A new Dactylogyrus species (Dactylogyridae: Monogenea) from Enteromius mattozi,Cyprinidae, at Piet Gouws Dam,South Africa

Enteromius mattozi Guimaraes, 1884, a popular eating fish among local people, were examined for monogenean parasites as part of a larger study to ascertain the feasibility of establishing aquaculture production in Limpopo, South Africa. In this study a new monogenean parasite of the genus Dactylogyrus was collected from the gills of E. mattozi, and described. It differs from known species of this group in the shape, size and structure of the heavily sclerotized vaginal prop. The proximal end of the vaginal prop has three layers similar to stacked funnels of decreasing sizes leading into a tube. The male copulatory organ is also much larger and robust than those of related species. The name Dactylogyrus mattozii is proposed for this new species.     

Some Parasitic Worms in Freshwater Fishes and Fish-Predators from the Transvaal,South Africa

This report concerns a collection of parasitic worms from South Africa, and contains a new species of monogenean, Gyrodactylus transvaalensis, six species of adult trematodes, including a new species of Phyllodistomum.P. van der waali, two metacercariae of the Family Clinostomidae and three of the Order Strigeida, as well as two species of cestodes, and larvae of the nematode genus Contracaecum. The adults of previously-known helminths are redescribed, with some remarks on their systematics and biology. Accompanying the material of the new gyrodactylid monogenean there is a specimen which is thought to be a giant of the new form, and this appears to be the first recorded suggestion of the occurrence of gigantism in the Monogenea, and in fact in any kind of helminth.     

A New Species of Mugilicola Parasitic on South African Elvers (Copepoda,Therodamasidae)

A new species of parasitic copepod belonging to the genus Mugilicola Tripathi, I960 (CYCLOPOIDA: THERODAMASIDAE) is described. The copepods were embedded in the buccal cavity of elvers of Anguilla mossambica caught in South African rivers.     

Occurrence and pathology of Sinergasilus lieni (Copepoda: Ergasilidae), a parasite of the silver carp and bighead, in Hungarian ponds

Sinergasilus lieni Yin, 1949, a well-known and pathogenic parasitic copepod in China and Russia, has been detected in Hungarian carp farms for the first time. The parasite infected the third-year generation of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (Aristichthys nobilis). The gills of the infected fish specimens showed severe pathological changes. At the attachment sites of female copepods clubbing and fusing of the gill filaments were observed and in some parts of the pale or whitish hemibranchia deep indentations were recorded in places where the tips of the damaged filaments had broken off. Silver carp and bighead were infected at a similar rate, having 8 to 27 copepods attached to the end of the clubbed filaments or the proliferated epithelium of 2 to 10 fused filaments. In histological sections the head part of the parasite was found in a deep cavity of the proliferated epithelium, piercing its antennae deep into the tissues. Only the end of the filaments showed changes. In this part the proliferated epithelium was infiltrated by eosinophilic granular cells. In the central and basal parts of the hemibranchia the original structure of the filaments was preserved with intact secondary lamellae.     

Clinical and Pathological Effects of the Polyopisthocotylean Monogenean,Gamacallum macroura in White Bass

Abstract

An aquaculture research facility experienced high mortality rates in white bass Morone chrysops associated with a monogenean infestation of the gills, but not in striped bass Morone saxatilis in the same facility. All mortalities had pale gills. Monogeneans, identified as Gamacallum macroura (MacCallum and MacCallum 1913) Unnithan 1971, were found on the gills. Pale-gilled and healthy white bass were selected with no particular attention to condition for venipuncture and euthanasia for postmortem examination, including parasite counts from gills. The median packed cell volume (PCV) of fish with gill pallor was 12.5% (range 9–37%) while PVC of fish with more normal color was 30% (27–33%). Association between the PCV and gill pallor score was statistically significant, as was the association between PCV and the number of monogeneans found on the gills of each fish. Median estimated white blood cell count of fish with gill pallor, at 12.05 × 10^3/μL (range 3.8–24.7), was significantly lower than of apparently healthy fish: 24.7 × 10³/μL (17.3–31.5). Histopathology of the gill arches of pale-gilled fish revealed multifocal moderate to severe branchitis, focal areas of dilated hyperplastic lamellae occluded by fibrin, and monogeneans attached to the lamellae. Fish that were apparently healthy had grossly similar histologic lesions, but at lower frequency and severity.

