Revision of the genus Anguillicola Yamaguti, 1935 (Nematoda: Anguillicolidae) of the swimbladder of eels, including descriptions of two new species, A. novaezelandiae sp. n. and A. papernai sp. n

The genus Anguillicola is reviewed on the basis of the examination of some type specimens and other material. Two new species are described: A. novaezelandiae sp. n. from Anguilla australis (type host) from New Zealand and A. anguilla from Italy (conspecific nematodes were originally reported from Italy as A. australiensis) and A. papernai sp. n. from Anguilla mossambica from South Africa. At present the genus Anguillicola comprises the following five valid species: A. globiceps Yamaguti, 1935, A. australiensis Johnston et Mawson, 1940, A. crassus Kuwahara, Niimi et Itagaki, 1974, A. novaezelandiae sp. n., and A. papernai sp. n. Two Anguillicola species, A. crassus and A. novaezelandiae, were apparently introduced in Europe from other continents a few years ago. The genus Anguillicola is divided into two subgenera: Anguillicola (type species A. (A.) globiceps) and Anguillicoloides subgen. n. (type species A. (A.) crassus). All Anguillicola species are briefly described and illustrated. The paper is supplemented by a key to the identification of Anguillicola species.     

Myxobolus lentisuturalis sp. n. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae), a new muscle-infecting species from the Prussian carp,Carassius gibelio from China

A new highly pathogenic muscle-infecting species of the genus Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 is described from the Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) using spore morphology and SSU rDNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses elucidated relationship of the newly described Myxobolus lentisuturalis to other Myxobolus species and supported its position of an independent species.     

A redescription of Arostrilepis beringiensis (Kontrimavichus et Smirnova, 1991) and descriptions of two new species from Palaearctic microtine rodents, Arostrilepis intermedia sp. n. and A. janickii sp. n. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae)

Arostrilepis beringiensis (Kontrimavichus et Smirnova, 1991) is redescribed on the basis of its type specimens from Lemmus trimucronatus (Richardson) and material from the collections of the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Novosibirsk from the lemmings Myopus schisticolor (Lilljeborg) and Lemmus sibiricus (Kerr) from the Asian part of Russia. Specimens previously identified as Arostrilepis horrida (Linstow, 1901) from voles are revised and newly collected materials are addressed. Two new species of the genus Arostrilepis Mas-Coma et Tenora, 1997, A. intermedia sp. n. from red-backed voles (Myodes Pallas) from the Asian part of Russia and A. janickii sp. n. from Europe, are described. These species are clearly distinguished from congeners by form and size of the cirrus and its armature as well as the type of arrangement for the testes, position of the cirrus-sac with regard to poral ventral osmoregulatory canals, and host specificity.     

Granulinema gen. n. a new dracunculoid genus with two new species (G. carcharhini sp. n. and G. simile sp. n.) from the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas (Valenciennes), from Louisiana, USA

Two new species of dracunculoid nematodes, G. carcharhini sp. n. and G. simile sp. n., representing a new genus Granulinema gen. n. (Dracunculoidea: Micropleuridae) are described from the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, from Louisiana (Lake Borgne), USA; the site of their localization in the host is unknown (probably abdominal cavity). The nematodes of both species were found in tissue juice and only males, juvenile females and body fragments of more advanced but nongravid females were obtained. Granulinema gen. n. differs from Micropleura, the only other genus in the family Micropleuridae, mainly by the presence of marked, dark excretory corpuscles in lateral excretory canals, pointed tail in females, greater number (6) of postanal pairs of caudal papillae in males, and by the presence of conspicuous transverse cuticular ornamentations on the body surface of mature females. The two new species can be easily distinguished from each other by the length of their spicules (0.78-0.90 mm in G. carcharhini sp. n. and 0.20-0.36 mm in G. simile sp. n.); moreover, there are two pairs of preanal papillae in the male of G. carcharhini sp. n., while there are three pairs in G. simile sp. n.     

