Small intestinal flukes of the genus Metagonimus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) in Europe and the Middle East: A review of parasites with zoonotic potential.

The heterophyid trematode Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915) (Digenea) is redescribed on the basis of type material from domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in Romania, vouchers from experimentally infected cats (Felis catus) and adults recovered from golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with metacercariae from scales of chub (Squalius cephalus) and common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) in Hungary. This trematode, endemic to Europe and neighbouring regions (northwestern Türkiye), was previously misidentified as M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), a zoonotic parasite of humans in East Asia. However, the two species differ considerably both genetically and morphologically, e.g., in the position of the ventral sucker, the presence of the prepharynx, the anterior extent of the vitelline follicles and the posterior extent of the uterus. Metagonimus ciureanus (Witenberg, 1929) (syn. Dexiogonimus ciureanus Witenberg, 1929), described from domestic cats and dogs in Israel, is a valid species distributed in the Middle East and Transcaucasia, which is also confirmed by molecular data. It differs from all Metagonimus species, including M. romanicus, in having symmetrical testes instead of the oblique testes of the other congeners. The zoonotic significance of M. romanicus and M. ciureanus is unclear, but appears to be low in Europe, mainly because raw or undercooked, whole fish with scales are generally not consumed. Accidental infection of fishermen by metacercariae in the scales when cleaning fish is more likely, but has never been reported. Remains of cyprinoids with scales infected with metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. can be an important natural source of infection for dogs, cats, and other carnivores, which can serve as a reservoir for these parasites.

Title: Petits trématodes intestinaux du genre Metagonimus (Digenea : Heterophyidae) en Europe et au Moyen-Orient : revue de parasites à potentiel zoonotique. Abstract: Le trématode Heterophyidae Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915) (Digenea) est redécrit sur la base de matériel type provenant de chiens domestiques (Canis familiaris) en Roumanie, de vouchers issus de chats (Felis catus) infectés expérimentalement et d'adultes collectés chez des hamsters dorés (Mesocricetus auratus) infectés par des métacercaires provenant d'écailles de chevesne commun (Squalius cephalus) et de nase commun (Chondrostoma nasus) (Cypriniformes : Leuciscidae) de Hongrie. Ce trématode, endémique d'Europe et des régions voisines (nord-ouest de la Turquie), avait été précédemment identifié à tort comme étant M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), un parasite zoonotique des humains en Asie de l'Est. Cependant, les deux espèces diffèrent considérablement sur le plan génétique et morphologique, par exemple par la position de la ventouse ventrale, la présence du prépharynx, l'étendue antérieure des follicules vitellins et l'étendue postérieure de l'utérus. Metagonimus ciureanus (Witenberg, 1929) (syn. Dexiogonimus ciureanus Witenberg, 1929), décrite chez des chats et des chiens domestiques en Israël, est une espèce valide répartie au Moyen-Orient et en Transcaucasie, ce qui est également confirmé par des données moléculaires. Cette espèce diffère de toutes les espèces de Metagonimus, y compris M. romanicus, par ses testicules symétriques au lieu des testicules obliques des autres congénères. L'importance zoonotique de M. romanicus et M. ciureanus n'est pas claire, mais semble faible en Europe, principalement parce que les poissons n'y sont généralement pas consommés crus ou insuffisamment cuits et entiers avec les écailles. L'infection accidentelle des pêcheurs par des métacercaires présents dans les écailles lors du nettoyage du poisson est plus probable mais n'a jamais été signalée. Les restes de poissons cyprinoïdes avec les écailles, infectés par des métacercaires de Metagonimus spp. peuvent être une source naturelle importante d'infection pour les chiens, les chats et autres carnivores, qui peuvent servir de réservoir à ces parasites.

Ultra-structure, genetic characterization and Immunological approach of fish borne zoonotic trematodes (Family: Heterophyidae) of a redbelly tilapia.

Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FBZT) are highly significant zoonotic trematodes that can infect humans by eating raw or undercooked fish harboring active metacercaria. In this investigation, FBZT was found in samples of widely cultivated redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii) obtained from the Fayum governorate. Encysted metacercaria (EMC) infection was identified in fish belonging to the heterophyid family morphologically. The prevalence of heterophyid EMC was 30.5%. EMC was identified and implemented in a subsequent study on domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) carried out to allow adult flukes of Pygidiopsis (P.) genata; P. summa; and Ascocotyle (A.) pindoramensis species in their small intestine. This study presents the first report that combines ultra-structure, molecular approach of three species of heterophyid flukes, ultra-structure using transmission electron microscope in P. genata, and the study of host immunological responses and associated cytokines during Pygidiopsis species infection of pigeons in Egypt. Using Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT- PCR), the gene expression levels of six cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TGF-ß3) were assessed. The molecular confirmation of P. genata, P. summa, and A. pindoramensis have a registration in the GenBank under accession number MT672308.1, OR083433.1, and OR083431.1, respectively. Throughout the infection, the gut produced cytokines in considerably variable amounts. As a result of the Pygidiopsis species infection in pigeons, our data showed distinctive cytokine alterations, which could aid in figuring out the immunological pathogenesis and host defense mechanism against this infection. This study focused on different types of fish-borne trematodes, particularly the zoonotically important ones.

Resolution of cryptic species complexes within the genus Metagonimus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) in Japan, with descriptions of four new species.

A nationwide fish survey was conducted in Japan to detect metacercariae of the genus Metagonimus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae). The metacercariae were subjected to DNA barcoding for molecular species identification. A phylogeny inferred from the sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) prompted us to recognize three cryptic species complexes (i.e., the M. miyatai complex, the M. takahashii complex, and the M. katsuradai complex). Each complex included one or two undescribed species. For morphological description, adult flukes of each species were raised through the experimental infections of immunosuppressed mice. We propose M. saitoi n. sp., M. kogai n. sp., M. shimazui n. sp., and M. kinoi n. sp., based on their phylogeny, morphology, biogeography, and ecology (host-parasite relationships). The originally described species, M. miyatai, was split into M. miyatai sensu stricto and M. saitoi n. sp. The former is distributed mainly in eastern Japan and uses the sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis) and daces (Pseudaspius hakonensis and Ps. sachalinensis) as principal second intermediate hosts, while the latter is in western Japan and its principal fish hosts are the dark chub (Nipponocypris temminckii) and the pale chub (Opsariichthys platypus). The present survey resolves a long-standing controversy on the microtaxonomy of Metagonimus in Japan since the first discovery of Metagonimus yokogawai in 1912, and shows that 10 species of Metagonimus are still distributed in Japan, although human metagonimiasis is almost eradicated.

The Life Cycle of Heterophyes yacyretana n. sp. (Digenea, Heterophyidae), Parasitic in the Endemic Snail Aylacostoma chloroticum (Caenogastropoda, Thiaridae) in Argentina.

Here we describe a new heterophyid species, Heterophyes yacyretana n. sp., and resolve its life cycle experimentally. We found the prosobranch snail Aylacostoma chloroticum in Candelaria, Province of Misiones, Argentina (a sector of the High Paraná River affected by the Yacyretá Dam), naturally infected with opisthorchioid cercariae. These cercariae lacked pigmented eyespots as well as body pigment and possessed 7 pairs of penetration glands arranged in 2 lateral bands, together with 18 pairs of flame cells and a V-shaped excretory vesicle. We exposed specimens of 21 fish species to emerging cercariae and obtained metacercariae from the muscles of the caudal peduncle of 3 species of siluriform fish, and adults from chicks infected with experimentally obtained metacercariae from the albino variety of the bronce corydoras, Corydoras aeneus. The new species differs from other species in the genus by the number of sclerites on the genital sac, the distribution of the vitelline follicles, and the combination of the size relationship of the suckers and the genital sac with respect to the posterior extent of intestinal ceca. Heterophyes yacyretana is the first species of the genus reported from the Americas.

Haplorchis pumilio (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) as a new fish-borne zoonotic agent transmitted by Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) in Brazil: A morphological and molecular study.