Received May 27, 2011; accepted July 12, 2012     

First report of a parasitic copepod (Pennella balaenopterae) infestation in a pinniped.

An infestation by the parasitic copepod Pennella balaenopterae was found in a stranded, 8-mo-old, female northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris). Diagnosis was based on the finding of the cephalothoraxes of 14 adult female copepods from three subcutaneous sites. Bacteria cultured from lesion exudate included Arcanobacterium phocae, Escherichia coli, Edwardsiella tarda, an Enterococcus sp., and Proteus mirabilis. The lesions were drained and irrigated with chlorhexidine, and the seal was treated with a subcutaneous injection of ivermectin. The seal recovered and was released after 43 days.     

Rumen ciliates from the Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa

Rumen ciliate composition was surveyed on the Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa in Inner-Mongolia, China. As a result of survey, 4 species belonging to the genus Entodinium, E. convexum, E. dubardi, E. nanellum and E. exiguum, were detected. All the ciliates were devoid of caudal appendages. Of the species detected, E. convexum was found from all the hosts with a relatively high composition rate of 53.0-100.0%. The ciliate density ranged from 12.3 to 67.7 x 10(4), with an average of 24.8 x 10(4) per 1 ml of the rumen fluid.     

Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidea) from the stomach of a Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768, in Botswana

During a study conducted between 2003 and 2005 on the diet of Nile crocodiles in Botswana, two young adult nematodes, one male and one female, belonging to the genus Eustrongylides J?gerski?ld, 1909 were recovered from the stomach contents of one of these animals. The caudal bursa of the male is present and the ejaculatory duct could be identified, but the spicule could not be seen. The vulva of the female has opened and the anus is situated on a terminal protruberance. Measurements and drawings of these specimens are provided, together with some data on the occurrence and life-cycles of members of the genus Eustrongylides in crocodilians world-wide and in African hosts in particular. Piscivorous birds are the usual final hosts of these nematodes. It is probable that the specimens described herein had developed in a paratenic fish host, and that the latter had been eaten by the crocodile.     

Lesions Associated with Attachment of the Parasitic Copepod Phyllothyreus cornutus (Pandaridae: Siphonostomatoida) to Interbranchial Septa of Blue Sharks

Abstract

Lesions associated with the parasitic copepod Phyllothyreus cornutus on the interbranchial septa of blue sharks Prionace glauca were observed in detail. Female copepods were associated with grossly visible, soft, papillomatous lesions on the interbranchial septum in which their second antennae were embedded. Attached male copepods were either not associated with any appreciable lesions or were attached within shallow ulcerations. Histologically, the papillomatous lesions were marked by epithelial hyperplasia over a lamina propria replaced by granulation tissue or fibrosis with lymphoid nodules. Lesions associated with male copepods consisted of epithelial ulceration and subacute, necrotizing, heterophilic branchitis. Lesions associated with female copepods appeared suggestive of long-term local attachment whereas those associated with males were suggestive of more ephemeral associations with the fish. The observed lesions did not appear capable of impairing respiration; however, the overall impact of Phyllothyreus cornutus infections on the well-being of the blue shark remains unknown.     

Molecular evidence for a novel encapsulated genotype of Trichinella from Patagonia, Argentina

At present, Trichinella spiralis is the only species of this genus reported from South America. Herein, we detail a molecular analysis of a new encapsulated isolate of muscle larvae of Trichinella, found in a mountain lion (Puma concolor) coming from the Patagonia, Argentina. We studied three DNA regions previously probed to be useful for the identification of all eleven recognized Trichinella genotypes: expansion segment 5 (ES5), cytochrome c-oxidase subunit I (COI) and 5S ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer region (5S ISR). BLAST searches with these DNA sequences showed that the mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal regions most closely resemble other Trichinella sequences available in GenBank. However, they did not exactly match any of the eleven recognized genotypes. The phylogenetic analysis from COI and 5S ISR sequences showed that the mountain lion isolate is grouped with encapsulated members, in concordance with morphological data. Furthermore, this new isolate was located at the base of the encapsulated genotypes, signifying that it is an old genotype that could have emerged earliest in this group. These data strongly suggest that this isolate from the Patagonia represents the twelfth genotype (T12) described in the genus Trichinella. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to adequately establish this isolate as a unique genotype.     

