Philometroides acanthopagri sp. nov., a new philometrid (Nematoda, Philometridae) from the musculature of Acanthopagrus latus (Sparidae) from marine waters of Iraq

A new nematode species, Philometroides acanthopagri sp. nov. (Philometridae), is described from gravid and subgravid specimens found in the musculature near pectoral fins and in nasal cavity of the yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus (Houttuyn) (Sparidae, Perciformes) from marine waters off the coast of southern Iraq. Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examination, the new species differs from its congeners in a combination of morphological and biometrical features. It is the first species of Philometroides reported from a sparid fish and the first representative of this genus recorded from fishes in the Arabian Gulf. A key to Philometroides species parasitizing marine and brackish-water fishes is provided.     

Gonad-infecting philometrid Philometra philippinensis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Philometridae) from the bigeye barracuda Sphyraena forsteri Cuvier (Sphyraenidae) off Mariveles, Bataan Province, Philippine archipelago

We conducted a parasitological study to identify nematodes infecting the gonads of bigeye barracuda Sphyraena forsteri Cuvier (Sphyraenidae) caught in the West Philippine Sea, off the Mariveles coast, Bataan Province, the Philippine archipelago. Males and very tiny nongravid female philometrid nematodes were collected from the ovaries of the fish. Based on light and scanning electron microscope observations, and supported by molecular analyses of the partial nucleotide sequences of the 18S small subunit ribosomal DNA, the philometrid nematode was determined to be a new species belonging to the genus Philometra Costa, 1845 in the family Philometridae (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea), and was named P. philippinensis sp. nov. This new species was clearly distinguishable morphologically from other congeners that parasitize the gonads of marine fishes. Males have unique sickle-shaped spicules and gubernaculum, and a vulva-like cloacal opening. Following Dentirumai philippinensis Quiazon et Moravec, 2013 and Philometra robusta Moravec, Möller et Heeger, 1992, this is the third philometrid species and the first gonad-infecting philometrid from the Philippine archipelago.     

Three species of Philometra (Nematoda, Philometridae) from marine fishes off Corsica, France

Gravid or subgravid females of the following three species belonging to the nematode genus Philometra were collected from marine perciform fishes of the Bonifacio Strait Marine Reserve, Corsica, France: Philometra justinei sp. nov. (prevalence 1.5%, intensity 11) and Philometra sp. (prevalence 3%, intensity 2) from the abdominal cavity and gonads, respectively, of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus (Mullidae), and Philometra serranellicabrillae Janiszewska, 1949 (prevalence 27%, intensity 2–6) from the gonads of the comber Serranus cabrilla (Serranidae). The newly described species, P. justinei, is mainly characterized by the absence of an anterior bulbous inflation of the oesophagus, body length of the gravid female (196 mm), conspicuously large amphids, number and distribution of cephalic papillae, and the morphology of larvae. It is the second known species of Philometra parasitizing fishes of the family Mullidae and the ninth species of this genus reported from marine fishes of the Mediterranean region. P. serranellicabrillae, studied for the first time by SEM, is redescribed.     

Dichelyne (Dichelyne) spinigerus sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from the marine fish Otolithes ruber (Sciaenidae) off Iran and first description of the male of Philometra otolithi Moravec et Manoharan, 2013 (Nematoda: Philometridae)

Recent parasitological examinations of the marine perciform fish (tigerteeth croaker) Otolithes ruber (Bloch et Schneider) (Sciaenidae) from off Iran yielded one new and one previously known nematode species: Dichelyne (Dichelyne) spinigerus sp. nov. (Cucullanidae) from the host’s intestine in the Persian Gulf and Philometra otolithi Moravec et Manoharan, 2013 (Philometridae) from the ovary in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The new species D. spinigerus is mainly characterized by the tail tip of both sexes terminating in two shaply pointed spikes (one dorsal and one ventral) and bearing a pair of minute lateral cuticular spines at its base, situation of both deirids and the excretory pore well posterior to the level of the posterior end of oesophagus, absence of a precloacal sucker and the presence of one or two intestinal caeca. The male and small mature females of the gonad-infecting species P. otolithi are described for the first time, based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies. The male of P. otolithi is most similar to that of P. johnii Moravec et Ali, 2013, but differs from it by the structure of the cephalic end and the number of caudal papillae; both species also differ from each other by the presence of transverse lamellae in the buccal cavity of gravid and subgravid females of P. otolithi, which are missing in those of P. johnii.     

