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.     

<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">Syphacia</Emphasis> (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oligoryzomys nigripes</Emphasis> (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Argentina

The aim of this paper is to describe Syphacia kinsellai n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) from the cecum of Oligoryzomys nigripes (Olfers 1818) (Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini) captured in Misiones Province, Argentina. The new species can be differentiated from other species of the genus principally by the shape of the cephalic plate; distribution of submedian papillae and amphids; development of porous badge; presence of derids in females; absence of cervical and lateral alae; shape and structure of accessory hook of gubernaculum; and distance of excretory pore and vulva from the anterior extremity. Until the present, only two species of Syphacia had been reported from Argentina in sigmodontine rodents, the first one parasitizes an Oryzomyini host and the second one an Akodontini host. This new species is the second record of Syphacia from the tribe Oryzomyini in Argentina; however, we propose that the first record, S. oryzomae, should be treated as a nomen dubium.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hysterothylacium</Emphasis> (Ascaridoidea,Anisakidae) parasitic in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zenopsis conchifer</Emphasis> (Zeiformes,Zeidae) from Argentinean waters

A new species of parasitic nematode, Hysterothylacium spirale sp. nov. (Ascaridoidea, Anisakidae), is described based on specimens collected from the intestine and pyloric caeca of the silvery john dory Zenopsis conchifer (Lowe) (Zeiformes, Zeidae), from the Argentinean Shelf (35°05′–40°46′S, 53°03′–58°07′W). Among the 66 valid species described so far in the genus, the new species most closely resembles H. zenis (Baylis, 1929). Both species, apparently specific for fishes of the family Zeidae, share the shape of the dorsal lip, the long expanded lateral alae originating from subventral interlabia and the ornamentation of the tail tip, as well as general morphometry. The combination of these shared features distinguishes both species from all congeners so far known. However, the new species is distinguishable from H. zenis by having shorter interlabia, and consequently the lateral alae originating more posteriorly, shorter spicules, a smaller number of postcloacal papillae and the presence of two pairs of double postcloacal papillae.     

<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.     

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.     

The comparative morphology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marshallagia marshalli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ostertagia occidentali</Emphasis>s (Nematoda: Strongylida,Trichostrongylidae) by scanning electron microscopy

The systematics of the Ostertagiinae is unsettled with no agreement on how many genera and species are present in cattle and sheep. Ten species of Ostertagiinae are commonly parasitic in cattle and sheep. In the global fauna, six of 13 ostertagiine genera are endemic to Iran. The life cycle of Ostertaginae is direct and ingested third-stage larvae after exsheatment in the rumen, penetrate the gastric glands in the abomasal mucosa where two parasitic moults occur before the L5 emerges from the gland. In the present work, Marshallagia marshalli and Ostertagia occidentalis, collected from the abomasums of sheep from Mashhad, Iran, is described. The association of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed a detailed analysis of the morphology and ultrastructure of these nematodes. The male body length of M. marshalli and O. occidentalis were 9.3–10.20 and 9.60–10.50 mm, respectively. The female body length of M. marshalli and O. occidentalis were 10.10–15.30 and 10.4–15.70 mm, respectively. One of cervical papillae is seen 333 and 250 μm from the anterior end of male and female body surface in O. occidentalis and 287.5 and 200 μm from the anterior end of male and female body surface in M. marshalli, respectively. The size of cervical papillae is 13.3 μm in male and 10 μm in female in O. occidentalis and 9.33 μm in male and 8.57 μm in female in M. marshalli. Some other taxonomic features of M. marshalli and O. occidentalis, such as details of cephalic region, the system of longitudinal and surface cuticular ridges (synlophe), the orientation of rays of the copulatory bursa, localization of vulva, morphology of vulvar flap, and posterior end of females are also documented by SEM.     