Four species of digeneans, including Allocreadium patagonicum sp. n. (Allocreadiidae), from freshwater fishes of Patagonia, Argentina

Four species of adult digeneans are reported from freshwater fishes of two lakes in Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina. Allocreadium patagonicum sp. n. (Allocreadiidae) is described from the intestine of Percichthys colhuapiensis MacDonagh and Percichthys trucha (Cuvier et Valenciennes) (Percichthyidae) from Lago Aluminé. Three species redescribed are: Acanthostomoides apophalliformis Szidat, 1956 (Acanthostomidae) from the intestine of P. colhuapiensis and P. trucha from Lago Aluminé and of Salmo trutta (Linnaeus) (Salmonidae) from Lago Huechulafquén; Deropegus patagonicus (Szidat, 1956) comb. n. (= Genarches patagonicus Szidat, 1956) (Derogenidae) from the stomach of P. colhuapiensis, P. trucha, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) (Salmonidae) and Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill) (Salmonidae) from Lago Aluminé and of S. trutta from Lago Huechulafquén; and Austrocreadium papilliferum Szidat, 1956 from the intestine of P. trucha from Lago Aluminé. The genus Polylekithum Arnold, 1934 is considered a synonym of the genus Allocreadium Looss, 1900. The genus Austrocreadium Szidat, 1956 is removed to the family Homalometridae.     

Three interesting nematodes from the fish Parupeneus indicus (Mullidae, Perciformes) of the Indian Ocean, including a new species, Ascarophis parupenei sp. n. (Habronematoidea)

In 1986, samples of the marine commercial fish Parupeneus indicus originating from the Indian Ocean near Somalia were examined for helminths. They proved to harbour three species of adult parasitic nematodes: Ascarophis parupenei sp. n., Philometra lateolabracis (Yamaguti, 1935), and Cucullanus himezi Yamaguti, 1941. A. parupenei sp. n. is characterized mainly by its non-filamented eggs with a fine flock-like coating, length ratio (1: 13-16) of the muscular and glandular parts of oesophagus, length of spicules (0.533-0.600 mm and 0.150-0.171 mm), structure of the head end and shape of the female tail. All these species are briefly described and illustrated and some problems concerning their taxonomy and geographical distribution are discussed.     

Two new nematode species, Paragendria papuanensis sp. n. (Seuratoidea) and Rhabdochona papuanensis sp. n. (Thelazioidea), from freshwater fishes in Papua New Guinea

Two new nematode species, Paragendria papuanensis sp. n. (Quimperiidae) and Rhabdochona papuanensis sp. n. (Rhabdochonidae), are described from the intestine of freshwater fishes Glossamia giellerupi (Weber et Beaufort) (Apogonidae) and Melanotaenia affinis (Weber) (Melanotaeniidae), respectively, from the Sogeram River (Ramu River basin), Madang Province, northern Papua New Guinea. The former species is characterized mainly by the absence of oesophageal teeth, the presence of conspicuously inflated papillae of the last two subventral pairs, a gubernaculum, spicules 69-75 microm long, eggs measuring 57-66 x 39-45 microm, and by a small body (male and female 3.2-3.7 and 5.8 mm long, respectively). Paragendria is considered a valid genus, to which P. aori (Khan et Yaseen, 1969) comb. n., P. guptai (Gupta et Masoodi, 2000) comb. n., P. hanumanthai (Gupta et Jaiswal, 1988) comb. n. and P. vermae (Gupta et Masoodi, 2000) comb. n. are newly transferred. Rhabdochona papuanensis differs from all congeners mainly in having hammer-shaped deirids and from individual species also in other characters. Both findings represent the first records of species of Paragendria and Rhabdochona from the Australian zoogeographical region and the first records of the representatives of these genera from fishes of the families Apogonidae and Melanotaeniidae, respectively.     

Myxobolus buckei sp. n. (Myxozoa), a new pathogenic parasite from the spinal column of three cyprinid fishes from the United Kingdom

Myxobolus buckei sp. n. is described from the spinal column of Leuciscus cephalus (L.), Rutilus rutilus (L.) and Abramis brama (L.) from freshwater rivers in the North of England. The plasmodia develop within the remnants of the embryonic notochord in the intervertebral spaces. The spores are large, measuring (in microm) 14.0 +/- 0.7 x 11.5 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SD), smooth, round to ellipsoid in valvular view with several sutural edge markings. The polar capsules are pyriform and of equal size, measuring 7.5 +/- 0.5 x 4.2 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD), with 11-12 turns of the polar filament arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the polar capsule. The parasite has a large intercapsular appendix and large iodinophorous vacuole. The parasite can be differentiated from all known species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 by a combination of the morphological characters defined. Infected fish show marked longitudinal compression of the body compared to uninfected individuals of the same year class, a feature which is pathognomonic for the disease. Histologically, host responses ranged from mild hypertrophy of the zygapophyseal process and expansion of the intervertebral membrane to complete hypertrophy and fusion of the vertebrae. Prominent notochord is present in the intervertebral spaces of infected fish and sporogony of the parasite leads to a vigorous focal inflammatory response involving proliferating fibroblast and osteogenic cells. The parasite causes a radial expansion of the centra and extensive dorsal and ventral outgrowths of the vertebrae leading to compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels running through the neural and haemal spines respectively. The parasite is considered highly pathogenic to juvenile cyprinids.     

