Microhabitat Selection and Eyefluke Infection Levels in the Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis).

Several trematode species infect the eyes of fish as second intermediate hosts. In most cases the definitive host is a piscivorous bird. Studies of a few species have shown an increase in transmission due to decreased visual acuity of the fish host. However, this may vary depending on trematode microhabitat choice within the eye. Some trematode species are found in the lens, some are found in the vitreous humor, and others have been reported from the retina. Here we report 3 genera of eyeflukes in 3 locations of the eye in the intermediate fish host, Gambusia affinis . Clinostomum metacercariae were found attached to the outer sclera within the eye orbit, and Diplostomum metacercariae were found in the lens. Posthodiplostomum metacercariae were confirmed by histology to reside between the choroid and pigmented retina. Posthodiplostomum metacercariae were found in both eyes of all 20 fish examined and in high intensities (up to 27 metacercariae per eye). High trematode intensities between the choroid and pigmented retina found in this study may disrupt vision in this fish host. Our study is the first to document the microhabitat of all 3 trematode metacercariae within the eye of G. affinis .

Pathological Response of Northern Bobwhites to Oxyspirura petrowi Infections.

The effects of Oxyspirura petrowi infections in northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ) are not well understood. While studies have reported O. petrowi infections, none has histopathologically examined the eye surface and intraorbital glands to assess cellular-level impacts associated with infection. This study is the first to document the histopathology associated with O. petrowi infections. Oxyspirura petrowi occurred on the eye surface as well as in the conjunctiva, lacrimal ducts, lacrimal glands, and Harderian glands. Histopathology showed infections of O. petrowi caused cellular damage to these tissues, scarring and interstitial keratitis of the cornea, and acinar atrophy of the Harderian gland.

Gregarines infecting Ischnura spp. in Texas, U.S.A., including description of Septemlaterospora rasberryi n. gen. n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) and revision of Steganorhynchus dunwoodyi (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae: Menosporinae).

Septemlaterospora rasberryi n. gen. n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) is described from adults of Ischnura ramburii (Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Septemlaterospora n. gen is distinguished by the form of the oocysts: terminally truncated heptagonal bipyramids bearing 7 equatorial spines, 1 at each equatorial vertex, 7 terminal spines obliquely inserted at each pole, 1 at each vertex created by polar truncation; 21 spines total. The holdfast is compound, comprising a terminal epimerite and intercalating diamerite; epimerite is a thick disk or linearly crateriform sucker; diamerite is short (less than half of the total holdfast length) and very broadly obdeltoid. Association occurs immediately before syzygy and is cephalolateral and biassociative. Gametocysts are spherical with a conspicuous hyaline coat. Lacking conspicuous sporoducts, they dehisce by simple rupture. Steganorhynchus dunwoodyi is redescribed utilizing a new complete taxonomic data set, consisting of a larger set of metric characters and based on uniformly prepared, permanent specimens. New host and geographic records are reported for Calyxocephalus karyopera, Domadracunculus janovyi, Nubenocephalus secundus, and Steganorhynchus dunwoodyi, and the type host of D. janovyi is amended.