Three new species of the ectoparasitic mites of the genus Syringophiloidus Kethley, 1970 (Acari: Syringophilidae) from passeriform birds from Slovakia

Three new quill mite species of the genus Syringophiloidus Kethley, 1970 (Acari: Syringophilidae) from Slovakia are described and figured: S. bombycillae sp. n. from the waxwing Bombycilla garrulus (L.) (Passeriformes: Bombycillidae), S. schoeniclus sp. n. from the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus L. (Passcriformes: Emberizidae) and S. montanus sp. n. from the tree sparrow Passer monlanus (L.) (Passeriformes: Ploceidae). A key to all known species of the genus Syringophiloidus is given.     

Two new species of the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Cheyletoidea) from passeriform birds collected in the Altai

Two new species of the syringophilid mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) are described from quills of passeriform birds. Syringophilopsis faini sp. n. is described from Sylvia curruca (L.) (Sylviidae) and Syringophiloidus carpodaci sp. n. is described from Carpodacus erythrinus (Pall.) (Fringillidae). Characters are detailed that differentiate Syringophilopsis faini from three species of a new "turdus" group, and Syringophiloidus carpodaci from S. minor.     

Three new species of Spiniloculus (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) from Chiloscyllium punctatum (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes) off Borneo with clarification of the identity of the type of the genus

The type species (Spiniloculus mavensis Southwell, 1925) of the previously monotypic tetraphyllidean genus Spiniloculus Southwell, 1925 is redescribed from the type material from Moreton Bay, Australia. As a consequence the identity of this species is definitively resolved. Three new species in the genus, all collected from Chiloscyllium punctatum Müller et Henle (brownbanded bambooshark), in Borneo, are described. Spiniloculus calhouni sp. n. conspicuously differs from all three of its congeners in its possession of post-poral testes. Spiniloculus fylerae sp. n. and Spiniloculus paigeae sp. n. differ from their two other congeners in that they are relatively small worms (4-6.5 and 2.2-5 mm in total length, respectively) with fewer than 30 proglottids. They can be distinguished from one another in that, while the vitelline follicles are interrupted at the level of its ovary in S. fylerae, this is not the case in S. paigeae. Furthermore, whereas the cirrus sac of the former species is pyriform, it is elongate-oval in the latter species. This brings the total number of species in the genus to four, and lends support to the suggestion that the original identity of the type host of S. mavensis as Mustelus sp. was in error. This work also extends the range of the genus to include the island of Borneo. A key to the species of Spiniloculus is provided. Morphological data generated here, using both light and scanning electron microscopy, support the suggested close affinities between Spiniloculus and Yorkeria Southwell, 1927, both of which parasitize bamboosharks.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rRNA gene from the piscine diplomonad Spironucleus torosus (Diplomonadida: Hexamitinae)

Previous studies have recorded Spironucleus torosus Poynton et Morrison, 1990 from several species of gadoid fishes, including the only freshwater gadoid, the burbot Lota lota (L.). Two morphologically different isolates of S. torosus have been described (elongate and pyriform). Both have been found in saltwater, while only the elongate has been found in freshwater. To address the conspecificity of the two morphs of S. torosus, and to identify the source of S. torosus in burbot in Norway, we have sequenced the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene from 43 isolates of S. torosus from six species of gadoid fishes sampled at 15 localities in Norway, Sweden and the Baltic Sea. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU rRNA gene sequence data recovered two major clades, one containing mainly isolates from burbot, while the other contained isolates from marine gadoid fishes only. The genetic distance (based on 25 nucleotide substitutions in 789 base pairs) separating the two assemblages was not large enough to consider the two groups separate species. Spironucleus torosus isolated from burbot displayed limited genetic variation in the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene along the post-Pleistocene migration route of its host. The present study is the first report of S. torosus in tusk Brosme brosme (Ascanius), whiting Merlangius merlangus (L.), and fourbeard rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius (L.).     

