Scomberomorocotyle munroi n. g., n. sp. (Scomberomorocotylinae n. subf.), a thoracocotylid monogenean from Scomberomorus munroi (Scombridae) off Australia and Papua New Guinea

Scomberomorocotyle munroi n. g., n. sp. is described from the gills of Scomberomorus munroi, a Spanish mackerel from the coasts of northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. The genus belongs to the suborder Gastrocotylinea because a pair of basal accessory sclerites is present in the clamps. However, the worm does not belong to any of the eight gastrocotylinean families as they are currently recognised. The worm appears to be a member of the Thoracocotylidae, in that the male copulatory organ has relatively weakly developed spines, and that the haptor is one-sided with two rows of clamps. However, the worm differs from all thoracocotylids in that the clamps lack the characteristic lateral rib-like thickenings. To accommodate the new genus and species, the diagnosis of the Thoracocotylidae Price is amended to include worms lacking ribs in their clamps, and a new subfamily, the Scomberomorocotylinae n. subfam., is erected; a key to the four subfamilies which we recognise as valid is provided.     

Dendromonocotyle lasti n. sp. from the skin and Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Himantura sp. (Dasyatidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Seven specimens of rays of the genus Himantura which could not be identified to species were collected from waters near Dunwich, Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The five smallest specimens of Himanturasp. (disc width 218-302 mm; four female, one male) had a banded tail and the dorsal surface was uniformly grey/brown. The two largest individuals of Himantura sp. (disc widths 460, 533 mm; female and male, respectively) also had a banded tail but the grey/brown dorsal surface had white spots. Two new monogenean species (Monocotylidae: Monocotylinae) are described from both the plain and white-spotted specimens of Himantura. Dendromonocotyle lastin. sp. is distinguished from other species in the genus by the number of papillae on the haptor, by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and by the morphology of the proximal portion of the vagina. The muscular sheath which surrounds the male copulatory organ is also unique having sclerotised spines at the distal end. Dendromonocotyle species are skin parasites, but a total of five juvenile specimens of D. lasti were found on the gills of four rays. Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. from the gills is characterised by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and its accessory piece. One specimen of M. spiremae Measures, Beverley-Burton & Williams, 1990, originally described from the gills of Himantura fai Jordan & Seale off Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, was also found on the gills of one Himantura specimen. The site and host-specificity of the parasites and the identity of the hosts are discussed.     

Acugutturus parasiticus n.g., n.sp., a remarkable ectoparasitic aphelenchoid nematode from Periplaneta americana (L.), with proposal of acugutturinae n.subf.

Summary Acugutturus parasiticus n.g., n.sp. is described from St. Lucia, W. Indies. The species is unique in the Aphelenchoidea because of the 50 to 60 μm stylet with the conus much longer than the shaft. A. parasiticus is ectoparasitic on Periplaneta americana (L.), all stages of the nematode, including the egg, being found on the body surfaces. Acugutturinae n.subf. is proposed to accommodate the new genus.     

Chaulioleptos haywardi n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Filimanus heptadactyla (Perciformes: Polynemidae) of Moreton Bay, Australia

Here we describe the first species of sanguinicolid blood fluke (Trematoda: Digenea) from a polynemid fish. Chaulioleptos haywardi n. gen., n. sp. is described from Filimanus heptadactyla Cuvier, 1829 (Perciformes: Polynemidae), the sevenfinger threadfin from Sandgate, Moreton Bay (southeast Queensland, Australia). Chaulioleptos haywardi differs from existing sanguinicolid genera in the combined possession of the following 7 characters: 2 testes, an entirely postovarian uterus, a uterine chamber, separate genital pores, an H-shaped intestine with abbreviated anterior caeca, tegumental spines in incomplete ventro-marginal transverse rows that are continuous along the length of the body, and vitelline follicles that are tightly compacted and subsequently appear to form a solid branching mass occupying the area anterior to intestinal bifurcation and extending posteriorly to the level of the posterior margin of the anterior testis. Chaulioleptos haywardi is most closely related to Paracardicola Martin, 1960 and Adelomyllos Nolan and Cribb, 2004.     

Characterization of Kudoa monodactyli n. sp. (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) from the Muscle of Monodactylus argenteus (Teleostei: Monodactylidae) from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Kudoa monodactyli n. sp. is described from the somatic musculature of Monodactylus argenteus from several localities in southern Queensland, Australia. This is the first record of a myxozoan parasite from the family Monodactylidae. The spores typically have five polar capsules, making this species similar to the four other five-valved Kudoa species (K. neurophila, K. muscularis, K. shulmani, K. cutanea) that have been described to date. However, morphometric measurements particularly of spore length and width make the species from M. argenteus distinct from the other species. Comparison of the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence of this species with its congeners for which sequence data are available, provides further evidence of novelty. Kudoa monodactyli n. sp. displays 38 (of 1,554) nucleotide differences compared with rDNA sequence of Kudoa neurophila, which on phylogenetic analysis places these species in clades exclusive of each other. Phylogenetic analyses also provide evidence that the number of valves per spore in this genus is an imperfect indicator of relatedness.     

