An annotated checklist of the genus Pterygodermatites Wedl, 1861 (Nematoda: Rictulariidae), with notes on hosts and geographical distribution.

Species of rictulariid nematodes belonging to the genus Pterygodermatites Wedl, 1861 are parasites of mammals with a wide geographical distribution. The taxonomy of this speciose genus is complex and based mainly on morphological traits of the cephalic structures and cuticular processes. Currently, the known species are allocated to five subgenera [P. (Paucipectines), P. (Neopaucipectines), P. (Multipectines), P. (Pterygodermatites) and P. (Mesopectines)], based on the classification proposed in 1969 by Quentin. Studies on life cycles, taxonomy, biogeography and association of these parasites with mammals peaked at the end of the 1960s. Although the momentum was lost, new species and geographic records have been added in the last 50 years. Therefore, an updated checklist of species of Pterygodermatites is presented here, based on a literature survey. Information on classification, geographical distribution and host range obtained for 68 species is presented, including a distribution map. Moreover, the main differential morphological traits related to each species are tabulated. More than 140 species from 10 different mammalian orders (Carnivora, Chiroptera, Didelphimorphia, Erinaceomorpha, Macroscelidae, Microbiotheria, Paucituberculata, Primates, Rodentia and Xenarthra) have been reported as hosts of Pterygodermatites spp. The taxonomic information here compiled can contribute to future studies on the biogeography, in addition to evolutionary and ecological aspects of this diverse but poorly known genus of parasitic nematodes of mammals.

Deep in the systematics of Camallanidae (Nematoda): using integrative taxonomy to better understand the phylogeny and consistency of diagnostic traits.

Due to conflicts between classic and molecular systematics of Camallanidae, different data types were used for the first time, to better understand the evolutionary history and taxa consistency within this family. Genetic [18S and 28S rDNA; cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA], morphological and life history traits were used to infer phylogenies using Bayesian inference, reconstructed from separated and concatenated datasets. The consistency of tree and morphological traits was evaluated using the consistency index. Characters were mapped on the trees and the phylogenetic informativeness of genetic markers was estimated. Phylogenetic informativeness of 18S provided better resolution for outer nodes, COI for inners and 28S had an intermediate profile. New sequences for two camallanid species were obtained. Phylogenies of genetic and concatenated data largely agreed, showing more divergence in the COI dataset, due to its higher mutation rate vs stable morphology for diagnosing higher taxa. No genus sustained monophyly. The lack of autapomorphy and phylogenetic proximity supported the partition of Batrachocamallanus as synonym of Procamallanus and Spirocamallanus, which should not be considered as subgenera. Although traits of buccal capsule, male tail, habitat, host and biogeographic were highly consistent, intrinsic patterns varied according to different taxa assemblages. Morphological systematics of Camallanidae, based on buccal capsule, is artificial for certain taxa.

Redescription of Serratospiculum seurati Bain & Mawson, 1981 (Nematoda; Diplotriaenidae) from Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771).

Air sac nematodes from birds are known for more than 200 years now and Filaria attenuata was the first described species from falcons, owl and corvid birds. The superficial description and the loss of the original material made F. attenuata a species inquirenda. Seurat (1915) redescribed the species with material from lanner falcon and pallid harrier from Algeria and based on this description Bain and Mawson, Rec S Aust Mus 18:265-28, (1981) created a new species, Serratospiculum seurati, by adding some, slightly divergent, measurements. The current paper is based on light and scanning electron microscopy of five male and 10 female S. seurati specimens from a Peregrine falcon that acquired the infection in Pakistan. The length of the slender male and female nematodes varied between 42-70 and 165-221 mm, respectively, spicules of unequal shape and length measured 292-325 and 638-785 µm. S. seurati was also found in Saker, Barbary and crossbreed falcons.

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923, in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) from the Adriatic sea: first detection and molecular characterization.