Selective activity of extracts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Margaritaria discoidea</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Homalium africanum</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onchocerca ochengi</Emphasis>

Background  

The current treatment of onchocerciasis relies on the use of ivermectin which is only microfilaricidal and for which resistant parasite strains of veterinary importance are increasingly being detected. In the search for novel filaricides and alternative medicines, we investigated the selective activity of crude extracts of Margaritaria discoidea and Homalium africanum on Onchocerca ochengi, a model parasite for O. volvulus. These plants are used to treat the disease in North West Cameroon.     

<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.     

Antiplasmodial activity of two marine polyherbal preparations from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetomorpha antennina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegiceras corniculatum</Emphasis> against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodium falciparum</Emphasis>

The ocean covers more than 70% of earth surface and hosts most 300,000 described species of plants and animals to use, which have been virtually unexploited for the development of medicines. Marine plants are the good source of biologically active entities which exhibit therapeutic properties, when applied single or in combination of different plant extracts (polyherbal). Polyherbal preparations are always a complex mixture of different forms and thus different compounds, which might act as agonistic, synergistic, complementary, antagonistic or toxic way. The present study was initially carried out to test the antiplasmodial activity of 13 mangrove plants and eight seaweeds species distributed along the coast of south India. Of these, mangrove species Aegiceras corniculatum and the seaweed species Chaetomorpha antennina have shown maximum antiplasmodial activity. Hence, the present study was mooted out to increase the percentage of antiplasmodial activity when applied as polyherbal preparations. The effect of marine polyherbal preparations from the methanolic extracts of two marine plants A. corniculatum and C. antennina for their antiplasmodial activity was tested. It shows that the polyherbal extract showed 63.50 ± 0.408% suppression of parasitaemia against Plasmodium falciparum at 1.5 mg ml⁻¹ concentration. In vivo test was carried out with rat animal model to find out the effectiveness of the polyherbal extracts in the live system, which reveals that polyherbal extracts have exhibited remarkable antiplasmodial activity (50.57 ± 0.465%) against Plasmodium berghei at 120 mg kg⁻¹ bw. This study shows that combinations of mangrove plants and seaweeds extracts had a source of lead compounds for the development of new drugs for the treatment of malaria.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria biarmicus</Emphasis> sp.n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting falcons from the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Falco</Emphasis> in Saudi Arabia

The oocysts of Eimeria biarmicus sp. n. were described from the feces of the lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus, collected from the falcon market in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of infection was 5% (2/40). The majority of the oocysts examined had completed sporulation within 84 h at 24 ± 2°C. Sporulated oocysts are ovoid in shape, measuring 22.4 × 17.9 (20.5–24.7 × 15.8–18.5) μm; shape index (L/W) is 1.25 (1.14–1.36) μm. The oocyst wall is smooth and bi-layered. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. A polar granule is present, consisting of 2–4 globules. Sporocysts are ovoid, 10.1 × 6.1 (9.4–11.2 × 5.4–6.8) μm; with a smooth single-layered wall and a minute Stieda body, but there is no substieda body. The sporocyst residuum consists of numerous small granules. Sporozoites are comma shaped, each contains two refractile bodies. E. biarmicus sp. n. is the second eimerian species described from F. biarmicus.     

First report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Obeliscoides cuniculi</Emphasis> in European brown hare (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepus europaeus</Emphasis>)

Obeliscoides cuniculi is a New World nematode parasite of the Trichostrongilidae family infecting the gastric tract of different domestic and wild Lagomorph species. This parasite is reported for the first time from a European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The nematodes isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract were identified using the primary characteristics used to differentiate the species of this genus as adults morphology (length and thickness) and other characteristics of spicules, cervical papillae, cuticular ridges and striations. In the Italian study area, the European brown hare lives in sympatry with the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), species in which the nematode was previously isolated; therefore, the possibility of a cross-infestation must be considered.     

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.     

