<Emphasis Type="Italic">Falcaustra sinensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Nematoda,Kathlaniidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Indotestudo elongata</Emphasis> in China

Falcaustra sinensis sp. nov. collected from the feces of Indotestudo elongata (Blyth) is described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished from the congeners by the arrangement of caudal papillae of the male (6 pairs precloacal, 4 pairs postcloacal, 1 median), length of spicules (3.84–4.74 mm) and the presence of pseudosucker.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Falcaustra</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Kathlaniidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cnemaspis</Emphasis> aff. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tro pidogaster</Emphasis> (Squamata,Gekkonidae) from Sri Lanka

Falcaustra desilvai sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Kathlaniidae) from the large intestine of Cnemaspis aff. tropidogaster (Squamata, Gekkonidae) is described and illustrated. Falcaustra desilvai represents the 4th nematode species from Sri Lanka to be assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other Sri Lankan species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (12 precloacal, 2 adcloacal, 10 postcloacal, and 1 median), length of spicules (956–1046 μm) and absence of a pseudosucker.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Herpetosoma</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">kuseli</Emphasis> sp. n. (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in Siberian flying squirrels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteromys volans</Emphasis>)

All trypanosome species classified in the subgenus Herpetosoma in sciurid hosts have been recorded from ground and tree squirrels to date, but not from any flying squirrels. We describe in this paper a novel trypanosome species, Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) kuseli sp. n., from Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) imported from China, and compare it with T. (H.) otospermophili in Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) and Columbian ground squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus) from the USA. Due to a short free flagellum, the new species appeared stumpy compared with T. otospermophili (length of free flagellum 7.0 +/- 0.8 microm, total length 32.1 +/- 0.8 microm, n = 13 and length of free flagellum 15.5 +/- 1.6 microm, total length 35.9 +/- 1.0 microm, n = 13, respectively). Another conspicuous morphological feature of the new species was an anteriorly positioned kinetoplast, found approximately at the midpoint between the nucleus and the posterior end. These characters have not been recorded from any squirrel Herpetosoma trypanosome species. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the small and large subunit rRNA genes indicated that T. kuseli sp. n. was more homologous to T. otospermophili than murid Herpetosoma species, such as T. grosi, T. lewisi, T. musculi, T. microti and T. evotomys.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lemuricola</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Madoxyuris</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">bauchoti</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Oxyuridae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lemur catta</Emphasis> in Madagascar

Lemuricola (Madoxyuris) bauchoti Chabaud, Brygoo et Petter, 1965 is redescribed from material collected from the ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta, from the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve in Madagascar using the scanning electron microscope. This is a new host record and the first oxyurid reported from the ring-tailed lemur. Previously, records of each species of the subgenus Madoxyuris have been restricted to a single host species, but the close relationship between these nematodes and their Strepsirrhini hosts will only be proven when additional records fill in the gaps in their distribution.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Soboliphyme occidentalis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Nematoda,Soboliphymidae) from the Iberian mole<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Talpa occidentalis</Emphasis> (Insectivora,Talpidae) in Spain

A new species of Soboliphyme from the endemic Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis) is described. Soboliphyme occidentalis sp. nov. can be readily distinguished from all of its congeners primarily by the position of the vulva, which clearly shows a posterior oesophageal location, and the number of male caudal papillae. S. occidentalis sp. nov. is the only species that has four pairs of caudal papillae. S. abei, S. caucasica and S. jamesoni can be distinguished from S. occidentalis sp. nov. by not having a notched sucker, the anterior position of the vulva and two polar plugs in the eggs. S. jamesoni has an armate oral sucker and longer spicule; S. caucasica a longer spicule and shorter eggs, and S. abei has shorter eggs, which separate these species from S. occidentalis sp. nov. In the rest of the species with a notched oral sucker, S. baturini and S. hirudiniformis are differentiated from S. occidentalis sp. nov. by the anterior position of the vulva, two polar plugs in the egg and the spicule length in S. baturini and S. hirudiniformis and the size of eggs in S. baturini and S. hirudiniformis. S. ataahai, S. soricis and S. urotrichi have the vulva at the oesophago-intestinal junction, 9–10 male caudal papillae (S. ataahai and S. urotrichi), absence of male caudal papillae (S. soricis), armate oral sucker and long spicule in S. ataahai and one row of six circumoral spines in S. urotrichi. A key to the species of Soboliphyme is presented.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mathevotaenia</Emphasis> (Cestoda,Anoplocephalidae, Linstowiinae) from the lizard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sceloporus malachiticus</Emphasis> (Squamata,Phrynosomatidae) from Panama