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) is found worldwide in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Regarding the Mediterranean, C. carettae has been identified in the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea and a unique description of a Cucullanus sp. specimen in loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea has been reported in the literature so far. In the framework of a bio-monitoring project of the Abruzzo and Molise coasts, a parasitological survey was performed on stranded and by-caught sea turtles, at the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise "G. Caporale." During necropsy, the gastrointestinal system of 72 stranded loggerhead turtles was analyzed for the presence of endoparasites and fecal samples were collected for coprological examination. Adult C. carettae (n = 123) was found in the upper intestine of one loggerhead turtle, associated with chronic lymphoplasmocytic enteritis. Additionally, five stool samples (6.9%) were positive for Cucullanus sp. eggs. Molecular characterization of adult nematodes was carried out to study phylogenetic relationships among the Cucullanus species. To our knowledge, this is the first morphological and molecular identification of C. carettae in loggerhead turtles from the Adriatic Sea. Additional studies on the distribution of this parasite in the Mediterranean are encouraged.

Morphology and phylogeny of the parasitic nematode Mooleptus rabuka (Machida, Ogawa & Okiyama, 1982) (Rhabditida, Spirurina: Mooleptinae nom. nov.), with notes on taxonomy of the family Gnathostomatidae.

The nematode Mooleptus rabuka is recorded in the digestive tract of catshark Apristurus fedorovi caught at the Imperial Ridge (Pacific Ocean). Important morphological features such as the number of cephalic and caudal papillae, the position of amphids and the shape of the gubernaculum are detailed in this parasite species. According to the phylogenetic analyses based on the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, M. rabuka forms a lineage, Mooleptinae nom. nov., which is close to the gnathostomatid genus Echinocephalus (maximum likelihood analysis), or else forms a polytomy with this genus and the lineages of Anguillicola + Spiroxys and Tanqua + 'Linstowinema' sp. (Bayesian inference analysis). Overall, our findings do not support the monophyly of the Gnathostomatidae. We elevate spiroxyines to the family status, Spiroxyidae stat. nov., and temporarily consider the Gnathostomatidae to include the following subfamilies: Ancyracanthinae Yorke & Maplestone, 1926, Gnathostomatinae Railliet, 1895 sensu lato and Mooleptinae nom. nov. The name Mooleptinae nom. nov. is suggested instead of the Metaleptinae Moravec & Nagasawa, 2000, which is based on a preoccupied generic name Metaleptus Machida, Ogawa & Okiyama, 1982.

Vertical Transmission of a Nematode from Female Lizards to the Brains of Their Offspring.

Parasites have evolved a diversity of lifestyles that exploit the biology of their hosts. Some nematodes that parasitize mammals pass via the placenta or milk from one host to another. Similar cases of vertical transmission have never been reported in avian and nonavian reptiles, suggesting that egg laying may constrain the means of parasite transmission. However, here we report the first incidence of transovarial transmission of a previously undescribed nematode in an egg-laying amniote, the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). Nematodes enter the developing brain from the female ovary early in embryonic development. Infected lizard embryos develop normally and hatch with nematodes residing in their braincase. We present a morphological and molecular phylogenetic characterization of the nematode and suggest that particular features of lizard biology that are absent from birds and turtles facilitated the evolutionary origin of this novel life history.

An integrative approach assesses the intraspecific variations of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus, a common parasite in Neotropical freshwater fishes, and the phylogenetic patterns of Camallanidae.

Integrative taxonomy was used to evaluate two component populations of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus in Brazil and the phylogeny Camallanidae. Parasite populations were collected in the characiform Anostomoides passionis from River Xingu (Amazon basin) and Megaleporinus elongatus from River Miranda (Paraguay basin). Morphology was analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Genetic characterization was based on partial sequences of the 18S and 28S rDNA, and COI mtDNA. Phylogenies were based on 18S and COI due to data availability. Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC), Poisson Tree Process (PTP) and *BEAST were used for species delimitation and validation. SEM revealed for the first time the presence of minute denticles and pore-like structures surrounding the oral opening, phasmids in females and confirmed other important morphological aspects. Statistical comparison between the two-component populations indicated morphometric variations, especially among males. The different component population of P. (S.) inopinatus showed variable morphometry, but uniform morphology and were validated as conspecific by the GMYC, PTP and *BEAST. Some camallanid sequences in GenBank have incorrect taxonomic labelling. Host, environment and geographic aspects seem to be related to some lineages within Camallanidae; however, their real phylogenetic meanings are still unclear.

