A new species of Aplectana Railliet & Henry, 1916 (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) in the Brazilian Amazon and the taxonomic status of Aplectana longa.

Nematodes of the genus Aplectana Railliet & Henry, 1916 are common parasites of the digestive tract of amphibians and reptiles in the Neotropical region. During a parasite survey on Boana boans (Linnaeus, 1758), we found specimens of nematodes with Aplectana characteristics. We observed a set of characteristics that differs the species of our study from its congeners, and the present study describes a new species of Aplectana parasite of B. boans using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Aplectana pella n. sp. has lateral alae and somatic papillae in males and females; males have equal short spicules, and the gubernaculum is absent. The arrangement of pairs of caudal papillae also differs from other species (2 precloacal,1 adcloacal, and 5 postcloacal+1 unpaired). In females, the vulva is simple, with non-prominent lips, and equatorial. This is the first record of the genus Aplectana parasitizing B. boans and the 58th species described for this genus. Additionally, we added the precloacal papillae pattern of A. delirae, and based on morphological and morphometric characteristics, we propose the reallocation of Aplectana longa to the genus Oxyascaris.

Cosmocerca goroensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) from South Africa and its phylogenetic relationships with other cosmocercids based on partial 28S sequences.

Nematodes of the genus Cosmocerca are commonly found in various amphibians in South Africa and in most cases are identified as C. ornata. However, after detailed morphological studies and molecular approaches, three new species of the genus were recently described from three different frogs in South Africa. In present study, we describe another new species - Cosmocerca goroensis parasitising the Northern Pygmy Toad Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti in Soutpansberg mountains, Limpopo province, South Africa. The new species is characterised by prominent sex dimorphism, wide lateral alae, numerous somatic papillae in both sexes, and wide triangularly shaped gubernaculum and simple prominent spicules in males. Cosmocerca goroensis n. sp. distinguished from congeners, previously reported in Southern Africa by the shape of the gubernaculum and arrangement of somatic papillae in males. Morphological differences were confirmed by molecular analysis based on fragments of the 28S gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 28S gene fragments, including C. goroensis n. sp. and newly obtained sequence of C. ornata from Pelophylax lessonae from Ukraine, supported previously known data of closer relationships between species of Cosmocerca and Aplectana and more distant with Cosmocercoides spp.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Cosmocercoides amapari n. sp. (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae), parasitic in hylid frogs from the Brazilian Amazon.

Cosmocercoides Wilkie, 1930 are gastrointestinal parasites commonly found in amphibians and reptiles, with 4 species reported from the Neotropical region. In the present study, a new species of Cosmocercoides, namely Cosmocercoides amapari n. sp. is described using integrated approaches such as light and scanning microscopy, and DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. The specimens were collected from the large intestine of 3 species of hylid frogs in Amapá, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by morphological traits, including the pattern of caudal papillae, absence of the gubernaculum, 2 poorly sclerotized spicules, presence of lateral alae and somatic papillae along the body. In addition, our molecular analyses and phylogenetic reconstructions strongly support the status of the new taxon, which clustered poorly with a large clade of Cosmocerca spp. Cosmocercoides amapari n. sp. is the 29th species of the genus, the 5th from the Neotropical region, the third reported in Brazil, the second described from the Amazon region and the first belonging to the Neotropical region with molecular data.

Population genetic structure and morphological diversity of Cruzia tentaculata (Nematoda: Ascaridida), a parasite of marsupials (Didelphinae), along the Atlantic Forest on the eastern coast of South America.

