First record of the echiuran Anelassorhynchus porcellus Fisher, 1948 from the east coast of southern Africa (Echiura: Echiuridae)

The Pacific echiuran species Anelassorhynchus porcellus (Fisher, 1948) was collected from the intertidal rocky shores at Perriers Rock and Isipingo Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. This is the first known record of this species from South African waters. Anelassorhynchus porcellus, originally described by Fisher (1948) from several specimens collected in tidal pools south of Honolulu Harbour, Hawaii was later recorded and described by Edmonds (1960) from specimens collected from Heron Island, Queensland. The discovery of this species from the east coast of southern Africa considerably extends its geographical range. After closer examination of additional specimens of Anelassorhynchus gangae Biseswar, 1984 collected from the Kwazulu-Natal coast it is proposed that this species be recognized as a junior synonym of A. porcellus. Anelassorhynchus porcellus is redescribed and some of the taxonomic characters are reviewed.     

Updated distribution and host records for the argasid tick Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) zumpti: A potential vector of African swine fever virus in South Africa

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a lethal and contagious disease of domestic pigs. In South Africa, the virus historically circulated in warthogs and ornithodorid ticks that were only found in warthog burrows in the north of the country. Regulations implemented in 1935 to prevent transfer of infected animals or products to the south initially proved effective but from 2016 there have been outbreaks of disease in the south that cannot be traced to transfer of infection from the north. From 1963 there were widespread translocations of warthogs to the south, initially from a source considered to be free of ornithodorid ticks. We undertook to determine whether sylvatic circulation of ASFV occurs in the south, including identification of potential new vectors, through testing extralimital warthogs for antibody and ticks for virus. Results of testing warthogs for antibody and other species of ticks for virus will be presented separately. Here we report finding Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) zumpti ticks in warthog burrows for the first time. This occurred in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) in 2019. Since African swine fever was recognised in the ECP for the first time in 2020 and outbreaks of the disease in domestic pigs continue to occur there, priority should be given to determining the distribution range and vector potential of O. (P.) zumpti for ASFV.     

Some aspects of the anatomy of Ochetostoma caudex (Echiura) from the east coast of southern Africa with Remarks on its taxonomic status

The degree of variation within the species Ochetostoma caudex was determined from 32 specimens collected from the east coast of southern Africa. The shape and distribution of the dermal papillae were uniform in all the specimens. The number of longitudinal muscle bands ranged from 14 to 21 with 16 to 19 being the most common. In most specimens the anal vesicles were almost equal to or slightly longer than the trunk and were covered with numerous, unstalked ciliated funnels. A comparison of O. caudex with related species (O. australiense, O. palense, O. indosinense and O. erythrogrammon) revealed differences which justify the retention of O. caudex as a distinct species. Hence the contention by some authors that O. caudex and O. erythrogrammon are synonymous, appears unjustified. O. griffinl and O. multilineatum may prove to be conspecific with O. caudex. O. kokotoniense and O. stuhlmanni are too poorly known for a detailed comparison     

Neocucumis kilburni sp. nov. (Echinodermata : Holothuroidea : Cucumariidae) from the east coast of South Africa,with a key to the genus Neocucumis

A new dendrochirotid holothuroid, Neocucumis kilbumi, is described from waters 50 meters deep, off the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It appears quite close to N. watasei (Ohshima) and N. sordidatus (Sluiter), both from the West Pacific and to N. atlanticus (Ludwig & Heding) from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It differs from the former in the nature of the calcareous ring and the disc and the spire of the body wall tables, from N. sordidatus in the completeness of its deposits and the number of polian vesicles and from N. atlanticus in the presence of handles to the quadrilocular table discs. The new species increases to ten the number of species now classified in the genus Neocucumis. A key to all the species is included.     

A new species of Lipoptena (Diptera:Hippoboscidae) from southern Africa.

A new species of Lipoptena Nitzsch, 1818 was found on springbok Antidorcas marsupialis Zimmerman, 1780 in the Cape Province and the Orange Free State, South Africa. The flies, for which the name Lipoptena annalizeae is proposed, can be differentiated from the closely related Lipoptena sepiacea Speiser, 1905 on size, palps, chaetotaxy, pulvilli, and the shape of the posterior genital plates of the males. The morphology of the puparium of the new species is also described and compared with that of the puparia of Lipoptena paradoxa Newstead, 1907 and Lipoptena binocula (Speiser, 1908). A revised key to the southern African species and a summary of host records and distributional information is also presented.     

