Intestinal helminth parasites in flounder Platichthys flesus from the River Thames: an infracommunity analysis

An analysis was undertaken of intestinal helminth communities in flounder Platichthys flesus from two sites on the River Thames. A comparison was made between helminth community richness and diversity from these sites at the component and infracommunity levels. At the component community level, a richer and more diverse parasite community was found in flounder from the Tilbury location (marine influence) than that from the Lots Road location (freshwater influence). At the infracommunity level, more parasite species and parasite individuals per host were found at Lots Road and the percentage of similarity values were low at both locations. Helminth species with high prevalence values in the parasite communities of the flounder are the dominant species in any individual fish, harbouring multi-specific infections. The presence of more invertebrate species, which are intermediate hosts in the helminth life cycle in the Thames, fish vagility and the high prevalence and abundance values of Pomphorhynchus laevis in the flounder, may explain the differences between the two locations.     

The status of flounders, Platichthys flesus L., as hosts of the Acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller) and its survival in marine conditions

The status of flounders as hosts of Pomphorhynchus laevis and its survival in both freshwater and marine habitats was studied in the wild and by means of laboratory investigations. Natural infections were found in flounders in the euryhaline regions of the River Avon but not in adjacent or distant regions of the English Channel. Pomphorhynchus laevis of freshwater origin survived and grew but did not become sexually mature in natural infections of flounders in the Avon or in flounders maintained in fresh water and sea water in the laboratory. The position of the parasite in the alimentary canal of its host changed in flounders but not in eels in response to the changing conditions within the flounder with increasing salinity. In the Baltic Sea P. laevis grew to a larger size, became sexually mature and occupied a different position, the rectum, in both flounders and plaice. It is suggested that marine and Baltic parasites constitute a different strain of P. laevis , one which completes its entire life cycle in the marine habitat and for which flounder is the preferred host. By contrast, flounders are not even a suitable host for the English freshwater strain of P. laevis although individual parasites may be carried to sea in this and other migratory fish and survive in this medium for varying periods. The sea appears to be a major barrier to dispersal of this freshwater strain, and this largely explains the restricted and discontinuous distribution of the parasite in Britain.     

Community ecology of metazoan parasites of the anchovy Anchoa tricolor (Osteichthyes: Engraulidae) from the coastal zone of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Between October 2001 and March 2002, 103 specimens of A. tricolor from Angra dos Reis (23 degrees 01' S, 44 degrees 19' W), in the coastal zone of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed in order to study their metazoan parasite infracommunities. Ten species of metazoan parasites were collected: 4 digeneans, 1 cestode, 1 acantocephalan, 2 nematodes, 1 copepod, and 1 hirudinean; 77.7% of the fishes were parasitized by one or more metazoan, with a mean of 3.5 +/- 6.2 parasite/fish. Digenean was the most dominant with 4 species that accounted for 53.2% of the total parasites collected; Ergasilus sp. was the most abundant species. Abundance and prevalence of Parahemiurus merus (Linton, 1910) were positively correlated with the total length of host. Relationships between total body length of fish and both total parasite abundance and mean parasite species richness were observed. Mean parasite diversity of species was correlated to host's total length, with significant differences found between male and female fishes. Two pairs of larval species showed significant positive association and covariation. The metazoan parasite infracommunities of A. tricolor presented dominance of larval endoparasites; correlation of parasite abundance, diversity, and species richness with host total length; and low number of parasite interspecific relationships. The parasite community of A. tricolor showed some similarities with the parasite community of another South American Atlantic engraulid.     

Helminth parasites of the blue-footed booby on Isla Isabel, México

A survey of the helminth fauna of the blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii, on Isla Isabel, off the Pacific coast of México, is presented. Eight parasite species were found: 4 digeneans (Galactosomum puffini , Mesostephanus microbursa, Opisthometra planicollis, and Renicola thapari), 3 nematodes (Contracaecum sp., Porrocaecum sp., and Tetrameres sp.), and 1 cestode (Tetrabothrius sp). All these species are reported for the first time in the blue-footed booby, and they represent 8 new locality records as well. Species accumulation curves suggest these 8 parasite species comprise the total helminth fauna of this population of boobies. The most frequent and abundant parasite was R. thapari, inhabiting the kidney of its host. In male boobies, a significant negative correlation was found between abundance of R. thapari and host body condition.     

