Showing papers in "Journal of the Helminthological Society of Washington in 1999"

Helminths of the round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Perciformes: Gobiidae), from southern Lake Michigan, Indiana

Abstract: Round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) were collected from Hammond Marina and Calumet Harbor, southern Lake Michigan, Indiana, and exam- ined for helminths. Sixty-four gobies were collected at Hammond Marina and 245 gobies and 4 sculpins were collected from Calumet Harbor. Larval helminths re- covered from gobies included Diplostornum sp. and Eustrongylides sp. Acanthocephalus dims (Van Cleave, 1931) was the only other parasite found. Di- plostornum sp. was only found in gobies from Calumet Harbor, but A. dims and Eustrongylides sp. were found in gobies from both collection sites. Parasite species richness, prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abun- dance were low in gobies. Parasite species found in gobies have been found previously in native fish spe- cies in the Great Lakes.

Parasites and commensals of the West Indian manatee from Puerto Rico

Abstract: Metazoan parasites and commensals were collected from dead manatees salvaged in Puerto Rico. Thirty-five manatees were examined between 1980 and 1998. Parasites and commensals were identified in 20 (57%) manatees and included 3 species of hel- minths, 1 nematode (Heterocheilus tunicatux) and 2 digeneans (Chiorchis fabaceus and Cochleotrema cochleotrema). Two species of commensals were also associated with manatees: a barnacle (Chelonibia man- ati) and a fish (whitefin remora, Echeneis neucrato- ides). The 3 species of helminths found in manatees constitute the first records of these parasite-host rela- tionships for the study area. The record of C. numati is the first for the Caribbean, and thus the species is not endemic to the Gulf of Mexico as previously de- scribed. The speculation that West Indian manatees closer to the center of their geographic distribution would have a greater diversity of parasites was found not true for these insular specimens but perhaps could be true for continental South American specimens.

Parasites of the great egret (Ardea albus) in Florida and a review of the helminths reported for the species

Abstract: Thirty-nine species of helminths (21 trematodes , 12 nematodes , 2 acanthocephalans , and 4 cestodes ) were collected from 103 of 106 (97%) great egret s (Ardea albus) from Florida, 1987-1997. Infected birds harbored a mean of 6 helminths (range, 1-23). Twenty-eight species are new host records. The most prevalent helminths were trematodes of the gener a Posthodiplostomum and Ascocotyle (represente d by at least 4 species each) and the nematode Contracaecurn multipapillatum. A review of the parasiti c helminths reported from great egret s is also presented .

Parapharyngodon japonicus sp. n. (Nematoda : Pharyngodonidae) from the Japanese clawed salamander, Onychodactylus japonicus (Caudata : Hynobiidae), from Japan

Abstract: Parapharyngodon japonicus sp. n. from the large intestine of the Japanes e clawed salamander , Onychodactylus japonicus (Houttuyn), is described and illustrated. Parapharyngodon japonicus is most similar to P. tyche in that the anterior cloacal lip is smooth, the ovary is postbulbar , and the eggs are thin-walled and oval in outline. These 2 species differ in that the spicule of P. japonicus is half the length of that in P. tyche and the lateral alae of P. japonicus end abruptly about 80 u,m anterior to the cloaca, whereas in P. tyche the lateral alae continue to the end of the body. Two species are transferred from Parapharyngodon to The land ros and represen t new combinations: Thelandros awakoyai (Babero and Okpala) comb. n. and T. senisfaciecaiidus (Freitas) comb. n.

A taxonomic reconsideration of the genus Plagiorhynchus s. lat. (Acanthocephala : Plagiorhynchidae), with descriptions of south african Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) cylindraceus from shore birds and P. (P.) malayensis, and a key to the species of the subgenus Prosthorhynchus

Abstract: A population of Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) cylindraceus (Goeze) Schmidt and Kuntz is described from 4 species of shore birds in South Africa. Specimens of 3 suppose d synonyms of P. (P.) cylindraceus, namel y P. (P.) formosus Van Cleave, P. (P.) taiwanensis Schmidt and Kuntz, and P. (P.) transversus (Rudolphi) Travassos , were studied and this synonymy was verified. The taxonomi c status of Plagiorhynchus s. str. and of Prosthorhynchus was reconsidered , and both were retained as subgenera . Females of Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) malayensis (Tubangui ) Schmidt and Kuntz (nee malayense) are described for the first time; males are redescribed . A key to species of the subgenus Prosthorhynchus is provided.

