Eucoleus garfiai (Gállego et Mas-Coma, 1975) (Nematoda: Capillariidae) infection in wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) from the Amakusa Islands, Japan.

We examined lingual tissues of Japanese wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) captured in the Amakusa Islands off the coast of Kumamoto Prefecture. One hundred and forty wild boars were caught in 11 different locations in Kamishima (n = 36) and Shimoshima (n = 104) in the Amakusa Islands, Japan between January 2016 and April 2018. Lingual tissues were subjected to histological examinations, where helminths and their eggs were observed in the epithelium of 51 samples (36.4%). No significant differences in prevalence were observed according to maturity, sex or capture location. Lingual tissues positive for helminth infection were randomly selected and intact male and female worms were collected for morphological measurements. Based on the host species, site of infection, and morphological details, we identified the parasite as Eucoleus garfiai (Gállego et Mas-Coma, 1975) Moravec, 1982 (syn. Capillaria garfiai). This is the first report from outside Europe of E. garfiai infection in wild boars. Phylogenetic analysis of the parasite using the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence confirmed that the parasite grouped with other Eucoleus species, providing additional nucleotide sequence for this genus. Since wild boar populations are widely distributed in Japan, continuing surveys on the epidemiology of the parasite and identifying possible intermediate host candidates are crucial for elucidating the transmission route of the parasite.

Redescription and taxonomical considerations about Aonchotheca (Aonchotheca) pulchra n. comb. (Enoplida: Trichuridae), a nematode of Nyctinomops spp.

Pterothominx pulchra (Freitas, 1934) are little known gastric nematodes of Nyctinomops laticaudatus (Chiroptera: Molossidae). Information about the occurrence and host range of these parasites in Neotropical region is still scanty, and the only two morphological descriptions available in the literature are divergent about the presence or absence of a spiny spicular sheath in males, which may lead to incorrect taxonomical positioning, since this feature represents the main difference between the genera Pterothominx and Aonchotheca. Based on the absence of this morphological feature in specimens of this nematode obtained from N. laticaudatus and Nyctinomops macrotis bats captured in two municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, the present study reclassifies the aforementioned species in the genus Aonchotheca and allocates it to the subgenus Aonchotheca. Additional morphometric data and new host and locality records are also provided.

Redescription and taxonomical considerations about Aonchotheca (Aonchotheca) pulchra n. comb. (Enoplida: Trichuridae), a nematode of Nyctinomops spp. / Redescrição e considerações taxonômicas sobre Aonchotheca (Aonchotheca) pulchra n. comb. (Enoplida: Trichuridae), um nematódeo de Nyctinomops spp.

Pterothominx pulchra (Freitas, 1934) are little known gastric nematodes of Nyctinomops laticaudatus (Chiroptera: Molossidae). Information about the occurrence and host range of these parasites in Neotropical region is still scanty, and the only two morphological descriptions available in the literature are divergent about the presence or absence of a spiny spicular sheath in males, which may lead to incorrect taxonomical positioning, since this feature represents the main difference between the genera Pterothominx and Aonchotheca. Based on the absence of this morphological feature in specimens of this nematode obtained from N. laticaudatus and Nyctinomops macrotis bats captured in two municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, the present study reclassifies the aforementioned species in the genus Aonchotheca and allocates it to the subgenus Aonchotheca. Additional morphometric data and new host and locality records are also provided.

Pterothominx pulchra (Freitas, 1934) são nematódeos gástricos pouco conhecidos de Nyctinomops laticaudatus (Chiroptera: Molossidae). Informações referentes à ocorrência e variedade de hospedeiros desses parasitos ainda são escassas na região Neotropical. As únicas duas descrições morfológicas disponíveis na literatura são divergentes entre si quanto à presença de bainha espicular espinhosa nos machos, o que resultou no posicionamento taxonômico equivocado desta espécie, uma vez que, é a principal característica para diagnóstico dos gêneros Pterothominx e Aonchotheca. Baseado na ausência dessa característica morfológica em espécimes desse nematódeo, obtidos em morcegos N. laticaudatus e Nyctinomops macrotis capturados em dois municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, o presente estudo classifica a referida espécie no gênero Aonchotheca e a aloca no subgênero Aonchotheca, além de fornecer dados morfométricos adicionais e novos registros de hospedeiro e localidades.