Do eel parasites reflect the local crustacean community? A case study from the Rhine River system

In 2003, the parasite fauna of 197 European eels Anguilla anguilla, captured at three different locations (Laufenburg, Karlsruhe and Beneeden Leeuwen) in the River Rhine, was analysed. The eels harboured a total of 18 species, among them the protozoa (Myxidium giardi, Myxobolus kotlani and Trypanosoma granulosum), acanthocephalans (Acanthocephalus anguillae, Acanthocephalus lucii, Echinorhynchus truttae, Pomphorhynchus laevis), nematodes (Paraquimperia tenerrima, Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, Camallanus lacustris, Raphidascaris acus, Spinitectus inermis and Anguillicola crassus), cestodes (Bothriocephalus claviceps and Proteocephalus macrocephalus) and monogeneans (Pseudodactylogyrus sp.). The parasite fauna at the different locations is discussed with respect to the crustacean fauna present at these locations. The investigation shows that changes in the composition of the crustacean fauna, due to the anthropogenic breakdown of a biogeographic barrier, are reflected in the composition of the intestinal eel parasite fauna.     

西藏拉萨河鱼类内寄生蠕虫的种类组成及其群落特征

2004年7月对西藏拉萨河鱼类的体内寄生蠕虫进行了调查,共采集到7种鱼类,其中6种隶属于裂腹鱼亚科,1种隶属于鳅科。在这些鱼类中,共发现了2种棘头虫和1种棘头虫未定种、3种线虫、3种绦虫及异肉吸虫属(Allocreadium)的种类。它们分别是青海新棘吻虫(Neoechinorhynchus qinghaiensis)、裸鲤棘头虫(Echinorhynchus gymnocyprii)和新棘吻虫未定种(Neoechinorhynchus sp.),希蚋杆咽线虫(Rhabdochona hellichi)、对盲囊线虫(Contracaecum sp.)和胃瘤线虫(Eustrongylides sp.),东方短结绦虫(Breviscolex orientalis)、舌状绦虫(Ligula sp.)和裂头绦虫(Diphyllobothrium sp.),以及寄生裂腹鱼的异肉吸虫(Allocreadium spp.)。对青海新棘吻虫、杆咽线虫、东方短结绦虫、异肉吸虫和新棘吻虫未定种在鱼类中发育成熟的寄生虫进行了形态描述。从不同的裂腹鱼中获得的异肉吸虫属的种类未能鉴定到种;其他没有鉴定到种的寄生虫主要是利用鱼类作为中间寄主的种类,其种类鉴定则有赖于成虫的获得。迄今为止,青海新棘吻虫和裂腹鱼异肉吸虫(A.schizothoracis)仅在裂腹鱼类中被发现,可能表明裂腹鱼具有特异性的棘头虫和异肉吸虫。在所检查的7种鱼类中,除异齿裂腹鱼(Schizothorax oconnori)没有发现蠕虫外,其他6种鱼都发现了4~6种蠕虫,显示较高的物种丰富度;5种裂腹鱼蠕虫群落的Shannon-Wiener指数较高(0·6131~1·5434),而细尾高原鳅(Triplophysa stenura)的较低(0·2911);5种裂腹鱼寄生虫群落之间的相似性相对较高,为(0·1732±0·2303)~(0·3751±0·2758),而裂腹鱼与细尾高原鳅的相似性则较低,为(0·0288±0·0877)~(0·0916±0·1618)。在这些寄生蠕虫中,以鱼类为中间宿主的寄生虫种类有4种,他们都以鸟类为终末寄主,因而也在一定程度上反映了该地区的动物区系组成。     