Parasiti c Helminths of the Common Loon, Gavia immer, on Its Wintering Grounds in Florida

Abstract: Forty-eight species of helminths (31 trematodes, 5 cestodes, 11 nematodes, and 1 acanthocephalan) were collected from 104 sick or dead common loons collected on Florida beaches between 1971 and 1993. Twenty-three "normal" loons collected in 1984 were infected with 23 species of helminths (13 trematodes, 4 cestodes, 3 nematodes, and 3 acanthocephalans). Two trematodes (Microphallus forresteri, Amphimerus arcticus) and 3 cestodes (Neovalipora parvispinae, Armadoskrjabini rostellata, Tetrabothrius macrocephalus) were con- sidered common species (>20% prevalence) in both host populations. Of the species shared by the 2 host groups, 1 cestode (N. parvispinae) and 1 nematode (Streptocara crassicauda longispiculatus) had significantly higher prevalences and 2 trematodes (Renicola pollaris and M. forresteri) and 2 cestodes (A. rostellata and Microsomacanthus pseudorostellatus) had significantly higher intensities in the sick loons. The greater species richness in the sick loons and higher numbers of microphallid trematodes are thought to indicate a shift in the loons' diet due to low fish populations.

Metazoan Parasites of the Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber (Teleostei: Ephippidae) from the Coastal Zone of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: One hundred ten Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet, 1782) (Teleostei: Ephippidae) collected from the coastal zone of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (21-23°S, 41-45°W) between February 1995 and March 1996 were necropsied to study their metazoan parasites. The majority of the fish (82.7%) were parasitized by 1 or more metazoan species. Ten species of parasites were collected: 4 digeneans, 2 monogeneans, and 4 copepods. The copepods were the majority (53.1%) of the total number of parasite specimens collected. The caligid Anuretes anurus was the most dominant species with highest prevalence and abundance. Prosogon- otrema labiatum and A. anurus showed a positive correlation between the host's total length and parasite abundance, while Parancylodiscoides sp. showed a negative correlation between the host's total length and parasite prevalence and abundance. The sex of hosts did not influence prevalence and abundance of any parasite species. The mean diversity in the infracommunities of C. faber was H = 0.659 ± 0.280, with no correlation with the host's total length and with no significant difference between male and female fish. Chaetodipterus faber had 4 pairs of parasite species with significant positive association, 3 pairs of endoparasites, and 1 pair of ectoparasites. Negative associations were not found. The low diversity and parasite richness observed might be linked to the low dietary variation of C. faber.

Skrjabinodon piankai sp. n. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) and other helminths of geckos (Sauria: Gekkonidae: Nephrurus spp.) from Australia

Abstract: Skrjabinodon piankai sp. n. from the large intestine of the Australian gecko Nephrurus laevissimus is described and illustrated. It is also reported from Nephrurus levis and Nephrurus vertebralis. Skrjabinodon piankai differs from 6 other Australian realm species in the number of tail filament spines and egg shape. Other helminths found include Oochoristica piankai, Maxvachonia brygooi, Pharyngodon tiliquae, Physalopteroides filicauda, Wanaristrongylus ctenoti, third-stage larvae of Abbreviata sp., third-stage larvae of Physaloptera sp., and Raillietiella scincoides. New host records are establishe d for O. piankai and R. scincoides in N. laevissimus; M. brygooi and P. filicauda in N. levis; and P. tiliquae in N. vertebralis.

Helminths of two lizards, Barisia imbricata and Gerrhonotus ophiurus (Sauria: Anguidae), from Mexico

Abstract: The gastrointestina l tracts of 37 Barisia imbricata (Wiegmann) and 54 Gerrhonotus ophiurus Cope from Mexico were examined for helminths. The helminth fauna of B. imbricata consisted of 4 species of nematodes : Cosrnocercoides variabilis (Harwood), Oswaldocruzia pipicns Walton, Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, and Raillietnema brachyspiculatum Bursey, Goldberg, Salgado-Maldonado , and Mendez-de la Cruz. Gerrhonotus ophiurus harbored 1 trematode species, Brachycoelium salamandrae (Frolich), and 2 nematode species, Cosrnocercoides variabilis and Physaloptera retusa. Al l represen t new host records. With the exception of R. brachyspiculatum, all these helminths are generalists , which are widely distributed in other amphibian and reptile hosts.

