An Annotated Checklist of Monogeneans (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea) from Aquatic Vertebrates in Peru: A Review of Diversity, Hosts and Geographical Distribution.

Monogeneans are flatworm parasites that infest fish gills primarily but can also infect various other vertebrates, including amphibians, aquatic reptiles, mammals like hippos, and occasionally invertebrates like copepods, isopods, and cephalopods. Despite their remarkable diversity, our knowledge of monogenean parasites in Peru remains significantly limited, resulting in substantial gaps in our comprehension of their taxonomic identities, host associations, and geographic distribution. To address these knowledge deficits, we present an extensively curated checklist of monogeneans associated with aquatic vertebrates in Peru. This comprehensive compilation is derived from meticulous literature surveys, the examination of specimens deposited in both international and national collections, and the inclusion of additional freshly collected specimens. The checklist offers a thorough repository of data encompassing the diversity, host associations, and geographical distribution of these parasites. Taxonomic discrepancies are addressed through a critical review of the existing literature, supplemented by the direct examination of specimens, including type or voucher specimens, deposited within scientific collections. Additionally, we provide data on the DNA sequences of individual taxa. The compiled list comprises records of 358 monogenean species, including 270 valid species and 88 taxa identified at the family or generic level, all reported across 145 host species in Peru. Predominantly, these parasitic species exhibit associations within fish, with 335 infecting teleosts and 20 affecting chondrichthyans. Three monogenean species have been documented as infecting amphibians, namely Mesopolystoma samiriensis, Polistoma sp. and Wetapolystoma almae. Among the monogeneans reported, 141 were found in marine environments and 214 in freshwater environments. The most diverse families were Dactylogyridae and Diplectanidae, comprising 217 and 24 species, respectively. The hosts that harbored the highest number of monogeneans were Pygocentrus nattereri (with 23 species), followed by Stellifer minor (13 spp.) and Triportheus angulatus (11 spp.). We detected many species that do not have any material deposited in a scientific collection due to the loss or deactivation of the collection. These findings represent only a fraction of the potential diversity, considering the wide variety of aquatic vertebrate hosts inhabiting the tropical and subtropical regions of Peru.

Striatal dopamine neurotransmission is altered in age- and region-specific manner in a Parkinson's disease transgenic mouse.

Dopamine (DA) plays a critical role in striatal motor control. The drop in DA level within the dorsal striatum is directly associated with the appearance of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). The progression of the disease and inherent disruption of the DA neurotransmission has been closely related to accumulation of the synaptic protein α-synuclein. However, it is still unclear how α-synuclein affects dopaminergic terminals in different areas of dorsal striatum. Here we demonstrate that the overexpression of human α-synuclein (h-α-syn) interferes with the striatal DA neurotransmission in an age-dependent manner, preferentially in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) of PDGF-h-α-syn mice. While 3-month-old mice showed an increase at the onset of h-α-syn accumulation in the DLS, 12-month-old mice revealed a decrease in electrically-evoked DA release. The enhanced DA release in 3-month-old mice coincided with better performance in a behavioural task. Notably, DA amplitude alterations were also accompanied by a delay in the DA clearance independently from the animal age. Structurally, dopamine transporter (DAT) was found to be redistributed in larger DAT-positive clumps only in the DLS of 3- and 12-month-old mice. Together, our data provide new insight into the vulnerability of DLS and suggest DAT-related dysfunctionalities from the very early stages of h-α-syn accumulation.

Ceratocolax tavaresi n. sp. (Copepoda: Bomolochidae) parasitic in the Tomtate Grunt Haemulon aurolineatum Cuvier, 1830 (Actinopterygii: Haemulidae) off Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: A new species of the genus Ceratocolax Vervoort, 1965 is described based on specimens collected from the Tomtate grunt Haemulon aurolineatum Cuvier, caught in the coast of Angra dos Reis, off the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: One hundred specimens of H. aurolineatum were purchased from the local fish market and examined for parasitic copepods. Parasites were fixed and preserved in 80% ethanol. Morphological features of the copepods were examined and drawn using an Olympus BX51 equipped with a drawing tube. RESULTS: Ceratocolax tavaresi n. sp. can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters in the adult female: (1) second endopodal segment of leg 3 with one seta, (2) lack of stout spinules along outer margins on rami of legs 2-4, (3) genital somite without flaplike structures, (4) terminal exopodal segment of leg 4 with seven elements; and in the adult male: (1) legs 1 to 4 with 3-segmented rami (except endopod of leg 4), (2) presence of a pair of blunt processes on dorsal surface of the third pedigerous somite, (3) second endopodal segment of leg 3 with one seta. CONCLUSION: The number of species of Ceratocolax reported in the Atlantic Ocean was increased to three, including the new species. This is the forty-second species of copepod found parasitizing haemulid fish in marine waters from the Americas; however, the diversity of parasitic copepods off this continent is still underestimated.