Cruzia tentaculata is a helminth parasite of marsupials and has a wide geographic distribution from Mexico to Argentina. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic population structure of this nematode along the Atlantic Forest biome. Cruzia tentaculata specimens were recovered from Didelphis aurita, Didelphis albiventris and Philander quica in 9 localities. Morphological and morphometric data were investigated for phenotypic diversity among localities and hosts using multivariate discriminant analysis of principal components. Phylogenetic relationships of C. tentaculata were determined using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The population structure was analysed by fixation indices, molecular variance analysis, Tajima's D and Fu's Fs neutrality tests, Mantel tests and Bayesian clustering analysis. A higher significant morphometric difference for males was observed between localities. In the haplogroup networks, 2 groups were recovered, separating locations from the north and from the south/southeast. The morphometric variation in C. tentaculata between different localities was compatible with this north and southeast/south pattern, suggesting adaptation to different ecological conditions. Population genetic analyses suggested a pattern of evolutionary processes driven by Pleistocene glacial refugia in the northeast and southeast of the Atlantic Forest based on the distribution of genetic diversity.

Morphology, genetic characterization and molecular phylogeny of the poorly known nematode parasite Cissophyllus leytensis Tubangui & Villaamil, 1933 (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the Philippine sailfin lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Reptilia: Squamata).

BACKGROUND: The genus Cissophyllus (Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniidae) is a rare group of nematodes parasitic in turtles and lizards. To date, only four species have been reported in Asia and North America. However, most of them are inadequately described. The species Cissophyllus leytensis has never been reported since it was originally described by Tubangui and Villaamil in 1933 from the Philippine sailfin lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Reptilia: Squamata). Furthermore, the systematic status of Cissophyllus/Cissophyllinae in the family Kathlaniidae of the superfamily Cosmocercoidea remains under debate. METHODS: The detailed morphology of C. leytensis was studied using light microscopy (LM) and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), based on newly collected specimens from the type host H. pustulatus. Six different genetic markers, including nuclear sequences [small ribosomal subunit (18S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal subunit (28S)], plus mitochondrial genes [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2) and 12S small subunit ribosomal RNA gene] of C. leytensis were sequenced. Additionally, in order to test the validity of the subfamily Cissophyllinae and clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Cissophyllus and the other genera in the family Kathlaniidae, phylogenetic analyses based on 18S + 28S and ITS sequence data were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Our observations using LM and SEM revealed some previously unreported morphological features, necessitating the redescription of this poorly known species. The presence of remarkable morphological variation in the isthmus and the position of excretory pore among different individuals was found. Molecular analysis showed no intraspecific nucleotide divergence detected in the 18S, ITS, 28S, cox2 and 12S regions among different individuals of C. leytensis, but a low level of intraspecific genetic variation was found in the cox1 (0.52%). Our phylogenetic results showed the representatives of the Cosmocercoidea divided into four large clades (Cosmocerca + Aplectana + Cosmocercoides representing the family Cosmocercidae, Cruzia representing the subfamily Cruzinae of Kathlaniidae, Falcaustra + Cissophyllus + Megalobatrachonema representing the subfamily Kathlaniinae of Kathlaniidae, and Orientatractis + Rondonia representing the family Atractidae). The genus Cissophyllus clustered together with the genus Megalobatrachonema in both the ML and BI trees using ITS sequence data, but displayed a sister relationship to the genus Falcaustra in the ML tree and to the genera Falcaustra + Megalobatrachonema in the BI tree using 18S + 28S sequence data. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular phylogenetic results further confirmed that the family Kathlaniidae is not a monophyletic group. The subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family Cruziidae. The present phylogenetic results also negated the validity of the subfamily Cissophyllinae and supported the genus Cissophyllus assigned in the subfamily Kathlaniinae. Molecular analysis indicated that the morphological variation in the isthmus and position of excretory pore among different individuals should be considered as intraspecific variation. Moreover, some characters important for the specific diagnosis of C. leytensis are reported for the first time: the number of acuminate denticles (lamellae) on each lip, the chitinized pharynx with three flabellate pharyngeal plates, the presence of single medioventral precloacal papilla and the detailed morphology of caudal papillae. The present study is only the second record of C. leytensis.

Morphology, genetic characterization and phylogeny of Aplectana dayaoshanensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from frogs.