Germination capacity of the Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus after its passage through the gastrointestinal tract of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

This study evaluated the germination capacity of Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4) fungus after its passage through the gastrointestinal tract of domestic chickens and its interaction with Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum eggs. Twenty-two domestic chickens were divided in two groups: control group (G1) received shredded corn substrate without VC4; and treatment group (G2) received a single dose of 29 g corn substrate containing 3.3 × 106 conidia/chlamydospores (VC4). Subsequently, chicken fecal samples were collected at intervals of 0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 and 24 h. Petri dishes from fecal samples of the treated group (G2) were subdivided (G2a and G2b), and then replicated in 2% agar-water medium for the microbiological test. After VC4 growth, approximately 200 eggs of A. galli (G2a) and H. gallinarum (G2b) were added to each subgroup to evaluation of ovicidal activity. There was fungal viability after passage through chicken gastrointestinal tract and egg predation of 59.9% and 43.2% for A. galli and H. gallinarum, respectively. The present work demonstrates the ability of the fungus P. chlamydosporia to survive after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of domestic chickens, an extreme environment (low pH, enzymes, microbiota and mechanical action), and still germinate after being excreted with feces.

Diurnal variation in egg excretion by Heterakis gallinarum.

Periodicity in nematode egg excretion may be of evolutionary origin as it can favour dispersal of the eggs in the environment. We investigated whether egg excretion by Heterakis gallinarum shows a repeatable pattern of periodicity. The faecal egg concentration and total number of eggs excreted within 4-h intervals were significantly affected by the sampling time within 1 day, but remained unaffected by the sampling day or interaction effects. By contrast, the total number of eggs excreted within 24 h did not differ among the 4 days of the study, collectively indicating repeatable egg excretion patterns. Both host feces and parasite egg excretion increased from night to late afternoon, followed by a decrease in the evening, resulting in higher egg excretion during daytime than the dark period. Feces excretion and worm fecundity showed overlapping diurnal rhythms with similarly timed phases, suggesting the existence of synchronicity between the host feces and nematode egg excretion patterns. We conclude that egg excretion by H. gallinarum is synchronized with host feces excretion and is higher during the daytime than during the dark period. This overlaps with the maximum activity of the day-active host and allows a maximal dispersal of the eggs in the environment.

First record of the nematode Echinocephalus pseudouncinatus (Gnathostomatidae, Spirurida) in an edible, commercial host, the pen shell Atrina maura (Bivalvia: Pinnidae).

We describe a nematode infestation of the Atrina maura, the most valuable pen shell fished in Mexico, for the first time. Observations by Mexican authorities indicated that parasites were found encysted in pen shell gonads. The aims of this study included: (i) to identify the parasite morphologically; (ii) to quantify the infestation in different tissues of the pen shell; and (iii) to establish the seasonal variation in gonadal development. During 2015, 10 to 40 pen shells were randomly collected each month from the same commercial bed, and gonads were preserved and processed histologically to establish the seasonal and monthly frequency of infested gonads. A subsample of 35 pen shells was used to identify the parasite and to characterize the infestation of the muscle, mantle, gonad, and digestive gland tissue components. All tissues were dissected, and parasites were collected, photographed, quantified, and adequately preserved for species identification using scanning electron microscopy. Prevalence, intensity of infestation, abundance and crowding data were analyzed by Quantitative Parasitology software and compared monthly and seasonally using a chi test and analysis of means. Results indicated that all parasites were juvenile (second stage) nematodes, Echinocephalus pseudouncinatus. Parasites were found only in muscle and gonad tissues in both male and female pen shells. Hyperpigmentation was observed in the muscle and atretic oocytes with phagocytosis in the gonads. The frequency of infested gonads was significantly higher during winter but was not related to shell size or sex (p > 0.05). A greater number of pen shells were observed to be infested during December and August and during pen shell spawning and development stages. The highest frequency of infested gonads (40%) occurred in December when the lowest temperature and chlorophyll a concentration were recorded. The effects of the biotic and abiotic parameters on this host-pathogen relationship need further research. This nematode species is related to species that are causal agents of gnathostomiasis, which may constitute a health hazard for raw muscle consumers and could affect the reproductive activity of pen shell.