Acanthocephala of cichlids (pisces) in Lake Malawi, Africa, with a description of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) malawiensis sp. n. (Quadrigyridae) from Labeo cylindricus Peters, 1852 (Cyprinidae)

Abstract: Two species of acanthocephalan s are reported from fishes collected during the summer of 1996 in the southeas t arm of Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), East Africa. The common Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae (Baylis, 1948) had infected 18 cichlid and 1 bagrid host species (all new host records) netted by divers wearing scuba gear around Harbor Island or caught by hook and line in deep water. The specimens of this parasit e were some of the smallest ever reported for that species . Two males of a new species, Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) malawiensis, are described from 2 male Labeo cylindricus (Cyprinidae). This is the fift h species of this genus and subgenus described in Africa. It is distinguished from the other 4 African and 33 mostly Asian species in that the probosci s hooks of the middle circle are longer than those of the anterior circle. The new species further differs from the other African species in probosci s and hook size, posterior hook root, trunk spination, and lemniscal form. Observations on host and geographica l distribution, prevalence , and developmental stages of A. (A.) tilapiae are also reported.

Sciadocephalus megalodiscus Diesing, 1850 (Cestoda: Corallobothriinae), a parasite of Cichla monoculus Spix, 1831 (Cichlidae), in the Paraná River, State of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract: Sciadocephalus megalodiscus Diesing, gen. et sp. inquirenda, is redescribe d from the tucunare, Cichla monoculus Spix, collected in the Parana River, Brazil. The position of the reproductive system of the parasit e is clarified, thus revalidating the genus and species . Sciadocephalus megalodiscus is recorded from the Parana River for the first time.

Nematode Parasites of Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens, from the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract: Yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), from 4 localities in the Laurentian (North American) Great Lakes were examined for nematodes: from eastern Lake Michigan in 1990; from southern Lake Michigan in 1991; from The Black Hole, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron in 1991; and from Oak Point, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron in 1996. Dichelyne cotylophora (Ward and Magath) infected perch from each location and had the highest prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance at Oak Point. Eustrongylides tubifex (Nitzsch) Jagerskiold was a common parasite of perch from Saginaw Bay, but it infrequently infected Lake Michigan perch. Philometra cylindracea (Ward and Magath) Van Cleave and Mueller was found in perch only from Saginaw Bay. Contra- caecum sp. infrequently infected perch from Lake Michigan and The Black Hole. A comparative summary of the literature on nematodes infecting yellow perch from the Great Lakes is presented, listing 27 studies published since 1917. Four nematode genera utilize perch as intermediate hosts, and 5 genera utilize them as definitive hosts. Information on the life cycles and pathology caused by nematodes infecting yellow perch is presented.

New Records, Hosts, and SEM Observations of Cercaria owreae (Hutton, 1954) from the Mexican Caribbean Sea

Abstract: Digenetic trematode larvae identified as Cercaria owreae (Hutton) were recorded in the coela of the following chaetognath species: Flaccisagitta en- flata (Grassi), Serratosagitta serratodentata (Krohn), Ferosagitta hispida (Conant), and Sagitta helenae Rit- ter-Zahony. The hosts and parasites were collected dur- ing 4 oceanographic cruises in February, March, May, and August 1991. The low prevalence of infection (av- erage 0.11%) was comparable with previous records. The intensity was restricted to 1 parasite. Ferosagitta hispida and Sagitta helenae are recorded for the first time as hosts of Cercaria owreae, and the Mexican Caribbean Sea is reported as a new locality for the geographical distribution of this parasite.

Nematodes and acanthocephalans of raccoons (Procyon lotor), with a new geographical record for Centrorhynchus conspectus (Acanthocephala) in South Carolina, U.S.A.

Abstract: From April 1997 through April 1998, 128 raccoons (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus) collected from 7 sites representin g 4 physiographi c areas in South Carolina were examined for gastrointestina l helminth parasites . Four species of nematode s (Gnathostoma procyonis (Chandler) , Physaloptera rara Hall and Wigdor, Arthrocephahis lotoris (Schwartz) , and Molineus barhatus Chandler ) and 2 species of acanthocephalan s (Macracanthorhynchus ingens (von Linstow) and Centrorhynchus conspectus Van Cleave and Pratt) were collected. The finding of 11 immature C. conspectus in 3 South Carolina raccoons represent s a new geographica l record for this species .

New host and locality records for three species of Glypthelmins (Digenea: Macroderoididae) in Anurans of Mexico

Abstract: During an inventory of the helminth parasites of amphibians from several localities in Mexico, trematode parasites of the genus Glypthelmins from 5 species of frogs were studied. Three species of Glypthelmins were collected from Rana montezumae, Rana dunni, Rana neovolcanica, Rana megapoda, and Rana vaillanti. New host and locality records for Glypthelmins quieta and Glypthelmins californiensis in anurans from Mexico are established , and we report Glvpthelmins facioi for the first time from R. vaillanti from Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz State. Diagnosti c character s for each parasit e species and sister-group relationships are presented.