Two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) parasitic in Lutjanus spp. (Osteichthyes: Lutjanidae) in the Bay of Bengal,India

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) are described from marine fishes of the genus Lutjanus Bloch (Lutjanidae, Perciformes) in the Bay of Bengal, off the eastern coast of India: Philometra argentimaculati sp. n. and Philometra fulvi sp. n. from the mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskål) and blacktail snapper Lutjanus fulvus (Foerster), respectively. P. argentimaculati is mainly characterised by the body length of male 2.56–3.07 mm, needle-like spicules 183–228 μm long, length of the gubernaculum at 90–120 μm, distal end of the gubernaculum with lamellar structures without a dorsal protuberance and by the dorsally non-interrupted male caudal mound. P. fulvi differs from all Philometra spp. with described males in the rectangular shape of the distal tip of the gubernaculum and is noted for the length of needle-like spicules 123–138 μm, that of the gubernaculum 69–93 μm and for the presence of a dorsal protuberance and lamella-like structures on the gubernaculum distal end. These are the first nominal species of philometrids reported from fishes of the family Lutjanidae in the region of the Indian Ocean. A necessity of further detailed studies on philometrids parasitising marine fishes worlwide is stressed.     

Philometra spicarae sp. n. (Nematoda: Philometridae) from the abdominal cavity of the marine fish (picarel) Spicara smaris (Centracanthidae) off Sicily, Italy

A new nematode species, Philometra spicarae sp. n. (Philometridae), is described from a gravid female found in the abdominal cavity of spicarel, Spicara smaris (Linnaeus) (Centracanthidae, Perciformes), from the Ionian Sea off Sicily, Italy. The new species differs from most other Philometra spp. parasitic in the abdominal cavity of marine fishes by the oesophagus without an anterior inflation, resembling thus only Philometra cheilopogoni Mordvinova, 1986 and Philometra justinei Moravec, Ternengo and Levron, 2006; these two species can be differentiated from P. spicarae by the relative length of the oesophagus to body length (0.6-0.8% vs. 6%) and some other features. From the gonad-infecting species Philometra filiformis (Stossich, 1896), a parasite of Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus), P. spicarae differs mainly in having a conspicuously long (1.4 mm) intestinal ligament. It is the first nominal philometrid species described from the fish of the family Centracanthidae.     

Two species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) from sparid fishes (porgies) off Sicily, Italy, including Philometra obladae sp. n. from the body cavity of Oblada melanura (Sparidae)

Two species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae), were, for the first time, recorded from fishes of the family Sparidae (porgies) from the Tyrrhenian Sea off Sicily, Italy: Philometra obladae sp. n. from the body cavity of the saddled seabream Oblada melanura (Linnaeus) and Philometra filiformis (Stossich, Boll Soc Adriat Sci Nat 17:121–136, 1896) from the gonads of the common pandora Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus). The new species (a single gravid female available) is characterised mainly by a large body (335 mm long, 3.4 mm wide), minute cephalic papillae (14 in number) arranged in two circles, a relatively short (1.29 mm) oesophagus with a distinct anterior inflation, a rounded caudal end without any projections and the length of larvae (549–600 μm) from the uterus. A key to species of Philometra with females located in the body cavity of marine and brackish-water fishes is given. Some new data on the female morphology of a little-known gonad-infecting species P. filiformis are provided; new observations revealed, for the first time in this species, the presence of lateral cephalic papillae and the absence of previously reported black intestinal corpuscles in the larvae.     