几种斯氏线虫侧区形态比较：小杆目：斯氏线虫科

斯氏线虫属Steinernema Travassos,1927,异名新线虫属Neoaplectana Steiner1929,是斯氏线虫科Steihernematidae中唯一的一个类群(Wouts,etal.1982),迄今为众多学者认可的种类有八个,包括Steinernema Kraussei(Steiner)、 S. glaseri (Steiner)、 S. feltiae (Filipjev)、 S. bibionis(Bovien)、 S. affinis(Bovien)、 S. anomali (Kozodoi)、 S. intermedia     

Component population study of Acanthocephalus tumescens (Acanthocephala) in fishes from Lake Moreno,Argentina

Seasonal samples of all fish species from Lake Moreno were taken in order to determine the presence of paratenia, to evaluate the status of the hosts and to characterise the transmission of Acanthocephalus tumescens (von Linstow, 1896) at the component population level. Prevalence, mean abundance, mean intensity, numbers of gravid females, relative abundance of the different fish species, relative output of eggs and relative flow rates for each host species were computed. Acanthocephalus tumescens showed low host specificity, successfully parasitizing six out of eight fish species present in the lake. No paratenic infection was registered. If prevalence, mean abundance, and number of gravid females are considered, host species can be placed in a continuum from the most to least suitable as follows: Galaxias platei Steindachner, Diplomystes viedmensis (Mac Donagh), Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), Percichthys trucha (Cuvier et Valenciennes) and Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns). However, when parasite flow rates and egg output were calculated, including relative abundance of each fish species, the continuum was rearranged as follows: P. trucha, O. mykiss, G. platei / G. maculatus, S. fontinalis and D. viedmensis. The first four species would be the main contributors to the population of A. tumescens in this lake, P. trucha being the major one. Different regulatory and non-regulatory mechanisms are suggested.     

Xenoma-like formations induced by Soricimyxum fegati (Myxosporea) in three species of shrews (Soricomorpha: Soricidae), including records of new hosts

In South Bohemia, Czech Republic, 178 shrews, including 98 common shrews, Sorex araneus L., 70 pygmy shrews, Sorex minutus L., and 10 lesser white-toothed shrews, Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas), were examined for Soricimyxum fegati Prunescu, Prunescu, Pucek et Lom, 2007 infections, using squash preparations of unfixed tissues, histological sections and molecular methods. The infection was found in 51 (52%) S. araneus, 14 (20%) S. minutus and 1 (10%) C. suaveolens. The records of the latter two species extend host range of S. fegati. Lesions associated with S. fegati infections in the liver, the organ of specific localisation of the parasite, were found to be induced by proliferative stages migrating toward lumina of bile ducts. In other organs of these three host species, xenoma-like formations (XLFs) were found that severely injured blood vessels. XLFs contained presporogonic stages of S. fegati, whose species identity was evidenced using molecular methods.     

松褐天牛的天敌及其对寄主的控制能力研究

根据国内外的研究和作者的研究结果,总结和记述了传播松材线虫的媒介昆虫松褐天牛的天敌种类及其控害情况。共有9 7种天敌,其中天敌昆虫4 7种,病原微生物1 7种,捕食性鸟类3 3种。同时对主要天敌种类病原微生物、肿腿蜂、斑头陡盾茧蜂、花绒寄甲、天牛斑叩甲和捕食性鸟类对松褐天牛的控制能力进行了阐述。     

Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults are susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida) attack: results from a laboratory study

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Three species of entomopathogenic nematodes from Slovenia (Steinernema feltiae B30, S. carpocapsae C101, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora D54) and...     

四种短体线虫的形态和分子生物学鉴定

 采用形态学和分子生物学方法对来自荷兰的藏橐吾和铃兰、泰国的高山榕、缅甸的香蕉等种苗(球)分别鉴定出玻利维亚短体线虫Pratylenchus bolivianus、铃兰短体线虫P. convallariae、咖啡短体线虫P. coffeae和斯佩奇短体线虫 P. speijeri。对这4种线虫的形态特征进行较为详细的描述后,认为头环、口针、侧区、生殖系统和尾形等形态特征是种类鉴定的重要依据;进一步利用引物28S-D2A/28S-D3Br扩增测序得到上述4种线虫的28S rRNA基因D2/D3区序列,序列分析发现玻利维亚短体线虫从欧洲到美洲的不同种群之间的遗传距离变异较小,仅为0~0.007;铃兰短体线虫同一种群不同个体之间的遗传变异较大,为0.006~0.029;咖啡短体线虫不同种群之间的平均遗传距离为0.013;斯佩奇短体线虫不同种群之间的平均遗传距离为0.010;咖啡短体线虫P. coffeae和斯佩奇短体线虫P. speijeri亲缘关系很近,二者种间平均遗传距离仅为0.026。本研究再次证明线虫28S rRNA基因D2/D3区基因序列可作为短体线虫种间鉴定的依据。     

