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.     

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.     

Ultrastructural features of the female reproductive system and female gametes of Nectonema munidae Brinkmann 1930 (Nematomorpha)

 Two stages of late juvenile females of Nectonema munidae Brinkmann, 1930 are described in terms of their reproductive system. In the first stage the body is filled with a tissue called the gono-parenchyme. Spherical compartments are separated into a central cavity. In the second stage the body surrounds a large primary body cavity that contains a large quantity of oocytes and scattered nurse cells. Different types of vesicles occur in these structures. The present results are compared with the features known for the female reproductive system of species of Gordiida, the sister taxon of Nectonema within the Nematomorpha. Received: 11 June 1996 / Accepted: 4 July 1996     

Investigation of different ontogenetic stages of Raillietiella sp. (Pentastomida: Cephalobaenida): the embryonic gland – glandula embryonalis – or Dorsalorgan

 The ”Dorsalorgan” of pentastomids is an embryonic gland. With respect to a general revision of the glandular equipment of pentastomids and its synonyms the term embryonic gland, first mentioned by Esslinger in 1968, or glandula embryonalis (original) appears to be most suitable. Thus, this terminology may no longer lead to confusion of these glands with dorsal organs of other arthropods. The ultrastructure of the embryonic gland and its role within the development of the embryonic envelopes of the pentastomid genus Raillietiella is described herein for the first time. The embryonic gland is composed of numerous secretory cells, which are arranged concentrically around a bottle-shaped cavity. The cells of the neck region produce an extracellular supporting layer to stabilize the collar. The basal cells are characterized by numerous microvilli, secreting mucus into the cavity. The product of the embryonic gland is secreted between the zona radiata externa/interna and the blastoderm cuticle, respectively. The embryonic gland disintegrates before larval hatching. Received: 7 June 1996 / Accepted: 1 August 1996     

Chaetotaxy and armature of Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809) and I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) cercariae (Digenea,Strigeidae)

 The armature and chaetotaxy of Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi 1809) and I. variegatus (Creplin 1825) cercariae were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and silver staining of the argentophilic sensilla. This represents the first detailed investigation of the surface structures of cercariae belonging to this genus. Both species exhibited a similar armature, although differences were recorded in the number of spines comprising the pre-oral tuft and the number of rows of spines in the post-oral collar. The number and the distribution of sensilla were found to be identical for both species of cercariae. Four types of sensilla, common to both species, were identified that differed in cilia length and in the structure of the surrounding collar. The distribution of particular sensillary forms was found to be consistent in both species. Received: 13 May 1996 / Accepted: 21 August 1996     

Pseudocapillaria (Ichthyocapillaria) ophisterni sp. n. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the swamp-eel Ophisternon aenigmaticum (Pisces) in Mexico

A new nematode species, Pseudocapillaria ophisterni sp. n., is described from the intestine and rarely from the stomach of the swamp-eel, Ophisternon aenigmaticum Rosen et Greenwood, from Catemaco Lake, Veracruz, Mexico. In having both caudal lobes in the male interconnected by a distinct dorsal membrane, it belongs to the subgenus Ichthyocapillaria. It differs from the three species in this subgenus mainly in possessing either a distinctly longer spicule or a smaller length of oesophagus relative to body length. It also differs in host type and geographical distribution. P. ophisterni is the first capillariid species reported from synbranchiform fishes. Received: 23 August 1999 / Accepted: 15 October 1999     

The metacercariae of sibling species of Meiogymnophallus,including M. rebecqui comb. nov. (Digenea: Gymnophallidae), and their effects on closely related Cerastoderma host species (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

 The morphology and ecology are described for four sibling species of digenean metacercariae: Meiogymnophallus minutus (Cobbold 1859), M. strigatus (Lebour 1908) from the estuarine cockle Cerastoderma edule L. and M. fossarum (Bartoli, 1965) and M. rebecqui (Bartoli, 1983) comb. nov. from the brackish water lagoon cockle C. glaucum (Poiret). Although occupying different sites within the two species of cockle, both M. minutus and M. fossarum infections result in pathological effects that may cause heavy host mortality. Remarkably, they also result in an inversion of the cockles in situ in the sand such that predation by the final host species is enhanced. Received: 20 October 1995 / Accepted: 15 January 1996     

Description of the life stages of quill mite Mironovia lagopus sp. nov. (Acari: Syringophilidae) parasitizing the rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta (Phasianidae) from Iceland