Light and scanning electron microscopy of Myxobolus porofilus sp. n. (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infecting the visceral cavity of Prochilodus lineatus (Pisces: Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) cultivated in Brazil

Myxobolus porofilus sp. n. is described infecting the visceral cavity of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) cultivated in S?o Paulo State, Brazil. The plasmodial form of the parasite is 3-5 mm in length and appeared compressed between the wall of the visceral cavity and the pyloric caecum, reposing on this organ. The spores are small (length 5.7 +/- 0.3 microm, width 4.8 +/- 0.2 microm; mean +/- SD) and round to elliptical in frontal view. The valve surfaces are smooth and have sutural folds. The polar capsules are ovoid, small (length 1.6 +/- 0.1 microm, width 1.1 +/- 0.1 microm) and equal in size. The polar filaments have three turns aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. A conspicuous polar filament pore is arranged at the anterior end of the spore. The only reaction observed upon histological analysis was the presence of a capsule of connective tissue surrounding the plasmodia. This is the first report of a myxosporean parasite in the Prochilodontidae.     

Myxobolus intrachondrealis sp. n. (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae), a parasite of the gill cartilage of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio

A species not identifiable with any of the about 23 Myxobolus species recorded from the common carp so far, was detected in the gills of one- and two-summer-old specimens of the common carp ((Cyprinus carpio L.) cultured in pond farms in Hungary. The strictly tissue-specific plasmodia of the parasite were located, surrounded by hyaline cartilage cells, in the chondrous substance of the terminal parts of the gill arches and in the cartilage structure ventrally connecting the gill arches. The spores of the parasite described as Myxobolus intrachondrealis sp. n. developed in globular or ellipsoidal plasmodia measuring 300-600 microm. By their elongated ellipsoidal shape and similarly elongated polar capsules the spores were well distinguishable from the hitherto described Myxobolus species parasitic in the common carp and also from the cartilage-parasitic Myxobolus species of other fishes.     

Philometroides africanus sp. n. (Nematoda: Philometridae), a new tissue parasite of the African pike Hepsetus odoe (Pisces) in Botswana.

A new species of philometrid nematode, Philometroides africanus sp. n., is described from female specimens found encapsulated in gill arches and inner surface of gill covers of the African pike, Hepsetus odoe (Bloch), an endemic freshwater fish in Africa, from the Okavango River and Delta in Botswana. This new nematode is characterised mainly by a markedly small and plump body of gravid females (body length 6-9 mm), a separate anterior oesophageal bulb, a conspicuously small oesophageal gland, presence of four pairs of very small submedian cephalic papillae, and absence of any caudal processes. The prevalence of P. africanus in African pike of the Okavango Delta was 29%, with the intensity 1-8 (mean 3) encapsulated nematodes per fish. The genus Margolisianum Blaylock et Overstreet, 1999 is considered a junior synonym of Philometroides Yamaguti, 1935 and, consequently, its type species is transferred to the latter as Philometroides bulbosus (Blaylock et Overstreet, 1999) comb. n.     

Paraphoma chlamydocopiosa sp. nov. and Paraphoma pye sp. nov., two new species associated with leaf and crown infection of pyrethrum

Two new pathogens of pyrethrum, described as Paraphoma chlamydocopiosa and Paraphoma pye, isolated from necrotic leaf lesions on pyrethrum plants in northern Tasmania, Australia, were identified using morphological characters, phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), elongation factor 1‐α (EF1‐α) and β‐tubulin (TUB) genes, and pathogenicity bioassays. Bootstrap support in the combined and individual gene region phylogenetic trees supported the two species that were significantly different from the closely related P. chrysanthemicola and P. vinacea. Morphological characteristics also supported the two new species, with conidia of P. chlamydocopiosa being considerably longer and wider than either P. chrysanthemicola or P. vinacea, and P. pye being distinct in forming bilocular pycnidia. Glasshouse pathogenicity tests based on root dip inoculation resulted in P. chlamydocopiosa and P. pye infecting the crown and upper root tissues of pyrethrum plants, and significant reduction in biomass 2 months after inoculation. Both of these Paraphoma species caused leaf lesions during in vitro and in vivo bioassays 2 weeks after foliar spray inoculation. Although P. chlamydocopiosa and P. pye were shown to be crown rot pathogens, they were also commonly isolated from leaves of diseased plants in pyrethrum fields of northern Tasmania.     