The fishborne zoonotic trematode Haplorchis pumilio (Looss, 1896) is here reported for the first time in Brazil based on morphological, experimental and molecular studies. Pleurolophocercous cercariae emerged from the invasive snail Melanoides tuberculata collected in the municipality of Ceará-Mirim, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast region of Brazil, in November 2018, were used for experimental infection of guppies, Poecilia reticulata. Metacercariae were extracted from the caudal musculature of these fishes and were used to infect mice. Adult parasites recovered in the small intestine of the mice were morphologically identified as H. pumilio. Molecular sequences were obtained for the Brazilian and Peruvian isolates of H. pumilio, and were compared with data available in GenBank. Analyses of fragments of the nuclear genes 28S (1219 bp) and ITS-2 (290 bp) revealed 98.48-100% similarity between the South American and Asian isolates of H. pumilio. Moreover, new sequences of the mitochondrial gene cox-1 obtained for the Brazilian (797 bp) and Peruvian (646 pb) isolates were 100% similar to a Mexican isolate of this species and 97.54% similar to an isolate from Thailand. This finding reveals the potential for occurrence of human haplorchiasis in Brazil, especially because of the increasing popularity of raw fish dishes in the country.

A New Species of Cryptocotyle (Digenea: Heterophyidae) Infecting Kelp Gull and a Galaxiid Fish in Patagonian Freshwater Environments: Morphological and Molecular Analyses.

Adults of a species of Cryptocotyle were found infecting the intestine of the kelp gull, Larus dominicanus Lichtenstein, 1823, and metacercariae were found in the fins and muscle of the galaxiid fish, Galaxias platei Steindachner, 1898 (local name "puyen grande"), in Nahuel Huapi National Park (Patagonia). Morphometrics and genetic markers of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) confirmed that adults and metacercariae were conspecific and represent a new species, Cryptocotyle dominicana n. sp. The only congener known from South America (Cryptocotyle thapari McIntosh, 1953) matures in river otters (Lutra spp. and Pteronura spp.) in Brazil and Bolivia and differs from the new species in the arrangement of the testes, which are located in tandem in the species from otters. Adults of the new species resemble Cryptocotyle lingua (Creplin, 1825) Fischoeder, 1903 from marine environments of the Northern Hemisphere, both species being characterized by having a linguiform body, oblique testes, and vitelline follicles that extend posteriorly to the level of the ventral sucker. Considering the morphological findings that differentiate the new species from other Cryptocotyle, as well as the molecular analysis that shows significant differences from C. lingua, we conclude that these specimens represent a new species, the first of the genus Cryptocotyle to be described from birds in South America.

Eurytrema coelomaticum: updated morphology of adult worms using advanced microscopy experiments.

Eurytrema coelomaticum is a digenean flatworm of ruminants that is the causative agent of eurytrematosis, a disease of veterinary health concern. Although modern techniques of morphological analysis have provided new insights about the morphology and anatomy of parasitic helminths, most studies on E. coelomaticum adults are based on conventional light microscopy. In the present study, a combined approach using brightfield, fluorescence, confocal and scanning electron microscopies (SEMs), together with the cryofracture technique, have updated morphological data on E. coelomaticum recovered from cattle in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Light microscopy confirmed the presence of several structures present in the current description, such as suckers, pharynx, oesophagus, intestinal bifurcation and the cirrus-sac. Fluorescence stereomicroscopy revealed for the first time the cubic crystal protein inclusions in the forebody, which were further detailed by confocal and SEMs. Confocal microscopy provided detailed information of the muscular architecture associated with the attachment structures (suckers), digestive system (pharynx and oesophagus), egg-forming complex (ovary, Mehlis' gland and Laurer's canal) and male reproductive system, which are similar to those found in other digenean flukes. SEM images of cryofractured parasites showed mucus and developing eggs within uterine loops. It was demonstrated that the combination of advanced tools generated complementary information, confirming the importance of experimental morphology in parasitology. Therefore, the knowledge of the adult structural organization of E. coelomaticum was improved and this work has contributed to propose new morphological criteria to evaluate the effects of antiparasitic drugs on flukes of medical and veterinary importance.