Larval morphology, genetic divergence, and contrasting levels of host manipulation between forms of Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala)

Studies on parasite species with a wide geographic and ecological range may be confounded by still equivocal taxonomic identification. Here, we investigated genetic polymorphism and behavioural changes induced in a common intermediate host, in two different forms of Pomphorhynchus laevis based on the morphology of the larval infective stage (cystacanth). A 'smooth type' (S) and a 'wrinkled type' (W) of cystacanth were distinguished based on their surface and shape. We analysed sequence divergence at both nuclear (ribosomal gene 18S rDNA, and ribosomal internal transcribed spacers, ITS1/ITS2) and mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) genes of P. laevis cystacanths and adults at various geographical scales. A high level of sequence divergence at ITS1, ITS2 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (11, 8 and 20%, respectively) was found between these two forms. The divergence pattern consistently discriminated two groups independently of geographic origin or host, and was congruent with larval morphology. The two forms also strongly differed in the intensity of behavioural change induced in their common intermediate host, Gammarus pulex, with the S-type parasite inducing a positive phototactism, whereas W-type infected gammarids were as photophylic as uninfected ones. Overall, our data strongly support the specific status of these two forms. We suggest that smooth cystacanths correspond to P. laevis, whereas wrinkled cystacanths might correspond to the previously described and poorly documented, Pomphorhynchus tereticollis, considered a synonym of P. laevis. This study also confirms the value of a joint analysis of internal transcribed spacers and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 genes to biogeographic studies on these species. Finally, we emphasize the importance of linking morphological and biological characteristics of acanthocephalan cystacanths to molecular data, in the study of the evolutionary ecology and systematics of this group.     

Gastrointestinal parasites of the colobus monkeys of Uganda

From August 1997 to July 2003, we collected 2,103 fecal samples from free-ranging individuals of the 3 colobus monkey species of Uganda-the endangered red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles), the eastern black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza), and the Angolan black-and-white colobus (C. angolensis)--to identify and determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were isolated by sodium nitrate flotation and fecal sedimentation. Coprocultures facilitated identification of helminths. Seven nematodes (Strongyloides fulleborni, S. stercoralis, Oesophagostomum sp., an unidentified strongyle, Trichuris sp., Ascaris sp., and Colobenterobius sp.), 1 cestode (Bertiella sp.), 1 trematode (Dicrocoeliidae), and 3 protozoans (Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica, and Giardia lamblia) were detected. Seasonal patterns of infection were not apparent for any parasite species infecting colobus monkeys. Prevalence of S. fulleborni was higher in adult male compared to adult female red colobus, but prevalence did not differ for any other shared parasite species between age and sex classes.     

Helminth and leech community structure in tadpoles and caudatan larvae of two amphibian species from Western Nebraska

Currently no comparative studies exist on helminth and leech community structure among sympatric anuran tadpoles and salamander larvae. During June-August 2007-2009, we examined 50 bullfrog tadpoles, Rana catesbeiana , 50 barred tiger salamander larvae, Ambystoma mavortium , and 3 species of snails from Nevens Pond, Keith County, Nebraska for helminth and leech infections. The helminth and leech compound community of this larval amphibian assemblage consisted of at least 7 species, 4 in bullfrog tadpoles and 4 in barred tiger salamander larvae. Bullfrog tadpoles were infected with 2 species of nematodes ( Gyrinicola batrachiensis and Spiroxys sp.) and 2 types of metacercariae ( Telorchis sp. and echinostomatids), whereas barred tiger salamander larva were infected with 1 species of leech ( Placobdella picta ), 2 species of adult trematodes ( Telorchis corti and Halipegus sp.), and 1 species of an unidentified metacercaria. The component community of bullfrog tadpoles was dominated by helminths acquired through active penetration, or incidentally ingested through respiratory currents, or both, whereas the component community of larval salamanders was dominated by helminths acquired through ingestion of intermediate hosts (χ2 = 3,455.00, P < 0.00001). Differences in amphibian larval developmental time (2-3 yr for bullfrog tadpoles versus 2-5 mo for salamander larvae), the ephemeral nature of intermediate hosts in Nevens Pond, and the ability of bullfrog tadpole to eliminate echinostome infections had significant effects on mean helminth species richness among amphibian species and years (t = 12.31, P < 0.0001; t = 2.09, P = 0.04). Differences in herbivorous and carnivorous diet and time to metamorphosis among bullfrog tadpoles and barred tiger salamander larvae were important factors in structuring helminth communities among the larval stages of these 2 sympatric amphibian species, whereas size was important in structuring helminth and leech communities in larval salamanders, but not in bullfrog tadpoles.     

