Two new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 parasitizing Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Poeciliidae) from the southern limit of the family in the Neotropical region.

In this study, we followed an integrative taxonomy approach to describe two new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832, and to identify specimens of G. breviradix Vega, Razzolini, Arbetman, and Viozzi, 2019, all three collected from ten spotted live-bearer Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Jenyns, 1842), an endemic and widespread poeciliid from the Pampean region, which is the southernmost occurring species of the Poeciliidae in the Americas. Gyrodactylids were first characterized morphologically and mophometrically, and when possible, sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) were used to delimit species. Gyrodactylus breviradix, Gyrodactylus marplatensis n. sp., and Gyrodactylus pampeanus n. sp. were found on the fins and body surface of C. decemmaculatus in La Tapera Creek, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. A phylogenetic analysis combining newly generated sequences of one of the new species, G. marplatensis n. sp., and of G. breviradix, along with those available in GenBank for a further 36 species of Gyrodactylus, revealed that G. marplatensis n. sp. is a sister taxon of Gyrodactylus decemmaculati Vega, Razzolini, Arbetman, and Viozzi, 2019. Genetic distances for the ITS and COII gene were estimated among Gyrodactylus spp. and further supported the validity of the new species. Overall, morphometric and molecular data coincided in delimiting the new taxa, thus demonstrating the value of integrative taxonomy for the erection of new species of Gyrodactylus and species identification.

A new species of Ameloblastella Kritsky, Mendoza-Franco & Scholz, 2000 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) from South American freshwater catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae).

Ameloblastella martinae n. sp. is described from the gills of the pimelodid catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) Sorubim lima (Bloch & Schneider) (type-host) and Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes) in the Peruvian Amazonia, and on Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Spix & Agassiz) and P. recticulatum Eigenmann & Eigenmann in Argentina. The new species is distinguished from other congeners mainly by the morphology of the male copulatory organ (MCO), which has a form of a corkscrew with tight rings, whereas in other species of Ameloblastella Kritsky, Mendoza-Franco & Scholz, 2000, the MCO is formed by a delicate and coiled tube forming loose rings. Sclerotised structures (haptoral elements and MCO) of specimens of A. martinae n. sp. were used to compare two parasite populations (from Peru and Argentina) using Euclidean distances. Despite the geographical isolation and different host-associations, both populations belong to the same species. The phylogenetic position of A. martinae n. sp. was analysed using partial sequences of the 28S rDNA gene along with 46 species of dactylogyrid parasites of siluriforms (Siluriformes) under Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) criteria. Phylogenetic reconstructions showed that Ameloblastella represented by five species, including its type-species A. chavarriai (Price, 1936) from the heptapterid Rhamdia guatemalensis and A. martinae n. sp., was recovered as a well-supported monophyletic group (in both analyses, ML and BI). An additional species, Ameloblastella sp., was found on P. corruscans and P. reticulatum in Argentina. The morphology of the MCO and haptoral elements suggests that Ameloblastella sp. may represent a new species. However, the few specimens found and the lack of genetic sequences of this species precluded its formal description.

A new species of Hedruris Nitzsch, 1821 (Nematoda: Hedruridae) parasitic in the freshwater fish Oligosarcus jenynsii (Günther, 1864) (Characidae) from Argentina.

Nematodes belonging to genus Hedruris Nitzsch, 1821 (Nematoda: Hedruridae) were found in the stomach of the freshwater fish Oligosarcus jenynsii (Günther, 1864) (Characidae) from a shallow eutrophic lake in Argentina. Morphological comparisons with congeneric relatives showed that these nematodes belong to a new species, for which H. bifida n. sp. is proposed. Hedruris bifida n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: bifid deirids, absence of precloacal papillae and nine pairs of postcloacal papillae and non-mammillated eggs. The new species closely resembles Hedruris suttonae Brugni & Viozzi, 2010¸ the only known species from Argentina; however, the bifid deirids in the new species and the distribution pattern of perianal spines in females clearly distinguish both species. Hedruris bifida n. sp. represents the second nominal species of the genus in Argentina and the eighth species described in the Neotropical region.

Dactylogyrid monogeneans parasitising Cyphocharax voga (Hensel) (Teleostei: Curimatidae) from the Pampas region, Argentina: new and previously described species.