Isolation of parapox viruses from man and animals: cultivation and cellular changes in bovine fetal spleen cells.

Maculopapular, pock-like lesions were detected repeatedly on hands and arms of students having contact with sheep or cattle. Pustular lesions were seen on the mammary gland and vulva of a goat. Biopsy samples of the lesions from 3 students and the goat were cultured on bovine fetal spleen (BFS) cells. Viruses were isolated from all samples. The viral isolates induced similar cytopathic changes in BFS cells. Slowly spreading plaque-like changes consisting of large, round cells developed in BFS monolayers. In a growth curve experiment involving the Shoe strain and BFS cells, virus infectivity increased 8 hr after inoculation. The major portion of the infectivity remained associated with the cell fraction. Maximal titers were found 36 hr after infection. Eosinophilic inclusions of varying size were detected in the cytoplasm 8–18 hr after infection of BFS cells. Later these inclusions enlarged, coalesced, stained basophilically, and remained attached to the pycnotic nuclei. Vacuoles created a ballooning appearance and separated the plasma membrane from the nucleus-viral inclusion complex by 24 hr after infection when the cells detached. Negatively stained preparations of purified virus of the isolates contained ovoid virions covered with diagonally woven bands. The long axis of the virions measured 220 and 250 nm and the short axis was 120–140 nm. These features are characteristic of the parapox virus genus which includes members that induce orf.     

Phylogeography of Buthus Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones: Buthidae): a multigene molecular approach reveals a further complex evolutionary history in the Maghreb

The distribution of the scorpion genus Buthus Leach, 1815 includes southwestern Europe, North and Central Africa and extends east towards the Arabian Peninsula. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus are complex and remain partially unresolved despite several previous assessments. A set of three mitochondrial markers, 12s, 16s and CO1, revealed the presence of five well-supported clades: three clades endemic to Morocco, one clade distributed across the Maghreb region and southwestern Europe and one endemic to Tunisia and Algeria. Morocco presents high levels of endemism and appears to be the centre of diversity for the genus. Further differentiation was found within the clade distributed in Tunisia and Algeria, with the discovery of new phylogenetic patterns. In addition, a phylogeny combining all published CO1 data for the genus emphasized the ongoing complex situation regarding the genus’ taxonomy. Highly similar sequences were attributed to different species by different authors throughout the tree, and no differentiated monophyletic species could be resolved. This lack of congruence between morphologically defined species and genetic lineages is a major hindrance in the study of the highly complex genus Buthus.     

偃麦草属种质资源在普通小麦育种中的应用现状简介

小麦作为我国最主要的粮食作物之一,其品质和产量的稳步提高对国家粮食安全起着极其重要的作用。偃麦草属作为小麦属的近缘属,具有很多普通小麦本身所不具备的遗传特性。控制这些特性的基因对改良普通小麦的抗性和品质等方面具有重要作用。本研究就偃麦草属种质资源在普通小麦远缘杂交育种中的应用现状进行了总结,涉及利用偃麦草属创制育种材料的研究和偃麦草属在改良小麦特性育种方面的应用。在后者中,分别从偃麦草属中的一些物种在小麦抗病、提高小麦抗逆境性能和改良小麦谷蛋白品质育种等方面进行了简介。结果表明,引入偃麦草属中的一些种的新的抗病基因,如抗条锈病的基因,抗黄矮病的基因以及抗赤霉病的基因等,发现其后代出现有优良的抗相关病的突变体,而且通过偃麦草与普通小麦的杂交及回交转育工作,获得了抗旱和耐胁迫的品质比较优良的小麦品种,偃麦草属在改良小麦谷蛋白品质方面有一初步介绍。     

Haemobaphes disphaerocephalus, an accidental parasite of seawater pen-reared Atlantic salmon.