Gastrointestinal parasites of the guenons of western Uganda

From January 1998 to December 2002, we collected 293 fecal samples from free-ranging individuals of the 4 guenon species of western Uganda, i.e., redtail guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius), blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis), l'hoesti monkeys (Cercopithecus lhoesti), and vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops), to quantify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were isolated by sodium nitrate flotation and fecal sedimentation. Helminth parasites were identified, and infection prevalence was determined for all 4 guenon species. Coprocultures facilitated identification of strongylate nematodes. For the most common species, the redtail guenon, we documented prevalence of protozoan parasites and examined the effect of season and host sex on infection prevalence. Six nematodes (Strongyloidesfulleborni, Oesophagostomum sp., unidentified strongyle, Trichuris sp., Streptopharagus sp., and Enterobius sp.), 1 cestode (Bertiella sp.), 1 trematode (Dicrocoeliidae), and 5 protozoans (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, lodameoba butschlii, Giardia lamblia, and Chilomastix mesnili) were detected. Seasonal patterns of infection were not readily apparent for any parasite species infecting redtail guenons. Although prevalence never differed between male and female guenons, only adult females were infected with Oesophagostomum sp. and S. fulleborni.     

A comparison of freshwater and marine/estuarine strains of Pomphorhynchus laevis occurring sympatrically in flounder, Platichthys flesus, in the tidal Thames

Collections of flounder, Platichthys flesus, at two sites on the tidal River Thames in 1994 and 1995 have, for the first time, revealed the sympatric occurrence of the freshwater and marine/estuarine strains of the acanthocephalan parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis. This natural co-occurrence of the strains has been employed to compare infection levels and a range of parasite attributes of the two strains under conditions of sympatry. At both Lots Road (Chelsea) and Tilbury the marine/estuarine strain was present at far higher infection levels than the freshwater form. In a detailed comparison of worms from Tilbury flounder, a range of differences was revealed between the two strains. In single strain infections in individual fish, freshwater and marine/estuarine worms had distinct but overlapping gut microhabitat use patterns, with the former having a central intestinal bias and the latter a bias for the posterior region of the gut. In mixed strain infections, niche contraction occurred so that no overlap occurred. Freshwater worms were larger and had more eggs, more ovarian balls, and a higher percentage of fully developed eggs than the marine/estuarine worms. These differences are thought to reflect intrinsic, presumably genetically determined, differences between the two strains as they occurred in the same fish host species collected at the same place and time. Apparent differences in strain reproductive potential in flounder in the tidal Thames are discussed in the context of previous studies and the intermediate host segment of the parasite life cycle.     

Stock structure of blue threadfin Eleutheronema tetradactylum across northern Australia, as indicated by parasites

The parasite fauna of the blue threadfin Eleutheronema tetradactylum, collected from 14 sites across northern Australia, was examined to evaluate the degree of movement and subsequent stock structure of the fish. Univariate and multivariate analysis of nine 'permanent' parasite species [the nematodes Anisakis (type I) and Terranova (type II), the cestodes Otobothrium australe, Pterobothrium pearsoni, Pterobothrium sp. A, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Parotobothrium balli and Nybelinia sp., and the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus sp.] demonstrated little similarity between sites, indicating limited mixing and therefore long-term separation of post-juvenile fish. As such, the effects of fishing are likely to be localized within the current administrative boundaries, implying little need for interstate co-operative management. Within each jurisdiction, management of E. tetradactylum populations, including the establishment of harvest strategies and fishery regulations, should be conducted in a way that recognizes the resident nature of the fish.     

