On Temnocephala axenos Monticelli, 1898 (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalida): taxonomic status and designation of a neotype.

Temnocephala axenos Monticelli, 1898 was described based on specimens from an unidentified host collected in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information about type locality was imprecise and the host was later identified as Aegla laevis (Latreille, 1818). However, it is known that A. laevis is not present on the eastern side of the Andes. Also, only histological preparations from one specimen studied by Monticelli are currently available in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, but it showed none of the taxonomic characters needed for the characterization of the species. Although the updated description of the species based on Uruguayan specimens, neither the author nor the several previous studies about the species showed a search for the type material, a resolution for the misidentification of the type host or the imprecise type locality due to the subsequent geographical division of the municipality cited in the description. The Uruguayan specimens were not even geographically close to the type locality and a neotype was not designed to validate the species' taxonomic status again. Specimens from Santa Catarina and Paraná States, Brazil, were studied, as well as restudied Argentinean specimens. The new data were compared with the update description of the species. The historical background and the discussion about geographical origins and hosts of the species, as well as a designation of a neotype, allow comparative material of the type locality and type host to exist, eliminating doubts about the identification of T. axenos.

Assessment of gonadal follicle size in the invading bivalve Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae)

Limnoperna fortunei is an invasive gonochoristic and byssate freshwater bivalve originary from Southeast Asia. It shows great adaptive-reproductive ability, so knowledge of the gonadal cycle is an important factor for the prevention and control of this bioinvasion. This species is highly damaging to natural and human environments. We analyzed the distribution and maturity state of reproductive follicles in the mantle of both male and females. Male results are not shown but, in general, they followed the same pattern as that of females. Routine histological techniques included serial longitudinal sections and transversal sections in three body regions (anterior, middle and psoterior). Oocytes with conspicuous nucleoli were measured on both types of sections to estimate the maturity stage in the different regions. ANOVA indicates that there were no significant differences in maturity ratio between the studied regions, so that a small number of sections would render precise results to assess maturity

Assessment of gonadal follicle size in the invading bivalve Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae)

Limnoperna fortunei is an invasive gonochoristic and byssate freshwater bivalve originary from Southeast Asia. It shows great adaptive-reproductive ability, so knowledge of the gonadal cycle is an important factor for the prevention and control of this bioinvasion. This species is highly damaging to natural and human environments. We analyzed the distribution and maturity state of reproductive follicles in the mantle of both male and females. Male results are not shown but, in general, they followed the same pattern as that of females. Routine histological techniques included serial longitudinal sections and transversal sections in three body regions (anterior, middle and psoterior). Oocytes with conspicuous nucleoli were measured on both types of sections to estimate the maturity stage in the different regions. ANOVA indicates that there were no significant differences in maturity ratio between the studied regions, so that a small number of sections would render precise results to assess maturity

Assessment of gonadal follicle size in the invading bivalve Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae)

Limnoperna fortunei is an invasive gonochoristic and byssate freshwater bivalve originary from Southeast Asia. It shows great adaptive-reproductive ability, so knowledge of the gonadal cycle is an important factor for the prevention and control of this bioinvasion. This species is highly damaging to natural and human environments. We analyzed the distribution and maturity state of reproductive follicles in the mantle of both male and females. Male results are not shown but, in general, they followed the same pattern as that of females. Routine histological techniques included serial longitudinal sections and transversal sections in three body regions (anterior, middle and psoterior). Oocytes with conspicuous nucleoli were measured on both types of sections to estimate the maturity stage in the different regions. ANOVA indicates that there were no significant differences in maturity ratio between the studied regions, so that a small number of sections would render precise results to assess maturity

Assessment of gonadal follicle size in the invading bivalve Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae)

Limnoperna fortunei is an invasive gonochoristic and byssate freshwater bivalve originary from Southeast Asia. It shows great adaptive-reproductive ability, so knowledge of the gonadal cycle is an important factor for the prevention and control of this bioinvasion. This species is highly damaging to natural and human environments. We analyzed the distribution and maturity state of reproductive follicles in the mantle of both male and females. Male results are not shown but, in general, they followed the same pattern as that of females. Routine histological techniques included serial longitudinal sections and transversal sections in three body regions (anterior, middle and psoterior). Oocytes with conspicuous nucleoli were measured on both types of sections to estimate the maturity stage in the different regions. ANOVA indicates that there were no significant differences in maturity ratio between the studied regions, so that a small number of sections would render precise results to assess maturity

Pomacea canaliculata (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in Patagonia: potential role of climatic change in its dispersion and settlement.

Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822) (Mollusca Gastropoda) shows a large native distribution range in South America, reaching as far south as 37º S (Buenos Aires, Argentina). This species was deliberately introduced into Southeast Asia around 1980 and subsequently underwent a rapid intentional or accidental dispersal into many countries in the region. It was also introduced into North and Central America and Hawaii. In this contribution we record the presence of P. canaliculata in Patagonia, assessing the possible influence of climatic change in the new establishment of this species there. Three samplings (between September 2004 and April 2005) were carried out at 38º 58' 20.2" S-68º 11' 27.3" W. In the sampling we found two adult specimens of P. canaliculata and numerous egg clutches. Pomacea canaliculata is naturally distributed in the Plata and Amazon Basins. The southern boundary of this species has been established as the isotherms of 14 ºC and 16 ºC in Buenos Aires province, and precipitations of 900 to 600 mm/year. This study also analysed variations in annual temperature and precipitation in Patagonia. Average temperatures show an increase over the years, although not constantly. Important modifications in precipitation regime in northern Patagonia, triggered by global climatic changes, could be beneficial for the settlement of populations of P. canaliculata in this new area, where precipitation increased enough to reach values similar to those in the southernmost area of distribution of this species.