Galactosomum otepotiense n. sp. (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) infecting four different species of fish-eating birds in New Zealand: genetically identical but morphologically variable.

Trematodes of the genus Galactosomum are cosmopolitan parasites that infect the intestines of fish-eating birds and mammals. Adults of named Galactosomum species have not been recorded from bird hosts in New Zealand, despite their cercarial stage being known from various studies of the first intermediate host, Zeacumantus subcarinatus. Here we describe a new species of Galactosomum infecting four different piscivorous birds in New Zealand: Caspian terns, red-billed and black-backed gulls and little blue penguins. Specimens from each of these hosts are genetically identical in the genes sequenced, but show considerable morphological variability. Galactosomum otepotiense n. sp. is distinguished from most other members of the 'bearupi-group' in having a single circle of spines on the ventral sucker, and spines, as opposed to scales, over most of the body. It is most similar to G. bearupi and G. angelae, both from Caspian terns in Australia, but differs in the relative sizes of the reproductive organs and in the possession of a very long forebody. Molecular data confirm that G. otepotiense is not conspecific with G. bearupi, but 28S and ITS2 phylogenies show its close relationship to G. bearupi and other Australian species. We use the cox1 sequence to confirm identity with the larval stage infecting Z. subcarinatus, as previously described in the literature. We discuss briefly the relationships between Australian and New Zealand Galactosomum spp. and their hosts, variability between genetically identical specimens found in different hosts and their potential for harm to mariculture economy.

Morphological framework for attachment and locomotion in several Digenea of the families Microphallidae and Heterophyidae.

Digenea usually use ventral sucker for sustainable attachment within intestine of their definitive vertebrate host. However, if the ventral sucker is absent or poorly developed, the means of attachment are unclear. We investigated attachment and locomotion in such digeneans: three species of the family Microphallidae (Microphallus piriformes, M. pygmaeus, and Levinseniella brachysoma) and two species of the family Heterophyidae (Cryptocotyle concava and C. lingua). Their tegumental spines and musculature were described with use of fluorescent actin staining, confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Locomotion of living worms was observed and recorded. Wide serrated tegumental spines probably play the main role in attachment. Their firm contact with the host mucosa may be provided by the action of the ventral concavity-when the entire body or its part acts as a sucker. Dorsoventral muscle bundles act like radial musculature of the sucker generating negative pressure in the ventral concavity. The solid layer of longitudinal muscle fibers on the ventral body surface provides support for the bottom of the ventral concavity. In all microphallids, a U-shaped arrangement of body wall musculature (mostly originating from longitudinal fibers) outlines posterior part of the ventral concavity ridge. In all the studied species, tegumental spines, body wall musculature, and dorsoventral muscle bundles are better developed in the forebody which moves more actively than the hindbody.

Two new species of Haplorchoides Chen, 1949 (Digenea: Heterophyidae) infecting an Australian siluriform fish, Neoarius graeffei Kner & Steindachner.

Combined morphological and molecular analyses are used to characterise two new species of Haplorchoides Chen, 1949 (Digenea: Heterophyidae) from an Australian siluriform fish. Haplorchoides maiwariensis n. sp. and H. daguilarensis n. sp. are described from the intestine of the Blue salmon catfish, Neoarius graeffei (Kner & Steindachner) (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from tidal reaches of the Brisbane River and from a freshwater creek off Lake Wivenhoe, Kipper Creek, Australia. The two new species most obviously differ from all previously described species of Haplorchoides in possessing clearly and reliably tripartite seminal vesicles. The two new species differ in the size and distribution of vitelline follicles, the size of the pigment granules and the form of the ventral sucker. Previously described species of Haplorchoides have been reported from Africa and Asia, principally from bagrid, schilbeid, silurid and sisorid catfishes; these are the first species reported from an ariid catfish. Complete ITS2 and partial 28S ribosomal DNA data were generated for both new species. The two species differ from each other by eight base pairs in the ITS2 region, and by 13 bp for the 28S region. The 28S rDNA sequence of H. daguilarensis agrees with a previously reported sequence from an unidentified species of Haplorchoides collected from N. graeffei in Lake Wivenhoe, Australia; we identify this previous report as relating to H. daguilarensis.

