First Study of Ascaris lumbricoides from the Semiwild Population of the Sumatran Orangutan Pongo abelii in the Context of Morphological Description and Molecular Phylogeny.

There is little evidence that the already described and accepted taxa of ascarids (Ascaris lumbricoides, A. suum, and A. ovis) infecting individuals of taxonomically distant groups (hominids, pigs, sheep, goats, and dogs) can be genetically or morphologically distinguished. However, despite described morphological differences, e.g., due to intraspecific variation, these are insufficient for species determination and may indicate differences amongst ascarids because of cross infections, hybrid production, and specific adaptations to hosts. Herein, the results of a molecular and morphological analysis of ascarids parasitising Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii Lesson, 1827) in native populations are presented. The research took place in the Bukit Lawang area, Indonesia, in 2009. Throughout the year, fresh faecal samples were collected regularly from 24 orangutans, and all were examined for the presence of nematode adults. Only five adult worms from two orangutan females were found during regular collection. Using the integrative taxonomic approach, the nematodes found were identified as A. lumbricoides. The significance of the find and its rarity is documented by the fact that this is the first confirmed finding of adult ascarids from an original orangutan site (not from a zoo) in more than 130 years (including the long-term study spanning the last 20 years focusing on orangutan parasites and natural antiparasitic drugs). More accurate morphometric parameters and genetic differences for the identification of ascarids were established. These parameters will be helpful for other findings in great apes and will also be suitable for further and precise determination of this parasite. The details distinguishing between male and female specimens are also stated and well defined. A comprehensive evaluation of the situation of Ascaris species parasitising orangutans, including a comparison with previously described orangutan parasite (i.e., A. satyri-species inquirenda), is discussed.

Redescription and molecular characterisation of Dujardinascaris madagascariensis and a note on D. dujardini (Nematoda: Heterocheilidae), parasites of Crocodylus niloticus, with a key to Dujardinascaris spp. in crocodilians.

An examination of one specimen of Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti, 1768), from Lake Turkana (Kenya), revealed the presence of two ascaridoid nematodes belonging to the genus Dujardinascaris Baylis, 1947. Dujardinascaris madagascariensis Chabaud & Caballero, 1966 was studied by scanning electron microscopy, redescribed, and differentiated from D. dujardini (Travassos, 1920). Dujardinascaris madagascariencsis is the second of the genus to be sequenced. An internal fragment of the small ribosomal subunit and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 region were amplified--the slowly evolving 18S gene region was used for phylogenetic analysis. Molecular data confirmed affinity of D. madagascariensis to the family Heterocheilidae and revealed its closest relationship with D. waltoni. A key to the species of Dujardinascaris parasitizing crocodiles is provided.

Phylogenetic relationships between pinworms (Nematoda: Enterobiinae) parasitising the critically endangered orang-utan, according to the characterisation of molecular genomic and mitochondrial markers.

Pinworms (Nematoda: Enterobiinae) include 52 species parasitising primates throughout the world. In the present study, we performed the first ever molecular analysis to investigate the phylogenetic position of recently described pinworms parasitising the Sumatran orang-utan. The phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial CO1 and chromosomal 18S rDNA and ITS1 regions could support the independent status of several Nematoda species. Our molecular data clearly suggest that Enterobius (Colobenterobius) buckleyi and Lemuricola (Protenterobius) pongoi together with Pongobius hugoti form separate clades among other studied species, which significantly supports the hypothesis of recently described new species parasitising the orang-utan (Pongo abelii and Pongo pygmaeus). The phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene variability showed possible close relationships between L. (Protenterobius) pongoi and P. hugoti; thus, we can assume that these species could have initially diverged in sympatry from a common ancestor.

Redescription of cystacanths of Corynosoma pseudohamanni Zdzitowiecki, 1984 (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from paratenic fish hosts.

Cystacanths of Corynosoma pseudohamanni Zdzitowiecki, 1984 (Palaeacanthocephala: Polymorphidae) are redescribed on the basis of specimens recovered from three species of Antarctic notothenioid fish, Trematomus bernacchii Boulenger, Gobionotothen gibberifrons (Lönnberg) and Notothenia coriiceps Richardson, collected from the Prince Gustav Channel, Antarctica. The cystacanths' morphometry and their internal anatomy including trunk muscles were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The characteristic features of this species such as the length of proboscis and the number of hooks (i.e. 260 hooks arranged in 20 rows with 13 hooks each, including two basal hooks) were confirmed and the intraspecific variability was evaluated. Sexual dimorphism was manifested in the shape of the hindtrunk, and the distribution and extent of the somatic armature only. SEM observations of internal anatomy revealed the detailed organization of trunk musculature.