Some gonad-infecting species of Philometra (Nematoda, Philometridae) from offshore fishes of South Carolina and Georgia, USA, including Philometra charlestonensis sp. nov. from the scamp Mycteroperca phenax

Three gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 were, for the first time, recorded from perciform fishes from estuarine and marine waters in South Carolina and Georgia, USA: Philometra charlestonensis sp. nov. from the scamp Mycteroperca phenax (Jordan et Swain) (Serranidae), P. saltatrix Ramachandran, 1973 from the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus) (Pomatomidae), and Philometra sp. from the Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus (Linnaeus) (Sciaenidae). The new species is characterized mainly by males (body length 2.65–3.14 mm) with equally long, needle-like spicules (length 132–141 μm) and the gubernaculum (81–93 μm) bearing dorsal transverse lamella-like structures on its distal portion, the body length of gravid females (168–247 mm), the presence of a well-developed anterior bulbous inflation on the female oesophagus, and by the length of the first-stage larvae (544–597 μm). A key to gonad-infecting species of Philometra parasitizing marine and brackish-water fishes is provided.     

Gonad-infecting species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) from groupers Epinephelus spp. (Osteichthyes: Serranidae) in the Bay of Bengal,India

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, two new and one specifically not identified gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) are described from the ovary of marine fishes of the genus Epinephelus Bloch (Serranidae, Perciformes) in the Bay of Bengal, off the eastern coast of India: P. indica sp. nov. (male and females) from the honeycomb grouper E. merra Bloch, P. tropica sp. nov. (males and females) from the duskytail grouper E. bleekeri (Vaillant) and Philometra sp. (only females) from the cloudy grouper E. erythrurus (Valenciennes). Philometra indica is mainly characterized by the length of spicules 192–195 μm and the gubernaculum 84 μm, the distal tip of the gubernaculum without a dorsal protuberance, and by the presence of five pairs of caudal papillae. Philometra tropica is mainly characterized by the spicules conspicuously ventrally distended at their posterior halves, the distal tip of the gubernaculum with a dorsal protuberance, and the presence of three pairs of caudal papillae.     

Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. (Nematoda,Cosmocercidae) in Duttaphrynus himalayanus (Amphibia,Anura) from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India

Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Duttaphrynus himalayanus (Amphibia, Anura) from Dehradun, India is described and illustrated. Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. represents the 21st species assigned to the genus and the 9th species from the Oriental biogeographical region. Cosmocercoides himalayanus sp. nov. differs from the previously described Oriental species in number and position of rosette papillae; it is the only species possessing 24 or more rosette papillae to have 4 postcloacal papillae. In addition, a list of species assigned to Cosmocercoides is provided; however, C. fotedari Arya, 1992 is removed from the genus and until further study is considered a species inquirenda.     

A new gonad-infecting species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) from the red cusk-eel Genypterus chilensis (Osteichthyes: Ophidiidae) off Chile

A new nematode species, Philometra genypteri sp. n. (Philometridae), is described from male and female specimens found in the ovary of red cusk-eel, Genypterus chilensis (Guichenot) (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes), from the eastern South Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern Chile. Based on light and scanning electron microscopy examination, the new species differs from most other gonad-infecting Philometra spp. in the length of spicules (126–135 μm), a gubernaculum with dorsal lamella-like structures on its distal end, and the number and arrangement of genital papillae in the male. From a few congeneric, gonad-infecting species with unknown males, it can be distinguished by some morphological and biometrical features found in gravid female (absence of caudal projections, length of first-stage larvae or oesophagus, moderately developed anterior oesophageal inflation) and by the host type (fish family) and geographical distribution. P. genypteri is the first philometrid species reported from a fish belonging to the order Ophidiiformes and the second nominal species of Philometra recorded from marine fishes of the eastern South Pacific.     