Helminth parasite diversity discloses age and sex differences in the foraging behaviour of southern lapwings (Vanellus chilensis)

Parasites with heteroxen cycles are important sources of information on the trophic relations of hosts. This is particularly instructive for species whose age‐based or sex‐based differences are hardly detected by behavioural observations. Here, we describe the helminth community of the omnivorous southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) and evaluate whether it is affected by the host's sex, age and body size. The species is sexually monomorphic in body length, but males are slightly heavier than females. We analysed 112 individuals collected in Curitiba, Brazil, in March 2010. All hosts were parasitized. The helminth community was composed of 10 species (the digeneans Leucochloridium parcum and Athesmia sp., the cestode Infula macrophallus, the acantocephalans Plagiorhynchus sp., Centrorhynchus sp., Mediorhynchus sp., and an unidentified Gigantorhynchida, and the nematodes Heterakis psophiae, Dispharynx nasuta and an unidentified Capillariidae), seven of which were novel reports for this host species. Prevalence ranged from <1% to 99%. Whereas I. macrophallus was the most prevalent species, D. nasuta showed the highest mean intensity and abundance of infection. The former was found in most hosts as single male–female pairs, suggesting the occurrence of intrasexual competition. The infracommunities of juvenile birds showed a higher parasite species richness than those of adult males and females, suggesting the exploitation of a wider array of prey. However, the three classes harboured seven parasite species. Differences in parasite diversity (lower in juveniles, intermediate in adult males and higher in adult females) reflect the evenness in the distribution of parasite specimens among taxa in each age–sex class and are compatible with differences in their foraging strategy. Finally, we conclude based on the cycles of the heteroxen species that southern lapwings preyed upon molluscs, coleopterans, woodlice and earthworms.     

Checklist of helminth parasites of the cane toad Bufo marinus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Mexico

Thirty-four adult cane toads Bufo marinus L. (12 males and 22 females) collected from 2 localities in Mexico (Cerro de Oro and Temascal Dams, Oaxaca) in September 2003 were examined for helminth parasites. In total, 14,749 helminths belonging to 14 taxa were collected. Included were 2 adult digeneans (Choledocystus hepaticus, Mesocoelium monas); 1 larval cestode (an unidentified pseudophyllidean); and 11 nematodes, including 3 species of larvae (Contracaecum sp., Physaloptera sp., Physocephalus sexalatus) and 8 species of adults (Aplectana itzocanensis, Cosmocerca sp., Cruzia morleyi, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Oswaldocruzia sp., Raillietnema sp., Rhabdias americanus, and Rhabdiasfuelleborni). Higher species richness was recorded in B. marinus from Cerro de Oro (12 taxa versus 9 in those from Temascal); hosts from both localities shared 7 taxa. There were 25 new locality records, and 2 taxa were registered in Mexico for the first time. To date, 112 helminth species have been recorded parasitizing B. marinus along its native and introduced range of distribution, with 40.5% of them reported from Mexico.     

Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller) in the flounder, Platichthys flesus L., in the tidal River Thames: population structure, microhabitat utilization and reproductive status in the field and under conditions of controlled salinity