Redescription of Echinocoleus hydrochoeri (Travassos, 1916) (Nematoda: Trichuridae) from Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766 (Rodentia: Caviidae) from Argentina.

Twenty-eight Capillariinae species have been recorded in rodents; 1 of these species was reported from a caviomorph rodent, Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris (capybara), and placed in the genus Echinocoleus by Moravec (1982). However, both original description and subsequent contributions of Echinocoleus hydrochoeri are poor and incomplete. In this paper, this species is redescribed, and a new geographical distribution is reported. The redescription is based on morphologic and morphometrical features; intestine ends in a cloaca beside ejaculatory duct, caudal bursa composed of 2 large ventrolateral lobes with a fleshy internal part and a membranous external part (they are not united dorsally with a membrane), 1 pair of caudal papillae, terminal part of cylindrical cirrus ornamented with thin and thick spines (and particular pattern distribution), sclerotized spicule in male, and vulvar appendage in female, and 3 bacillary bands (1 ventral and 2 lateral). Generic and specific analyses were performed to establish new standards for future studies on the systematic position of Capillariinae species. This study presents new morphological information and a new record of a capillariid species from Argentina.

Nematodes from the caecum and colon of Pogonomys (Muridae: Anisomyini) from Papua New Guinea with the descriptions of a new genus of Oxyuridae (Nematoda: Oxyurida) and a new species of Trichuridae (Nematoda: Enoplida).

Nematodes, comprising 2 species, a new genus from the family Syphaciidae and a new species from the family Trichuridae were collected from the lower digestive tracts of 4 species of Pogonomys; P. championi, Flannery (12 individuals), P. loriae, Thomas (14 individuals), P. macrourus, (Milne Edwards) (19 individuals) and P. sylvestris, Thomas (27 individuals) from Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Pogonomicola rugala n. gen., n. sp. differs from all other genera in the Sypaciidae in having cervical alae with numerous folds and a single weakly defined mamelon. Trichuris germani n. sp. differs from all congeners, including the cosmopolitan T. muris, the only other trichurid reported from the region, by the lengths of the spicules and vagina, the ratio of anterior to posterior body length and the number of convolutions of the testis. The genus Pogonomys, with four species from four nematode families had a relatively rich helminth fauna in the lower digestive tract compared to other ansomyins studied. The Oxyuridae, with three genera comprising 5 species was the dominant group found in the lower digestive tract of the Anisomyini, indicating the possibility that the isolation of the old endemic rodents in New Guinea has been associated with a period of coevolution between anisomyin hosts and their syphaciine parasites.

A new Huffmanela species (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) parasitizing atherinid fishes in north Patagonian Gulfs, Argentina.

Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. (Nematode: Trichosomoididae) is described from the skin of fins and gills of the silversides Odontesthes smitti Lahille, 1949, and Odontesthes nigricans Richardson, 1848 (Pisces: Atheriniformes), from southwestern Atlantic coast, on the basis of the morphology of adults and eggs found in the host tissues. Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. can be distinguished from Huffmanela carcharini, H. banningi, H. japonica, H. mexicana, H. paronai, H. schouteni, H. shikokuensis, H. branchialis, H. filamentosa, H. ossicola, and H. lata by the size and shape of the eggs. The adult stage of H. moraveci n. sp. can be differentiated from H. hufmani and H. canadensis by the position of the nerve ring and by the total esophagus length/body length ratio. Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. also differs from H. huffmani by the presence of bacillary bands and by the body length. This is the first report of a species of Huffmanela in South America, the first report of a species of Huffmanela with Odontesthes spp. as host, and the third known adult form in the genus.

Trichurid nematodes in ring-necked pheasants from backyard flocks of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: frequency and pathology.