Redescription and resurrection of Bertiella satyri (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) parasitizing the orangutan (Pongo abelii) in Indonesia.

The tapeworm species Bertiella satyri from a semi-wild Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii: Ponginae) is redescribed and the sequence of its 18S rDNA is presented. The tapeworms parasitizing the genera Pan, Pongo, Homo and Hylobates from Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris and from Muséum d´Histoire Naturelle, Genève are also presented. The validity of B. satyri is confirmed. B. satyri (BSA) differs from the most similar species Bertiella studeri (BSTU) in the following characteristics: (1) testes number, BSTU 300-400; BSA 116-124, (2) genital opening, BSTU regularly alternate; BSA irregularly alternate, (3) Cirrus-sac, BSTU short, 0.250-0.320, does not reach excretory ducts; BSA long, 0.630 × 0.495, reaches excretory ducts, (4) egg size, BSTU 0.053-0.060; BSA 0.030-0.051, (5) host BSTU Pan troglodytes, Africa; BSA Pongo pygmaeus, P. abelii, Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra). Both species differ according to our material and the name B. satyri (Blanchard, 1891) is resurrected.

Microfilariae in birds in the Czech Republic, including a note on adult nematodes Eufilaria delicata in a song thrush Turdus philomelos.

Blood samples of more than 1,100 passerineform birds of 40 species were investigated for the occurrence of microfilariae. In the year 2005, 3 out of 677 birds of 31 species (prevalence 0.4%) were infected with microfilariae during the post-nesting period. During the pre-nesting period in the year 2007, 11 out of 438 birds of 31 species were infected with microfilariae (prevalence 2.5%). Both the pre-nesting and post-nesting examinations were conducted at the same location in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic. The microfilariae of the Eufilaria delicata and Ornithofilaria mavis species were found in Turdus merula, Turdus philomelos, and Erithacus rubecula (Passeriformes, Turdidae). Single individual of Poecile montanus (Passeriformes, Paridae) was infected with undetermined microfilariae. The morphometric variability of microfilariae found in T. philomelos, E. rubecula, and Poecile montanus were recorded. Infections caused by microfilariae E. delicata were more frequent than infections caused by O. mavis. Seven adult nematodes E. delicata were found in a subcutaneous cyst on the heel joint in one T. philomelos, which is the first record of adult E. delicata nematodes in birds in the Czech Republic.

New morphological data on the first-stage larvae of two Procamallanus species (Nematoda: Camallanidae) based on SEM studies.

First-stage larvae of camallanid nematodes Procamallanus (Procamallanus) laeviconchus (Wedl, 1862) and Procamallanus (Procamallanus) sp. from naturally infected Distichodus niloticus (Hasselquist) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), respectively, from Lake Turkana, Kenya (new geographical records) are described, being for the first time studied by scanning electron microscopy. Larvae of both species are characterised by the presence of a dorsal cephalic tooth, four submedian cephalic papillae and a pair of amphids, and by the elongate tail with several terminal digit-like processes. The latter formations probably serve for the attachment of larvae to the substrate in water when the larvae attract copepod intermediate hosts by their movements; these structures, especially their numbers, may be of taxonomic importance in camallanid nematodes.

Effect of nitrite on early-life stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

A one-month chronic exposure of common carp larvae and embryos to nitrite revealed significant (p < 0.01) differences in total accumulated mortality in fish exposed to 33, 67, and 330 mg/L NO(2)(-) compared with controls. At the highest concentration, all fish died within 8 d of exposure. On the basis of accumulated mortality in the experimental groups, lethal concentrations of nitrite were estimated at 29 d LC50 = 88 mg/L NO(2)(-); lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) = 28 mg/L NO(2)(-); and no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) = 7 mg/L NO(2)(-). Fulton's condition factor values were significantly lower in fish from all experimental groups compared with controls. By day 12, fish exposed to 33 and 67 mg/L NO(2)(-) had significantly lower mass and total length compared with controls. No significant negative effects of nitrite at the concentrations tested (0.7-330 mg/L NO(2)(-), at 10 mg/L Cl(-)) on hatching or embryo viability were demonstrated, but significant differences in early ontogeny among groups were noted. Fish from all the concentrations showed a dose-related delay in development compared with the controls. Lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, and body shortening were observed at all concentrations and in controls, as was yolk sac deformation and edema, eye deformation, and cardiac edema. The incidence of these malformations was positively correlated with nitrite concentration. Histopathology revealed epidermal spongiosis; edema and hyperplasia of the gill epithelium, including hypertrophy and hyperplasia of eosinophilic granular cells (chloride cells); and interstitial edema of skeletal muscle in fish exposed to 67 mg/L NO(2)(-). Similar, but milder, changes were observed at lower nitrite concentrations.