Mathevotaenia panamaensis sp. nov. (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae, Linstowiinae) from a green spiny lizard, Sceloporus malachiticus, collected in Panama is described. This is the first species of Mathevotaenia reported from a lizard host. The new species is most similar to Mathevotaenia bivittata in that mature eggs are concentrated along the lateral margins of the proglottids. Major differences between the two species include oval cirrus sac in M. bivittata, a spherical cirrus sac in M. panamaensis; ovary compact consisting of 10–15 short lobules in M. bivittata, ovary bilobed with each lobe consisting of 3–4 lobules in M. panamaensis.     

Cysteine proteinases from promastigotes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viannia</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">braziliensis</Emphasis>

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the major causative agent of American tegumentary leishmaniasis, a disease that has a wide geographical distribution and is a severe public health problem. The cysteine proteinase B (CPB) from Leishmania spp. represents an important virulence factor. In this study, we characterized and localized cysteine proteinases in L. (V.) braziliensis promastigotes. By a combination of triton X-114 extraction, concanavalin A-affinity, and ion exchange chromatographies, we obtained an enriched fraction of hydrophobic proteins rich in mannose residues. This fraction contained two proteinases of 63 and 43 kDa, which were recognized by a CPB antiserum, and were partially sensitive to E-64 in enzymatic assays with the peptide Glu-Phe-Leu. In confocal microscopy, the CPB homologues localized in the peripheral region of the parasite. This data together with direct agglutination and flow cytometry assays suggest a surface localization of the CPB homologues. The incubation of intact promastigotes with phospholipase C reduced the number of CPB-positive cells, while anti-cross-reacting determinant and anti-CPB antisera recognized two polypeptides (63 and 43 kDa) derived from phospholipase C treatment, suggesting that some CPB isoforms may be glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored. Collectively, our results suggest the presence of CPB homologues in L. braziliensis surface and highlight the need for further studies on L. braziliensis cysteine proteinases, which require enrichment methods for enzymatic detection.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis</Emphasis> in the birds family Corvidae with description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis cornixi</Emphasis> sp. nov. from the hooded crow (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Corvus cornix</Emphasis>)

Having studied 67 birds of six species of the family Corvidae, Sarcocystis cysts were found in 16 (23.9%) individuals belonging to three species. The highest prevalence of infection (35.9%) was determined in the hooded crow (Corvus cornix). Two types of sarcocysts, which were temporarily called cysts type I and type V, were determined in the corvids examined. By light microscope, type I cyst wall seemed to be thin (< 1.0 microm) and smooth. Banana shaped cystozoites measured 6.0-8.0 microm in length. By light microscope, type V cyst wall seemed striated and reached up to 2.5 microm. Banana shaped cystozoites measured 6.1-7.9 x 1.4-1.8 microm. Ultrastructurally, the cyst wall amounted to 2.1 microm and had stump-like protrusions that differed greatly in size and shape. The parasitophorous vacuolar membrane had indentations and clearly visible (up to 0.2 microm in length) microprojections, which also differed considerably in size and shape. The ultrastructure of type V cyst wall differed from all those Sarcocystis spp. described thus far. On the basis of this-Sarcocystis cornixi sp. nov.-is proposed for this type of sarcocysts. Partial sequences of 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes were determined for this species and a phylogenetic analysis of the Sarcocystidae family was performed. In the phylogenetic tree, S. cornixi is grouped together with Frenkelia microti, F. glareoli, S. muris, S. neurona and the unnamed Sarcocystis species whose intermediate hosts are birds. S. cornixi is the most closely related to Sarcocystis sp. (cyst type I) from the white-fronted geese.     

