Prevalence and Intensity of Otodistomum hydrolagi (Trematoda: Azygiidae) in Spotted Ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae) from the Coastal Waters of British Columbia, Canada.

The prevalence and intensity of the trematode, Otodistomum hydrolagi, were determined for the first time in Spotted Ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei. Spotted Ratfish specimens were collected during bottom-trawl surveys in Queen Charlotte Sound (QCS, n = 31) and off the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI, n = 242). In all instances, the flukes were found within the abdominal cavity. Most flukes were mature (intrauterine eggs were present) and ranged in length from 9.1 to 61.5 mm, with a mean ± SD length of 28.5 ± 12.1 mm (n = 52). Fluke length was positively correlated with Spotted Ratfish precaudal length (PCL), and no Spotted Ratfish smaller than 247-mm PCL was infected by O. hydrolagi. The overall prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) and mean intensity (95% CI) of O. hydrolagi were 27.8% (22.6-33.6) and 1.24 (1.09-1.43), respectively. Neither prevalence nor mean intensity differed between host location or host sex. The majority (86%) of infected hosts harbored a single fluke (range 1-5), but 4 Spotted Ratfish were infected with 3 or more flukes, which accounted for 16% of all observed O. hydrolagi. The fluke population exhibited an aggregated distribution with 80% of individuals found in 21% of the hosts, but among infected hosts there was low variability in the intensity of infection. This is the first ecological study of O. hydrolagi from its Spotted Ratfish host, and the first record of this trematode in Canadian waters, which extends the range of O. hydrolagi to include Canadian coastal Pacific waters.

Zbigniew Kabata-17 March 1924-4 July 2014-Metamorphosis of a Parasitologist.

Birth deposits most future scientists within a standard deviation or so of average, with life proceeding with its typical bumps and ruts. For a few, however, life begins as or soon transpires into a Homeric challenge. Those who emerge from such beginnings to widely contribute to humanity become mankind's cherished dignitaries... exemplars promulgating the legitimacy of hope and lending encouragement for progress. Zbigniew Kabata, an outstanding parasitologist and copepodologist who died at age 90 on the 4th of July 2014 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada was such a giant.

Introduced bullfrogs and their parasites: Haematoloechus longiplexus (Trematoda) exploits diverse damselfly intermediate hosts on Vancouver Island.

The lung fluke, Haematoloechus longiplexus, is the most prevalent and abundant parasite of introduced bullfrogs on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The ecological success of this trematode in invasive bullfrogs is related to the fluke's ability to utilize native intermediate hosts for transmission. The purpose of this study was to identify the odonate (dragonfly/damselfly) species involved in the transmission of H. longiplexus to the introduced bullfrog. The prevalences and mean intensities of 21 species of odonates (nymphs and adults) were examined for metacercariae infections. Haematoloechus longiplexus is a second intermediate host specialist, being found only in damselflies. Six damselfly species exhibiting the "climber" ecological habit were identified as second intermediate hosts of H. longiplexus. Enallagma carunculatum (prevalence = 75.0%, mean intensity = 17.2 ± 10.8), Ischnura cervula (65.2%, 8.9 ± 4.3), Ischnura perparva (45.5%, 15.4 ± 10.3), and Enallagma boreale (40.7%, 4.8 ± 7.8) were the most commonly infected damselfly species. Metacercariae were absent in damselflies collected from sites lacking bullfrogs. Haematoloechus longiplexus was likely introduced along with the bullfrog, and subsequently adapted to the physid snail and diverse damselfly intermediate hosts present in ponds on Vancouver Island.

Prevalence and intensity of Haemobaphes diceraus (Copepoda: Pennellidae) from shiner perch, Cymatogaster aggregata (Embiotocidae).

The prevalence and intensity of the hematophagous pennellid copepod Haemobaphes diceraus were monitored over a 10-mo period in shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata at Pipers Lagoon, Nanaimo, British Columbia. The prevalence and mean intensity of metamorphosed adult female H. diceraus (n = 421) were 10.0% and 1.2 (+/-0.5 SD), respectively. The majority (97.9%) of infected fish had single infections, reflecting the possibility of intensity-dependent parasite-induced mortality, rejection of additional parasites, or both. Transforming females were detected throughout the year; however, there was no detectable seasonal pattern of colonization. Neither copepodids nor adult males of H. diceraus were observed on the gills of shiner perch, and this was consistent with the hypothesis that an intermediate host harbors these stages. Males of Haemobaphes sp. infected the gills of bay pipefish Syngnathus griseolineatus with a prevalence and mean intensity of 56.0% and 6.8 +/- 3.7, respectively. Transmission of H. diceraus to shiner perch probably occurs in inshore protected areas, where shiner perch ecologically overlap with the probable intermediate host of H. diceraus, the bay pipefish.