Characterization of Cytospora isolates from wood cankers of declining grapevine in North America,with the descriptions of two new Cytospora species

Cytospora species are ubiquitous pathogens of numerous woody plants, causing dieback and wood cankers in agronomic crops, timber trees and wildland trees (e.g. Prunus, Eucalyptus and Salix, respectively). Cytospora chrysosperma, C. cincta and C. leucostoma have been reported from grapevines in Iran showing symptoms of one or more recognized trunk diseases (esca, botryosphaeria‐, eutypa‐ and phomopsis diebacks); however, only C. chrysosperma was shown to be pathogenic to grapevine. To understand the potential role of Cytospora species in the grapevine trunk‐disease complex, 21 Cytospora isolates were examined that were recovered from dieback and wood cankers of Vitis vinifera and Vitis interspecific hybrids in seven northeastern U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and translation elongation factor 1‐α identified two novel species: Cytospora vinacea sp. nov. and Cytospora viticola sp. nov. Differences in culture morphology and conidial dimensions also distinguished the species. When inoculated to the woody stems of potted V. vinifera ‘Thompson Seedless’ in the greenhouse, both species were pathogenic, based on development of wood lesions and fulfilment of Koch's postulates. Cytospora viticola was the most virulent based on lesion length at 12 months post‐inoculation. As cytospora canker shares some of the same general dieback‐type symptoms as botryosphaeria‐, eutypa‐ and phomopsis diebacks, it may be considered part of the grapevine trunk‐disease complex in eastern North America.     

A new Huffmanela species, H. schouteni sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) from flying fishes in Cura?ao

A new nematode species, Huffmanela schouteni sp. n., has been established on the basis of its egg morphology and biological characters (adult nematodes are unknown). The dark-shelled eggs of this histozoic parasite occur in masses in the abdominal cavity, serose covers of internal organs and in the liver of the flying fishes Hirundichthys affinis Günther (type host) and Cypselurus cyanopterus Cuvier et Valenciennes in Cura?ao. The eggs of H. schouteni sp. n. differ from those in other congeneric species mainly in the absence of small spines on the surface of the transparent envelope enclosing the egg proper, measurements (size of eggs 0.069-0.075 x 0.027-0.030 mm) and their localization in the host. A key to Huffmanela species based on egg morphology has been provided.     

Henneguya cynoscioni sp. n. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida), an agent of severe cardiac lesions in the spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus (Teleostei: Sciaenidae)

A new myxosporean species, Henneguya cynoscioni sp. n., is described from the spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier) (Sciaenidae) as a causative agent of cardiac henneguyosis. This new myxosporean species is characterized by the morphology of spores and the sequence of SSU rDNA. Examination of 227 spotted seatrout from four South Carolina estuaries in 2008-2010 revealed a 33.5% total prevalence of H. cynoscioni. Henneguya cynoscioni produces lesions in the bulbus arteriosus, its specific site of infection. The severity of lesions and their impact on the bulbus arteriosus is proportional to the number of plasmodial stages developing in this segment of the heart, being most pronounced in host reaction directed against spores liberated from plasmodia.     

Two species of philometrid nematodes (philometridae) from marine fishes off Japan, including Philometroides branchiostegi sp. n. from Branchiostegus japonicus (malacanthidae)

Gravid females of two species of philometrid nematodes (Philometridae) were collected from marine perciform fishes in Japanese waters, mainly from the southern Sea of Japan. Based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy examinations, the previously described but poorly known species Philometra cryptocentri Yamaguti, 1961 is redescribed from specimens recovered from the abdominal cavity of Acanthogobius flavimanus (Temminck et Schlegel), Pterogobius elapoides (Günther) and P. zonoleucus Jordan et Snyder (all Gobiidae) (all new host records); the number (14) and arrangement of cephalic papillae in this species are described for the first time. The new species, Philometroides branchiostegi sp. n. from head tissues of Branchiostegus japonicus (Houttuyn) (Malacanthidae), based on a single specimen, is mainly characterized by the embossment of the entire body except for the cephalic end, presence of four submedian pairs of large cephalic papillae of external circle and two small lateral single papillae of internal circle, pair of large papilla-like caudal projections, the oesophagus with a distinct anterior inflation, by a markedly small body (length about 18 mm) and the larvae 306-465 microm long.