Antiviral biflavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Radix Wikstroemiae</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liaogewanggen</Emphasis>)

Background  

Radix Wikstroemiae is a common Chinese herbal medicine. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanolic extract of W. indica possesses potent in vitro antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This study aims to identify the antiviral components of the active fraction.     

Cercarial shedding from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galba</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">truncatula</Emphasis> infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fasciola</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">gigantica</Emphasis> of distinct geographic origins

Galba truncatula snails were experimentally infected with either of two different isolates of Fasciola gigantica, originating from Egypt or China, to determine the influence of these isolates on the characteristics of snail infections. The survival rates of G. truncatula on day 30 post-exposure were 90.0% and 60.2% in the Egyptian and Chinese groups, respectively. The frequency of cercaria-shedding snails within the Egyptian group was 79.8%, whereas in the Chinese group it was 22.4%. The parasite origin had a significant effect on the durations of the prepatent and patent periods. The mean number of cercariae shed from the Egyptian group was significantly greater than that shed from the Chinese group (a mean of 275.5 per cercaria-shedding snail compared with 29.0). These results could be explained by the fact that G. truncatula might be a natural intermediate host for F. gigantica in Egypt, and the greater adaptability of the Egyptian miracidia of F. gigantica to unusual snail hosts. These results demonstrate the influence of the geographic origin of the parasite on the success of trematodes infecting snails.     

Ultrastructure of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hepatozoon boigae</Emphasis> (Mackerras, 1961) nov. comb. from brown tree snakes,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Boiga irregularis</Emphasis>, from northern Australia

Intraerythrocytic bodies identified as haemogregarine gamonts were found in 29% of 97 brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) examined during a haematological survey of reptiles in Australasia during 1994-1998. The morphological characteristics of the parasites were consistent with those of Haemogregarina boigae Mackerras, 1961, although the gamonts were slightly larger and lacked red caps but contained distinctive polar grey capsules. Gamonts did not distend host cells but laterally displaced their nuclei. They were contained within parasitophorous vacuoles and possessed typical apicomplexan organelles, including a conoid, polar rings, rhoptries and micronemes. Schizonts producing up to 30 merozoites were detected in endothelial cells of the lungs of 11 snakes. The absence of erythrocytic schizogony suggests the parasites belong to the genus Hepatozoon. Electron microscopy also revealed the presence of curious encapsulated organisms in degenerating erythrocytes. These stages did not possess apical complex organelles and were surrounded by thick walls containing circumferential junctions and interposed strips reminiscent of oocyst sutures.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Calydiscoides limae</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Monogenea,Diplectanidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pentapodus aureofasciatus</Emphasis> (Perciformes,Nemipteridae) off New Caledonia

Calydiscoides limae sp. nov. is described from the nemipterid Pentapodus aureofasciatus Russell, 2001 caught along the barrier reef off New Caledonia, South Pacific. The new species is characterised by its male copulatory organ, with a distal blade and a lateral spur, and its female sclerotised organ, with a sphere and a thin tube. Its lamellodiscs always have 7 concentric lamellae, with the 3 internal lamellae complete and the 4 peripheral lamellae progressively less and less complete; measurements of the angles occupied by the lamellae in numerous specimens showed that the lamellodisc structure shows little variation among individuals.

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Résumé   Calydiscoides limae sp. nov. est décrit du Nemipteridae Pentapodus aureofasciatus Russell, 2001 pêché le long du récifbarrière de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Pacifique Sud. La nouvelle espèce est caractérisée par son organe copulateur male, avec une lame distale et un éperon latéral, et par son organe sclérifié femelle, avec une sphère et un tube fin. Ses lamellodisques ont toujours 7 lamelles concentriques, avec les 3 lamelles internes complètes et les 4 lamelles périphériques progressivement de moins en moins complètes. La mesure des angles occupés par les lamelles chez de nombreux spécimens montre que la structure des lamellodisques est peu variable entre les individus.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora mionectesi</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Apicomplexa,Eimeriidae) from the grey-hooded flycatcher, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mionectes rufiventris</Emphasis> in Brazil