Nesting innovations in neotropical parrots associated to anthropogenic environmental changes.

Parrots are among the most diverse and widely distributed groups of birds and one of the most threatened bird orders mainly due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. Most parrots are obligate cavity nesters, so the logging of mature trees and the transformation of natural cliffs represent important threats to their conservation. Here, we report novel observations of Neotropical parrots nesting in previously unrecorded substrates. We show the first documented case of the cliff-nesting burrowing parrots trying to breed at ground level in an abandoned burrowing owl cavity. Additionally, we provide the first documented observations of this species attempting to nest in building cavities in three urbanized areas of Argentina. Moreover, we report data from four countries of 148 pairs of eight species typically breeding in tree cavity using palm tree bracts as nest sites. Behavioral plasticity in nest sites may allow parrots to maximize their nesting success by exploiting alternative breeding substrates. Moreover, these novelties could contribute to cope with habitat loss and further transformation. However, further research is needed to assess the consequences of these nesting innovations in terms of individual fitness and population dynamics as well as potential factors promoting their appearance.

Structure of the metazoan parasite communities of haemulid fish (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) in the South Atlantic Ocean: a comparative approach.

Haemulidae represents one of the most diverse, widespread and conspicuous families of Perciformes, in which most species are marine, some brackish and rarely from freshwater. From April 2009 to July 2012, 120 specimens of Conodon nobilis, 60 Orthopristis rubra and 50 Anisotremus virginicus were collected off the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and analyzed for metazoan parasites. A total of 16 parasite taxa were found on/in A. virginicus, 19 on/in Co. nobilis and 21 on/in O. rubra, in which ectoparasites were most common on A. virginicus and Co. nobilis and endoparasites in O. rubra. All parasites showed aggregate pattern of distribution (discrepancy index values higher than 0.70). Mean abundance, species richness and Brillouin index (diversity) differed among the host species, i.e., O. rubra showed the highest values, followed by A. virginicus and Co. nobilis with intermediate and lowest values, respectively. At infracommunity level was possible to observe high similarity of parasite composition among the three host species. The digeneans Leurodera decora and Monorchis latus, and the acanthocephalan Koronacantha sp. represent new locality records off Brazil. Moreover, five, four and two taxa are reported, for the first time, parasitizing Co. nobilis, A. virginicus and O. rubra, respectively.

Proposal of Cynoscionella n. g. (Monogenea: Diplectanidae), with description of a new species from the gills of Cynoscion phoxocephalus (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) in Peru and reassignment of two species of Diplectanum Monticelli, 1903.

Cynoscionella n. g. is proposed for Cynoscionella sanmarci n. sp. and two previously described species of Diplectanum Diesing, 1858 were reassigned into the new genus. The three species are gill parasites of sciaenid fishes (Perciformes: Sciaenidae). The new genus is closely related with Diplectanum (sensu stricto), but is mainly distinguished by its male copulatory organ (MCO) having a slightly sclerotized sleeve-shaped base, lacking accessory piece and accessory copulatory organ. In addition, Cynoscionella n. g. differs from Diplectanum species by having the ventral anchors with well-developed roots, and a prostatic reservoir simple. Cynoscionella sanmarci n. sp. is a parasite of the cachema weakfish Cynoscion phoxocephalus Jordan & Gilbert, a demersal teleost collected from off the coastal zone of Puerto Pizarro, Tumbes region, northern Peru. Diplectanum bilobatum Hargis, 1955 from the spotted weakfish Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier) and D. monticellii Domingues & Boeger, 2003 from the smooth weakfish Cynoscion leiarchus (Cuvier), are transferred to Cynoscionella n. g. as Cy. bilobatum (Hargis, 1955) n. comb. and Cy. monticelli (Domingues & Boeger, 2003) n. comb. The present finding represents the first data on the monogenean parasites of C. phoxocephalus. This is the thirteenth marine diplectanid species recorded from Peru.