Quantitative analysis of Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) cytokines and TLR expression to eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) glycoproteins.

Helminth parasites have been a popular research topic due to their global prevalence and adverse effects on livestock and game species. The Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), a popular game bird in the USA, is one species subject to helminth infection and has been experiencing a decline of > 4% annually over recent decades. In the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas, the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) helminths are found to be highly prevalent in bobwhite. While there have been increasing studies on the prevalence, pathology, and phylogeny of the eyeworm and caecal worm, there is still a need to investigate the bobwhite immune response to infection. This study utilizes previously sequenced bobwhite cytokines and toll-like receptors to develop and optimize qPCR primers and measure gene expression in bobwhite intramuscularly challenged with eyeworm and caecal worm glycoproteins. For the challenge experiments, separate treatments of eyeworm and caecal worm glycoproteins were administered to bobwhite on day 1 and day 21. Measurements of primary and secondary immune responses were taken at day 7 and day 28, respectively. Using the successfully optimized qPCR primers for TLR7, IL1ß, IL6, IFNα, IFNγ, IL10, and ß-actin, the gene expression analysis from the challenge experiments revealed that there was a measurable immune reaction in bobwhite in response to the intramuscular challenge of eyeworm and caecal worm glycoproteins.

Description of a new species Physaloptera goytaca n. sp. (Nematoda, Physalopteridae) from Cerradomys goytaca Tavares, Pessôa & Gonçalves, 2011 (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Brazil.

Nematodes of the genus Physaloptera are common in rodents, including in species of the Family Cricetidae. There is no report of nematodes parasitizing Cerradomys goytaca, so this is the first one. For this study, 16 rodents were captured in the city of Quissamã, in the northern of Rio de Janeiro State. The rodents were necropsied, and the digestive tracts were analyzed under a stereomicroscope for the presence of parasites. The nematodes were fixed in hot AFA, clarified in Amann's lactophenol, mounted on slides with coverslip, and observed under an optical microscope. Part of the nematodes was fixed in Karnovisk solution for scanning electron microscopy. Nematodes presented evident sexual dimorphism. Oral openings had two semicircular pseudolabia, with an external lateral tooth and an internal lateral tripartite tooth on each pseudolabium. Males had a ventral spiral curved posterior ends with the presence of a caudal alae with 21 papillae with four pairs of pedunculated papillae arranged laterally, three pre-cloacal sessile papillae arranged rectilinearly and five pairs of post-cloacal sessile papillae. There was also a pair of phasmids located between the fourth and fifth pairs of post-cloacal papillae as well as two spicules that were sub-equal in size but of distinct shapes. The females have five uterine branches. The morphological and morphometrical analyses of the nematodes collected from C. goytaca were compared with other species, and the results indicated that this is a new species of the genus Physaloptera, Physaloptera goytaca n. sp.

Morphological and genetic characterization of Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) zygodontomis (Nematoda: Rictulariidae) from Necromys lasiurus (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Uberlândia, Brazil.

Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) zygodontomis, a nematode parasite of the small intestine of the rodent Necromys lasiurus, from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, was analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, phylogenies were inferred from the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I gene (MT-CO1). Details of the helminth surface, such as the oral aperture, cephalic papillae, papillae in the posterior region of the body and longitudinal cuticular elements represented by spine-like projections and fans are presented, adding new taxonomic details. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the MT-CO1, demonstrated that P. (P.) zygodontomis and Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) jaegerskioldi form a unique evolutionary unit in accordance with the subgenus Paucipectines and corroborated their occurrence in cricetid and didelphid hosts.