四种短体线虫的形态和分子生物学鉴定

 采用形态学和分子生物学方法对来自荷兰的藏橐吾和铃兰、泰国的高山榕、缅甸的香蕉等种苗(球)分别鉴定出玻利维亚短体线虫Pratylenchus bolivianus、铃兰短体线虫P. convallariae、咖啡短体线虫P. coffeae和斯佩奇短体线虫 P. speijeri。对这4种线虫的形态特征进行较为详细的描述后,认为头环、口针、侧区、生殖系统和尾形等形态特征是种类鉴定的重要依据;进一步利用引物28S-D2A/28S-D3Br扩增测序得到上述4种线虫的28S rRNA基因D2/D3区序列,序列分析发现玻利维亚短体线虫从欧洲到美洲的不同种群之间的遗传距离变异较小,仅为0~0.007;铃兰短体线虫同一种群不同个体之间的遗传变异较大,为0.006~0.029;咖啡短体线虫不同种群之间的平均遗传距离为0.013;斯佩奇短体线虫不同种群之间的平均遗传距离为0.010;咖啡短体线虫P. coffeae和斯佩奇短体线虫P. speijeri亲缘关系很近,二者种间平均遗传距离仅为0.026。本研究再次证明线虫28S rRNA基因D2/D3区基因序列可作为短体线虫种间鉴定的依据。     

Annulotrematoides bryconi sp. n. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) parasitic on Brycon cephalus (Osteichthyes: Characidae) from Brazil

Annulotrematoides bryconi sp. n. is described and illustrated from specimens collected from gills of characiform fish, Brycon cephalus (Günther, 1869), in pisciculture ponds from Pirassununga, S?o Paulo, Brazil. Diagnostic characters of the new species are the tegument of trunk showing annulations, except on the cephalic regiona, and copulatory complex comprising sclerotized male copulatory organ coiled in 1 1/2 rings. This is the first record of monogeneans parasitic on the gills of B. cephalus.     

Two new species of protogyrodactylus (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) from the gills of Gerres nigri (Teleostei: Gerreidae) from Senegal

Protogyrodactylus ethiopicus sp. n. and P. kritskyi sp. n. are described from the gills of Gerres nigri Günther (Gerreidae, Perciformes) captured from the estuary of the Sine-Saloum River (Senegal, West Africa). These new species differ from previously described species within the genus by a mid- or dextro-ventral vaginal opening (dextral in all other species). They are part of a morphological species group within Protogyrodactylus Johnston et Tiegs, 1922 that has the tip of the superficial root of the ventral anchor resembling a hook and two anterior projections on the anterior margin of the ventral bar. Protogyrodactylus ethiopicus differs from the remaining species in this group mainly by the morphology of the base of the male copulatory organ (MCO), which is disk-shaped, and the shape of the anterior projections of the ventral bar (round in the new species and relatively elongate in the other species of the group). The other new species, P. kritskyi, differs from all others in the same morphological group in having a MCO with a greatly expanded base that bears a heel-like subterminal sclerotization.     

Host-based life cycle traits and detoxification enzymes of major looper pests (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) of tea from Darjeeling Terai,India

Three polyphagous looper caterpillars, Buzura suppressaria Guenée, Hyposidra talaca Walker and Hyposidra infixaria Walker, have established themselves as severe pests of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] in the plantations of sub Himalayan West Bengal (Terai region). Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. is a naturally occurring alternative host of all these looper species. To gain an insight into looper and host plant relationships, the present work contemplates studies on host preference, host-based life cycle traits and levels of detoxification enzymes, such as general esterases (GEs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). From the study, host-induction of feeding preference was evident in all the three looper species. Hyposidra spp. exhibited similar post-embryonic development periods both on tea and S. wallichii, whereas B. suppressaria reared on tea needed a longer development period than on S. wallichii. Tea-reared caterpillars of Hyposidra spp. were significantly heavier, having higher quantities of GEs and GSTs than S. wallichii-reared ones. B. suppressaria, however, exhibited similar body weights on tea and S. wallichii. While GST level was higher in tea-reared B. suppressaria, its GE quantity was higher on S. wallichii. Although tea was found to be a more suitable host for Hyposidra spp., the host S. wallichii proved marginally better than tea for supporting B. suppressaria. However, all the three looper species could utilize the foliage of tea and S. wallichii successfully. So S. wallichii trees can act as a sylvan reservoir of the looper species, prompting their possible invasion of tea plantations and thus making management of looper pests in tea more difficult.     