Cucullanus pinnai pinnai and C. pinnai pterodorasi (Nematoda Cucullanidae): what does the integrative taxonomy tell us about these species and subspecies classification?

Cucullanus pinnai has been divided in two subspecies (C. pinnai pinnai and C. pinnai pterodorasi) based on the morphology of oesophastome. While C. pinnai pinnai apparently shows low host specificity and broad geographic occurrence, with certain morphological variations, C. pinnai pterodorasi was reported once, parasitizing Pterodoras granulosus. We used an integrative taxonomic approach to evaluate whether or not populations of C. pinnai pinnai from Trychomycterus spegazzinii (Escoipe River, Argentina) and Pimelodus fur (Miranda River, Brazil), and of C. pinnai pterodorasi from Pterodoras granulosus (Miranda River, Brazil) are conspecific. Parasites were observed using light microscopy and genetically characterized based on partial sequences of the 18S and 28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, and COI mtDNA. Phylogenies were reconstructed and the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC), Poisson Tree Process (bPTP), and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) were used for species delimitation purposes. The present samples formed well-supported monophyletic assemblages, corroborating in part the results of morphological analyses; however, they grouped according to geographic origin. Species delimitation suggested conspecificity of C. pinnai pinnai with C. pinnai pterodorasi from Brazil; consequently, the morphology of oesophastome may be an intraspecific variation. Results also indicated that C. pinnai may represent a species complex as samples from Argentina were suggestive of an independent specific entity. However, definitive affirmations are premature, since there is no autapomorphy for separating C. pinnai from Brazil and Argentina and sampling was limited to three host species from two river basins. The phylogenetic reconstructions also confirmed the artificiality of some genera within Cucullanidae.

New host and first description of the male of Colobomatus stelliferi Pombo, Turra, Paschoal & Luque, 2015 (Copepoda: Philichthyidae), parasite of Umbrina canosai Berg, 1895 (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) off Brazil: improving the taxonomic knowledge pertaining to Colobomatus spp.

The present study provides new host and first description of the male of Colobomatus stelliferi Pombo, Turra, Paschoal & Luque, 2015 (Copepoda, Philichthyidae), collected from the mandibular canals of the Argentine croaker Umbrina canosai Berg, off the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Four out of nine fish analyzed (prevalence 44.4%) were parasitized by C. stelliferi and showed a mean intensity of 2.5 (range 2-3, standard deviation 1.25). Adult males of C. stelliferi can be differentiated from their closest congeners based on the combination of the following characters: maxilliped with naked basal segment and small apical spine, the presence of two elements on the second endopodal segment of the antenna, and the presence of leg 4. This parasitic copepod is seemingly host-specific to fish of the family Sciaenidae and its occurrence is restricted to the Brazilian coast. The present results contribute to our knowledge of the biology of C. stelliferi and of the parasitic copepod fauna from Brazil.

Two new species of Acusicola Cressey, 1970 (Copepoda:Cyclopoida: Ergasilidae) parasitic on the gills of two estuarine actinopterygians off Brazil.

Two new species of copepods assigned to the genus Acusicola Cressey, 1970 (Cyclopoida: Ergasilidae) are proposed based on post-metamorphic adult females, parasitizing the gills of two actinopterygian fish off Brazil namely, the Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch) (Lobotidae), collected in the coastal zone of the State of Pará, near Curuçá Municipallity, and the Swordspine snook Centropomus ensiferus Poey (Centropomidae) collected in Sepetiba Bay, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Acusicola iamarinoi n. sp. parasite of L. surinamensis, differs from its closet congeners based on the first segment of the antennule armed with 10 setae, the presence of a maxillule armed with four elements and a pair of blunt processes dorsally on the fourth pedigerous somite. Acusicola pasternakae n. sp., collected from C. ensiferus, can be distinguished from its closest congeners based on the membranous sheath of the first endopodal segment of antenna with horizontal marks, the first segment of the antennule armed with 11 setae and a spine on the last exopodal segment of leg 2. This is the first report of representatives of Acusicola parasitizing fish of the families Lobotidae and Centropomidae as well as new geographical records of the genus in the coast of State of Pará and in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil.