A new species of syringophilid mites, Mironovia lagopus sp. nov. (Acari: Syringophilidae) is described from feather quills of the rock ptarigman Lagopus muta (Montin) (Phasianidae) from Iceland. Females of this new species differ from the closely related Mironovia rouloul Skoracki and Sikora by setae d2, which are subequal or 1.1–1.2 times shorter than setae e2 (vs. d2 1.4–1.5 times longer than e2 in Mironovia rouloul) and by setae ag1, which are 1.3–1.5 times shorter than ag2 (vs. ag1 1.7–1.8 times shorter than ag2). The postembryonic stages of this new species are figured and described in details. In ontogeny of Mironovia spp., the observed pattern of setal appearance is not different from the pattern in other galliform-associated genera such as Syringophilus and Colinophilus, with exception for tarsal setae p’I, II which are absent in protonymphs. The key to all four species of the genus Mironovia is also provided.     

<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.     

Ecology of Pseudoterranova decipiens (Krabbe, 1878) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from Antarctic waters

The present study provides further data on the occurrence of Pseudoterranova decipiens in fish from two different sampling sites in the Antarctic. A total of 690 fish belonging to 33 species from the eastern Weddell Sea and 322 fish belonging to 12 species from the South Shetland Islands were examined. Altogether, 23 fish species were found to be infested and 11 new host records could be established. P. decipiens occurred at a water depth of between 80 and 820 m. Chaenocephalus aceratus and Notothenia coriiceps from the South Shetland Islands were the species with the highest prevalence (95%) and intensity (2–194 and 1–121, respectively) of infestation. Both are transport hosts, which mainly feed on benthic nototheniid fish species and accumulate the nematodes. Bathypelagic, pelagic, or mainly euphausid feeding fish species were only lightly infested, if at all. This demonstrates the benthic life cycle of P. decipiens in the Antarctic. The preferred site of infestation was the body cavity and the liver; no specimen could be isolated from the fish musculature. This might be explained by the low water temperatures. The infestation of fish from the Weddell Sea was distinctly lower than that of fish around the South Shetland Islands. Besides possible differences in final host populations at the two localities studied, the loss of eggs and larvae under the eastern Weddell Sea shelf ice and over the continental slope and differences in the availability of the first intermediate and macroinvertebrate hosts led to a lower level of infestation. Another role, although nondecisive, may be played by the reduced time of development and infectivity of eggs and larvae, respectively, in the extremely cold waters of the Weddell Sea. P. decipiens is not a rare but, rather a well-established parasite of the Antarctic fauna, which demonstrates the ability of this cosmopolitan species to complete its life cycle even under conditions of subzero temperatures. Received: 8 March 1999 / Accepted: 29 March 1999     

Gamidactylus piranhus sp. nov. (Copepoda, Vaigamidae) from the nasal fossae of serrasalmid fishes from the Três Marias Reservoir, Upper São Francisco River, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Gamidactylus piranhus sp. nov. (Copepoda, Vaigamidae) from the nasal fossae of “San Francisco piranha”, Pygocentrus piraya (Cuvier, 1819) and.White piranha. Serrasalmus brandtii (Lütken, 1875) is described. The new species is similar to the type species of the genus, Gamidactylus jaraquensis Thatcher et Boeger, 1984, but differs from it in the following respects: the cephalothorax is shorter, the free thoracic segments are usually longer, leg 5 is reduced to a simple seta and a spine on the second antennal segment is lacking. Gamidactylus bryconis Varella, 1995 and Gamidactylus hoplius Varella et Malta, 1996, do not closely resemble the new species because they are much larger and both present leg 5 reduced to a double seta.     