A new anoplocephalid (Cestoda) from Tarentola parvicarinata (Lacertilia: Gekkonidae) in Senegal (West Africa).

The present study presents the description of Oochoristica beveridgei n. sp. (Linstowiinae Fuhrmann, 1907). The species was found in the small intestine of Tarentola parvicarinata Joger (Gekkonidae) in East Senegal (West Africa). Among known species of Oochoristica Lühe, 1898, O. beveridgei is most similar to Oochoristica junkea (Johri, 1950) Schmidt, 1986, found in Gekko gecko (Linnaeus) from India. A common feature of both species is the location of the cirrus sac, which lies anterior to the poral part of the ovary. The new species differs from O. junkea in having a higher number of testes, different testes arrangement, wider cirrus sac, and a different shape of ovary. The position of the cirrus sac in O. beveridgei is also similar to that found in Oochoristica gallica Dollfus, 1954, whose host is Psammodromus hispanicus Fitzinger (Lacertidae) from Morocco. The new species differs from O. gallica in that it possesses fewer testes and that these testes have a different arrangement. The location of the cirrus sac in O. beveridgei is also similar to that seen in Oochoristica bivitellolobata Loewen, 1940, whose host is Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Linnaeus) (Teiidae) from the United States. The latter species has a higher number of testes, with only half of the cirrus sac located anterior to the poral part of the ovary, and possesses a divided vitellarium.

Description of Lemuricola (Lemuricola) pongoi--male (Nematoda: Enterobiinae) parasitising orangutan Pongo abelii.

The study presents the first description of male specimen (allotype) of the pinworm species Lemuricola (Lemuricola) pongoi, parasitising Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) from Sumatra (Indonesia). The male specimen morphology presents all features fully corresponding with diagnose of the genus and subgenus Lemuricola. We are agreeing that Protenterobius is synonymous with Lemuricola because the length of tail appendix in males is not a sufficient feature for separation of the genera or subgenera. For L. (L.) pongoi male are characteristic features: body length (4,803 microm), total oesophagus length (530), tail length (235), tip of tail length (188) and spicule length (90).

Redescription, systematic status and molecular characterisation of Multicaecum heterotis Petter, Vassiliadès et Marchand, 1979 (Nematoda:Heterocheilidae), an intestinal parasite of Heterotis niloticus (Osteichthyes:Arapaimidae) in Africa.

Ascaridoid nematodes referable to Brevimulticaecum heterotis (Petter, Vassiliadès et Marchand, 1979) Khalil, 1984 were recorded from the intestine of the African bonytongue, Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier) (Arapaimidae, Osteoglossiformes), from the Mare Simenti in the Niokolo Koba National Park, East Senegal and from Kosti, Sudan. Their examination using light microscopy and for the first time both environmental scanning electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed some previously unreported morphological features and made possible a detailed redescription of this species. The most important finding is the presence of dentigerous ridges on the inner edges of the lips, which confirms the attribution of this species to Multicaecum Baylis, 1923, where it was originally placed, and not to Brevimulticaecum Mozgovoy in Skryabin, Shikhobalova et Mozgovoy, 1951 where it had subsequently been transferred. A key to Brevimulticaecum and Multicaecum species is provided. Multicaecum heterotis is the first species of the genus to be sequenced. Partial sequences of the small ribosomal subunit (18S) and internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) have been analysed and compared with other nematode species.

Morphometric and molecular characteristics of Labeonema synodontisi n. comb. (Nematoda: Atractidae) from the West African fishes.

Numerous nematodes were found in the rectum of three fish species Synodontis ocellifer, S. nigrita, and S. schall (Mochokidae, Siluriformes) from the Gambia River and Mare Simenti, National Park Niokolo Koba, Senegal. A nematode species Raillietnema synodontisi Vassiliadès, 1973 (host S. ocellifer), is redescribed using morphometric (including scanning electron microscopy) and molecular characteristics and transferred into the genus Labeonema Puylaert, 1970. It is morphologically and metrically similar to Labeonema intermedium Puylaert, 1970, the other congeneric species (L. bainae Baker, 1982; L. bakeri Van Waerebeke, Chabaud, Bain et Georges, 1988; and L. africanum Moravec et Van As, 2004) differ from them either by the spicule and gubernaculum lengths, distribution and number of pre-cloacal papillae, position of the vulva, as well as hosts and geographical distribution. The partial sequences of small ribosomal subunit rDNA of L. synodontisi were analyzed and compared with other nematode sequences. Molecular analyses seem to support the position of this nematode species based on the morphological observation.

A new species of Pterothominx Freitas, 1959 (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitising psittacine birds (Psittaciformes).