A new species of Colobomatus Hesse, 1873 (Copepoda: Philichthyidae) parasitic in the interorbital canals of the Caitipa mojarra Diapterus rhombeus (Cuvier, 1829) (Actinopterygii: Gerreidae) from Sepetiba Bay, southeastern Brazil.

A new species of parasitic copepod, Colobomatus deborae n. sp., belonging to the cyclopoid family Philichthyidae Vogt, 1877, is proposed based on adult female specimens collected from the interorbital canals of the Caitipa mojarra Diapterus rhombeus (Cuvier) (Gerreidae) from Sepetiba Bay, off the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The new species closely resembles six species of Colobomatus Hesse, 1873, but differs from these close congeners based on the combination of the following characters: lateral cephalic processes forked basally with sharp tips, midventral cephalic process representing about one third of the length of the laterals, thoracic processes forked and caudal rami with a pair of unequal processes. Together with the new species described in the present study, the philichthyid fauna of Brazil rises to 10 species reported from 14 Brazilian marine fish species. This is also the third report of Colobomatus in a gerreid fish, but the first species found parasitizing the genus Diapterus.

La vivencia corporal en el desarrollo infantil temprano como recurso inclusivo, en el centro de salud vecinal Bautista Saavedra Ch / The bodily experience in early childhood development as an inclusive resource, at the Bautista Saavedra Ch. neighborhood health center

El proyecto trabaja bajo la estrategia de RBC (Rehabilitación Basada en la Comunidad), tiene el objetivo de asegurar que las personas con discapacidad puedan sacar el máximo provecho de sus capacidades físicas y mentales en beneficio de oportunidades y servicios básicos y alcanzando la inclusión social con la comunidad y la sociedad.

Digenean trematodes infecting the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Scombriformes, Scombridae) off the Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil, including molecular data.

Although some parasitological efforts have focused on the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacepède) (Scombriformes, Scombridae) in Brazil, its digenean fauna remains poorly known. Combining morphological and molecular methods, we investigated the diversity of digenean trematodes of A. thazard collected from the coastal waters off the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2021. Six species belonging to four families were recorded: the bucephalid Rhipidocotyle cf. angusticolle Chandler, 1941, the didymozoid Didymocystis sp. 6 sensu Louvard et al. (2022), the fellodistomid Tergestia sp., and three hemiurids, Dinurus euthynni Yamaguti, 1934, Lecithochirium floridense (Manter, 1934), and L. synodi Manter, 1931. The current study brings the total number of digenean trematode species parasitising A. thazard in Brazil up to eight, with hemiuroid trematodes being most diverse. Auxis thazard is a new host record for L. floridense, L. synodi and potentially for R. angusticolle. The geographic distribution of several species found in our study appeared to be wider than previously known. Our study is the first to apply a DNA-based approach to digenean diversity in marine fishes in Brazil and we believe that both morphological descriptions and molecular sequence data provided in our study will aid future research assessing the diversity of digenean trematodes of A. thazard and other marine fishes in Brazil.

Title: Trématodes Digènes infectant l'auxide Auxis thazard (Scombriformes, Scombridae) au large de la côte de Rio de Janeiro, Brésil, avec des données moléculaires. Abstract: Bien que certains efforts parasitologiques aient porté sur l'auxide Auxis thazard (Lacepède) (Scombriformes : Scombridae) au Brésil, la faune de ses digènes reste mal connue. En combinant des méthodes morphologiques et moléculaires, nous avons étudié la diversité des trématodes digènes d'A. thazard collectés dans les eaux côtières au large de l'État de Rio de Janeiro, Brésil en 2021. Six espèces appartenant à quatre familles ont été répertoriées : le Bucephalidae Rhipidocotyle cf. angusticolle Chandler, 1941, le Didymozoidae Didymocystis sp. 6 sensu Louvard et al. (2022), le Fellodistomidae Tergestia sp., et trois Hemiuridae, Dinurus euthynni Yamaguti, 1934, Lecithochirium floridense (Manter, 1934) et L. synodi Manter, 1931. L'étude actuelle porte le nombre total d'espèces de trématodes digènes parasitant A. thazard au Brésil à huit, les Hemiuroidea étant les plus diversifiés. Auxis thazard est un nouveau signalement d'hôte pour L. floridense, L. synodi et potentiellement R. angusticolle. La répartition géographique de plusieurs espèces trouvées dans notre étude semble être plus large que ce que nous savions auparavant. Notre étude est la première à appliquer une approche basée sur l'ADN à la diversité des digènes chez les poissons marins au Brésil et nous pensons que les descriptions morphologiques et les données de séquence moléculaire fournies dans notre étude aideront les recherches futures évaluant la diversité des trématodes digènes d'A. thazard et d'autres poissons marins du Brésil.

