Argentinochondria patagonensis n. gen., n. sp. (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) parasitic on Genypterus brasiliensis (Pisces: Ophidiidae) from Patagonia, Argentina

Argentinochondria patagonensis n. gen., n. sp. (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) is described from adult specimens recovered from the smooth kingklip Genypterus brasiliensis Reagan, 1903, from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina. The new genus is placed in the Chondracanthinae. Females of the new genus differ from other members of this subfamily in having 2 pairs of modified legs, a bulbose head, a long neck region, and a trunk devoid of processes. Males have usual chondracanthid form, oral appendages as in female, except a longer paragnath, fewer teeth on maxilla, and 2 pairs of reduced legs.     

Cucullanus bonaerensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) parasitizing Urophycis brasiliensis (Pisces: Phycidae) from Argentinean waters

A total of 8 specimens of Urophycis brasiliensis (Kaup, 1858) from waters off Mar del Plata, Argentina (38 degrees 08'S, 57 degrees 32'W), were examined for parasitic nematodes. A new nematode species, Cucullanus bonaerensis n. sp., is described (prevalence 50%, mean intensity 15.5). The new species differs from its congeners in the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (particularly fourth pair) and phasmids, length of the body and spicules, and by the position of the excretory pore (in the posterior third of esophagus). Species of Cucullanus, reported previously as C. heterochrous Rudolphi, 1812, and Cucullanus sp. from U. brasiliensis from Puerto Quequén, Argentina (38 degrees 37'S, 58 degrees 53'W), are considered as members of the new species.     

Two new Aggregata species (Apicomplexa: Aggregatidae) infecting Octopus tehuelchus and Enteroctopus megalocyathus (Mollusca: Octopodidae) in Patagonia, Argentina

During a long-term study carried out between 1981 and 1996 on the biological and fishery aspects of octopuses inhabiting the Gulfs of San Matías, San José, and Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentina, 2 new species of Aggregata (Apicomplexa: Aggregatidae) were found in the digestive tracts of Octopus tehuelchus d'Orbigny, 1834 (prevalence 72%) and Enteroctopus megalocyathus (Gould, 1852) (prevalence 77%). Both species can be distinguished from other congeners on the basis of their hosts, the diameters of sporocysts, and number and length of sporozoites. Despite overlap in the distributions of the two hosts species in the area covered in this study, both Aggregata new species exhibited high host specificity.     

A new species of Acaenodera (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) parasitizing Conger orbignyanus (Pisces: Congridae) from the coasts of Argentina

A new species, Acaenodera spinosior, is described based on specimens collected from the intestine of Conger orbignyanus Valenciennes (Pisces: Congridae) caught in waters off Mar del Plata (38°08′S, 57°32′W), Argentina. Five of 36 congers examined were parasitized (prevalence: 13.9%, mean intensity: 2.6 ± 1.52, range: 1–5). The new species is distinguished from its only congener, Acaenodera placophora Manter and Pritchard, 1960, a parasite of congers off Hawaii, by its larger size, lacking eyespots, and exhibiting a greater number of circumoral, mid-ventral and lateral spines. This is the first record of Acaenodera Manter and Pritchard, 1960 in Atlantic waters.