Description of Metagonimus pusillus sp. nov. (Trematoda: Heterophyidae): phylogenetic relationships within the genus.

As a result of experimental studies conducted in the Russian southern Far East, adult worms from the genus Metagonimus were obtained. A comparative analysis of the morphometry of these worms with other Metagonimus representatives showed that they are most similar to M. katsuradai Izumi, 1935 and M. otsurui Shimazu & Urabe, 2002 found in Japan, due to the ratio of suckers and the positions of the testicle, uterus and vitellaria. However, Russian worms differ from species in Japan by other metric characters: they differ from M. otsurui by the maximum size of most organs and from M. katsuradai by body width, pharynx length, and maximum size of testes and ovary. At the same time, they are identical to a trematode from the Russian southern Far East, which was previously identified as M. katsuradai. The validity of this species was also confirmed by genetic data. According to the 28S gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of rDNA, as well as the cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene of mtDNA, the Metagonimus specimens found in Russia differ from published genetic data for other members of this genus. However, both morphological similarity and molecular data showed that M. pusillus sp. nov., M. katsuradai and M. otsurui are most likely cryptic species. Furthermore, additional data based on a mitochondrial marker were provided for M. suifunensis Shumenko, Tatonova & Besprozvannykh, 2017 from Russia.

Prevalence of Centrocestus formosanus Metacercariae in Ornamental Fish from Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Molecular Approach Using ITS2.

The prevalence of Centrocestus formosanus metacercariae was investigated in ornamental fish purchased from a pet shop in Chiang Mai, Thailand, including Carassius auratus (goldfish), Cyprinus carpio (Koi), Poecilia latipinna (Sailfin Molly), Danio rerio (Zebrafish), and Puntigrus tetrazona (Tiger barb). The parasite species was identified by the morphology of worms as well as by a molecular approach using ITS2. The results showed that 50 (33.3%) of 150 fish examined were infected with the metacercariae. The highest prevalence was found in C. auratus (83.3%), and the highest intensity was noted in C. carpio (70.8 metacercariae/fish). The most important morphological character was the presence of 32-34 circumoral spines on the oral sucker. The phylogenetic studies using the rRNA ITS2 region revealed that all the specimens of C. formosanus in this study were grouped together with C. formosanus in GenBank database. This is the first report on ornamental fish, C. carpio, P. latipinna, D. rerio, and P. tetrazona, taking the role of second intermediate hosts of C. formosanus in Thailand. Prevention and control of metacercarial infection in ornamental fish is urgently needed.

Molecular Phylogenetics of Centrocestus formosanus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) Originated from Freshwater Fish from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

This study aimed to investigate the morphology and reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Centrocestus formosanus originating from 5 species of freshwater fish, i.e., Esomus metallicus, Puntius brevis, Anabas testudineus, Parambassis siamensis, and Carassius auratus, in Chiang Mai province, Thailand. Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and phylogeny based on internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) were performed. The results showed similar morphologies of adult C. formosanus from day 5 after infection in chicks. C. formosanus originated from 4 species of freshwater fish had the same number of circumoral spines on the oral sucker, except for those from C. auratus which revealed 34 circumoral spines. The phylogenetic tree obtained from SRAP profile and the combination of ITS2 and CO1 sequence showed similar results that were correlated with the number of circumoral spines in adult worms. Genetic variability of C. formosanus also occurred in different species of freshwater fish hosts. However, more details of adult worm morphologies and more sensitive genetic markers are needed to confirm the species validity of C. formosanus with 34 circumoral spines originating from C. auratus in the future.

Trematodes with a reproductive division of labour: heterophyids also have a soldier caste and early infections reveal how colonies become structured.

