A new species of the genus Zalophotrema (Digenea: Campulidae), Zalophotrema atlanticum n. sp., from the liver of the striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Atlantic waters

Zalophotrema atlanticum n. sp. from the liver of a striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833), stranded in the Canary Islands is described. This new species differs from the other Zalophotrema species in body dimensions and relative size and position of the suckers and cirrus-sac. This is the first record of a species of the genus Zalophotrema in the striped dolphin, and the Atlantic Ocean constitutes a new locality record for this genus.     

A review of virus infections of cataceans and the potential impact of morbilliviruses, poxviruses and papillomaviruses on host population dynamics

Viruses belonging to 9 families have been detected in cetaceans. We critically review the clinical features, pathology and epidemiology of the diseases they cause. Cetacean morbillivirus (family Paramyxoviridae) induces a serious disease with a high mortality rate and persists in several populations. It may have long-term effects on the dynamics of cetacean populations either as enzootic infection or recurrent epizootics. The latter presumably have the more profound impact due to removal of sexually mature individuals. Members of the family Poxviridae infect several species of odontocetes, resulting in ring and tattoo skin lesions. Although poxviruses apparently do not induce a high mortality, circumstancial evidence suggests they may be lethal in young animals lacking protective immunity, and thus may negatively affect net recruitment. Papillomaviruses (family Papovaviridae) cause genital warts in at least 3 species of cetaceans. In 10% of male Burmeister's porpoises Phocoena spinipinnis from Peru, lesions were sufficiently severe to at least hamper, if not impede, copulation. Members of the families Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Rhabdoviridae were demonstrated in cetaceans suffering serious illnesses, but with the exception of a 'porpoise herpesvirus' their causative role is still tentative. Herpes-like viruses and caliciviruses (Caliciviridae) give rise to cutaneous diseases in Monodontidae and Delphinidae. Antibodies to several serotypes of caliciviruses were found in odontocetes and mysticetes. An unrecognized Hepadnaviridae was detected by serology in a captive Pacific white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens with chronic persistent hepatitis. Adenoviruses (Adenoviridae) were isolated from the intestinal tracts of mysticeti and a beluga Delphinapterus leucas but were not associated with any pathologies. We discuss the potential impact of Paramyxoviridae, Poxviridae and Papovaviridae on the dynamics of several odontocete populations.     

Cardicola aurata sp. n. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Mediterranean Sparus aurata L. (Teleostei: Sparidae) and its unexpected phylogenetic relationship with Paradeontacylix McIntosh, 1934

A new sanguinicolid trematode, Cardicola aurata sp. n., is described from gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L., from off the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The morphology of C. aurata sp. n. generally agrees with the diagnosis of the genus, however, in contrast to all other reported Cardicola spp. the male pore is located sub-medially at the posterior end of the body instead of sinistrally before the posterior end of the body. Based on a comparison of the morphology as well as partial 28S and ITS2 rDNA sequence data from the present species with that from closely related species, it was decided to emend the diagnosis of Cardicola rather than create a new genus, as the aberrant position of the male pore is likely to be an autapomorphy. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a close relationship between Cardicola and Paradeontacylix, two genera with considerable morphological differences; C. aurata sp. n. occupies a position intermediate to these genera. Thus, a morphological comparison of Cardicola, Paradeontacylix and Braya, a genus which is morphologically similar to Cardicola but clusters basal to the Cardicola/Paradeontacylix clade, was conducted. The results of this comparison showed that despite large differences with regard to body shape, the organisation of the internal organs is very similar in species of Cardicola and Paradeontacylix. The synopsis of morphological data and molecular phylogeny allows for interpretations regarding the importance of different morphological features for the phylogenetic inference of the Sanguinicolidae.     

Reduction and variability of trunk spines in the acanthocephalan Corynosoma cetaceum: the role of physical constraints on attachment

Abstract. In this study, we investigated a functional trade-off between trunk attachment and trunk-spine development in the acanthocephalan Corynosoma cetaceum . The worms live attached to the stomach and upper intestine of their cetacean definitive hosts, using the proboscis and spiny foretrunk as the main holdfast; the spiny hindtrunk can also attach by bending ventrally. When the hindtrunk bends, ventral compression generates an anterior fold (AF) and a posterior fold (PF). A morphological analysis based on 7,823 individuals collected from 10 franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei , revealed that spines were smaller and more variable in size and occurrence in the folds than on neighboring areas; the growth of fold spines seemed to be inhibited to various degrees. Spines were more reduced in the AF than in the PF, and spines of both folds were more reduced in females than in males. Patterns of reduction appeared to be directly related to the intensity of fold compression associated with hindtrunk bending. Fold compression could induce plastic inhibition of spine growth, and/or could make fold spines maladaptive, spines being reduced by natural selection. Apparently, fold spines neither contact the substrate, nor are they exposed to the environment when the hindtrunk attaches. Therefore, fold spines could have reduced, or lost, their primary function, at least in the definitive host. The reduction and variability of spines in C. cetaceum seem to be unique among Corynosoma species.     