Monocotylids (Monogenoidea) infecting elasmobranchs in Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia,with descriptions of Calicotyle cutmorei n. sp. (Calicotylinae) and Dendromonocotyle raiae n. sp. (Monocotylinae)

Eighteen monocotylid species were collected from elasmobranchs during surveys of the parasites of fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Two new species, Calicotyle cutmorei n. sp. (Calicotylinae) from Carcharhinus sorrah (Valenciennes) (Carcharhiniformes) and Dendromonocotyle raiae n. sp. (Monocotylinae) from Hemitrygon fluviorum (Ogilby) and Neotrygon trigonoides (Castelnau) (both Myliobatiformes) are described and illustrated. Six new faunal records for Moreton Bay are reported: Thaumatocotyle australensis Beverley-Burton & Williams, 1989 (Merizocotylinae) from Maculabatis toshi (Whitley) (Myliobatiformes); Monocotyle corali Chisholm, 1998 (Monocotylinae) from Pastinachus ater (Macleay) (Myliobatiformes); Neoheterocotyle rhynchobatis (Tripathi, 1959) Chisholm, 1994 (Heterocotylinae) from Glaucostegus typus (Anonymous [Bennett]) and Aptychotrema rostrata (Shaw) (both Rhinopristiformes); and Decacotyle elpora Marie & Justine, 2005 (Decacotylinae), Dendromonocotyle torosa Chisholm & Whittington, 2004 (Monocotylinae), and Clemacotyle australis Young, 1967 (Monocotylinae) from Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl) (Myliobatiformes). Maculabatis toshi is a new host record for T. australensis, and A. rostrata is a new host record for N. rhynchobatis. Ten species previously recorded from Moreton Bay were collected: Monocotyle caseyae Chisholm & Whittington, 2005 (Monocotylinae) and Heterocotyle whittingtoni Chisholm & Kritsky, 2020 (Heterocotylinae) from M. toshi; Monocotyle sp. A of Chisholm (1998a) (Monocotylinae) from H. fluviorum; Dendromonocotyle kuhlii Young, 1967 and Monocotyle kuhlii Young, 1967 (both Monocotylinae) from N. trigonoides; Thaumatocotyle cf. pseudodasybatis Hargis, 1955 (Merizocotylinae), Empruthotrema kearni Whittington, 1990 (Merizocotylinae) and Decacotyle octona Young, 1967 (Decacotylinae) from A. ocellatus; and Mycteronastes icopae (Beverley-Burton & Williams, 1989) Kearn & Beverley-Burton, 1990 (Merizocotylinae) and Troglocephalus rhinobatidis Young, 1967 (Dasybatotreminae) from G. typus.

     

Moravecia australiensis n. g., n. sp. (Dracunculoidea: Guyanemidae) from the gills of the green porcupine fish Tragulichthys jaculiferus (Cuvier) in Australia

A new dracunculoid genus and species, Moravecia australiensis, is described from gill-filaments of the green porcupine fish Tragulichthys jaculiferus (Cuvier) (Tetraodontiformes: Diodontidae) from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Abundant mobile larvae and a few adult males with females occurred in the gill-filament between the epithelial basement membrane and efferent artery. Gills of all 69 fish examined contained larvae. Eleven harboured adult nematodes of a previously undescribed species belonging to the family Guyanemidae. The new species is placed within a newly proposed genus because it differs from the four existing genera in the family in possessing fine cuticular transverse striations, two forward protruding cephalic elevations, a circumoral elevation, a small triangular mouth surrounded by six cephalic papillae arranged in two lateral clusters of three each and a pair of large lateral amphids. Males have two pairs of pedunculate caudal papillae supporting the caudal alae. A key to the genera of the Guyanemidae is presented.     

Two species ofCoitocaecum Nicoll, 1915 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia

Two species ofCoitocaecum Nicoll, 1915,C. gymnophallum Nicoll, 1915 andC. michaeli n. sp., are recorded, described and figured from the intestine ofAcanthopagrus australis from Moreton Bay, off south east Queensland. The holotype ofC. gymnophallum Nicoll, 1915 is examined, measured and figured for comparison.C. glandulosum Yamaguti, 1934 andC. robustum Wang, 1984 are reduced to synonymy withC. gymnophallum. The host specificity ofCoitocaecum spp. is discussed.     