The infection of R. Thames flounders, Platichthys flesus L., at Fulham by the acanthocephalan parasite Pomphorhynchus laevix (Müller) is described in terms of parasite population structure, life-cycle organization, reproductive biology and host microhabitat utilization. The parasites demonstrated 100% prevalence in this tidal but essentially freshwater locality (intestinal intensity 34.47) and were overdispersed in the flounder population (variance/mean ratio = 10.39, k= 1.04). Overall about 11% of the worms occurred in peritoneal cavity sites, the remainder being firmly attached to the gut wall in the posterior region of the intestine and rectum. The P. laevis populations were reproductively active, demonstrating that the flounder acts as a significant final host in this locality. Viable larval stages were identified in Gammarus zaddachi Sexton, a predominantly estuarine amphipod, indicating that P. laevis is likely to be able to complete its life cycle at Fulham. Over half the female parasites examined were gravid and many of the non-gravid worms were inseminated but had not yet started egg production. The proportion of females gravid, the number of ovarian balls and the number of eggs in gravid females was seen to increase with worm size. Both the identity of the intermediate host and the reproductive status of P. laevis in the Thames flounders differ from the Pomphorhynchus/flounder system studied by Kennedy (1984) in the R. Avon, suggesting that the two P. laevis populations may belong at least to discrete subspecies or strains. Parasites in flounders maintained under laboratory conditions in fresh water, 50% sea water and 100% sea water showed similar population, microhabitat and reproductive characteristics to those observed in the field. This suggests that increased salinity has a negligible effect on established parasites in the short term, and therefore that salinity may not form a barrier to the survival and dispersal of the R. Thames parasite when the flounders return to sea.     

The metazoan parasites of Stellifer minor (Tschudi, 1844): an ecological approach

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the parasite fauna of the sciaenid Stellifer minor (Tschudi) from Chorrillos, Perú, was made. Some characteristics of the infectious processes, in terms of intensity and prevalence of infection, as a function of host sex and size, are given. Moreover, comments on the characteristics of the parasite fauna, related with host role in the marine food webs are included. The parasite fauna of Stellifer minor taken off Chorrillos, Perú, include the monogeneans Pedocotyle annakohni, Pedocotyle bravoi, Rhamnocercus sp. and Cynoscionicola sp., the digenean Helicometra fasciata, the adult acantocephalan Rhadinorhynchus sp. and the larval Corynosoma sp., the nematode Procamallanus sp., the copepods Caligus quadratus, Clavellotis dilatata and Bomolochus peruensis and one unidentified isopod of the family Cymothoidae. A distinctive characteristic of the parasite fauna (Metazoa) of S. minor is the almost absence of larval forms.     

Parasites of native and nonnative fishes of the Little Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona

A 2-yr, seasonal, parasitological study of 1,435 fish, belonging to 4 species of native fishes and 7 species of nonnative fishes from the lower Little Colorado River (LCR) and tributary creeks, Grand Canyon, Arizona, yielded 17 species of parasites. These comprised 1 myxozoan (Henneguya exilis), 2 copepods (Ergasilus arthrosis and Lernaea cyprinacea), 1 acarine (Oribatida gen. sp.), 1 piscicolid leech (Myzobdella lugubris), 4 monogeneans (Gyrodactylus hoffmani, Gyrodactylus sp., Dactylogyrus extensus, and Ligictaluridus floridanus), 4 nematodes (Contracaecum sp., Eustrongylides sp., Rhabdochona sp., and Truttaedacnitis truttae), 3 cestodes (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, Corallobothrium fimbriatum, and Megathylacoides giganteum), and 2 trematodes (Ornithodiplostomum sp. and Posthodiplostomum sp.). Rhabdochona sp. was the only adult parasite native to the LCR. Infection intensities of Ornithodiplostomum sp. and B. acheilognathi were positively correlated with length of the humpback chub Gila cypha. Adult helminths showed a high degree of host specificity, except B. acheilognathi, which was recovered from all fish species examined but was most abundant in cyprinids. Abundance of B. acheilognathi in the humpback chub was highest in the fall and lowest in the summer in both reaches of the LCR. There was no major taxonomic difference in parasite assemblages between the 2 different reaches of the river (LC1 and LC2). Parasite community diversity was very similar in humpback chub, regardless of sampling site or time. The parasite fauna of the LCR is numerically dominated by B. acheilognathi and metacercariae of Ornithodiplostomum sp. The richest and most diverse component community occurred in a nonnative species, the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, but infracommunity species richness was highest in a native host, humpback chub.     