Cosmocercoid nematodes are common parasites in the digestive tract of amphibians. However, our knowledge of the species diversity, genetic data and molecular phylogeny of the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are far from being well understood. In the present study, large numbers of cosmocercoid nematodes were collected from the fine-spined frog Sylvirana spinulosa (Smith) (Anura: Ranidae) and the white-spotted thigh tree-frog Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Guangxi Province, China. Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of the genus Aplectana, A. dayaoshanensis n. sp. (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). The molecular characterization of small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal DNA (28S) of A. dayaoshanensis n. sp., together with the 28S of A. chamaeleonis (Baylis, 1929) (collected from Hyperolius kivuensis Ahl in Rwanda), were reported for the first time. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 18S + 28S and ITS sequence data, respectively, both supported the family Cosmocercidae to be a monophyletic group and the family Kathlaniidae to be a paraphyletic group. Our phylogenetic results rejected the monophyly of the genus Aplectana. The present results contribute to the knowledge of the species diversity and genetic data of cosmocercoid nematodes, and preliminarily revealed the phylogenetic relationships of the major families and some genera in the Cosmocercoidea.

A new species of Spinicauda (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from Gonocephalus kuhlii (Reptilia: Agamidae) of Ciremai Mountain, Java-Indonesia.

Spinicauda ciremaiensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from the large intestine of Gonocephalus kuhlii (Reptilia: Agamidae) collected in Gunung Ciremai National Park, West Java, Indonesia is described and illustrated. Of the five described species of Spinicauda from the Oriental region, Spinicauda ciremaiensis sp. nov. comes closest to S. sumatrana in having 14 pairs of caudal papillae and the presence of a tail filament. However, the new species differs from S. sumatrana in the longer spicula, smaller eggs, and weak sclerotization of the gubernaculum. S. ciremaiensis sp. nov. is also the only species belonging to the genus Spinicauda which has a sclerotized accessories piece of gubernaculum. A key to the species of Spinicauda is also provided. [http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:785F2D63-E5EB-4E4C-A7E1-7F7E7AD7C392].

A New Species of Cosmocercoides (Ascaridida: Cosmocercidae) Parasitic in Tree Frogs from Southern Amazonia.

Cosmocercoides meridionalis n. sp. is described from the large and small intestines of 5 species of tree frogs belonging to the families Hylidae and Phyllomedusidae collected from 2 localities in Southern Amazonia. The new species is allocated to the genus Cosmocercoides Wilkie, 1930, due to the presence of papillae in rosettes, which are complex caudal papillae surrounded by punctuations. Cosmocercoides meridionalis n. sp. differs from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: the absence of the gubernaculum, the total length of the female (twice the size of the male), and the presence of 26 rosette papillae with a unique arrangement and distribution pattern: 11 pre-cloacal pairs, 1 ad-cloacal pair, and 1 post-cloacal pair. This is the first species of the genus described from the Amazonia region.

Description of a new species of Aplectana (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercidae) using an integrative approach and preliminary phylogenetic study of Cosmocercidae and related taxa.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) are mainly parasitic in the digestive tract of various amphibians and reptiles worldwide. However, our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of the Cosmocercidae is still far from comprehensive. The phylogenetic relationships between Cosmocercidae and the other two families, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae, in the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are still under debate. Moreover, the systematic position of some genera within Cosmocercidae remains unclear. METHODS: Nematodes collected from Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) were identified using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular methods [sequencing the small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), large ribosomal DNA (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions]. Phylogenetic analyses of cosmocercoid nematodes using 18S + 28S sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the Cosmocercoidea and the systematic position of the genus Aplectana in Cosmocercidae. RESULTS: Morphological and genetic evidence supported the hypothesis that the nematode specimens collected from P. megacephalus represent a new species of Aplectana (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). Our phylogenetic results revealed that the Cosmocercidae is a monophyletic group, but not the basal group in Cosmocercoidea as in the traditional classification. The Kathlaniidae is a paraphyletic group because the subfamily Cruziinae within Kathlaniidae (including only the genus Cruzia) formed a seperate lineage. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the genus Aplectana has a closer relationship to the genus Cosmocerca in Cosmocercidae. CONCLUSIONS: Our phylogenetic results suggested that the subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family, and the genus Cosmocerca is closely related to the genus Aplectana in the family Cosmocercidae. The present study provided a basic molecular phylogenetic framework for the superfamily Cosmocercoidea based on 18S + 28S sequence data for the first time to our knowledge. Moreover, a new species, A. xishuangbannaensis n. sp., was described using integrative approach.