A new species, Pterothominx (Pterothominx) moraveci n. sp. (Trichinelloidea: Capillariidae) is described from an Australian parrot, Barnardius zonarius Shaw (Psittacidae: Psittaciformes), imported from Germany and kept in captivity in the Czech Republic. Males of the new taxon differ from all other species of the subgenus Pterothominx Freitas, 1959, which mainly parasitise galliform birds, in having a shorter spicule (0.925-1.338; mean 1.050 mm), a shorter body length and a different form of armed spicular sheath and bursa. Females differ in having the smallest eggs (40-50 x 20-25; mean 48 x 23 microm) and in other morphometrical characters. From the species P. (P.) totani (Linstow, 1875), which parasitises charadriiform birds, the new species differs in its smaller number of stichocytes (females 42-46, mean 44; versus 50-54), different form of the bursa and praebursal alae, and other characters. This is the only species of Pterothominx that parasitises psittacine birds.

Associations between fish reproductive cycle and the dynamics of metazoan parasite infection.

The parasite fauna of the stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) was investigated monthly from May to December 2001. Four parasite species were recorded: Gyrodactylus spp. (Monogenea), Tylodelphys clavata (Digenea), Proteocephalus sagittus (Cestoda), and Raphidascaris acus (Nematoda). The changes in the seasonal dynamics of parasite infection were investigated throughout the 8 months. The potential effect of the reproductive investment of the host, measured by gonad mass and gonado-somatic index (GSI), on the parasite infection was tested against the prediction that, during periods of high reproductive investment (beginning of the breeding period or forming gonads after breeding), the fish are more susceptible to parasite infection. Differences between parasite loads between genders were also hypothesized. Seasonal differences in infection were observed for all parasite species studied. The values of GSI showed a pattern of energy accumulation in the pre-reproductive period and at the beginning of breeding, a decrease during breeding, and an increase in the post-breeding period. A similar pattern was observed for parasite abundance, a strong or weak increase in spring and/or autumn and a decrease during summer (July and August). Positive correlations between the abundance of Gyrodactylus spp. and R. acus and both gonad mass and GSI were found in females after eliminating the effect of fish weight. Our results suggest that stone loach females are more susceptible to parasite infection in periods of higher reproductive investment. The main factor determining the infection of T. clavata was fish size. The abundance of P. sagittus was positively correlated with GSI in the total fish sample with no detectable effect of sex or fish weight. The increase in cestode infection in spring supports the hypothesis that the parasite life cycle could by synchronized with the beginning of host reproduction, probably induced by increasing fish hormone levels in the spring.

Resurrection of Proteocephalus sagittus (Grimm, 1872) (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) based on morphological and molecular data.

This paper presents a redescription of the proteocephalidean cestode Proteocephalus sagittus (Grimm, 1872) based on freshly collected specimens from the type-host, the stone loach Barbatula barbatula (L.) (family Balitoridae), from the Czech Republic. This species has recently been synonymised with P. torulosus (Batsch, 1786), a parasite of cyprinid fishes in the Holarctic Region, but it differs in the following characters: (i) scolex morphology (scolex rounded, with more apically situated suckers and lacking longitudinal wrinkles in P. sagittus versus large and club-shaped, with more laterally situated suckers and longitudinal wrinkles in P. torulosus); (ii) position of the vagina (opens anterior to the cirrus-sac in P. sagittus versus overlapping its distal region dorsally in P. torulosus); (iii) length of the cirrus-sac (shorter in P. sagittus); (iv) osmoregulatory canals (more distinct and situated more laterally, but almost indistinguishable and more medial in P. torulosus); and (v) sequences of the partial 18S rRNA (V4 region - 96.9% similarity) and 5.8S-ITS2 genes (65.9% similarity). P. pamirensis Dzhalilov & Ashurova, 1971, a poorly described species from the Tibetan stone loach Noemacheilus stoliczkai[= Tryplophysa stoliczkae (Steindachner)] in Tadjikistan, is synonymised with P. sagittus.

The first species of Thelastoma Leidy, 1849 (Nematoda: Thelastomatidae) parasitising the scorpion Euscorpius italicus (Chactidae: Scorpionidea).

A new species, Thelastoma euscorpii, (Thelastomatidae: Oxyuroidea) is described from Euscorpius italicus (Chactidae) on Pag Island (Kvarner Islands), Croatia. The new taxon differs from all other species of Thelastoma in having a cuticle with fine transverse striae. The excretory pore of the female specimens is located in a prebulbar position, the tail is short and subfiliform (5.5-9.3% of the total body length), and the eggs are small (47-52 x 24-29 microm). The males have a short oesophagus and no spicules. This is the first nematode species found in scorpions (Scorpionidea).