Most studies on dactylogyrid monogeneans in Argentina have been carried out during 1980s and 1990s. Many of these species have been later synonymised and other remain under a confusing taxonomic status, particularly those parasitising Cyphocharax voga (Hensel) (Teleostei: Curimatidae). In order to clarify the identity of dactylogyrids, new material was collected from fishes in Lake Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A total of four species was found in the gills of C. voga. Two known species, Curvianchoratus singularis (Suriano, 1980) Suriano, 1986 and Palombitrema triangulum (Suriano, 1981) Suriano, 1997, are redescribed and their generic and specific status discussed, and two new species are described. Urocleidoides surianoae n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by having an anterior medial projection in the ventral bar and a laminar ligament connecting the base of the male copulatory organ and accessory piece. Annulotrematoides bonaerensis n. sp. differs from its congeners principally by having a ventral bar with an anterior medial projection. The diversity of dactylogyrids harboured by C. voga indicates the need of further studies in the Pampas region, which will provide interesting and valuable sources of evidence for future zoogeographical and evolutionary research on dactylogyrids in the Neotropics.

Parasite assemblages of Nemadactylus bergi (Pisces: Latridae): the role of larval stages in the short-scale predictability.

The short-scale temporal repeatability in the structure and composition of parasite communities of Nemadactylus bergi were analyzed by comparing population and infracommunity descriptors in five samples caught off Mar del Plata, Argentina (38º 27' S, 57º 90' W) at intervals of 20 days. This is the first study aiming to detect relevant local or short-term processes in an area where larval endohelminths dominate the parasite assemblages and are expected to provide predictability to the communities they belong. The parasite fauna of this host species was composed by 18 species, 16 of them being endoparasites, among which larval stages accounted for most of both the number of parasite individuals found and the highest percentages of average similarity among infracommunities. The structure of parasite communities of N. bergi was, as predicted, repeatable across samples at short spatial and temporal scales and, as expected, this predictability was mainly provided by larval stages, namely Corynosoma australe and Grillotia carvajalregorum. These results imply that a single sample of N. bergi from this locality will be enough to catch the structure and intrinsic variability of their component communities in further studies aiming to compare parasite assemblages at larger spatial scales. These studies should, however, take into account the heterogeneity in the size of fish among samples, which proved to be an important confounding factor in comparisons among samples by affecting their similarity.

A new species of Paracapillaroides (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitizing Nemadactylus bergi (Perciformes: Latridae) from the Argentine Sea.

A new nematode species, Paracapillaroides acanthocotylus sp. n., is described from the marine fish Nemadactylus bergi (Norman) (Latridae, Perciformes) from waters off Mar del Plata, Argentina (38 degrees 08'S, 57 degrees 32'W) (prevalence 81.8%, mean intensity 12.4 +/- 10.3). The new species is readily distinguished from P. agonostomi Moravec, Salgado-Maldonado et Caspeta-Mandujano, 1999, the only known species of the genus, by having in both sexes a longer oesophagus in relation to total body length. Males of the new species have a shorter and more complex spicule and a markedly different morphology of the spicular sheath; the rays supporting the caudal bursa are also shorter and rounded, instead of digitiform. Furthermore, females of the new species have elevated vulval lips and longer eggs. The complex structure of both the spicule and spicular sheath is unique among all capillariids parasitizing cold-blooded vertebrates. This is the first record of a species of Paracapillaroides in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Redescription of Gessyella latridopsis (Johnston et Mawson, 1945) (Nematoda: Capillariidae), a parasite of latrid fishes from the southern hemisphere.

The type species of the monotypic genus Gessyella Freitas, 1959, G. latridopsis (Johnston et Mawson, 1945) (Nematoda: Capillariidae), is redescribed from specimens found in the rectum of the marine fish Nemadactylus bergi Norman (Latridae, Perciformes) (a new host record) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean off Mar del Plata, Argentina. In addition to the morphological and biometrical variability of this species, some new, previously unreported taxonomic features, such as the extent of the spination of the spicular sheath, the morphology of the spicular canal, the distal end of the spicule, the ejaculatory duct, the cloaca, the seminal vesicle, vas deferens and the testis, are described for the first time. Despite the long geographical distance of G. latridopsis records (Australia vs. Argentina), the morphology of the newly collected specimens is in agreement with the existing descriptions of G. latridopsis and both host species are closely related. Therefore, the Argentine specimens are considered to belong to this species.

Hydatidosis cases in one of Mar del Plata City hospitals, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution produced mainly by the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. In Argentina, its distribution reaches endemic levels. The aims of this investigation were to contribute to the knowledge of hydatidosis in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, study its evolution at the Interzonal General Hospital for Acute Diseases between 1992 and 2002 and discuss its importance. Clinical records of operated and/or diagnosed patients were reviewed with regard to this disease. One hundred and twenty cases were analyzed. Among the patients, 56.7% were women. The average age was 42.2+16.8 years. 68.3% lived in urban areas. In 75% of the cases, ultrasonography was used. Hepatic location was most frequently seen. 89.2% received surgical treatment. Albendazole was used for 19 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 16 days. We conclude that this zoonosis is a disease that generates high costs in medical care and for this reason more epidemiological studies should be carried out and public health authorities should implement control and prevention strategies in the region.