The present investigation is related to the frequency of infection and to the gross and microscopic lesions associated to the presence of trichurid worms in 50 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) from backyard flocks in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the investigated birds, the overall infection rate was of 74%, with the presence of Eucoleus perforans with 72% of prevalence and 21.2 of mean intensity, in the esophageal and crop mucosa and rarely in the junction of the proventriculus and esophagus, E. annulatus with 2% and 3 in the crop mucosa, Capillaria phasianina, with 12% and 4.3 in the cecum and small intestine and Baruscapillaria obsignata, for the first time referred in this host, with 2% and 1 in the small intestine. Clinical signs were absent. The gross lesions observed in the crop and esophagus of 14 (38.9%) pheasants parasitized with E. perforans were thickening, small nodules, congestion, and petechial haemorrhages in the mucosa. These birds presented a mean infection of 37.5 and a range of infection of 10-82. The microscopic lesions revealed chronic esophagitis with diffuse inflammatory process in the lamina propria characterized mostly by a mononuclear cell infiltrate and also with the presence of granulocytes. In the case of the parasitism of pheasants with C. phasianina, the gross lesions were absent; microscopic lesions were characterized by chronic typhlitis with mononuclear infiltrate. Gross and microscopic lesions were absent in the pheasants parasitized with E. annulatus and B. obsignata.

Pseudocapillaria (Ichthyocapillaria) ophisterni sp. n. (Nematoda : Capillariidae) from the swamp-eel Ophisternon aenigmaticum (Pisces) in Mexico.

A new nematode species, Pseudocapillaria ophisterni sp. n., is described from the intestine and rarely from the stomach of the swamp-eel, Ophisternon aenigmaticum Rosen et Greenwood, from Catemaco Lake, Veracruz, Mexico. In having both caudal lobes in the male interconnected by a distinct dorsal membrane, it belongs to the subgenus Ichthyocapillaria. It differs from the three species in this subgenus mainly in possessing either a distinctly longer spicule or a smaller length of oesophagus relative to body length. It also differs in host type and geographical distribution. P. ophisterni is the first capillariid species reported from synbranchiform fishes.

Records of the bird capillariid nematode Ornithocapillaria appendiculata (Freitas, 1933) n. comb. from freshwater fishes in Mexico, with remarks on Capillaria patzcuarensis Osorio-Sarabia et al., 1986.

Re-examination of capillariid specimens collected from the freshwater fish Chirostoma estor Jordan from Lake Pátzcuaro in 1985-1986 and deposited as paratypes of Capillaria patzcuarensis Osorio-Sarabia, Pérez-Ponce de León & Salgado-Maldonado, 1986 showed that their morphology was in contradiction with the description of this species and, in fact, they could be identified as the species originally described as C. appendiculata Freitas, 1933 from cormorants Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gm.) in Brazil; conspecific capillariid specimens were later recorded from Chirostoma estor and Cyprinus carpio L. from the same locality. This species and two others are transferred to Ornithocapillaria Barus & Sergeeva, 1990 as O. appendiculata (Freitas, 1933) n. comb., O. carbonis (Dubinin & Dubinina, 1940) n. comb., and O. phalacrocoraxi (Borgarenko, 1975) n. comb. This is the first record of O. appendiculata in Mexico. Its occurrence in fishes suggests that these nematodes may be acquired by their fish hosts accidentally while feeding on cormorant excrement containing mature nematodes. A female capillariid collected from one of 110 Chirostoma estor examined from this locality in April, 1998 was identified as Capillaria patzcuarensis. Both capillariid species are briefly described and illustrated.

Redescription of Eucoleus schvalovoj (Nematoda: Capillariidae), an oesophageal parasite of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, in Spain.

Eucoleus schvalovoj Kontrimavichus, 1963 (Nematoda: Capillariidae) is redescribed. The original description of this species was brief and inadequate in that it was based on just a few specimens removed from the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Khabarovsk region, USSR. Detailed morphological study of several specimens of E. schvalovoj from the oesophagus of L. lutra from Spain revealed new characters, above all in males, and allows for a better characterisation of this species. Since its original description E. schvalovoj has only been recorded in Spain.

Two new Huffmanela species, H. japonica n. sp. and H. shikokuensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae), from marine fishes in Japan.

Two new species of trichuroid nematodes. Huffmanela japonica n. sp. and Huffmanela shikokuensis n. sp., are established on the basis of their egg morphology and biological characters; the eggs of both species occur in the musculature of marine fishes from the Inland Sea of Japan. The dark-shelled eggs of H. japonica are found locally in masses ("black spots") in the flesh of Upeneus bensasi (Temminck et Schlegel) (Mullidae, Perciformes) and are characterized mainly by their shape and size (58-69 x 26-30 microm), an aspinose superficial transparent envelope enclosing the egg proper, relatively small polar plugs, and by their thick egg wall (4-5 microm). The eggs of H. shikokuensis are also dark-colored and are found evenly distributed in the musculature of Stephanolepis cirrhifer (Temminck et Schlegel) (Monacanthidae, Tetraodontiformes); they are characterized mainly by their shape and size (78-90 X 36-45 microm), by a very thin and aspinose superficial transparent envelope, large polar plugs, and relatively thin egg wall (3 microm). Histological sections of the host's infected musculature showed the presence of H. shikokuensis nematodes inside the muscle cells and in the intercellular spaces. A key to Huffmanela species based on egg morphology is provided.