Integrated evidence reveals a new species of Cosmocerca (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) from the Asiatic toad Bufo gargarizans Cantor (Amphibia: Anura).

Species of Cosmocerca Diesing, 1861 (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea), are common nematode parasites of amphibians. In the present study, a new species of Cosmocerca, namely C. simile n. sp., was described using light and scanning electron microscopy, and sequencing different nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers (i.e. small ribosomal DNA (18S), large ribosomal DNA (28S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1)). Cosmocerca simile n. sp. differs from its congeners based on body size, morphology and number of plectanes, relative length of spicules and gubernaculum and spicules to total body length and morphology and length of tail. Molecular analysis showed no nucleotide polymorphisms among different individuals of the new species regarding nuclear DNA. Very low intraspecific nucleotide variation (0.52-0.78%) was detected in cox1 mtDNA. In contrast, the level of interspecific nucleotide variation between C. simile n. sp. and its congeners were distinctly higher (2.74-18.1% in the partial ITS region and 10.2-13.5% in the partial cox1 region, respectively) than that of intraspecific variation. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on the partial ITS and cox1 sequence data both supported the new species to be a member of the genus Cosmocerca, and formed a sister relationship to C. japonica. The newly obtained genetic data are important for further studies of DNA-based taxonomy, population genetics and phylogenetics of the Cosmocercoidea.

A new species of Cruzia (Ascaridida; Kathlanidae) parasitizing Salvator merianae (Squamata, Teiidae) from the Atlantic forest in Brazil.

Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. is described from Salvator merianae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) (Squamata; Teiidae). The new species differs from all previously described species through several morphological characteristics: number of tooth like structures per row in the inner pharynx; and presence of unpaired papillae on the anterior border of the cloacal aperture. However, Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. is closest to C. tentaculata (Rudolphi, 1819), through having similar distribution of male caudal papillae, unpaired pre-cloacal papillae and females with an pre-equatorial vulva. Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. differs from C. tentaculata regarding smaller total body length of individuals, higher number of tooth like structures per row in the pharynx, greater size of diverticulum, smaller size of spicules and a more anterior vulva than in C. tentaculata; and the males do not have caudal alae. Cruzia mazza, C. travassosia, C. mexicana and C. testudines were considered to be species inquirendae, because their descriptions need more detailed taxonomic studies.

Molecular phylogeny of Megalobatrachonema (Nematoda: Ascaridida), with description of a new species based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Species of MegalobatrachonemaYamaguti, 1941 (Ascaridida: Cosmocercoidea) are important nematode parasites in amphibians and reptiles. However, the phylogenetic relationship of its included two subgenera Megalobatrachonema and Chabaudgolvania remains unclear. In the present study, a new species of Megalobatrachonema, M. (Chabaudgolvania) wangi sp. nov., was described based on the specimens collected from the lesser spiny frog Quasipaa exilispinosa (Liu & Hu) (Amphibia: Anura) in China. The ribosomal [large ribosomal DNA (28S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2)] and mitochondrial [12S small subunit ribosomal DNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1)] target regions of the new species and M. (Chabaudgolvania) terdentatum, together with the 12S region of M. (Megalobatrachonema) hainanensis, were amplified and sequenced for molecular identification and phylogeny. Moreover, in order to clarify the systematic position of the new species and the phylogenetic relationship of the two subgenera Megalobatrachonema and Chabaudgolvania, phylogenetic analyses based on 28S + ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 + 12S sequence data were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) inference and Bayesian inference (BI). The molecular phylogenetic results conflicted with the current classification and challenged the validity of the subgenus Chabaudgolvania, that should be a synonym of the subgenus Megalobatrachonema. The presence or absence of valves in the oesophageal bulb as a key criterion for delimitation of the two subgenera Megalobatrachonema and Chabaudgolvania seems to be unreliable.