A new species of Chonopeltis (Crustacea: Branchiura) from the Limpopo system,southern Africa

A new species of Chonopeltis (Crustacea: Branchiura) is described from material collected from the gill chamber of the snake catfish Ciarias theodorae from the Mogalakwena River, a tributary of the Limpopo River in northern Transvaal.     

Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of southern African Anura: Polystoma channingi n.sp. parasitic in two closely related Cacosternum species

Polystoma channingi is described as a new species of polystomatid flatworm (Monogenea) parasitic in the urinary bladder of Cacosternum nanum in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In a locality where C. nanum and C. boettgeri occur sympatrically the parasite has been found in both species. This finding of a Polystoma sp. in two closely related host species questions the strict host-specificity generally ascribed to the genus, but supports the hypothesis that host-specificity is determined by the oncomiracidium's ability to recognize the tadpole as a suitable host. This is the first polystome to be described from the genus Cacosternum and the ninth species of Polystoma from South Africa. The species is distinguished by its huge haptor and suckers relative to the body size. The haptor length/body length ratio of 0.38 is by far the largest for the known southern African polystomes. The prevalence of infection with P. channingi n.sp. was 25% for C. nanum and 40% for C. boettgeri, while the mean intensity of infections in adult frogs was 1.5 for C. boettgeri and 1.0 for C. nanum.     

Disentangling the identities and distribution patterns of the introduced beachfleas Orchestia gammarellus and Platorchestia platensis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae) in South Africa

Two introduced beachfleas, Orchestia gammarellus and Platorchestia platensis, have been recorded from South Africa, but have been misidentified by some earlier researchers and, prior to this study, each was also known from just a few, scattered observations, such that their true distributions remained obscure. We illustrate both species to clarify the features that identify and distinguish them and determine their true distributions by re-examining historical samples and by collecting new material from estuaries and lagoons along the west and south coasts of South Africa. Adult males of O. gammarellus have slender antennae and characteristic expanded, flattened, oar-like distal segments on pereopod 7. Adult males of P. platensis have the peduncle of antenna 2 strongly swollen and have bulbous, but not flattened, distal segments on pereopod 7. Both species occur under wrack and other debris along the banks of estuaries and sheltered lagoons. Orchestia gammarellus is found only along the south-west coast, in the Berg River Estuary, Langebaan Lagoon and the Diep River Estuary. Previous records from Knysna were misidentifications of P. platensis. Platorchestia platensis is found at one west coast site, Langebaan Lagoon, but is widely distributed from Cape Point eastwards to at least Algoa Bay. Both species share the same habitats as several other native beachfleas and competitive interactions between native and introduced species merit investigation.     

Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Rhinoceros populations in Africa are under severe threat as a result of surging poaching rates and risk-mitigation strategies are continuously adapted in an attempt to ensure the survival of the species. This study compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels of two age classes of limited free-ranging female white rhinos with fGCM levels of adult free-ranging female white rhinos. Subsequently, fGCM alterations in the limited free-ranging animals were monitored following routine dehorning as a measure of the animals’ short-term physiological stress response. Baseline fGCM levels differed significantly between tested groups, with both free-ranging and limited free-ranging adult animals showing significantly higher fGCM levels compared with limited free-ranging juvenile females. In contrast, baseline fGCM levels did not differ significantly between limited free-ranging and free-ranging adult individuals. Routine dehorning procedures resulted in a short-term stress response expressed by a significant increase in fGCM levels 48 h post-dehorning, with stress steroid levels returning to pre-dehorning concentrations 72 h after the procedure.     

A review of the Namaqua gecko,Pachydactylus namaquensis (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from southern Africa,with the description of two new species

An analysis of morphological and allozyme variation in the Namaqua gecko, Pachydactylus namaquensis from southern Africa is presented. Three separately evolving lineages, well defined by morphology and allozyme variation, are identified. The isolated southern population, occurring on the southern escarpment and Cape Fold Mountains surrounding the western Little Karoo, is named P. kladamderma sp. nov., and is characterized by a slit-like ear opening, low number of granules bordering the mental (3-6) and mental and adjacent infralabials (513), the frequent (79%) occurence of the supralabial entering the nostril, and its drab brown base colouration. A northern population, occurring in southern Namibia and the Richtersveld is named P. haackei sp. nov., and is characterized by its more rounded or squared ear opening; high number of granules bordering the mental and adjacent infralabials (11-19), the general exclusion of the supralabial from the nostril (only 3.7% entry), and brighter, lighter colouration. It is further differentiated from P. kladaroderma on the basis of fixed differences at 11 allozyme loci. Both new species differ from P. namaquensis, which is mainly restricted to Little Namaqua- land, but is sympatric with P. haackei in the Lower Orange River region, by their more heterogenous dorsal scalation, smaller cloacal spurs, lack of spine-like tubercles on the lateral surfaces of the tail, and more fragile skin. The type locality of P. namaquensis is restricted to ‘the vicinity of Springbok, Little Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa’.     

