbladder of Hemigymnus fasciatus (Bloch). The new species is close to D. acutum Pritchard, 1963 and D. plotosi Yamaguti, 1940, but differs slightly in the distribution of the vitelline follicles, the sucker-ratio and the position of the cirrus-sac. In addition, this species also appears to have a distinct host-specificity, being restricted to one labrid species.     

Some aspects of the biology of the cercaria and metacercaria of Stephanostomum baccatum (Nicoll, 1907) Manter, 1934 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae)

Experimental proof is presented that Cercaria neptunae Lebour is the cercaria of Stephanostomum baccatum and that the gastropods Buccinum undatum (L.) and Neptunea antiqua (L.) both act as its first intermediate hosts in the north-east Atlantic. Heavy experimental infections were associated with mortalities of 0+plaice Pleuronectes platessa (L.). The probable effects on plaice of infections at intensities below the lethal level are discussed. Under natural conditions almost all S. baccatum infection of plaice occurs in the first year of life, but newly emerged cercariae were shown experimentally to be capable of encysting in the musculature of plaice up to three years old. The thicker epidermis of older plaice may account for their resistance to infection. Common dabs were more easily infected than plaice. The ability of S. baccatum cercariae to infect plaice and common dabs is inversely related to the length of time between emergence and contact with the host. The differences in skin structure between opposite sides of the plaice body may account for the asymmetrical distribution of metacercariae in the musculature. The potential use of S. baccatum as a biological tag is discussed.     

Helminths of rodents and marsupials from Papua New Guinea,with the description of two new species,Echinostoma echymiperae n. sp. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) and Vampirolepis peroryctis n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae)

The following rodents and marsupials from the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea have been examined for helminths: Anisomys imitator, Melomys spp., Pogonomelomys ruemmleri, Rattus spp., Echymipera kalubu and Peroryctes raffrayanus. Two new species and a number of new host records are reported. Echinostoma echymiperae n. sp., a digenean from the intestine of Echymipera kalubu, is characterised by the number of collar spines, the body armature and the shape and position of the gonads. Vampirolepis peroryctis n. sp., a cestode from the intestine of Peroryctes raffrayanus, is characterised by the length of the rostellar hooks, the shape of the ovary, the arrangement of the testes in a triangle and the extent of the cirrus-sac. Hymenolepis aklei, H. bradleyi, H. antechini, H. bettongiae, H. cercarteti, H. isoodontis and H. potoroi are transferred to Vampirolepis as new combinations. E. kalubu is a new host for Linstowia semoni and Pogonomelomys ruemmleri is a new host for Hymenolepis diminuta. V. peroryctis is the first platyhelminth to be reported from Peroryctes raffrayanus and Raillietina (Raillietina) sp. the second to be reported from the genus Melomys.     

Lecithophyllum kitrii n. sp. (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) from Australian coral reef fishes of the genus Siganus

Lecithophyllum kitrii n. sp. is described from Siganus punctatus and S. lineatus off Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. It differs from most other species in the genus in its elongate pars prostatica and globular sinus-sac, and from all other species in having the seminal vesicle almost always entirely in the hindbody.     

The Lepocreadiidae (Digenea) of fishes from the north-east Atlantic: review of the genus Neolepidapedon Manter, 1954, with a description of N. smithi n. sp.

A new species, Neolepidapedon smithi, is described from the fish Mora moro in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean and is distinguished from other members of the genus. It differs from its congeners in the extension of the vitellarium into the forebody and/or the body shape. The genus Neolepidapedon is reviewed and a key to species given. The genus has previously contained up to 20 species, but is here restricted to eight species, which possess a very thick male duct wall within the cirrus-sac, a narrow internal seminal vesicle, an excretory vesicle restricted to the hindbody and no eye-spots. The remaining nominal species with a relatively thin-walled internal male duct, a globular internal seminal vesicle, an excretory system which reaches into the forebody and eye-spots are considered to belong to a separate group which is related to Opechona. Some of these species were included by Yamaguti (1971) in his new subgenus Neolepidapedon (Neolepidapedoides), which is raised to full generic status. Eight new combinations are made: Neolepidapedoides belizensis (Fischthal, 1977), N. dollfusi (Durio & Manter, 1968), N. equilatum (Siddiqi & Cable, 1960), N. hypoplectri (Nahhas & Cable, 1964), N. israelense (Fischthal, 1980), N. macrum (Overstreet, 1969), N. medialunae (Montgomery, 1957) and N. mycteropercae (Siddiqi & Cable, 1960).     

Chalcinotrema thatcheri n. sp. (Digenea: Haploporidae) from Brazilian freshwater fishes,a redescription of C. ruedasueltensis Thatcher, 1978 and comments on the validity of the genus

Chalcinotrema thatcheri n. sp. from the intestine of Schizodon knerii is described. It is most closely related in general morphology to C. salobrensis Freitas, 1947 and C. ruedasueltensis Thatcher, 1978, from which it differs, respectively, in: testis-size, the distribution of the vitelline follicles and the distance between the gonads; and body-size, egg-size, the extent of the caeca and the shape of the seminal vesicle. The holotype of C. ruedasueltensis is redescribed with original figures. Chalcinotrema Freitas, 1947, is considered a good genus distinct from Carassotrema Park, 1938, on the basis of the presence of uterine loops between the ovary and testis and its totally different geographical distribution. Carassotrema tilapiae Nasir & Gomez, 1976 is transferred to the former genus as Chalcinotrema tilapiae (Nasir & Gomez, 1976) n. comb.     

Dactylomyza gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Schuettea woodwardi (Waite) (Monodactylidae) from off Western Australia

An opecoelid digenean, Dactylomyza gibsoni n. g., n. sp. is described and figured from Schuettea woodwardi (Waite), a monodactylid from off the coast of Western Australia. The new genus conforms to the concept of the opecoelid subfamily Opecoelinae. The resemblance of the new genus to three other opecoelid genera, Pseudopecoeloides Yamaguti, 1940, Opecoeloides Odhner, 1928 and Poracanthium Dollfus, 1948, is discussed. Dactylomyza n. g. is distinguished from these morphologically similar worms on the basis of its median genital pore, ventral sucker appendages, uroproct and the absence of an accessory sucker. Pseudopecoeloides equesi Manter, 1947 is transferred to the new genus as Dactylomyza equesi (Manter, 1947) n. comb.