Hysterothylacium gibsoni sp. nov. and H. tetrapteri (Bruce et Cannon, 1989) (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the Chinese marine fishes

A new species of ascaridoid nematode, Hysterothylacium gibsoni sp. nov., is described based on specimens collected from the intestine of the slender lizardfish Saurida elongata (Temminck et Schlegel) (Aulopiformes: Synodontidae) in the Yellow Sea, China. The new species differs from its congeners by its small body size (12.8–13.2 mm), the absence of cervical alae, a very short intestinal caecum (representing 8.86–9.52% of oesophageal length) and a long ventricular appendix (intestinal caecum to ventricular appendix ratio 1:15.3–20.0), short spicules (0.38–0.41 mm, representing 2.97–3.11% of body length), the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae (25–28 pairs arranged as follows: 18–22 pairs precloacal, 3 pairs paracloacal, and 3–4 pairs postcloacal). In addition, Hysterothylacium tetrapteri (Bruce et Cannon, 1989) is also redescribed based on the material collected from the striped marlin Kajikia audax (Philippi) (Perciformes: Istiophoridae) in the South China Sea.     

Diplectanum parvus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) from Cephalopholis urodeta (Perciformes, Serranidae) of New Caledonia

Diplectanum parvus sp. nov. is described from the coral reef fish Cephalopholis urodeta collected off New Caledonia, South Pacific, and is the first diplectanid described from this fish. The new species has a very small male copulatory organ (24 μm in length) and a minute body (246 μm in length) and is close to D. nanus Justine, 2007 from which it can be distinguished by the shape of dorsal bars and various measurements. These species belong to a group of diplectanids found in groupers (Serranidae, Epinephelinae), characterised by small funnel-shaped male copulatory organs and no sclerotized female organs. The attribution of these parasites to Diplectanum Diesing is provisional. Other parasites are briefly listed.

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Résumé   Diplectanum parvus sp. nov. est décrit du poisson de récif corallien Cephalopholis urodeta pLché en Nouvelle-Calédonie, et est le premier Diplectanidae décrit de ce poisson. La nouvelle espèce a une organe copulateur male (long de 24 μm) et un corps (long de 246 μm) très petits et est proche de D. nanus Justine, 2007 dont elle peut eêtre différenciée par la forme des barres dorsales et diverses mesures. Ces espèces appartiennent B un groupe de Diplectanidae parasites de mérous (Serranidae, Epinephelinae), caractérisés par des organes copulateurs males petits en forme d’entonnoir et l’absence d’organes sclérifiés femelles, qui sont attribués provisoirement B Diplectanum Diesing. Les autres parasites sont brièvement mentionnés.

     

A new nematode, Ansiruptodera scapteromi sp. nov. (Nematoda: Aspidoderidae), recovered from the Argentinean water rat Scapteromys tumidis (Waterhouse, 1837) in Uruguay

This report describes a new species of aspidoderid nematode, Ansiruptodera scapteromi sp. nov., the second species to be reported in the genus Ansiruptodera Skrjabin and Shikhobalova, 1947. The A. scapteromi sp. nov. is the first species of the genus to be recorded from a rodent host. The new species is clearly different from the only other species, A. ansirupta (Proença, 1937) Skrjabin and Shikhobalova, 1947, in that it possesses short lateral alae that terminate before the midbody; a smaller cephalic extremity; a shorter esophagus, pharynx, tail, and tail appendage; a smaller sucker; and longer spicules. The two species also differ in the numbers and arrangements of caudal papillae. A. scapteromi appears to be a parasite of capture and the water rats seem to have been infected from Edentata in Uruguay.     

Foleyellides rhinellae sp. nov. (Nematoda,Onchocercidae) a new filaria parasitizing Rhinella marina (Anura,Bufonidae) in Mexico

A new nematode species, Foleyellides rhinellae sp. nov. (Onchocercidae), is described from specimens found in the body cavity of the cane toad, Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura, Bufonidae), in the Laguna de Coyuca, Guerrero, in the Pacific slope of Mexico. The new species differs from the other nine species of Foleyellides by infecting bufonid anurans and by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae. Other distinguishing feature of the new species is the size of the left spicule (0.16–0.23 long), the smallest recorded among the species included in the genus. Foleyellides rhinellae sp. nov. is the second known species of the genus recorded from amphibians of Mexico.