A new species of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hysterothylacium</Emphasis> Ward et Magath, 1917 (Nematoda,Anisakidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liparis tanakae</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes,Liparidae) from the Yellow Sea,China

A new anisakid nematode, Hysterothylacium liparis sp. nov., is described from the intestine and stomach of the fish, Liparis tanakae (Gilbert et Burke, 1912) (Scorpaeniformes, Liparidae), a fish endemic to the Yellow Sea, China. The new species can be distinguished from the congeners by the absence of lateral alae, the length of the intestinal caecum (1.94–3.35 mm, 58.84–82.47% of oesophageal length), the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae (20–29 precloacal subventral pairs, 1 adcloacal pair and 4 postcloacal pairs), the size of the spicules (1.94–3.74 mm, 4.85–7.30% of body length) and the morphology of the tail tip. This is the first species of adult ascaridoid nematodes to be reported from fishes of the family Liparidae in northern China.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aplectana</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Cosmocercidae) in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platymantis boulengeri</Emphasis> (Anura,Ceratobatrachidae) from Papua New Guinea

Aplectana krausi sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the intestines of Platymantis boulengeri (Anura, Ceratobatrachidae) is described and illustrated. Aplectana krausi represents the 42nd species assigned to the genus, the 4th species reported from the Australo-Papuan region. It is easily separated from the three species previously reported from the region by the distribution pattern of male caudal papillae: A. macintoshii and A. novaezelandiae have irregular patterns; A. zweifeli and A. krausi have defined patterns. Aplectana zweifeli has 8–10 precloacal, no adcloacal, and 9 postcloacal pairs of papillae, there is a single median papillae just anterior to the cloaca; A. krausi has 5 precloacal, 1 adcloacal, and 5 postcloacal pairs of papillae, a median papillae is absent.     

New philometrids (Nematoda,Philometridae) from head tissues of two serranid fishes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus morio</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycteroperca microlepis</Emphasis>) off Florida,northern Gulf of Mexico

A new species of nematode, Philometra morii sp. nov. (Philometridae), is described from males and gravid females collected from the mouth cavity of the red grouper, Epinephelus morio (Valenciennes) (Serranidae, Perciformes), from the northen Gulf of Mexico, off Florida, USA. The new species is characterized mainly by the length of spicules (84–90 and 72–87 μm) and the length (54 μm) and structure of the gubernaculum in the male, and by the presence of three large oesophageal teeth protruding from the mouth, the number and arrangement of small cephalic papillae (8 papillae in 4 pairs of external circle and 6 single papillae of internal circle), the length (1.09–1.50 mm) and structure of the oesophagus and two large papilla-like caudal projections, and by the length of their bodies (19.34–30.07 mm). Philometra morii is the third species of this genus reported from E. morio in the Gulf of Mexico, differing from the two previously described species, in addition to morphological features, by the site of infection in this host (mouth cavity and sinuses vs oculo-orbits or gonads). From the same region (northern Gulf of Mexico, off Florida), gravid females of Philometra Costa, 1845, morphologically and biometrically similar to those of P. morii, were found in the subcutaneous tissues and sinuses of the head of another serranid fish (gag), Mycteroperca microlepis (Good et Bean). Although their conspecificity with P. morii cannot be excluded, they have been designated as Philometra sp. until conspecific males are discovered and described. Based on light and scanning electron microscopy examination (latter used only for females), both these forms are described.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moaciria</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Heterakidae) and other helminths in the red Mawatta frog, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylophorbus</Emphasis> cf. <Emphasis Type="Italic">rufescens</Emphasis> (Anura,Microhylidae) from Papua New Guinea

Moaciria moraveci sp. nov. (Nematoda, Heterakidae) from the large intestine of Hylophorbus cf. rufescens from Papua New Guinea is described. Moaciria moraveci sp. nov. represents the 9th species assigned to the genus and the 5th from the Australo-Papuan region. It is distinguished from congeners by the distribution pattern of the caudal papillae of the male, spicule length and vulvar position.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Falcaustra</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Kathlaniidae) and other nematodes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphenomorphus simus</Emphasis> (Squamata,Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea

Falcaustra papuensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Kathlaniidae) from the large intestine of Sphenomorphus simus (Squamata, Sciencidae) is described and illustrated. Falcaustra papuensis represents the 4th Australo-Papuan species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Australo-Papuan species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (6 precloacal, 6 adcloacal, 8 postcloacal, and 1 median), length of spicules (561–714 μm) and presence of a pseudosucker. Sphenomorphus simus was found to harbor 2 additional species of nematodes, Meteterakis crombiei and Oswaldocruzia bakeri. Sphenomorphus simus represents a new host record for each of these nematode species.     