A new species of Cruzia (Ascaridida; Kathlanidae) parasitizing Salvator merianae (Squamata, Teiidae) from the Atlantic forest in Brazil / Uma nova espécie de Cruzia (Ascaridida; Kathlanidae) parasitando Salvator merianae (Squamata, Teiidae) de Mata Atlântica no Brasil

Abstract Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. is described from Salvator merianae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) (Squamata; Teiidae). The new species differs from all previously described species through several morphological characteristics: number of tooth like structures per row in the inner pharynx; and presence of unpaired papillae on the anterior border of the cloacal aperture. However, Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. is closest to C. tentaculata (Rudolphi, 1819), through having similar distribution of male caudal papillae, unpaired pre-cloacal papillae and females with an pre-equatorial vulva. Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. differs from C. tentaculata regarding smaller total body length of individuals, higher number of tooth like structures per row in the pharynx, greater size of diverticulum, smaller size of spicules and a more anterior vulva than in C. tentaculata; and the males do not have caudal alae. Cruzia mazza, C. travassosia, C. mexicana and C. testudines were considered to be species inquirendae, because their descriptions need more detailed taxonomic studies.

Resumo Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. é uma nova espécie descrita em Salvator merianae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) (Squamata; Teiidae). Essa nova espécie difere de todas as espécies descritas anteriormente por diferentes características morfológicas: pelo número de dentes por coluna longitudinal interna na faringe; pela presença de papila ímpar na borda anterior da cloaca. Entretanto, Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. possui similaridades com C. tentaculata (Rudolphi, 1819), por ter distribuição semelhante das papilas caudais dos machos, por possuir papila pré-cloacal ímpar e por possuir fêmeas com vulva pré-equatorial. Cruzia lauroi sp. nov. se difere de C. tentaculata em relação ao menor comprimento total do corpo dos indivíduos, pelo maior número de dentes por coluna longitudinal interna na faringe; pelo maior tamanho de divertículo; pelo menor tamanho de espículos; por possuir fêmeas com vulva mais próxima a extremidade anterior do que observado em fêmeas de C. tentaculata; e pelos machos não possuírem asa caudal. Cruzia mazza, C. travassosia, C. mexicana e C. testudines foram consideradas species inquirendae, pelo fato de suas descrições necessitarem de maior detalhamento taxonômico.

Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Heterakis dispar Isolated from Geese.

PURPOSE: Heterakidosis is a common parasitic infection caused in domestic birds by Heterakis species: Heterakis gallinarum, H. isolonche, and H. dispar. Among them, the best described species is H. gallinarum, noted mainly in gallinaceous birds. In waterfowl, H. dispar is the predominant species. The variations in morphology and host specificity qualify H. dispar as a different species, but the phylogenetic relationships between heterakids were unclear for a long time, because of a lack of H. dispar sequences. METHODS: The authors provided the molecular data for H. dispar and analyzed the obtained sequences of the partial 18S rRNA gene and region ITS1-5.8SrRNA-ITS2 with the homological sequences. RESULTS: The 18S rRNA PCR product of H. dispar was about 800 bp, and the ITS-5.8S-ITS2 PCR product was about 920 bp, noticeably smaller size compared to H. gallinarum product. The BLAST analysis of H. dispar 18S sequence showed a 99% similarity with the sequences of Heterakis gallinarum and Ascaridia galli, 98% with A. nymphii, but only 94% with the sequence of Heterakis sp. Our ITS sequence of H. dispar was almost identical to the H. isolonche isolate, there is only one nucleotide of difference among the 943 sites analyzed. It also showed a lower similarity to the ITS sequences of H. gallinarum (88%), H. spumosa (87%), and H. dahomensis (87%). CONCLUSIONS: In our phylogenetic analysis, it is the first attempt at the reconstruction of relationships within this superfamily Heterakoidea based on 18S rDNA and ITS region.