Melogonimus rhodanometra n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Ptychogonimidae) from the elasmobranch Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & Schneider (Rhinobatidae) from the southeastern coastal waters of Queensland,Australia

The new genus Melogonimus is defined and adults of its type-species, M. rhodanometra n. sp., are described from Rhina ancylostoma from Moreton Bay, Queensland. This is the first record of a digenean from this host species. It is argued that metacercariae from the portunid crab Portunus pelagicus from Hervey Bay, off Queensland, belong to M. rhodanometra. The definition of the family Ptychogonimidae is amended, and a key to its two genera is given. Melogonimus is characterised by a smooth genital atrium wall, a large sinus-organ, a large muscular seminal vesicle, a weakly developed pars prostatica, a pre-testicular uterus and confluent post-testicular vitelline fields.     

Bychowskicotylids (Monogenoidea: Gastrocotylinea) infecting the gills of the sweetlips Diagramma labiosum Macleay (Haemulidae) in Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia,with the proposal of Lebedevia n. gen. and description of Lebedevia lebedevi n. sp.

Systematic Parasitology - Two species of Bychowskicotylidae (Monogenoidea: Gastrocotylinea) were collected from the gills of the sweetlips Diagramma labiosum Macleay (Haemulidae) obtained from...     

Empruthotrema dasyatidis n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the olfactory sacs of Dasyatis fluviorum (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland

The monocotylid monogenean Empruthotrema dasyatidis n. sp. is reported from the olfactory sacs of the brown stingray, Dasyatis fluviorum Ogilby, 1908, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. This is the first record of Empruthotrema from the family Dasyatidae. E. dasyatidis n. sp. differs from other species of Empruthotrema by possessing eye pigment, which may be scattered, and by its small size. The generic diagnosis for Empruthotrema is amended.     

Life-cycle and biology of Sychnocotyle kholo n. g., n. sp. (Trematoda: Aspidogastrea) in Emydura macquarii (Pleurodira: Chelidae) from southern Queensland,Australia

Sychnocotyle kholo n. g., n. sp. (Aspidogastrea: Aspidogastridae) is described from the small intestine of the freshwater turtle Emydura macquarii (Pleurodira: Chelidae). The new genus is distinguished from other aspidogastrids by the possession of the following suite of characters: no cirrus-sac; no hermaphroditic duct; four rows of alveoli on the ventral disc but no prominent papillae; Laurer's canal opening to the exterior. Eggs hatched to cotylocidia within 37–41 days at 17–24 °C. The life-cycle is obligate two-host, involving a mollusc and a freshwater turtle. Juvenile forms, almost entirely single worm infections, were found in the molluscs Corbiculina sp. (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) and Thiara balonnensis (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae). Sychnocotyle is most likely to have evolved in Australia after the separation of Gondwanaland from Laurasia 120–100 mya.     

Two amphistomes,Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp., from the Australian turtle Elseya dentata (Gray)

Summary Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. (family and subfamily uncertain) and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp. (family Paramphistomidae, subfamily Dadaytrematinae?), from the intestine of the freshwater turtle Elseya dentata (Gray) in Queensland, Australia, are described. Lobatodiscus has a large lobed acetabulum, small oral diverticula which do not protrude out of the oral sucker, two pairs of lymph vessels and no oesophageal bulb. Elseyatrema has a small acetabulum, large protruding oral diverticula, an oesophageal bulb, juxtaposed testes, one pair of rudimentary lymph vessels and no cirrus-sac. ac]19830626     

Ascarophisnema hoiae n. sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae), from the stomach of the trumpeter whiting,Sillago maculata Quoy & Gaimard (Perciformes: Sillaginidae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia

Ascarophisnema hoiae n. sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) is described from the stomach of the trumpeter whiting, Sillago maculata Quoy & Gaimard (Perciformes: Sillaginidae) from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. It differs morphologically from the only other valid congener, A. tridentatum Moravec & Justine, 2010 in the shape of the sub-labium and in the lengths of the spicules and the morphology of their distal tips (bifid). It represents the first record of this genus from Australia and appears to be highly oioxenous, having been found only in this host species among 133 other species of fish examined at the same locality.