Epicutaneous sensitization with nematode antigens of fish parasites results in the production of specific IgG and IgE.

Fish consumption plays an important role in the human diet. Hoplias malabaricus, trahira, is a freshwater fish widely appreciated in several Brazilian states and it is frequently infected by Contracaecum multipapillatum third-instar larvae (L3). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the allergenic potential of the C. multipapillatum L3 crude extract (CECM). BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally (ip) with 10 or 50 µg CECM associated with 2 mg of aluminium hydroxide on days 0, 14 and 48. The determination of specific IgG and IgE antibody levels was done after immunization, and the late immunity was evaluated by the intradermal reaction in the ear pavilion. Epicutaneous sensitization was performed in the dorsal region, with antigenic exposure via a Finn-type chamber, containing 100 µg of chicken ovum albumin (OVA) or 100 µg CECM. After the exposures, the specific antibody levels were determined. In the ip immunization, there was a gradual increase in IgG antibody levels, independent of CECM concentration. In relation to IgE production, it was transitory, and immunization with 10 µg was more efficient than that of 50 µg. The same result was observed in the cellular hypersensitivity reaction. In the case of antigen exposure by the epicutaneous route, it was verified that only CECM was able to induce detectable levels of specific IgG and IgE antibodies. In the present study it was demonstrated that both intraperitoneal immunization and epicutaneous contact with C. multipapillatum larval antigens are potentially capable of inducing allergic sensitization in mice.

Serratospiculosis in Captive Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Switzerland.

Infection with Serratospiculum species was identified in a captive peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Switzerland. Pathologic and parasitologic examination results revealed generalized severe granulomatous airsacculitis, with intralesional adults, larvae, and eggs of Serratospiculum species. Subsequently, an individual coprological analysis of the remaining 15 falcons (peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons [Falco rusticolus]) from the same owner was performed. Eggs of Serratospiculum species (4 birds) and Capillaria species (11 birds), and oocysts of Caryospora species (1 bird) were detected. Treatment with ivermection (2 mg/kg SC) was effective, as none of the falcons excreted Serratospiculum species eggs 10 days after one dose. To our knowledge, this is the first report of infection with Serratospiculum species in captive falcons in Europe.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Heliconema hainanensis sp. nov. (Spirurina: Physalopteridae) from congers in the South China Sea, with a key to the species of Heliconema.

Heliconema hainanensis sp. nov. collected from Uroconger lepturus (Richardson) (Anguilliformes: Congridae), Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskål) and Congresox talabonoides (Bleeker) (Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae) in the South China Sea was described using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species differs from its congeners by the following morphology: pseudolabia, the number and arrangement of caudal papillae (4 pairs of pedunculate precloacal papillae arranged in 2 groups of 2 and 2 pairs and 6 pairs of pedunculate postcloacal papillae arranged in 4 groups of 1, 2, 1 and 2 pairs), the length of spicules [left spicule 0.51-0.69 mm, right spicule 0.20-0.27 mm, spicule (right:left) ratio 1:2.20-2.69] and the morphology of the female tail tip. In addition, specimens of the new species collected from the three different hosts and specimens of an unidentified species of Heliconema collected from U. lepturus were characterised using molecular methods by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA. Analyses and comparison of the ITS sequence of H. hainanensis sp. nov. with Heliconema sp. support the validity of the new species based on morphological observations. An identification key to the species of Heliconema is also provided.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Wellcomia compar (Spirurina: Oxyuridae) and its genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis.