Virulence and efficacy of different entomopathogenic nematode species against western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

Virulence and efficacy of five species and strains of the entomopathogenic nematodes of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae:Steinernema riobravis, Steinernema feltiae strains Ger. and UK, andHeterorhabditis bacteriophora strains HP88 and IS5, against the prepupal and pupal stages of the western flower thrips (WFT),Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were investigated in the laboratory. Although all these nematodes controlled WFT to some extent, they differed in efficiency. The heterorhabditid nematodeH. bacteriophora strain HP88 was more specific to the soil-inhabiting WFT stages (36–49% thrips mortality). The steinernematid nematodesS. riobravis andS. feltiae strains Ger. and UK had only a slight effect (10% mortality) on prepupal and pupal populations of WFT, andH. bacteriophora strain IS5 had the least effect of all. A possible reason for such species variation is suggested and discussed.     

Competition between Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Growth indices describing the nature of the competitive relationship between Silene vulgaris and alfalfa during crop establishment were determined from experiments conducted outdoors in southem Manitoba in 1986 and 1987. The results of the experiments indicated that alfalfa dry matter yields were influenced more by intra- than interspecific competition. In comparison S. vulgaris was affected more by interspecific competition. Replacement diagrams and aggressivity indices both demonstrated that alfalfa and S. vulgaris were the aggressor and sub-ordinate species, respectively. Relative replacement rates for alfalfa versus S. vulgaris were significantly greater than unity, indicating that alfalfa exerted a greater replacement pressure on S. vulgaris than did S. vulgaris on alfalfa. Over time alfalfa could be expected to replace S. vulgaris as the dominant species within a population. Barley was more competitive than alfalfa with S. vulgaris. Not only was S. vulgaris shoot dry weight reduced more by barley than by alfalfa during the establishment year, but fewer S. vulgaris seedlings emerged the following year in plots that had been seeded to barley than in those that had been seeded to alfalfa.     

Morphological and molecular study of Microphallus primas (Digenea: Microphallidae) metacercaria, infecting the shore crab Carcinus maenas from northern Portugal

The present study describes the anatomy and surface topography of the metacercaria of Microphallusprimas (J?gerski?ld, 1909) infecting the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) in Aveiro estuary, northern Portugal. The metacercaria species identification resulted from the combined use of morphological and molecular data, particularly the 28S rDNA gene. The metacercariae encysted preferentially in the host's hepatopancreas and also in the gonads. Isolated cysts were present in two distinct forms, spherical and oval, and were shown to be the identical species by the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequence. Chemically excysted metacercariae were studied by light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their specific characteristics observed include the particular aspect of the vesiculo-prostatic pouch surrounded by a very thin membrane, the presence of a prominent muscular papilla, and an obvious metraterm. The dorsal and ventral tegumental surfaces of the metacercaria were densely packed with similar squamous spines, which decreased in number and size towards the hindbody. The edges of the posterior and ventral face of the body were coated with numerous microvilli, whose function remains unknown. In order to identify the species of metacercariae, we compared a 28S partial rDNA sequence of the two forms of cysts with the same 28S partial region of M. primas available in GenBank. With this comparison, we determined that the sequences had a 100% similarity and therefore belonged to the same species, i.e., M. primas.     

New data on the morphology and systematic status of Spinitectus petrowi and Spinitectus gigi (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in catfishes in central China

Two little-known nematode species of the genus Spinitectus Fourment, 1883, S. petrowi Belous, 1965 (prevalence 25%, intensity 1-8) and S. gigi Fujita, 1927 (prevalence 10%, intensity 2-3), were collected from the gastrointestinal tract of the yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson), from Liangzihu Lake, Hubei Province, central China, in September of 2002. The light and scanning electron microscopical examination of this material, supplemented by a few museum specimens of S. gigi collected from the catfish Clariasfuscus (Lacépède) in southern China, made it possible to study in detail the morphology of these parasite species and to redescribe them. The first species, whose correct name is S. petrowi Belous, 1965, exhibits some morphological features (e.g., unusually short vestibule, shape of pseudolabia and of the left spicule) not found in most other congeners; a unique feature is the presence of peculiar pairs of transversely oriented peg-like cuticular spines with rounded ends on the ventral surface of the female tail. Spinitectus gigi was found to have 28-31 cuticular spines in the first ring, relatively long distances between the 2nd-7th rings of spines, and anterior rings divided into 2 sectors; the excretory pore is located at the level of the 4th ring of cuticular spines; males posses 4 pairs of preanal- and 6 pairs of postanal caudal papillae and a pair of small phasmids. Spinitectus bagri Wang, Wu et Yu, 1993 and S. wulingensis Yu et Wang, 1997 are considered junior synonyms of S. petrowi, whereas S. clariasi Ky, 1971, S. ophicephali Ky, 1971 and S. yuanjiangensis Wang, Wu et Yu, 1997 are regarded to be junior synonyms of S. gigi. Spinitectus petrowi was not previously reported from China.