C-<Emphasis Type="Italic">erb</Emphasis>B-2 oncogene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P21</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">WAF/CIP1</Emphasis></Superscript> tumor suppressor gene expression as prognostic factors in canine mammary adenocarcinomas

To evaluate the use of c-erbB-2 oncogene and p21 ^WAF1/CIP1 suppressor gene products as the prognosis markers for canine mammary tumors, expression of these gene products were examined immunohistochemically using tumor tissues and clinical data from 96 dogs with malignant mammary tumors. Semiquantitative data was compared with histopathological grades, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive index, and clinicopathological matters. The expression c-erbB-2 protein was found in the cellular membrane and cytoplasm of neoplastic epithelial cells, and the positive index had no significant relation to the histopathological features and PCNA-positive index, except for the individual age of affected dogs (P < 0.05). The product of p21 ^WAF1/CIP1 was mostly found in cytoplasm and occasionally in the nucleus of neoplastic cells. The quantitative data had significant association to the malignancy grade and size of tumors (P < 0.05). However, that had no significant relationship to the PCNA-positive index. The present study concluded that both gene products could not apply as the direct markers to evaluate the prognosis of canine mammary tumors. The detection of c-erbB-2 product may be partly beneficial to the differential diagnosis of epithelial type of mammary cancer. The use of p21 ^WAF1/CIP1 product in prognosis of canine mammary cancer needs further investigation.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxyascaris</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Cosmocercidae) in the Costa Rica brook frog, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Duellmanohyla uranochroa</Emphasis> (Anura,Hylidae)

Oxyascaris mcdiarmidi sp. nov. (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) from the small intestine of Duellmanohyla uranochroa from Costa Rica is described. Oxyascaris mcdiarmidi sp. nov. represents the 4th species assigned to the genus and is distinguished from congeners by the distribution pattern of the caudal papillae of the male, spicule length and vulvar position.     

Spermiogenesis and sperm ultrastructure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carmyerius endopapillatus</Emphasis> (Digenea,Gastrothylacidae), a parasite of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus</Emphasis> in Senegal

Ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis and of the spermatozoon of Carmyerius endopapillatus has enabled to describe some characteristics of this digenea. The intercentriolar body situated between the two striated roots and the two centrioles, presents a symmetric organization. Both external bands of this intercentriolar body are made up of a row of granules. During spermiogenesis, a flagellar rotation of 90° is described. The old spermatid does not present external ornamentations. The spermatozoon is characterized, in its anterior region, by the presence of a lateral expansion exhibiting one spinelike body. In C. endopapillatus, external ornamentations are localized only at the level where the lateral expansion appears. The posterior extremity of spermatozoon exhibits a nucleus surrounded by a plasmic membrane lacking microtubules, but presenting a small lateral expansion. This is the first species of Gastrothylacidae family studied by transmission electron microscopy.     

Evaluation of hematological values in indigenous chickens infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodium gallinaceum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegyptianella pullorum</Emphasis>

Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and leukocytozoon are the most important hematozoa in birds, which have been reported in different areas of the world. The present study was undertaken to find which blood protozoans exist in indigenous chickens in Shiraz, southern Iran and to evaluate hematological parameters in birds infected with hematozoas. Plasmodium and Aegyptianella were the two parasites found in 740 blood samples examined from indigenous chickens of which 29 (3.91%) were positive for Aegyptianella pullorum, 106 (14.32%) for Plasmodium gallinaceum, and 12 (1.62%) for A. pullorum and Plasmodium gallinaceum together. There was no significant difference between hematological parameters of non-infected and naturally infected chickens with Plasmodium gallinaceum, A. pullorum, and both (P > 0.05). Low infection of indigenous chickens with A. pullorum, Plasmodium gallinaceum, and both had no significant effects on hematological parameters (P > 0.05), which is probably due to low parasitemia rate and immunity against these two parasites.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomonas vaginalis</Emphasis> harboring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma hominis</Emphasis> increases cytopathogenicity in vitro

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections in humans. Mycoplasmas are frequently found with trichomonads but the consequences of this association are not yet known. In the present study, the effects of T. vaginalis harboring M. hominis on human vaginal epithelial cells and on MDCK cells are described. The results were analyzed by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as using cell viability assays. There was an increase in the cytopathic effects on the epithelial cells infected with T. vaginalis associated with M. hominis compared to T. vaginalis alone. The epithelial cells exhibited an increase in the intercellular spaces, a lesser viability, and increased destruction provoked by the infected T. vaginalis. In addition, the trichomonads presented a higher amoeboid transformation rate and an intense phagocytic activity, characteristics of higher virulence behavior.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lamellodiscus theroni</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Monogenea,Diplectanidae), a gill parasite from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplodus puntazzo</Emphasis> (Teleostei,Sparidae) from the Mediterranean Sea

We propose to name as Lamellodiscus theroni sp. nov., the gill parasite of Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti) that was reported by Euzet (1984) as L. ergensi Euzet and Oliver, 1966 in Kerkennah Island (Tunisia). L. theroni sp. nov. was also found specific to D. puntazzo in Algiers Bay (Algeria) and in Gulf of Lion (France). The host specificity of various Lamellodiscus species on D. puntazzo is briefly discussed. Within Lamellodiscus, L. theroni belongs to the “ignoratus” group characterized by a “lyre” shaped male copulatory organ and to the “ergensi” subgroup, characterized by a complex morphology of the haptoral dorsal bars. L. theroni differs from the five other species of this subgroup (L. ergensi, L. kechemirae, L. tomentosus, L. sanfilippoi, L. baeri) by the morphology and the size of the haptoral dorsal bar. L. theroni, as well as, L. hilii, L. bidens, L. impervius, was only reported on the sparid Diplodus puntazzo. These parasite species are all considered as oioxenic.     