A new isosporoid coccidian (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) species from the grey-hooded flycatcher, Mionectes rufiventris, from Brazil, is reported in the current study. Isospora mionectesi sp. nov. oocysts are ellipsoidal, 28.3 × 21.2 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ∼1.3 μm. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but one or two polar granules are present. Sporocysts are elongate ellipsoidal, 19.7 × 11.7 μm. Stieda body rounded and substieda body prominent. Sporocyst residuum is subspherical and compact. Sporozoites are vermiform with one refractile body and a nucleus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dracunculus brasiliensis</Emphasis> sp. n. (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) from the anaconda, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eunectes murinus</Emphasis> (Ophidia: Boidae)

Dracunculus brasiliensis sp. n. (Dracunculidae), is described based on a single female specimen found in the body cavity of the anaconda, Eunectes murinus (L.) (Ophidia: Boidae), from the Mexiana Island, Amazon River delta, Brazil and one female previously recorded from the subcutaneous tissue of this host species imported from South America into Europe (ZOO in the Czech Republic). The new species is characterised mainly by markedly large, anteriorly protruding dorsal and ventral double papillae of the internal circle and small lateral papillae of the same circle, a widely rounded caudal end, the excretory pore situated just posterior to the nerve ring, a distinctly transversely striated cuticle and by the length (396–429 μm) of larvae from uterus. This is the first species of Dracunculus described from reptiles in South America.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mexiconema africanum</Emphasis> sp. n. (Nematoda: Daniconematidae) from the catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Auchenoglanis occidentalis</Emphasis> from Lake Turkana,Kenya

A new species of dracunculoid nematode, Mexiconema africanum sp. n. (Daniconematidae), is described from the abdominal cavity and the intestine (rarely also the gall bladder) of the catfish Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes) (Claroteidae, Siluriformes) from Lake Turkana, Kenya. The new species differs from two other congeners mainly in the absence of two large cell nuclei in the glandular oesophagus, presence of well-developed lateral cephalic elevations, more numerous (14) cephalic papillae and a much longer body of the gravid female (18–22 mm); from Mexiconema cichlasomae Moravec, Vidal and Salgado Maldonado, 1992 also in less numerous (two) caudal processes and a different arrangement of genital papillae in the male. M. africanum is the first representative of the dracunculoid family Daniconematidae described from Africa.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allopodocotyle tunisiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Digenea,Opecoelidae), a parasite of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solea aegyptiaca</Emphasis> (Teleostei,Soleidae) off Tunisia

Allopodocotyle tunisiensis sp. nov. is described from the intestine of Solea aegyptiaca Chabanaud collected from the Gulf of Gabès in the Mediterranean Sea off Tunisia. The new species belongs to the group C of Allopodocotyle Pritchard, 1966 species (sensu Bray 1987). It differs from its congeners in this group by the shape of the seminal vesicle and the anterior extend of the vitellarium which varies between just posterior to the ventral sucker and anterior margin. A key to the Allopodocotyle species of group C is presented. The status of the genera Allopodocotyle and Macvicaria (Gibson and Bray 1982) are briefly discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichinella</Emphasis> T6 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichinella nativa</Emphasis> in Wolverines (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gulo gulo</Emphasis>) from Nunavut,Canada

Infection of Trichinella spp. is common among animals in the Canadian Arctic. We determined the prevalence of Trichinella spp. infection in wolverines (Gulo gulo) from Nunavut, Canada. Diaphragms from 41 wolverines were examined by artificial digestion. Trichinella spp. larvae were detected in 36 (87.8%) examined animals. Trichinella T6 was detected in 33 (91.7%), Trichinella nativa in only one (2.8%), and a mixed Trichinella T6 and T. nativa infections were detected in two (5.6%) wolverines. This is the first report of Trichinella spp. infection in wolverines from Nunavut and the first report of sympatric Trichinella T6 and T. nativa in any host. The high prevalence of Trichinella spp. infection in combination with the natural history of wolverines suggests that the mustelid may be a key species in the natural cycle of these parasites in Arctic and Subarctic areas.