Redescription of Cruzia americana Maplestone, 1930 (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) a parasite of Didelphis virginiana (Kerr) (Mammalia: Didelphidae) in the USA.

Cruzia americana Maplestone, 1930 is a common nematode parasite of opossums in North America. However, our present knowledge on the morphology of this species is still limited and its validity is uncertain. In the present study, specimens of C. americana collected from the type-host Didelphis virginiana (Kerr) (Mammalia: Didelphidae) in the USA were studied using light microscopy and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM observations revealed the internal structures of the pharynx of C. americana and the presence of pharyngeal lamellae rather than pharyngeal teeth/tooth-like structures. In addition, the detailed morphology of the lips, vulva, eggs and phasmids in females and the caudal papillae in males are also reported for the first time.

Gastrointestinal helminths of backyard chickens in selected areas of West Shoa Zone Central, Ethiopia.

Gastrointestinal parasites of chickens are prevalent in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. This study was conducted with backyard chickens in Ambo, Holeta and, Dire Inchini in the West Shoa zone with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections, identifying the species present and determining associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 252 chickens purchased from local markets. Chickens were killed humanely and gastrointestinal tracts were examined for adult helminths. Identification of the helminths was performed using morphology and microscopy. The overall prevalence of helminth parasites in chickens was 92.1% (232/252) [95% confidence interval (CI): 88.0% - 95.1%]. 80.2% (204/252) [95% CI: 75.3% - 86.9%] and 77.8% (196/252) [95% CI: 72.1% - 82.8%] of chickens were infected with diverse nematode and cestode species, respectively. Parasitological examination revealed the presence of three nematode and five cestode species. Ascaridia galli (69.8%) and Heterakis gallinarum (13.5%) were the dominant nematode species and Railletina tetragona (54.0%) and Railletina echinobothrida (46.8%) were the most prevalent species of cestodes identified. A significant difference (p < .05) was observed between the prevalence of nematode parasites and sex, age, and origin of the chicken. Similarly, sex and origin of the chickens were significantly different with the prevalence of cestode infections. Higher prevalence was observed in male versus female chickens, in young versus adult chickens and in chickens from Holeta and Direinchin compared to Ambo. In contrast, weight, health status, diarrhea status, and age (for cestodes) were not significantly associated with nematode and cestode infection. In conclusion, the present study detected a high prevalence of diverse types of gastrointestinal helminths in backyard chickens, which could result in poor health and reduce productivity. Therefore, the present study strongly suggests appropriate and strategic control of helminthiasis to improve the health and output of backyard chickens in the study areas.

Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bodiani n. sp. and Cucullanus hansoni Olsen, 1952 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from fishes off New Caledonia.

Two species of cucullanid nematodes collected from the intestine of marine fishes off New Caledonia were studied with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM): Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bodiani n. sp. from Bodianus perditio (Quoy & Gaimard) (Perciformes: Labridae), characterised mainly by the small size of the body (males and gravid females 2.26-3.13 mm and 2.46-3.32 mm long, respectively), the presence of very long spicules (1.53-1.66 mm in length), the remarkably large seminal vesicle and the arrangement of caudal papillae, is the second known species of Dichelyne Jägerskiöld, 1902 parasitising fishes of the Labridae and the second nominal species of this genus recorded from fishes in New Caledonian waters. Cucullanus hansoni Olsen, 1952, originally described from Hawaii, is now, after 67 years, again reported from its type-host, Sufflamen fraenatum (Latreille) (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae), from off New Caledonia. The SEM examination of C. hansoni, used in this species for the first time, revealed some new morphological details, such as the presence of a median precloacal cuticular elevation or the shape of deirids and distal tips of spicules, as well as the exact location of caudal papillae and phasmids in the male. This is the seventh species of Cucullanus Müller, 1777 recorded from fishes off New Caledonia.