Wellcomia compar (Spirurina: Oxyuridae) is a pinworm that infects wild and captive porcupines. Despite clear records of its morphological structure, its genetics, systematics, and biology are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of W. compar and reconstruct its phylogenetic relationship with other nematodes. We sequenced the complete mt genome of W. comparand conducted phylogenetic analyses using concatenated coding sequences of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The complete mt genome is 14,373 bp in size and comprises 36 genes, including 12 protein-coding, two rRNA and 22 tRNA genes. Apart from 28 intergenic regions, one non-coding region and one overlapping region also occur. A comparison of the gene arrangements of Oxyuridomorpha revealed relatively similar features in W. compar and Wellcomia siamensis. Phylogenetic analysis also showed that W. compar and W. siamensis formed a sister group. In Oxyuridomorpha the genetic distance between W. compar and W. siamensis was 0.0805. This study reports, for the first time, the complete W. compar mt genome sequence obtained from Chinese porcupines. It provides genetic markers for investigating the taxonomy, population genetics, and phylogenetics of pinworms from different hosts and has implications for the diagnosis, prevention, and control of parasitic diseases in porcupines and other animals.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Paraleptus chiloscyllii Yin & Zhang, 1983 (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the brownbanded bambooshark Chiloscyllium punctatum Müller & Henle (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes).

Paraleptus (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) is a small genus of nematodes, parasitic in fishes, most species of which are inadequately described. Genetic data for these congeners have not been reported. The detailed morphology of P. chiloscyllii was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy, based on newly collected specimens from the brownbanded bambooshark C. punctatum Müller & Henle (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes) in the Taiwan Strait. Some previously unreported morphological features of taxonomic significance were observed, i.e., pseudolabium with two sublateral rows of 6-7 small spines, 7-8 small spines on each lower rim between pseudolabia, deirids not distally bifurcated, vulva with remarkable protruding lip, presence of 1 pair medio-ventral precloacal papillae and 1 pair of discoid protrusions of postcloacal lip in male. The specimens described by González-Solís & Ali's (2015) as P. chiloscyllii from the Arabian carpetshark C. arabicum off Iraq are considered a new species, for which the name P. moraveci n. sp. is proposed. The genetic characterization of the partial small (18S) and large (28S) ribosomal DNA, and the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) of P. chiloscyllii are provided for the first time. There was no intraspecific nucleotide divergence detected in the 18S and 28S regions among different individuals of P. chiloscyllii, but a low level of intraspecific genetic variation was found in the cox1 (0.62-0.92%). The present genetic data is very important for molecular identification, and will be valuable for further invertigantions on the population genetics and phylogeny of this group.

RICTULARIA JIYEONI N. SP. (NEMATODA: RICTULARIIDAE) FROM THE STRIPED FIELD MOUSE, APODEMUS AGRARIUS, IN KOREA.

Rictularia jiyeoni n. sp. from the small intestine of the striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius, in Korea, is described and illustrated. Specimens were studied using light and scanning electron microscopies. This rictulariid nematode is closest to the Rictularia species that have a reduced number of combs and spines. However, the new species can be differentiated from the other species of Rictularia by having 36-58 perioral denticles, a buccal capsule with a single esophageal tooth, and 37-44 pairs of combs and spines of which 32-37 are prevulvar and 5-11 are postvulvar.

Prevalence of Blatticola blattae (Thelastomatidae) in German cockroaches Blattella germanica in Japan.

A survey for nematode infection in German cockroaches captured in restaurants in various areas of Japan as well as the laboratory-bred colony was carried out. The nematodes were then identified morphologically and molecularly. Of the 320 German cockroaches collected at 79 restaurants in 26 prefectures in Japan, 66.6% (213/320) were found to be parasitized by a single species of pinworm in the hindgut. The mean number of pinworms per cockroach was less than 1.6. Of the three laboratory-bred lines of cockroaches examined, 2 lines (NIID and NK) were found to be infected with a single species of nematode. The prevalence was 93.0% (40/43) and 84.8% (39/46), respectively. The other laboratory line (WAT) was found to be free of the nematode infection. The nematode detected in this study was identified as Blatticola blattae. This is the first report of B. blattae infection in German cockroaches in Japan. Our study showed that B. blattae is distributed all over Japan together with its host Blattella germanica. An experimental infection with B. blattae in nematode-free cockroach by contaminating the rearing environment with infected-cockroach feces showed that once the environment of the cockroach is contaminated with B. blattae eggs, the pinworm infection could spread easily.