Variation in worm assemblages associated with Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae) in sites near the Río de la Plata estuary, Argentina

Pomacea canaliculata is a common gastropod in freshwater habitats from Central and Northern Argentina, extending northwards into the Amazon basin. Several Platyhelminthes have been reported associated to P. canaliculata, sharing an intimate relationship with this gastropod host. The objectives of this study were to describe the symbiotic species assemblages associated to P. canaliculata in the study area, and to disclose differences among them. Samples were taken in three typical small streams and one artificial lentic lagoon, all connected with the Rio de la Plata estuary. The 81.53% were infested with different symbiotic (sensulato) species. Among the Platyhelminthes, the commensal Temnocephala iheringi Haswell, 1893 was highly prevalent in all samples, always in the mantle cavity. Four trematode taxa were recognized: (a) metacercariae of Echinostoma parcespinosum Lutz, 1924 in the mantle cavity and sporocysts in the digestive gland; (b) metacercariae of Dietziella egregia (Dietz, 1909) in the pericardial cavity; (c) unidentified xiphidiocercariae and (d) unidentified sporocysts and furcocercariae in the digestive gland. Nematode larvae and oligochaetes were found in two localities in the mantle cavity. Among the Annelida, Helobdella ampullariae Ringuelet, 1945 was found in the mantle cavity and lung of snails only from one locality. Our results show that although some of the symbionts are present in all localities, others are restricted to some particular ones, whether in their absolute numbers or in their relative abundance. Thus, eachhosting population at the studied localities may be defined by the particularcombination of symbionts that bears.

Variation in worm assemblages associated with Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae) in sites near the Río de la Plata estuary, Argentina

Pomacea canaliculata is a common gastropod in freshwater habitats from Central and Northern Argentina, extending northwards into the Amazon basin. Several Platyhelminthes have been reported associated to P. canaliculata, sharing an intimate relationship with this gastropod host. The objectives of this study were to describe the symbiotic species assemblages associated to P. canaliculata in the study area, and to disclose differences among them. Samples were taken in three typical small streams and one artificial lentic lagoon, all connected with the Rio de la Plata estuary. The 81.53% were infested with different symbiotic (sensulato) species. Among the Platyhelminthes, the commensal Temnocephala iheringi Haswell, 1893 was highly prevalent in all samples, always in the mantle cavity. Four trematode taxa were recognized: (a) metacercariae of Echinostoma parcespinosum Lutz, 1924 in the mantle cavity and sporocysts in the digestive gland; (b) metacercariae of Dietziella egregia (Dietz, 1909) in the pericardial cavity; (c) unidentified xiphidiocercariae and (d) unidentified sporocysts and furcocercariae in the digestive gland. Nematode larvae and oligochaetes were found in two localities in the mantle cavity. Among the Annelida, Helobdella ampullariae Ringuelet, 1945 was found in the mantle cavity and lung of snails only from one locality. Our results show that although some of the symbionts are present in all localities, others are restricted to some particular ones, whether in their absolute numbers or in their relative abundance. Thus, eachhosting population at the studied localities may be defined by the particularcombination of symbionts that bears.(AU)

Variation in worm assemblages associated with Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae) in sites near the Río de la Plata estuary, Argentina.

Pomacea canaliculata is a common gastropod in freshwater habitats from Central and Northern Argentina, extending northwards into the Amazon basin. Several Platyhelminthes have been reported associated to P. canaliculata, sharing an intimate relationship with this gastropod host. The objectives of this study were to describe the symbiotic species assemblages associated to P. canaliculata in the study area, and to disclose differences among them. Samples were taken in three typical small streams and one artificial lentic lagoon, all connected with the Rio de la Plata estuary. The 81.53% were infested with different symbiotic (sensu lato) species. Among the Platyhelminthes, the commensal Temnocephala iheringi Haswell, 1893 was highly prevalent in all samples, always in the mantle cavity. Four trematode taxa were recognized: (a) metacercariae of Echinostoma parcespinosum Lutz, 1924 in the mantle cavity and sporocysts in the digestive gland; (b) metacercariae of Dietziella egregia (Dietz, 1909) in the pericardial cavity; (c) unidentified xiphidiocercariae and (d) unidentified sporocysts and furcocercariae in the digestive gland. Nematode larvae and oligochaetes were found in two localities in the mantle cavity. Among the Annelida, Helobdella ampullariae Ringuelet, 1945 was found in the mantle cavity and lung of snails only from one locality. Our results show that although some of the symbionts are present in all localities, others are restricted to some particular ones, whether in their absolute numbers or in their relative abundance. Thus, each hosting population at the studied localities may be defined by the particular combination of symbionts that bears.

Rheumatoid arthritis with severe aortic insufficiency and prolapse of the mitral valve.

The valvular lesions caused by rheumatoid arthritis have been known for a long time. The valves may be affected by unspecific inflammatory changes or, specifically, by rheumatoid granulomas identical with subcutaneous nodules that lead to the malfunctioning of the aortic or the mitral valve. We present a patient affected by a classical seropositive rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by a severe aortic insufficiency and a prolapse of the mitral valve with rheumatoid involvement of the histologic granulomatous type, in whom both valves were replaced in two phases. The hemodynamic results were good for a period of time. Replacement of the valve by a prosthesis is the ideal treatment. There is no experience with treatment such a medication with immunosuppressive drugs.