Characithecium (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) parasitic on the Neotropical fish Oligosarcus jenynsii (Teleostei: Characidae) from the Pampasic region, Argentina, with the emendation of the genus.

Presently, only 2 species of dactylogyrid monogeneans have been reported Characidae inhabiting lakes and streams from the Pampasic region (central Argentina). During a parasitological survey on the characid Oligosarcus jenynsii, from Nahuel Rucá Lake (Buenos Aires province, Argentina), dactylogyrids were found on the gills. Specimens were identified as members of Characithecium: C. chascomusensis n. comb, C. longianchoratum n. sp., C. robustum n. sp., C. quadratum n. sp. and C. chelatum n. sp. These species can be distinguished from each other mainly by differences in the shape of the accessory piece of the male copulatory organ, morphology of anchors and ventral bars as well as position of vaginal aperture. The observation of some additional features present in all species studied, such as the vaginal aperture position (as midventral, lateroventral or lateromarginal) and the variability in the morphology of ventral bar (posteromedial projection present or absent) justified an emended diagnosis of Characithecium. 

Causes of inter-individual variation in reproductive strategies of the parasitic nematode Graphidioides subterraneus.

Several factors capable of affecting the amount of resources available to an individual parasite, such as the number of other parasites in the host or host quality, may cause variability in reproductive success among parasites. Variation in egg output and mean egg volume was investigated among adult females of the nematode Graphidioides subterraneus, parasitic in the herbivorous subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Octodontidae). Female nematode body size correlated strongly with the number of eggs produced. However, neither host body mass nor the number of other nematodes per host had any influence on the number or volume of eggs produced by the parasites. There was also no evidence for a trade-off between the number of eggs produced and mean egg volume among female nematodes. All these results suggest that resource supply to individual worms is not limited by host size or by the number of conspecific parasites vying for the same resources, despite the 30-fold variation in intensity of infection and the twofold variation in host body mass observed in the present study. Instead, resource availability does not appear to constrain reproduction in G. subterraneus, with its host providing a stable, predictable environment.

Hydatidosis cases in one of Mar del Plata City hospitals, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution produced mainly by the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. In Argentina, its distribution reaches endemic levels. The aims of this investigation were to contribute to the knowledge of hydatidosis in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, study its evolution at the Interzonal General Hospital for Acute Diseases between 1992 and 2002 and discuss its importance. Clinical records of operated and/or diagnosed patients were reviewed with regard to this disease. One hundred and twenty cases were analyzed. Among the patients, 56.7 percent were women. The average age was 42.2+16.8 years. 68.3 percent lived in urban areas. In 75 percent of the cases, ultrasonography was used. Hepatic location was most frequently seen. 89.2 percent received surgical treatment. Albendazole was used for 19 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 16 days. We conclude that this zoonosis is a disease that generates high costs in medical care and for this reason more epidemiological studies should be carried out and public health authorities should implement control and prevention strategies in the region.

A hidatidose é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial produzida principalmente pela meta-cestódeo Echinococcus granulosus. Na Argentina, a distribuição alcança níveis endêmicos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi contribuir ao conhecimento da hidatidose no sudeste da província de Buenos Aires, estudar sua evolução no Hospital Geral Interzonal para Doenças Infecciosas Agudas, entre 1992 e 2002 e discutir sua importância. Os registros clínicos dos pacientes operados e/ou diagnosticados foram revisados quanto a esta doença. Cento e vinte casos foram analisados. Entre os pacientes, 56,7 por cento eram mulheres. A idade média foi de 42,2+16,8 anos. Um grupo de 68,3 por cento eram residentes urbanos. Em 75 por cento dos casos, foi utilizada a ultrassonografia. Observou-se mais freqüentemente a localização hepática. Um grupo de 89,2 por cento foi submetido a tratamento cirúrgico. Utilizou-se albendazole em 19 pacientes. A duração média da hospitalização foi de 16 dias. Concluímos que esta zoonose é uma doença que gera custos altos na atenção médica e, por isso, mais estudos epidemiológicos devem ser feitos e as autoridades públicas de saúde devem implementar estratégias de controle e prevenção na região.