First record and redescription of the introduced sea anemone Sagartia ornata (Holdsworth, 1855) (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Sagartiidae) from South Africa

The brooding sea anemone Sagartia ornata is reported from South Africa for the first time and is redescribed. The species is abundant intertidally in Langebaan Lagoon, where it attaches to stones shal lowly buried in sediment. It is probably a recent intro duction from Europe.     

Larval development of the Cape silverside,Atherina breviceps Cuv. & Val., 1835 (Teleostei,Atherinidae) from southern Africa

The egg and larval development of the Cape silverside, Atherina breviceps, are described and illustrated from material collected in the Swartvlei estuary. The eggs are spherical, 1,40-1,65 mm in diameter, with 6-12 uniformly spaced chorionic filaments attached at both ends to the chorion. TTie latter condition and the small size of the eggs are unique among the Atherina species. The larvae examined (5,1-15,7 mm) are elongate, have a yolk sac at hatching and are characterized by distinct body pigmentation and a prominent gas bladder. Flexion occurs between 7,6-11,2 mm, all fin elements are formed by 15,7 mm and scales develop by 20,0 mm. We compare the larval development of A breviceps with that of other atherinids and discuss the spawning of this species and the seasonal occurrence of larvae along the southern coast of Africa.     

Food animals as reservoirs and potential sources of multidrug-resistant diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes: Focus on intensive pig farming in South Africa

BackgroundDiarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are a major cause of diarrheal diseases in both developed and developing countries. Healthy asymptomatic animals may be reservoirs of zoonotic DEC, which may enter the food chain via the weak points in hygiene practices.AimWe investigated the prevalence of DEC along the pig production continuum from farm-to-fork.MethodsA total of 417 samples were collected from specific points along the pig production system, that is, farm, transport, abattoir and food. E. coli was isolated and enumerated using Colilert. Ten isolates from each Quanti-tray were selected randomly and phenotypically identified using eosin methylene blue agar selective media. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the species and to classify them into the various diarrheagenic pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined against a panel of 20 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and EUCAST guideline.ResultsThe final sample size consisted of 1044 isolates, of which 45.40% (474/1044) were DEC and 73% (762/1044) were multidrug-resistant. Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) was the most predominant DEC at all the sampling sites.ConclusionThe presence of DEC in food animal production environments and food of animal origin could serve as reservoirs for transmitting these bacteria to humans, especially in occupationally exposed workers and via food. Adherence to good hygienic practices along the pig production continuum is essential for mitigating the risk of transmission and infection, and ensuring food safety.     

First report of a parasitic mite, Leptotrombidium (Hypotrombidium) subquadratum (Lawerence) (Acari: Trombiculidae: Trombiculinae), from dogs and children in the Bloemfontein area, South Africa

Leptotrombidium subqunadratum larvae were collected for the first time in 1994 from dogs in Bloemfontein. The larvae have been collected annually, during the summer months, over a period of 6-7 years. Previously the only known hosts were scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis) (locality unknown) and short-snouted elephant shrew (Elephantulus brachyrhynchus) (Kruger National Park). These mites cause severe itching and dermatitis in humans and dogs.     

Two new species of ticks from southern Africa whose adults parasitize the feet of ungulates: Rhipicephalus lounsburyi n. sp. and Rhipicephalus neumanni n. sp. (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)

Theiler & Robinson (1953) described, as Rhipicephalus follis D?nitz, 1910, a tick species originating from Dordrecht, Eastern Cape Province. A comparison of this tick with the syntypes of R. follis has now shown, though, that these 2 entities are different and it is therefore redescribed below as Rhipicephalus lounsburyi n. sp. Its adults parasitize sheep and various wild ungulates, attaching primarily on their feet. The hosts of the immature stages are still unknown. It has now been recorded from several places in the Eastern Cape; once in Natal, at Impendle, and in the Western Cape near Swellendam and between Clanwilliam and Graafwater. A second species, which has in the past been confused with the dassie parasite, Rhipicephalus distinctus Bedford, 1932, is described as Rhipicephalus neumanni n. sp. Its adults also attach on the feet of sheep and goats. The hosts of the immature stages are unknown. It has been widely recorded in the Bethanien and Keetmanshoop Districts of Namibia and, in South Africa, from scattered localities in the Karoo.     