Recent findings have extended the documentation of complex sociality to the Platyhelminthes, describing the existence of a reproductive division of labour involving a soldier caste among the parthenitae of trematode parasites. However, all species examined to date occupy high positions in trematode interspecific dominance hierarchies and belong to two closely related families, the Echinostomatidae and the Philophthalmidae (Superfamily Echinostomatoidea). Further, the two species documented as lacking soldiers also belong to the Echinostomatidae. Here, we examine four species of intermediate dominance, all belonging to the family Heterophyidae (Superfamily Opisthorchioidea): Euhaplorchis californiensis, Phocitremoides ovale, Pygidiopsoides spindalis and Stictodora hancocki, all of which infect the California horn snail, Cerithideopsis californica (=Cerithidea californica). We quantify morphology, distribution and behaviour of rediae from fully developed colonies. We also provide information on colony structure for three developing heterophyid colonies to better understand colony development. We discuss the implications of our findings, particularly with respect to how they suggest alternatives to the conclusions of other researchers concerning the nature of trematode sociality. Our analyses of morphological, distributional and behavioural patterns of developed colonies indicate that these heterophyid trematodes have a non-reproductive caste whose function is defence of the colony from invading trematodes. Hence, a soldier caste occurs for species lower in dominance hierarchies than previously known, and is present in at least two superfamilies of digenean trematodes, suggesting that selection for a soldier caste may be much more common among the Trematoda than previously recognised.

Metagonimus suifunensis sp. n. (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) from the Russian Southern Far East: Morphology, life cycle, and molecular data.

The trematode from the Russian Southern Far East, earlier defined as M. yokogawai Katsuradai, 1912, was determined as a representative of the new species Metagonimus suifunensis sp. n. The life cycle of this trematode was experimentally studied and morphometric data for the cercariae, metacercariae and adult worm stages were obtained. The molecular data for samples from six Russian localities were received using the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and 28S gene nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results revealed that M. suifunensis sp. n. does not have significant morphometric differences with M. yokogawai, M. takahashii and M. miyatai. However, the new species validity was confirmed by the molecular data. The phylogenetic relationship analysis of Metagonimus representatives showed that M. suifunensis sp. n. is well-differentiated specie with low variability in the whole area.

Molecular characterization and confocal laser scanning microscopic study of Pygidiopsis macrostomum (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) parasites of guppies Poecilia vivipara.

Pygidiopsis macrostomum and Ascocotyle (Phagicola) pindoramensis (Digenea: Heterophyidae) parasitize guppies as intermediate hosts and, respectively, fish-eating mammals or birds as definitive hosts. Heterophyids have zoonotic potential, and molecular studies associated with morphological and ecological aspects have helped to clarify their taxonomy and phylogeny. Poecilia vivipara naturally parasitized by metacercariae of both species (100% prevalence) exhibit no external signs of parasitism. In this work, four new sequences of P. macrostomum (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and ITS2 rDNA) and one new sequence of A. (P.) pindoramensis (mtDNA cox-1) are presented. Phylogeny reconstructions linked P. macrostomum to other heterophyids, but the separation of the Heterophyidae and Opisthorchiidae remains unclear. Additionally, we used indirect immunocytochemistry and the phalloidin-fluorescence techniques allied with confocal laser scanning microscopy to describe muscular and neuronal structures of P. macrostomum. A complex arrangement of muscular fibres is associated with the tegument, suckers, gut and reproductive system. Radial fibres around the ventral sucker are thick, branched and extend to the body wall. High-resolution confocal imaging revealed a typical digenean muscular arrangement and important heterophyid morphological traits. These data will support future control measures to reduce the parasitism in guppies reared in fish farming systems, especially for aquarium and experimental purposes.

Stellantchasmus falcatus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) in Cambodia: Discovery of Metacercariae in Mullets and Recovery of Adult Flukes in an Experimental Hamster.