Investigation of different ontogenetic stages of Raillietiella sp. (Pentastomida: Cephalobaenida): hypodermal gland cells

Hypodermal gland cells in Raillietiella sp. represent a new cell type in pentastomids. They were discovered in infective larvae (intermediate host) and in juvenile raillietiellids (final host) during molting. The ultrastructural development of hypodermal gland cells is described in this report. We think that hypodermal gland cells are class 1 gland cells, which form temporary cilia during molting. Their possible function as releaser-pheromone gland cells is discussed. Received: 7 June 1996 / Accepted: 21 August 1996     

Kudoa septempunctata n. sp. (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) from an aquacultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) imported from Korea

A new myxosporean species, Kudoa septempunctata n. sp. (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida), is described from the trunk muscles of an aquacultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) imported from Korea. This species formed pseudocysts in the myofiber without inflammatory reactions, and the infection was not evident macroscopically. Spores of the new species were irregularly stellate in apical view, with the majority having seven unequal valves, each with a polar capsule of variable size (the remaining spores had six valves and polar capsules). The spores had dimensions of: width 11.8 (11.1–13.1); thickness 9.4 (8.9–10.0); length 8.5 (7.9–8.9); polar capsule length 4.6 (3.7–5.3); and polar capsule width 2.4 (2.2–2.8; mean with range in parentheses; n = 10; all measurements in micrometers). Scanning electron microscopy of the spores revealed unequal positioning of the seven valves without a definite center, rounded posterior ends of valves, and tiny projections at the apex of each valve. The small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) sequence of the new species was closely related to Kudoa spp. with five or more valves, particularly Kudoa thalassomi (97.6% identity) recorded from the trunk muscles of a moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) around the Australian continent. However, the latter species has six valves with a pointed edge and six polar capsules of a uniform size. The new species was also distinct from all presently known Kudoa spp. with seven valves and polar capsules, i.e. Kudoa yasunagai and Kudoa lethrini, regarding tissue tropism (trunk muscles versus brain), spore shape or external appendages, and SSU rDNA sequence.     

Babesia hylomysci and B. divergens: presence of antioxidant enzymes destroying hydrogen peroxide

Catalase and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), two enzymes destroying hydrogen peroxide, were reported in two Babesia species: B. divergens cultivated in vitro and B.hylomysci obtained in vivo. On the use of specific substrate and inhibitor, we confirmed that the Gpx activity detected was selenium-dependent. Moreover, the two Babesia species contain glutamate dehydrogenase activity. This enzyme is capable of providing to the cell the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) necessary for regeneration of the reduced glutathione. Gpx activity is weaker in B. divergens than in B. hylomysci and seems to be compensated by higher levels of catalase activity. Such a balance between the two enzymes may depend on the selenium concentration available for the parasite. Received: 7 August 1996 / Accepted: 18 October 1996     

Myxobolus harikensis sp. nov. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) infecting fins of Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.)--an Indian major carp in Harike Wetland, Punjab (India)

During a study of myxosporean parasites of freshwater fishes of Punjab Wetlands, India, one new myxosporean species, Myxobolus harikensis sp. nov. was recorded from the caudal fin of Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Plasmodia are small, white, spherical-to-rounded and are present on the caudal fin (in between the fin rays) having two to five spores per plasmodium. Spores of M. harikensis measure 10.1 × 8.5 μm in size, pyriform in valvular view and lenticular in sutural view pointing in the direction to the plane of slightly bent sutural line. Shell valves are thick, smooth, asymmetric and flattened at the sutural plane. Parietal folds are absent. Polar capsules are two, prominently unequal, broadly pyriform-to-rounded in shape and lie at different levels in the spore body cavity. The larger polar capsule is 5.0 × 3.1 μm in size, placed anteriorly on the sutural plane and opening to the exterior anteriolaterally. The smaller polar capsule measures 1.7 × 1.4 μm in size, placed posteriorly, perpendicular to the sutural plane and opening to the exterior mediolaterally. Spores of M. harikensis closely resembles to that of Myxobolus africanus in having polar capsules placed at different levels in the spore body cavity, however, are unique in having unequal polar capsules both discharging laterally.     

Coccidian intestinal parasites in the Priapulidae (Priapulida)

Four relatively uncommon members of the family Priapulidae (Priapulida) from very different parts of the world were examined to determine the presence of a parasitic coccidian in their midgut. The parasite was found in three of those priapulid species, Priapulopsis bicaudatus, P. australis, and Halicryptus higginsi, but not in the fourth one, Priapulus tuberculatospinosus. Using electron-microscopy techniques, we compared parasites of the different species with one another and with a parasite of Priapulus caudatus investigated by McLean in 1984. All of these parasites apparently belong to the same species and are likely to be Alveocystis intestinalis, a coccidian first described by Beltenev from P. caudatus and H. spinulosus. The present work greatly expands the geographical range of Alveocystis intestinalis and documents an uncommon case of low host specificity in eimeriid coccidians. Received: 5 August 1996 / Accepted: 28 August 1996     