Redescription of three species of nematodes (Nematoda) parasitising fishes in the USA, with a key to the species of Dichelyne Jägerskiöld, 1902 parasitic in freshwater and brackish-water fishes of North America.

Three species of parasitic nematodes are redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopical (SEM) examinations of newly collected specimens in fishes of South Carolina, USA: Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bullocki Stromberg & Crites, 1972 from Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnaeus) (Fundulidae); Dichelyne (Dichelyne) diplocaecum Chandler, 1935 from Ictalurus furcatus (Valenciennes) (Ictaluridae); and Hysterothylacium pelagicum Deardorff & Overstreet, 1982 from Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus (Coryphaenidae). For the first time, intraspecific variations in the number of intestinal caeca were observed in D. bullocki, as well as previously unknown males and gravid females of D. diplocaecum are described; this enabled to synonymise D. mexicanus Caspeta-Mandujano, Moravec & Salgado-Maldonado, 1999 with D. diplocaecum. Unlike most congeneric species, H. pelagicum has no double postanal papillae, as confirmed by SEM. A key to the species of Dichelyne Jägerskiöld, 1902 parasitic in freshwater and brackish-water fishes in North America is provided.

Redescription of Maupasina weissi (Seurat, 1913) (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from sengis, Elephantulus spp. and Macroscelides proboscideus (Shaw) (Macroscelidea), in Africa.

Maupasina weissi (Seurat, 1913), is redescribed from the eastern rock sengi, Elephantulus myurus Thomas & Schwann, from Limpopo Province and compared with material collected from Free State and North West Provinces, South Africa, as well as the description of the type-material from South Tunisia. Distinguishing features of the species include a corona radiata of 12 pointed leaflike elements, a complex bipartite buccal capsule with 3 large bicuspid denticular lobes and 4 smaller club-shaped lobes and 11 (occasionally 10) pairs of cloacal papillae in the male. The complex taxonomic history of the genus Maupasina Seurat, 1917 is discussed. The probable misidentification of Macroscelides proboscideus Shaw, the short eared sengi, from North West Province, South Africa, as a host of M. weissi is explained, indicating that M. weissi occurs only in species of the genus Elephantulus Thomas & Schwann. The widely separated geographical regions, stretching the length of the African continent, in which M. weissi has been found are indicative of a conservative species with a broad geographical distribution. Tenebrionid beetles, up to 50% of stomach contents of E. myurus in Limpopo Province may act as intermediate hosts in the life-cycle of M. weissi.

Endoparasites in Limnonectes magnus (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from Samar Island, Philippines with description of a new species of Aplectana (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae).

Aplectana samarensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the intestines of Limnonectes magnus (Anura, Dicroglossidae) is described and illustrated. Aplectana samarensis sp. nov. represents the 53rd species assigned to the genus and the 6th species reported from the Oriental region. It is easily separated from the 5 species previously reported from the region by the presence of a gubernaculum and the distribution pattern of male caudal papillae: A. macintoshii has an irregular pattern, no precloacal papillae in rows; both A. akhrami and A. dubrajpuri lack a gubernaculum; A. duttaphryni has 3 pairs of precloacal papillae forming 2 rows; A. ranae has 7 pairs of precloacal papillae forming 2 rows; A. samarensis sp. nov. has 4 pairs of precloacal papillae in 2 rows. In addition to the new species, individuals of Falcaustra dubia and Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis as well as cestode plerocercoids were also found.