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">Alloglossidium fonti</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Digenea,Macroderoididae) from black bullheads in Minnesota with molecular differentiation from congeners and resurrection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alloglossidium kenti</Emphasis>

Alloglossidium fonti sp. nov. is described based on specimens from black bullheads (Ameiurus melas) collected from several localities in northwestern Minnesota. The new species is morphologically closest to A. corti and A. geminum. These two species were also found in the same region as A. fonti sp. nov. and sometimes in the same individual fish. Examination of numerous genetically marked specimens has demonstrated that the most reliable distinguishing feature among the three species is the position of anterior margin of the vitelline fields. In the new species they are situated at the level of anterior margin of ventral sucker while in A. corti it is at the level of intestinal bifurcation or even further anteriorly, and in A. geminum it is at the level of posterior margin of ventral sucker or further posteriorly. The new species has a relatively smaller cirrus sac than A. geminum. Despite rather minor, albeit stable morphological differences, the molecular data strongly supported the status of A. fonti sp. nov. as a new species. Moreover, molecular data and morphological examination of new material suggested that A. kenti, earlier synonymized with A. corti, is a valid species that is resurrected here. Comparison of 2420 base long sequences of nuclear rDNA (partial 18S, complete ITS region, and partial 28S) obtained from multiple specimens of all 4 species collected in Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Mississippi, showed essentially no intraspecific variability (except for 1 base difference in the ITS2 region of A. fonti sp. nov.), but has demonstrated pronounced interspecific differences. The new species was not found in the four examined catfish species from the Red River of the North (on the border between North Dakota and Minnesota) and neighbouring North Dakota.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kudoa unicapsula</Emphasis> n. sp. (Myxosporea: Kudoidae) a parasite of the Mediterranean mullets <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liza ramada</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. aurata</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Mugilidae)

A new multivalvulid myxozoan parasite, Kudoa unicapsula n. sp., is described from the intestinal mesentery, intestine and pyloric caeca of the thin-lipped grey mullet Liza ramada (Risso 1826) and the golden grey mullet L. aurata (Risso, 1810) from the Mediterranean coastal waters of Spain. It is characterized by the presence of elongated, rice corn-like white cysts of 0.47–0.56 × 0.18–0.38 mm, filled with tetracapsulate, slightly asymmetric spores, rectangular in apical view and tear-shaped in lateral view with four polar capsules of considerably different size and slightly unequal spore valves with rounded edges, overlapping each other on the apex of the spore. One large polar capsule includes a polar filament coiled in two to three turns, and the other three polar capsules, which are very small, posses only a rudimental filament. Both light and electron microscopy data showed that this species differs from all previously described Kudoa spp. with unequal polar capsules. The molecular analysis based on 18S and 28S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequence data of K. unicapsula n. sp. indicates a close relationship and thus phylogenetic clustering together with K. trifolia, a myxozoan from the same host and the same geographical location.     

Morphometric and molecular characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeonema synodontisi</Emphasis> n. comb. (Nematoda: Atractidae) from the West African fishes

Numerous nematodes were found in the rectum of three fish species Synodontis ocellifer, S. nigrita, and S. schall (Mochokidae, Siluriformes) from the Gambia River and Mare Simenti, National Park Niokolo Koba, Senegal. A nematode species Raillietnema synodontisi Vassiliadès, 1973 (host S. ocellifer), is redescribed using morphometric (including scanning electron microscopy) and molecular characteristics and transferred into the genus Labeonema Puylaert, 1970. It is morphologically and metrically similar to Labeonema intermedium Puylaert, 1970, the other congeneric species (L. bainae Baker, 1982; L. bakeri Van Waerebeke, Chabaud, Bain et Georges, 1988; and L. africanum Moravec et Van As, 2004) differ from them either by the spicule and gubernaculum lengths, distribution and number of pre-cloacal papillae, position of the vulva, as well as hosts and geographical distribution. The partial sequences of small ribosomal subunit rDNA of L. synodontisi were analyzed and compared with other nematode sequences. Molecular analyses seem to support the position of this nematode species based on the morphological observation.