A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)

The fossil history of turtle and whale barnacles (Coronuloidea: Chelonibiidae, Platylepadidae, Coronulidae and †Emersoniidae) is fragmentary and has only been investigated in part. Morphological inferences and molecular phylogenetic analyses on extant specimens suggest that the roots of whale barnacles (Coronulidae) are to be found among the chelonibiid turtle barnacles, but the hard-part modifications that enabled early coronuloids to attach to the cetacean skin are still largely to be perceived. Here, we reappraise a fossil chelonibiid specimen from the Miocene of insular Tanzania that was previously referred to the living species Chelonibia caretta. This largely forgotten specimen is here described as the holotype of the new species †Chelonibia zanzibarensis. While similar to C. caretta, †C. zanzibarensis exhibits obvious external longitudinal parietal canals occurring in-between external longitudinal parietal septa that abut outwards to form T-shaped flanges, a character so far regarded as proper of the seemingly more derived Coronulidae and Platylepadidae. Along with these features, the presence of a substrate imprint on the shell exterior indicates that †C. zanzibarensis grasped its host's integument in much the same way as coronulids and platylepadids, albeit without the development of macroscopic parietal buttresses and bolsters. Thin section analyses of the inner parietal architecture of some extant and extinct coronuloids conclusively demonstrate that vestiges of comparable external parietal microstructures are present in some living members of Chelonibiidae. This observation strengthens the unity of Coronuloidea while significantly contributing to our understanding of the evolution of the coronuloid shell structure in adapting to a diverse spectrum of hosts.     

The sclerodactylid holothurians of southern Africa,with the erection of one new subfamily and two new genera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

The sclerodactylid subfamily Sclerodactylinae is restricted to include only those forms with a short, compact, tubular calcareous ring and a new subfamily Sclerothyoninae is diagnosed to accommodate two new southern African monotypic genera Sclerothyone and Temparena, with compact but non-tubular calcareous rings. The new genera are erected respectively for Ludwig and Heding's (1935) Cucumaria? velligera and C.l chuni, formerly classified in Pentamera. This brings the total number of sclerodactylid holothurians known from southern Africa to six genera and seven species. All taxa are diagnosed and/or described, a key is provided for all southern African species and their local distributions are mapped.     

A new and unusual species of Parachiton (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from South Africa

A new species of the genus Parachiton, P. hodgsoni n.sp., which inhabits shallow water off the South African coast, is described. The radula is unusual for the genus Parachiton. It consists of about 160 transverse rows of very small mature teeth of which the major lateral teeth have very narrow tridentate cusps. The intermediate valves are granulose with the granules arranged in widely spaced, longitudinal rows on the central area of the valves. There are 20–31 longitudinal rows on the central areas of the intermediate valves. Variability in the morphology of the tail valve is shown.     

家蚕卵酯酶A与滞育性关系研究进展

本文综述了家蚕卵酯酶A及其组分酯酶A4与滞育性关系的研究进展情况,表明二者与蚕卵的滞育性变化密切相关。     

Redescription of some Thelandros and Tachygonetria spp. (Pharyngodonidae: Oxyuroidea) from the omnivorous plated lizard,Gerrhosaurus validus validus A. Smith, 1849 in South Africa

Thelandros schusteri Hering-Hagenbeck, 2001, Thelandros luciusi Hering-Hagenbeck, 2001, Thelandros boomkeri Hering-Hagenbeck, 2001, Tachygonetria bainae Hering-Hagenbeck, 2001, Tachygonetria chabaudi Hering-Hagenbeck, 2001 and Tachygonetria petterae Hering-Hagenbeck, 2001 from the plated lizard, Gerrhosaurus validus validus A. Smith 1849 from three localities in the north-eastern region of South Africa are redescribed. Classification keys are available only for the males of the species and because male and female nematodes in copula were not observed in this study as well as the similarity of the females, it was not possible to identify the females to the species level. Thelandros schusteri, Thelandros boomkeri and Thelandros luciusi were provisionally paired with female Type E, Tachygonetria bainae with female Type C, Tachygonetria chabaudi with female Type A and Tachygonetria petterae with female Type D. Female Types B and F could not be paired. The richness and composition of species of the Pharyngodonidae of Gerrhosaurus validus validus is close to that of tortoises and differs from the pharyngodonid fauna of the insectivorous lizards that have been studied. In the latter, only the genera Spauligodon, Skrjabinodon and Parapharyngodon were recovered. The pharyngodonid fauna of Gerrhosaurus validus validus seems to have originated by capture from local herbivorous reptiles. The three Tachygonetria spp. most closely resemble forms in South African tortoises. The three Thelandros spp. redescribed here not only show strong similarities to those of herbivorous Agama spp., but also to those parasitic in tortoises and could have been acquired from either.