Crocodylocapillaria longiovata n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the stomach of crocodiles in Australia and New Guinea.

A new nematode, Crocodylocapillaria longiovata n. gen. and n. sp., is described from the stomach of wild and farmed young crocodiles, Crocodylus johnstoni Krefft, and Crocodylus porosus Schneider, from northern Australia and Papua New Guinea; it is undoubtedly identical with the nematodes previously reported as Capillaria sp. from Crocodylus novaequineae Schmidt from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. This capillariid species represents a new genus, being characterized mainly by the presence of elongate eggs with unusually long protruding polar plugs, a well developed vulvar appendage, a weakly sclerotized spicule, proximal and distal parts of the spicular sheath with spines, and the male posterior end with 2 large lateral caudal lobes and a pair of papillae near the cloacal opening. The body length of C. longiovara males and females is 5,576-7,208 microm and 8,609-14,008 microm, respectively, the spicule is 276-369 microm long; the size of the egg proper is 48-60 x 15-21 microm, length of polar plugs 15-18 microm. Neocapillaria Yi and Guitang, 1994, a junior homonym of Neocapillaria Moravec, 1987, is re-named Sinocapillaria nom. n. and placed as a synonym of Pseudocapillaria Freitas, 1959. Indocapillaria De and Maity, 1995 is retained as a subgenus of Pseudocapillaria because of the possession of a vulvar appendage in the type species. Neocapillaria Moravec, 1987 remains a subgenus of Capillaria Zeder, 1800. A key to genera of the Capillariidae from poikilotherm vertebrates is provided; C. longiovata is the first capillariid species described from the digestive tract of crocodiles.

Aonchotheca moraveci sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichuridae), a new nematode from the long-fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii, in Spain.

A description is made of a new trichurid species of the subfamily Capillariinae, Aonchotheca moraveci sp. n., parasitizing the stomach of the long-fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837), in Spain. The male presents two caudal lateral alae, a membranous caudal bursa supported by two forked expansions, a spicule 405-536 microns long and a non-spiny spicular sheath. The female has a vulvar appendage and the egg-shell surface presents a fine striation, only scarcely appreciable at the polar plugs.

The biology of nematodes of the family Capillariidae Neveu-Lemaire, 1936.

The present knowledge of the life cycles of nematodes of the family Capillariidae is reviewed and these data are considered from the viewpoint of a new system of the classification of genera in this family (Moravec 1982). An analysis of the relevant literature as also own studies have shown that, in this nematode group, there occur both direct (homoxenous) life cycles without an intermediate host (Baruscapillaria, Pseudocapillaria, Calodium, Pseudocapillaroides, partly also Capillaria, Eucoleus and Aonchotheca) and heteroxenous cycles with participation of obligate intermediate hosts that are usually oligochaetes and rarely fishes (Schulmanela, Pearsonema, partly also Capillaria, Eucoleus and Aonchotheca). A remarkable case is the species Aonchotheca philippinensis, an intestinal parasite of man, with alternative life cycles, i.e. either with participation of the intermediate host or without it (autoinfection), this being dependent on whether eggs or larvae are produced by the female parasites. The transmission of some capillariid species with a direct life cycle may include paratenic hosts (oligochaetes, fishes). Capillariids undergo four moults during their ontogenetic development, the first of which taking place inside the body of the intermediate host in case of heteroxenous cycles. The present knowledge of the biology of nematodes of the Capillariidae is very incomplete; their life cycles have hitherto been studied (in a different extent) in members of only 9 out of 22 presently valid genera (approximately in 7% of recognized capillariid species).

On a new species of Capillaria (Nematoda) from a bat in Kashmir.