Incidence of frugivorous flies (Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae), fruit losses and the dispersal of flies through the transportation of fresh fruit

Frugivorous flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) cause significant losses in horticultural crops. These losses are associated with the fruit damaged by frugivorous fly infestation occurring during all steps of the production and commercial sale. Pest monitoring is the main tool used to identify and avoid future losses in horticultural crops. In this study we monitor the population of frugivorous flies in a fruit orchard and a food supply centre (FSC) to assess fruit losses and examine the dispersal of flies. Six Anastrepha species, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), five Neosilba species and Dasiops sp. were recovered from traps and fruit samples. The fruit losses were estimated for star fruit (26%), guava (17%), mango (4%), orange (1.9%), tangerine (0.9%) and apple (0.2%). The fruit collected at the FSC demonstrated that immature frugivorous flies can disperse for several kilometres through the transportation of fresh fruit. Due to the importance of frugivorous flies, this poses a threat to the production and commercial sale of fruit around the world. Our study presents information relevant to the pest management and risk mitigation for frugivorous flies.     

Descriptions of Wardula bartolii n. sp. (Digenea: Mesometridae) and three newly recorded accidental parasites of Boops boops L. (Sparidae) in the NE Atlantic

Four species of digeneans parasitic in the bogue Boops boops from the Spanish coast of the NE Atlantic are described. All are new records for this host, but one species is new and the other three are considered to be accidental parasites. Wardula bartolii n. sp. (Mesometridae) is distinguished from its two congeners on the basis of a range of morphometrical features, such as the post-ovarian extent of the uterus, the relative length of the attachment organ, the position of the pharynx and vitelline fields, and the absence of anterior caecal diverticula. The other three species are Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 (Lecithasteridae) and Accacladium serpentulum Odhner, 1928) (Accacoeliidae).     

Essential oils of Bidens tripartita L. collected during period of 3 years composition variation analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation of essential oils composition of Bidens tripartita L. collected during three successive years (2009–2011). Essential oils were obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction, applying gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) analysis for identification of volatile compounds afterwards. The essential oils of B. tripartita showed a characteristic chemical composition from year to year, observing both quantitative and qualitative compounds differences. The yield of essential oils was 22 and 35 % higher in 2010 year material than in 2009 and 2011 year, respectively. The main compounds found in the B. tripartita essential oils were α-pinene (3.7–12.1 %), p-cymene (2.8–8.0 %), β-ocimene (40.5–45.9 %), β-elemene (9.9–15.6 %), iso and α-caryophyllenes (4.3–6.8 % and 5.2–8.2 %), and α-bergamotene (3.3–9.4 %). To determine the significance of changes in the identified compounds in the samples, representing different plant collection year, statistical hypothesis testing was applied. For classification of these samples to the groups and evaluation of similarity between them principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of variance and hierarchical cluster analysis techniques were used. The correlation analysis helped to find out the strength of linear relationship between amount of each compound and meteorological data (temperature and precipitations).     

Living together but remaining apart: Atlantic and Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in shared feeding grounds

Juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from Atlantic nesting populations migrate into the western Mediterranean, where they share feeding grounds with turtles originating in the Mediterranean. In this scenario, male-mediated gene flow may lead to the homogenization of these distant populations. To test this hypothesis, we genotyped 7 microsatellites from 56 Atlantic individuals sampled from feeding grounds in the western Mediterranean and then compared the observed allele frequencies with published data of 112 individuals from Mediterranean nesting beaches. Mediterranean populations were found to be genetically differentiated from the Atlantic stock reaching the western Mediterranean (F(st) = 0.029, P < 0.001); therefore, the possible mating events between Atlantic and Mediterranean individuals are not sufficient to homogenize these 2 areas. The differentiation observed between these 2 areas demonstrates that microsatellites are sufficiently powerful for mixed stock analysis and that individual assignment (IA) tests can be performed in combination with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. In a set of 197 individuals sampled in western Mediterranean feeding grounds, 87% were robustly assigned to Atlantic or Mediterranean groups with the combined marker, as compared with only 52% with mtDNA alone. These findings provide a new approach for tracking the movements of these oceanic migrants and have strong implications for the conservation of the species.     

Bioactivities of triterpenes and a sterol from Syzygium samarangense

Cycloartenyl stearate (1a), lupenyl stearate (1b), sitosteryl stearate (1c), and 24-methylenecycloartanyl stearate (1d) (sample 1) from the air-dried leaves of Syzygium samarangense exhibited potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities at effective doses of 6.25 mg/kg body weight and 12.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Sample 1 also exhibited negligible toxicity on zebrafish embryonic tissues. There were incidences of mortality upon direct exposure of sample 1 to dechorionated embryos, but higher mortality and aberration were observed during intact chorion treatment.