Gill infections by the parasitic copepod Haemobaphes disphaerocephalus (family Pennellidae) were observed on a few Atlantic salmon reared at 2 seawater netpen sites in British Columbia. This is the first report of this parasite affecting salmonids. The terminal holdfast penetrated into a branchial artery and was associated with anemia.     

Isolation of a European bat lyssavirus type 2 from a Daubenton's bat in the United Kingdom

European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) has been isolated once previously from a bat in the UK in June 1996. In September 2002, a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) found in Lancashire developed abnormal behaviour, including unprovoked aggression, while it was in captivity. Brain samples from the bat were tested for virus of the Lyssavirus genus, which includes EBLV-2 (genotype 6), and classical rabies virus (genotype 1). A positive fluorescent antibody test confirmed that it was infected with a lyssavirus, and PCR and genomic sequencing identified the virus as an EBLV-2a. Phylogenetic comparisons with all the published sequences from genotype 6 showed that it was closely related to the previous isolate of EBLV-2 in the UK and suggested links to isolates from bats in The Netherlands. The isolation of EBLV-2 from a bat found on the west coast of England provides evidence that this virus may be present within the UK Daubenton's bat population at a low prevalence level.     

Prevalence, mean intensity and site preference of Caligus rotundigenitalis Yü, 1933 (Copepoda: Caligidae) on cage cultured crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus Bloch, 1790) from Bukit Tambun, Penang, Malaysia

Snapper had been cultured in Malaysia since 1980 due to the fry availability and the high demand. However, details on the caligids infestation were not properly documented. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, mean intensity and site preference of Caligus rotundigenitalis (Caligidae, Siphonostomatoida) a parasitic copepod on cage cultured crimson snapper, Lutjanus erythropterus from Bukit Tambun, Penang, Malaysia. A total of 70 specimens of cultured snapper were examined based on different infestation sites such as head, body as well as operculum. The specimens were separated into three groups according to the size of the fish. C. rotundigenitalis was found to be the only species infesting L. erythropterus with the prevalence and the mean intensity of 81.4% and 5.6±4.4, respectively. There was a significant difference between the prevalence of site infestation of the body and inner operculum sites. The prevalence of C. rotundigenitalis was highest on inner operculum of the fish followed by the body and head. However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of C. rotundigenitalis over the different infestation sites derived from the three groups. The information obtained from this study can be used for more effective control measures of ectoparasitic copepod infestation in floating cages.     

Nematode infection in fish from Cartagena Bay, North of Colombia

Parasitic nematode infection indices were recorded in different fish species collected at Cartagena Bay, North of Colombia. Among 19 studied species, the Mugil genus presented the highest prevalence (83.9-100%), although Sciades herzbergii, Caranx hippos and Centropomus undecimalis were also found infected with nematodes. Parasites were found in the liver, intestinal mesenteries and encysted near the intervertebral joints, with an average parasite abundance of 4.0 ± 0.3 nematodes per fish. Morphological analysis allowed the identification of these nematodes as Contracaecum sp. A small, but positive correlation was found between parasite abundance and length (R=0.294, P<0.001) and weight (R=0.244, P<0.001). In contrast, the correlation between parasite abundance and condition factor was negative (R=-0.191, P<0.001). These results are the first describing the presence of nematodes in several fish species of this ecosystem, and it highlights the need for monitoring parasitism in Mugil species in order to avoid parasite ingestion during fish consumption.     

Isolation of Chuzan virus, a new member of the Palyam subgroup of the genus Orbivirus, from cattle and Culicoides oxystoma in Japan

Five virus strains with identical antigenic properties were isolated from 3 RBC suspensions obtained from 2 healthy sentinel calves and from 2 pools of Culicoides oxystoma in cultures of a hamster lung cell line (HmLu-1). The virus was tentatively named Chuzan virus. The Chuzan virus was classified as a new member of the Palyam subgroup of the genus Orbivirus on the basis of its physicochemical, morphologic, and antigenic properties.     

A New Species of Parategastes (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from South Africa

A new species of the genus Parategastes Sars, 1904 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) was found during an ecological study of zooplankton in Langvlei, one of the Wilderness Lakes near George on the southern Cape coast. The species, Parategastes coetzeel, is described and a key is given for the identification of the various species of Parategastes.