Capillaria kashmirensis n. sp. from the stomach of a bat in Kashmir, India, is described. The species is characterized by the presence of a funnel-like bursa in males which is deeply incised ventrally. The bursa is supported by a pair of long papillae. Lateral alae, a single spicule and an unarmed spicule sheath are present. The ratio between anterior and posterior regions of the body is 1:1.2 to 1.57 and the spicule body length ratio is 1:9 to 15. Cloaca is terminal. In females the tail is blunt, the anus sub-terminal, the ulva post-oesophageal, situated on a vulvar appendage.

Proposal of a new systematic arrangement of nematodes of the family Capillariidae.

A new delimitation of genera within the nematode family Capillariidae is proposed on the basis of revaluation of the features used in the taxonomy of these nematodes. The following genera are recognized as valid: Schulmanela Ivashkin, 1964 (subgenera Schulmanela Ivashkin, 1964, Piscicapillaria subgen. n. and Amphibiocapillaria subgen. n.), Paracapillaria Mendonça, 1963, Capillostrongyloides Freitas et Lent, 1935, Pseudocapillaria Freitas, 1959 (subgenera Pseudocapillaria Freitas, 1959 and Ichthyocapillaria subgen. n.). Freitascapillaria gen. n., Baruscapillaria gen. n., Liniscus Dujardin, 1845, Pearsonema Freitas et Mendonça, 1960, Capillaria Zeder, 1800, Echinocoleus López-Neyra, 1947, Eucoleus Dujardin, 1845, Pterothominx Freitas, 1959, Aonchotheca López-Neyra, 1947 and Calodium Dujardin, 1845; previously established genera are newly defined. The systematic status of the genera Gessyella Freitas, 1959 and Skrjabinocapillaria Skarbilovich, 1946 has not been so far elucidated. The author newly synonymizes the genera Ritaklossia Freitas, 1959 (= Eucoleus), Armocapillaria Gagarin et Nazarova, 1966 [= Pterothominx) and Hepaticola Hall, 1916 (=Calodium) and the species Hepaticola bakeri Mueller et Van Cleave, 1932 (=Pseudocapillaria catostomi (Pearse, 1924)) and Pseudocapillaria nuda Mendonça, 1963 (= Freitascapillaria maxillosa (Vaz et Pereira, 1934)); many new combinations of specific names are given. A key to the genera and subgenera of the family Capillariidae is provided.

Anatrichosoma haycocki sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichuridae) from the paracloacal glands of Antechinus spp. With notes on Skrjabinocapillaria skarbilovitsch.

Anatrichosoma haycocki sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichuridae) is described from the paracloacal glands of Antechinus swainsonii (Waterhouse, 1840) and A. stuartii Macleay, 1841 (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) from Nadgee State Forest, New South Wales, Australia. Immature male and female worms occur free in the intestine. A. haycocki is distinguished from other species of Anatrichosoma by the following suite of morphological characters: small size, absence of longitudinal cuticular striations in both sexes, subterminal constriction of male tail bearing 14 minute papillae and inflation of posterior portion of mature female giving Trichuris-like appearance. It is also characterised by its occurrence in paracloacal glands in a genus of small carnivorous dasyurid marsupial restricted to Australia and New Guinea. Skrjabinocapillaria rodentium Wertheim and Chabaud, 1979 is recognised as a synonym of Anatrichosoma gerbillis (Bernard, 1964). The genus Skrjabinocapillaria Skarbilovitsch, 1946 is placed as a synonym of Capillaria Zeder, 1800, resulting in the new combination for the type species: C. eubarsata (Skarbilovitsch, 1946) comb. nov. It is suggested that deep penetration of the female uterus by the male at insemination is a behavioural feature common to members of the Trichinelloidea and that the morphology of the male reproductive tract reflects the mechanisms of penetration employed by members of each genus.

Helminths of birds and mammals of Israel. VIII.- Skrjabinocapillaria rodentium n. sp. (Nematoda Capillariidae) from gerbillid and murid rodents.

Skrjabinocapillaria rodentium n.sp., found in the stomach of Meriones crassus, Gerbillus pyramidum, G. gerbillus, G. dasyurus and Acomys cahirinus, is described. It differs from the other two species in the genus, S. bakeri and S. eubursata, mainly in being larger, having a larger number of stichocytes and having a cephalic influation in the female and not in the male.