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in defense against tumor cells. The development and function of NK cells is governed by a dynamic balance between inhibition and activation of cell surface receptors, including KIR receptors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A case-control study is carried out that compares a group of 46 children diagnosed with malignant diseases, the control group is made up of 82 healthy children. KIRs genes, haplotypes and ligands were determined and compared between groups. RESULTS: There are no differences in KIRs genes, KIRs haplotypes or in KIRs gene ligands between groups. However, when KIRS and ligands were jointly studied, k2DS1_C2 was significantly higher in the group of cancer children (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not provide evidence of an association between pediatric cancer disease with genotypes and groups of genes KIRs. The k2DS1_C2 genotype could predispose to susceptibility to malignant processes in children.

Six new species of Rhamnocercus Monaco, Wood & Mizelle, 1954 (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) infecting the gills from South American sciaenid fishes.

A parasitological survey searching diplectanids (Monogenea: Diplecatnidae) infesting the gills of marine fishes from South America was carried out during the 2019-2020 period. The gills of four sciaenid species, 2 Cheilotrema fasciatum Tschudi, 1 smalleye croaker Nebris microps Cuvier, 2 royal highhat Pareques lanfeari (Barton), and 1 minor stardrum Stellifer minor (Tschudi), were sampled. Six new species of Rhamnocercus Monaco, Wood & Mizelle, 1954 were described: Rhamnocercus chacllae n. sp. and Rhamnocercus chaskae n. sp. from P. lanfeari, Rhamnocercus fasciatus n. sp. from C. fasciatum, Rhamnocercus microps n. sp. from N. microps, and Rhamnocercus rimaci n. sp. and Rhamnocercus tantaleani n. sp. from S. minor. Rhamnocercus chacllae n. sp. can be differentiated from its congeners by its L-shaped male copulatory organ (MCO) and by having an anteromedial slight notch at ventral bar. Rhamnocercus chaskae n. sp. differs from the other species of the genus by its long and straight MCO with bifid distal end and by having haptoral accessory spines at level of ventral bar with quadrifid distal portion. Rhamnocercus fasciatus n. sp. is characterized by possessing a straight and long MCO with truncated distal end, haptoral accessory spines at level of ventral bar with bifid distal portion, dorsal bars with a knob at lateral extremity, and a large vagina with bell-shaped. Rhamnocercus microps n. sp. differs from all congeners mainly by having a short and straight MCO with the distal end of internal tube spatulate and uncovered by external tube. Rhamnocercus rimaci n. sp. is can be distinguished from all other species of Rhamnocercus by having an almost J-shaped MCO with the distal end of external tube slight expanded and the distal end of internal tube narrow and uncovered by external tube. Rhamnocercus tantaleani n. sp. is mainly characterized by its MCO, which is tubular and straight, having the distal end of external tube bifurcated (right branch well-expanded and left branch narrow) and the distal end of internal tube enveloped by left branch of the external tube. This is the first data on the parasites of P. lanfeari, a little known, but popular fish in local markets from Peru. Rhamnocercus microps n. sp. is the first described species of Rhamnocercus in Brazil. The present finding brings to 12, the number of known species of Rhamnocercus. A key to Rhamnocercus species is provided.