Stellantchasmus falcatus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) is first reported from Cambodia through recovery of the metacercariae from mullet fish and adult flukes from an experimentally infected hamster. We purchased 7 mullets, Chelon macrolepis, in a local market of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and each of them was examined by the artificial digestion method on May 2010. The metacercariae of S. falcatus were detected in all mullets (100%) examined, and their average density was 177 per fish. They were elliptical, 220×168 µm in average size. They were orally infected to an hamster to obtain adult flukes. Adults recovered at day 10 post infection were observed with a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). They were small, 450×237 µm in average size, had a small oral sucker (41×50 µm), subglobular pharynx (29×21 µm), slender esophagus (57 µm), long and thick-walled expulsor (119×32 µm), spherical ovary (58×69 µm), and 2 ovoid testes (right: 117×74 µm; left: 114×63 µm). Eggs were small, yellow, and 23×12 µm in average size. In SEM observations, tegumental spines were densely distributed on the whole tegument, and single small type I sensory papillae were distributed around the lip of oral sucker. The small ventral sucker was dextrally located and had 8 type I sensory papillae on the left margin. It has been first confirmed in the present study that the mullet, C. macrolepis, is playing the role of a second intermediate host of S. falcatus in Cambodia.

Metagonimus yokogawai (Trematoda: Heterophyidae): From Discovery to Designation of a Neotype.

Metagonimus yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912) Katsurada, 1912 (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) is parasitic in the small intestine of mammals including man and birds in Far Eastern Russia, Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. In the present study, the metacercariae and adults of M. yokogawai were redescribed to designate a neotype of this fluke together with reviews of previous studies including study histories from the first discovery to now. We particularly, attempted to review the study histories and morphological descriptions of M. yokogawai for the species validity, and compared with the morphological characteristics and life cycles of the closely related species, Metagonimus takahashii and Metagonimus miyatai. Finally, we proposed a differential key for the 8 known Metagonimus species distributed in East Asia. Metacercariae were obtained from the body muscles of sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis) collected in the Asahi River at Takebe-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Adults were recovered from the small intestine of Syrian golden hamsters, to which the metacercariae had been fed 14 days before. A neotype was selected out of the present adult specimens. The Asahi River at Takebo-cho became the type locality of M. yokogawai. In conclusion, the present review shows that M. yokogawai, M. takahashii, and M. miyatai are valid and discriminated by means of morphological characteristics.

First molecular identification of Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa in its first intermediate host the mud snail Heleobia australis.

This is the first study that used species-specific DNA primers to confirm the presence of the heterophyid Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa Ransom, 1920 in its first intermediate host. The larval stages (rediae and cercariae) of this parasite were morphologically and genetically identified in the gonad of the intertidal mud snail Heleobia australis (d'Orbigny, 1835) (Cochliopidae) in the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. In addition, we asked whether the prevalence in H. australis varied between seasons. Mullets - the second intermediate host of this heterophyid - migrate in estuaries during the warmer seasons and it is expected that piscivorous birds and mammals - the definitive hosts - prey more intensively on this species at those times. Thus, the number of parasite eggs released into the tidal flat within their feces should be higher, thereby increasing the ingestion of the parasite by H. australis.We therefore expected a higher prevalence of A. (P.) longa in H. australis in the Bahía Blanca estuary during spring and summer than autumn and winter. We found that 16 out of 2,744 specimens of H. australis had been infected with A. (P.) longa (total prevalence of 0.58%). Nonetheless, the prevalence showed no significant variation between seasons. Hence, we discuss an alternative scenario where the lack of seasonal changes might be mostly related to the permanent residence of definitive hosts in the estuary and not to the seasonal recruitment of mullets. Finally, we highlight the need for more experimental and comparative approaches in order to understand the diagnosis and geographical distribution of this worldwide heterophyid.

Discovery of natural infection by Metagonimus hakubaensis Shimazu, 1999 (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) in Japanese water shrews (Chimarrogale platycephala) in Japan.

A total of 611 preserved adult Metagonimus spp. specimens recovered from 32 of 53 Japanese water shrews (Chimarrogale platycephala) that had previously been collected in Aomori Prefecture between June 1994 and August 1996, were examined in this study. Morphological examination revealed that 603 of these flukes were identical to M. hakubaensis Shimazu, 1999, and that the others were M. takahashii Suzuki, 1930 (n=4), M. otsurui Saito et Shimizu, 1968 (n=2), and M. miyatai Saito et al., 1997 (n=2). Each of the 32 Japanese water shrews infected with M. hakubaensis contained between 1 and 83 flukes. This is the first record of the natural final host for M. hakubaensis, since this fluke species was described.