Two new species of Pharyngodonidae (Nematoda,Oxyuroidea) in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gekko ulikovskii</Emphasis> from Vietnam

Pharyngodon duci sp. nov. and Spauligodon vietnamensis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of a gecko, Gekko ulikovskii (Sauria, Gekkonidae), from Vietnam are described and illustrated. Pharyngodon duci is the 35th species assigned to the genus and is separated from its congeners based upon the lack of a spicule, egg morphology, mouth morphology and cloacal lip morphology. Spauligodon vietnamensis is the 44th species assigned to the genus and is separated from its congeners by the lack of a spicule, egg morphology, and tail filament morphology.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anomotaenia barusi</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. alata</Emphasis> (Cestoda,Dilepididae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Charadrius dubius</Emphasis> (Aves,Charadriiformes) in Slovakia,with comments on related species

During a re-assessment of tapeworm collections from wild birds in Slovakia, two Anomotaenia spp. were recovered from the intestine of the little ringed plover Charadrius dubius Scop., 1786. One of them is described as Anomotaenia barusi sp. nov. The new taxon is distinguished from related congeneric species by the different shape and size of the rostellar hooks, the number of testes and the morphology of male and female reproductive organs. The other species was identified as Anomotaenia alata Spassky et Konovalov, 1969. The validity of this species has formerly been questioned because of its striking morphological similarity to the type-species of the genus, A. microrhyncha (Krabbe, 1869), described from the same host, Philomachus pugnax (L.). Present data revealed differences in the number and measurements of the rostellar hooks, the size of the cirrus-sac, the armament of the cirrus and the presence or absence of setae at the polar ends of the inner egg envelope, which supported the validity of A. alata. The finding of A. alata in C. dubius from Slovakia represents a new host and geographical record.     

Infestation of sand lizards (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lacerta agilis</Emphasis>) resident in the Northeastern Poland by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes ricinus</Emphasis> (L.) ticks and their infection with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis> sensu lato

Sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) were trapped and examined for ticks from May to September in 2002 and 2003 in Northeastern Poland. A total of 233 Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks (76 larvae and 157 nymphs) was found on 31 of 235 captured lizards (13.2%). The tick infestation is relatively low compared to that of mammals and passerine birds from the same area (Siński et al. 2006, Gryczyńska et al. 2002). Tick infestation depended on the month of capture, being the highest in spring. In autumn no ticks were recorded on any of the captured lizards. The oldest lizards carried the highest number of ticks but no differences related to sex of the host were found. All the collected ticks were analysed by PCR for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the etiological agents of Lyme disease. Spirochetes were detected in 11 out of 233 (4.7%) ticks tested. Genetic analysis confirmed that the spirochetes are members of the Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto genospecies. Mixed infection were not detected. The prevalence of infection was analysed in relation to months of the capture, age and sex of the lizards, but differences were not statistically significant. The obtained results suggest that lizards are probably not B. burgdorferi reservoirs, but further studies are required to confirm this.     

A frameshift mutation of the chloroplast <Emphasis Type="Italic">mat</Emphasis>K coding region is associated with chlorophyll deficiency in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> virescent mutant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wogon</Emphasis>-Sugi

Wogon-Sugi has been reported as a cytoplasmically inherited virescent mutant selected from a horticultural variety of Cryptomeria japonica. Although previous studies of plastid structure and inheritance indicated that at least some mutations are encoded by the chloroplast genome, the causative gene responsible for the primary chlorophyll deficiency in Wogon-Sugi, has not been identified. In this study, we identified this gene by genomic sequencing of chloroplast DNA and genetic analysis. Chloroplast DNA sequencing of 16 wild-type and 16 Wogon-Sugi plants showed a 19-bp insertional sequence in the matK coding region in the Wogon-Sugi. This insertion disrupted the matK reading frame. Although an indel mutation in the ycf1 and ycf2 coding region was detected in Wogon-Sugi, sequence variations similar to that of Wogon-Sugi were also detected in several wild-type lines, and they maintained the reading frame. Genetic analysis of the 19 bp insertional mutation in the matK coding region showed that it was found only in the chlorophyll-deficient sector of 125 full-sibling seedlings. Therefore, the 19-bp insertion in the matK coding region is the most likely candidate at present for a mutation underlying the Wogon-Sugi phenotype. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.