A New Species of Hatschekiid Copepod (Crustacea: Hatschekiidae) Parasitic on the Porkfish Anisotremus virginicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii: Haemulidae), with Notes on Previously Known Species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 Collected from Actinopterygians off Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Copepods of the genus Hatschekia Poche, 1902 are parasitic on the gills of marine actinopterygians. Currently, about 151 species of this genus have been reported in marine ecosystems and only few occur in South Atlantic Ocean. METHODS: Fifty specimens of A. virginicus from Angra dos Reis, off the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were parasitized by copepods on the gills. Parasites were fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological observations were based on light and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Hatschekia nagasawai n. sp. can be distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: (1) presence of two pointed processes on the proximal (first) segment of antennule, (2) cephalothorax octagonal to ovoid, (3) absence of processes on the intercoxal sclerite of legs 1 and 2, (4) trunk without lobes at the postero-lateral margins. Other species of Hatschekia and their hosts previously collected off Brazil were analysed and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a representative of the family Hatschekiidae Kabata, 1979 parasitizing a species of Anisotremus. The number of species of Hatschekia reported in the South Atlantic Ocean was increased to five, including the new species; however, the diversity of hatschekiid copepods in this oceanographic region is still underestimated, most likely being higher than what is currently known.

Impact of α-synuclein spreading on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway depends on the onset of the pathology.

Misfolded α-synuclein spreads along anatomically connected areas through the brain, prompting progressive neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease. To investigate the impact of early stage seeding and spreading of misfolded α-synuclein along with the nigrostriatal pathway, we studied the pathophysiologic effect induced by a single acute α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) inoculation into the midbrain. Further, to model the progressive vulnerability that characterizes the dopamine (DA) neuron life span, we used two cohorts of mice with different ages: 2-month-old (young) and 5-month-old (adult) mice. Two months after α-synuclein PFFs injection, we found that striatal DA release decreased exclusively in adult mice. Adult DA neurons showed an increased level of pathology spreading along with the nigrostriatal pathway accompanied with a lower volume of α-synuclein deposition in the midbrain, impaired neurotransmission, rigid DA terminal composition, and less microglial reactivity compared with young neurons. Notably, preserved DA release and increased microglial coverage in the PFFs-seeded hemisphere coexist with decreased large-sized terminal density in young DA neurons. This suggests the presence of a targeted pruning mechanism that limits the detrimental effect of α-synuclein early spreading. This study suggests that the impact of the pathophysiology caused by misfolded α-synuclein spreading along the nigrostriatal pathway depends on the age of the DA network, reducing striatal DA release specifically in adult mice.

New record of monogeneans (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) infecting some marine fishes from the Peruvian coastal zone

A parasitological survey searching monogeneans infesting marine fish was carried out during June 2018 and January 2020 from the coastal zone of Puerto Pizarro, Tumbes (northern Peru) and from the coastal zone of Chorrillos, Lima (central Peru). The gills, skin, nasal cavities, or branchial gill-cover of seven species were sampled. Ten monogenean species assigned to six families and nine genera were identified. The monogeneans Callorhynchocotyle callorhynchi (Manter, 1955); Capsala biparasiticum (Goto, 1894) Price, 1938; Euryhaliotrema sagmatum Kritsky & Boeger, 2002; Listrocephalos kearni Bullard, Payne &Braswell, 2004; Magniexcipula lamothei Bravo-Hollis, 1981; Nasicola klawei (Stunkard, 1962) Yamaguti, 1968; and Pseudorhabdosynochus anulus Violante-Gonzalez & Rojas-Herrera, 2011 are registered for the first time in Peru. While Capsala gregalis (Wagner & Carter, 1967) Chisholm & Whittington, 2007; Heterocotyle margaritae Chero, Cruces, Sáez, Santos & Luque, 2020; and Monocotyle luquei Chero, Cruces, Iannacone, Sanchez, Minaya, Sáez & Alvariño, 2016 have been previously registered in Peruvian waters, however, the region of Tumbes (northern Peru) represent a new locality record for these species.