Ultrastructure and molecular phylogeny of Anisofilariata chironomi g.n. sp.n. (Microsporidia: Terresporidia) from Chironomus plumosus L. (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Larvae of Chironomus plumosus, collected in North-Western Russia in September 2008, were infected with a microsporidium possessing broadly oval uninucleate spores in sporophorous vesicles. Sporogony and spore ultrastructure of this microsporidium differed from that of known microsporidian species, suggesting establishment of a new species, Anisofilariata chironomi, being a type species of a new genus. Sporogony di-, tetra-, octo-, and 16-sporoblastic. Fixed and stained spores are 4.7–6.8 × 3.4–5.4 μm in size, the spore measurements varying depending upon the number of spores in the sporophorous vesicle. The polaroplast is bipartite, with anterior and posterior parts composed of very thin and thick lamellae, respectively, and occupies the major volume of the spore. The polar filament is anisofilar, with two broad proximal and 10–13 narrow distal coils arranged in 2–4 layers. The sporophorous vesicle is bounded by a thin membrane and contains multiple tubular structures. Small subunit ribosomal DNA phylogeny showed basal position of the new microsporidium to a cluster uniting microsporidia infecting ciliates (Euplotespora binucleata), microcrustaceans (Glugoides intestinalis, Mrazekia macrocyclopis), lepidopteran insects (Cystosporogenes spp., Endoreticulatus spp.) and human (Vittaforma corneae), nested within Clade IV sensu Vossbrinck and Debrunner-Vossbrinck (2005 Folia Parasitol 52:131–142). No close phylogenetic relationships were found between A. chironomi and microsporidia from other dipteran hosts.     

Supplément 1996 (no. 40) to the Kauffmann-White scheme

This supplement reports the characterization of 13 new Salmonella serovars recognized in 1996 by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Salmonella: 8 were assigned to S. enterica subsp. enterica, 3 to subspecies salamae and 2 to subspecies diarizonae.     

Two new species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting Indian freshwater fishes in Punjab Wetlands (India)

A survey of parasites of freshwater fishes in Harike and Ropar Wetlands of Punjab (India) revealed the presence of two new myxosporean species belonging to the genus Myxobolus Butschli 1882. Spores of the first species, M. duodenalis sp. nov. parasitize the inner wall of the duodenum of Wallago attu (Bloch and Schneider) (Cypriniformis: Cyprinidae) vern. mulli are characterized by a broad, pyriform shape with a blunt anterior end and measures 9.0 × 3.20 μm. Spore valves are thin, smooth, and symmetrical with no parietal folds. There are two polar capsules, prominently unequal and pyriform in shape, with a narrow anterior end and a rounded posterior end. The larger polar capsule measures 4.70 × 1.76 μm and the smaller 2.76 × 1.06 μm. The larger polar capsule occupies more than half, while the smaller one occupies one third of the spore body cavity. An intercapsular process is absent. Spores of the second species, Myxobolus patialensis sp. nov. parasitize the caudal fin of Labeo rohita (Ham. 1822) (Cypriniformis: Cyprinidae) vern. rohu are pyriform in valvular view, measuring 11.28 × 6.67 μm. The two shell valves are asymmetrical and contain five parietal folds along the posterior end of the spore. Two anteriorly situated polar capsules, elongated and oval in shape are prominently unequal in size. The larger polar capsule measures 4.8 × 3.1 μm and smaller one 1.70 × 1.51 μm. The larger polar capsule lies obliquely to the spore axis and the smaller one is at the same level but pointing outward anteriolaterally. An intercapsular process is absent. This species is characterized by having a prominent ridge on the shell surface anteriolaterally on the side of the smaller polar capsule.     

Schistosoma mansoni : cercarial shedding patterns from a mixed infection of Biomphalaria glabrata with two (early and late) chronobiological variants

 The cercarial emergence rhythms of Schistosoma mansoni were analyzed for mixed infection of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata with two chronobiological strains, one with an early shedding pattern and the other with a late shedding pattern. Under these conditions, each parasite strain kept its own circadian cercarial emergence pattern. When the chronobiological variants were of the same species, no interference between the trematode larvae occurred during the cercarial emergence process. These results confirm that within the host-parasite system the parasite component is directly responsible for the cercarial emergence pattern. Received: 16 September 1996 / Accepted: 18 October 1996