The role of the rock cod Notothenia coriiceps Richardson, 1844 in the life-cycle of Antarctic parasites

Fifty specimens of Notothenia coriiceps caught in Potter Cove, King George Island, were examined for ecto- and endoparasites. Of the 22 parasite species found, 18 were helminths, 2 were hirudineans and 2 were crustaceans. The isopod Aega antarctica and an unidentified hirudinean are reported for the first time from this fish host. Dominant parasites were the adults of Aspersentis megarhynchus, the invasive stage of Corynosoma spp. (cystacanth) and the adults of Macvicaria pennelli, with respective prevalences of infestation of 94, 76 and 74%. The preferred sites of infestation were the pylorus and intestine, where five different larval (nematodes and cestodes) and eight adult (digeneans and acanthocephalans) parasite species were found. No adult nematodes and cestodes were found and no parasites could be isolated from the musculature. The results of the present study are related to previous findings on the parasite fauna of N. coriiceps. The comparison implies a high parasite diversity in this benthic Antarctic fish species. Most parasites found appear to have a wide range of distribution within Antarctic waters together with a low host specificity. Besides its role as final host for several species of trematodes and acanthocephalans, N. coriiceps serves as transmitter of parasite larvae to piscivorous birds and seals. It is concluded that the parasite fauna in Antarctic fish species provides important insights into the different habitat use and trophic relationship of their fish hosts. Received: 11 September 1997 / Accepted: 12 January 1998     

Coprologic evidence of gastrointestinal helminths of forest baboons, Papio anubis, in Kibale National Park, Uganda

The gastrointestinal parasites of baboons have been well characterized from savannah and desert habitats, but little is known about their gastrointestinal parasites in forest habitats. From May to June 2004, we collected 41 fecal samples from free-ranging olive baboons (Papio anubis) within the forested Kibale National Park, Uganda. Samples were examined to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in this forest dwelling population of olive baboons. The prevalence of nematodes identified from fecal flotation was Oesophagostomum sp. (85%), Trichostrongylus sp. (22%), Trichuris sp. (46%), Strongyloides sp. (44%), Ternidens sp. (5%), Abbreviata sp. (2%), and Molineus sp. (2%). Flotation techniques also recovered unidentified eggs, probably of hookworm origin (22%). No parasite eggs were recovered by sedimentation of eight samples. Coproculture techniques using 13 of the 41 samples recovered larvae from Oesophagostomum sp., Strongyloides sp., and Trichostrongylus sp. The high prevalence of nematodes recovered in this study seems to support previous theories of high nematode infections in forested habits.     

Dynamics of a parasite assemblage of the Vermilion Rockfish Sebastes miniatus from northwestern Baja California,México

A parasite assemblage of Sebastes miniatus from northwestern Baja California, México, was composed of a total of 12 species: five ectoparasites (two monogeneans and three parasitic copepods) and seven endoparasites (two digeneans, one cestode, three nematodes, and one acanthocephala). Five of these parasites constituted new genera records to the genus Sebastes, and nine were new geographic records. The most abundant species were the endoparasites Parabothriocephalus sagitticeps, Hysterothylacium sp., and Anisakis sp., and the specific richness ranged from 1 to 8 parasite species per host. The most important parasite species in terms of prevalence were Microcotyle sebastis (93 %) and Anisakis sp. (92 %). The mean abundance of parasites found in S. miniatus showed significant variations over the year, with maximum values (31.7 individuals/host) in August, and minimum (0.39 individuals/host) in February. P. sagitticeps showed the highest mean intensity of infection (190.4 parasites/host), followed by Anisakis sp. (127.2 parasites/host) and Hysterothylacium sp. (46.6 parasites/host). The presence of larval stages of the nematodes Anisakis, Pseudoterranova, and Hysterothylacium is particularly important due to their high abundance and prevalence and because they may represent a human health risk (anisakiasis). Rockfishes (family Scorpaenidae) of the genus Sebastes constitute one of the most important groundfish resources in the American and Mexican northern Pacific Ocean, both for recreational and for the commercial fisheries of California and Baja California. These rockfish species makes up a substantial part of the Mexican cuisine.