Durante junio de 2018 y enero de 2020 se realizó un levamiento parasitológico para buscar monogeneos que infectan peces marinos en la zona costera de Puerto Pizarro, departamento de Tumbes (norte de Perú) y en la zona costera de Chorrillos, departamento de Lima (centro de Perú). Se analizaron las branquias, la piel, las cavidades nasales o el opérculo de siete especies. Se identificaron diez especies de monogeneos, asignadas a seis familias y nueve géneros. Los monogeneos Callorhynchocotyle callorhynchi (Manter, 1955); Capsala biparasitica (Goto, 1894) Price, 1938; Euryhaliotrema sagmatum Kritsky y Boeger, 2002; Listrocephalos kearni Bullard, Payne y Braswell, 2004; Magniexcipula lamothei Bravo-Hollis, 1981; Nasicola klawei (Stunkard, 1962) Yamaguti, 1968; y Pseudorhabdosynochus anulus Violante-Gonzalez & Rojas-Herrera, 2011 son registrados por primera vez en Perú. Mientras que, Capsala gregalis (Wagner y Carter, 1967) Chisholm y Whittington, 2007; Heterocotyle margaritae Chero, Cruces, Sáez, Santos & Luque, 2020; y Monocotyle luquei Chero, Cruces, Iannacone, Sanchez, Minaya, Sáez & Alvariño, 2016 han sido previamente registrados en aguas peruanas, sin embargo, la región de Tumbes (norte de Perú) representa un nuevo registro de localidad para estas especies.

Bicentenariella n. g. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) including descriptions of three new species and two new combinations from serranid fishes (Actinopterygii: Serranidae: Anthiinae) in the South American Pacific Ocean.

Bicentenariella n. g. is proposed to accommodate three new species of dactylogyrid monogeneans found on the gills of the threadfin bass Pronotogrammus multifasciatus Gill (Perciformes: Serranidae) from the Southeastern Pacific Ocean off Peru: Bicentenariella claudiae n. sp. (type-species), B. sinuosa n. sp. and B. puertopizarroensis n. sp. Bicentenariella n. g. is mainly characterised by possessing a broadly X-shaped dorsal bar, which has the anterior arms longer than posterior ones and by having a ventral bar with two medial projections. Bicentenariella n. g. is also characterised by having: (i) anchors equal, each with elongate superficial root and short deep root; (ii) an haptor with bilaterally paired lobes, lacking haptoral reservoirs; (iii) hooks with protruded obtuse thumb and undilated shank; (iv) a tubular tapered-shaped male copulatory organ with basal flap bifurcated or not (MCO), lacking accessory piece; (v) a delicate membrane associated with the shaft of the MCO present or absent; (vi) a muscular trumpet-shaped vagina, vaginal aperture dextrolateral; (vii) eyespots absent, accessory chromatic granules present; and (viii) a not lobulated testis. Bicentenariella claudiae n. sp. is characterised by having a MCO with whip-shaped distal end and a rod-shaped ventral bar with hatchet-shaped lateral ends. Bicentenariella sinuosa n. sp. is typified by possessing a MCO with an irregular filamentous membrane surrounding its shaft and a dumbbell-shaped ventral bar. Bicentenariella puertopizarroensis n. sp. can be differentiated from its congeners by having a tubular-shaped MCO with twisted distal end and a narrow W-shaped ventral bar. Parancylodiscoides peruensis Cruces, Chero, Sáez & Luque, 2017 from Hemanthias peruanus (Steindachner) and P. signiferi Cruces, Chero, Sáez & Luque, 2017 from H. signifer (Garman), are transferred to Bicentenariella n. g. as B. peruensis n. comb and B. signiferi n. comb., respectively.

Epizoochory in Parrots as an Overlooked Yet Widespread Plant-Animal Mutualism.

Plant-animal interactions are key to sustaining whole communities and ecosystem function. However, their complexity may limit our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the species involved. The ecological effects of epizoochory remain little known compared to other seed dispersal mechanisms given the few vectors identified. In addition, epizoochory is mostly considered non-mutualistic since dispersers do not obtain nutritional rewards. Here, we show a widespread but unknown mutualistic interaction between parrots and plants through epizoochory. Combining our observations with photos from web-sources, we recorded nearly 2000 epizoochory events in 48 countries across five continents, involving 116 parrot species and nearly 100 plant species from 35 families, including both native and non-native species. The viscid pulp of fleshy fruits and anemochorous structures facilitate the adherence of tiny seeds (mean 3.7 × 2.56 mm) on the surface of parrots while feeding, allowing the dispersion of these seeds over long distances (mean = 118.5 m). This parrot-plant mutualism could be important in ecosystem functioning across a wide diversity of environments, also facilitating the spread of exotic plants. Future studies should include parrots for a better understanding of plant dispersal processes and for developing effective conservation actions against habitat loss and biological invasions.