     

Dermal toxicology of Lyngbya majuscula, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Lyngbya majuscula is a filamentous marine cyanobacterium with a worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical regions to a depth of 30 m. Over 70 chemicals have been isolated and characterised from this organism, many of which are biologically active. Previously, L. majuscula has been reported as implicated in negative health outcomes only in Hawaii and Okinawa. Recently large blooms of L. majuscula have occurred with increasing repetition in the Moreton Bay region as well as other areas along the Australian coastline.Lyngbya toxin A (LA) and debromoaplysiatoxin (DAT) were found in samples of L. majuscula collected from Eastern Moreton Bay and North Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia, respectively. Samples of L. majuscula were also obtained from West Maui, Hawaii and the freshwater Lyngbya wollei from Florida. A quantitative measure of the irritant effects of the chemicals found in L. majuscula was made using a mouse ear swelling test. The relative toxicities of two purified toxins, LA and DAT, were examined. These were found to produce swelling to a similar extent. The time course of inflammation and histopathological results were also similar for the two purified toxins. Less than 1 μg per ear of either toxin or a mixture (1:1) of the two toxins caused a measurable increase in ear thickness. When toxins were combined (1:1) there was an additive, not synergistic effect. Increases in ear thickness occurred within 15 min. Crude extracts of L. majuscula from Moreton Bay were also applied to mice ears. The effect of crude extracts from Eastern Moreton Bay was not fully explained by the measured LA content, suggesting other toxin(s) and/or modulating factors were present. The toxic effects of L. majuscula containing DAT from North Deception Bay were explained by the concentrations measured. Some samples of L. majuscula containing no measurable quantities of LA or DAT were found to exert an inflammatory response. This response had a different time course to the response produced by LA or DAT.     

Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae), from the gills of Himantura walga (Dasyatidae) off Sarawak, Borneo

Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae) is described from the gills of the dwarf whipray Himantura walga (Müller & Henle) collected in marine waters off Sarawak (Borneo), Malaysia. Septesinus n. g. is distinguished from other genera in the Monocotylidae by a combination of characters, including a haptor with one central and seven peripheral loculi, the presence of a highly sinuous ridge surmounting all haptoral septa, four rounded accessory structures on the dorsal surface of the haptor, and the anterior region with two pairs of anteromedian and three pairs of anterolateral gland-duct openings. Septesinus n. g. is accommodated in the Heterocotylinae. Septesinus gibsoni n. sp. is described and fully illustrated, and a key to the genera of Heterocotylinae is provided. The composition of the ridges surrounding the mouth of a number of heterocotyline species and their usefulness as a taxonomic character are examined. The identity of four specimens of Monocotyle Taschenberg, 1878, also recovered from the gills of this host species, is discussed.     

Corollonema thylogale n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea), parasitic in the pademelons Thylogale thetis and T. stigmatica (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Queensland, Australia

Corollonema thylogale n. g., n. sp. is described from the stomachs of Thylogale thetis and T. stigmatica from south-eastern Queensland. The new genus is characterised by four branches to the dorsal ray, a J-shaped ovejector, a cylindrical buccal capsule reduced to a posterior, thickened annulus and a leaf-crown of eight elements originating from the base of the buccal capsule. On the basis of these features, the new genus is placed in the subfamily Cloacininae Stossich, 1899 and the tribe Coronostrongylinea Beveridge, 1986. The presence of an internal leaf crown is unique within the tribe and the new genus is erected on this basis.     

Pholeohedra overstreeti n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Haploporidae) from Girella zebra (Kyphosidae) in South Australia

Pholeohedra overstreeti n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Haploporidae) is described from Girella zebra (Kyphosidae) in South Australia. The new genus is compared with all genera of Haploporidae sensu lato (including Atractotrematidae, Megasolenidae and Waretrematidae) and has a unique bell-shaped concavity at its posterior end. The genus otherwise resembles Hapladena in the arrangement of the testis, vitellarium and gut but also resembles Megasolena, Metamegasolena and Vitellibaculum except in having a single testis. This is the first haploporid reported from kyphosid fishes in Australia.     

Durettechina beveridgei n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratidae) from Antechinus spp. (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia) from Australia

Durettechina beveridgei n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Seuratidae) is described from Antechinus flavipes (Dasyuridae) from Victoria and New South Wales. A single female from A. bellus from the Northern Territory may also be D. beveridgei. This new genus is compared with other genera of the Echinonematinae, to which it has been assigned. The genus has a unique body armature and most closely resembles Chabaudechina, in the armature of the cephalic bulb, but has four rather than five rows of hooks, and Linstowinema, in having body hooks on the cuticle of the anterior region, but has 18–22 hooks in each row rather than 14–16. The hooks of Durettechina are also smaller and have a less complex root morphology than those of Linstowinema. Durettechina resembles Seurechina and Chabaudechina in having caudal alae into which papillae extend, but differs from both these genera in the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae, as well as in the body armature. Durettechina, is most different from Bainechina, which has neither hooks on a cephalic bulb nor body hooks on the anterior region nor caudal alae.     

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.