Nematodes found in Nile crocodiles in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, with redescriptions of Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) (Heterocheilidae) and Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937 (Camallanidae).

Sixteen Nile crocodiles were collected in the Kruger National Park, South Africa and vicinity during 2010 and 2011. A total of 11 nematode species representing six families were recovered. Heterocheilids were the dominant group, comprising five species, with Dujardinascaris madagascariensis (Chabaud & Caballero, 1966) being the most prevalent (75%), followed by Ingwenascaris sprenti Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (68.8%), which was also the second most numerous nematode. While less prevalent (31.3%), Typhlophoros kwenae Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 was the most abundant species. Micropleura huchzermeyeri Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (Micropleuridae) was collected from five crocodiles and Crocodylocapillaria sp. (Capillariidae) occurred in a single host. Three nematodes, Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937, Spirocamallanus sp. (both Camallanidae) and Ascarophis sp. (Cystidicolidae), are considered accidental infections, likely ingested with the hosts' prey. Our findings of D. dujardini (Travassos, 1920), D. madagascariensis and Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) in South Africa constitute new geographical records. Crocodylocapillaria sp. represents a new host and geographical record, while T. kwenae, I. sprenti and M. huchzermeyeri have been described as new species during the course of this survey. Multicaecum agile is here redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Previously undescribed morphological characters of C. kaapstaadi, typically a parasite of Xenopus spp. (Amphibia: Pipidae), but here found in two Nile crocodiles, are also presented.

Typhlophoros kwenae n. sp. (Nematoda: Ascaridida: Heterocheilidae), a gastric parasite from the Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae) in South Africa.

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical observations, Typhlophoros kwenae n. sp. (Heterocheilidae), a new nematode parasite, is described from the stomach of the Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti in South Africa. In having three lips with well-developed posterior prolongations and prominent interlabial longitudinal cuticular ridges, four pairs of precloacal papillae and complex spicules divided into handle and broad alate blade in males, as well as the position of the vulva near mid-body in females, the specimens conform to the generic diagnosis of Typhlophoros von Linstow, 1906. They can, however, be distinguished from the two previously described congeners, T. lamellaris von Linstow, 1906 and T. spratti Sprent, 1999, by the number of complete interlabial ridges, the length of spicules in males and the position of the vulva as well as the length of the tail in females. This is the first record of the genus Typhlophoros from the Afrotropical Realm.

Ingwenascaris n. g. (Nematoda: Ascaridida: Heterocheilidae) established for I. sprenti n. sp. and I. assymmetrica (Ortlepp, 1932) n. comb., parasites of African crocodiles, and an identification key to the genera of the Heterocheilidae.

Ingwenascaris n. g. (Nematoda: Heterocheilidae) is established to accommodate Ingwenascaris sprenti n. g., n. sp., described from the stomach of Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae) in South Africa, based on light and scanning electron microscopy studies of its morphology. The new genus can be distinguished from other heterocheilid genera through a combination of its characters, including the pronounced asymmetry of each subventral lip due to an alate ventral margin and a non-alate margin facing the dorsal lip, the presence of continuous ridges of triangular denticles along the free labial margins, the lack of interlocking processes or a rostral plate, interlabia being indistinct or represented by small lateral interlabia between the dorsal and ventral lips only, the absence of prominent interlabial longitudinal cuticular ridges, the presence of lateral alae that are fused with the subventral lips, the presence of lateral caudal alae in both sexes, spicules of males that are composed of handle and alate blade, the presence of a gubernaculum, the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae and the position of the vulva near the anterior and middle third of the body in females. Ingwenascaris sprenti n. g., n. sp. represents the sixth heterocheilid genus parasitising African crocodilians. Trispiculascaris assymmetrica (Ortlepp, 1932) (syn. Porrocaecum assymmetricum Ortlepp, 1932) from a Central African crocodile is transferred to the new genus as I. assymmetrica (Ortlepp, 1932) n. comb. The genus Trispiculascaris Skrjabin, 1916 is considered a genus incertae sedis. An identification key to the genera of the family Heterocheilidae is presented.

Micropleura huchzermeyeri n. sp. (Camallanida: Dracunculoidea: Micropleuridae) from the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), in South Africa.

Micropleura huchzermeyeri n. sp. (Camallanida: Dracunculoidea: Micropleuridae) is described from the peritoneal cavity of Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), based on a detailed study of its morphology using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species is compared with its congeners, M. australiensis Moravec, Kay & Hobbs, 2004, M. vazi Travassos, 1933 and M. vivipara von Linstow, 1906 from crocodilians, and with M. indica Khera, 1951 from chelonian hosts. It can be distinguished from these by the length of its spicules, which are longer than in all described species and a combination of characters, including the presence of prominent lateral caudal papillae on the level of the cloaca in males, the presence of conspicuous phasmids on the female tail, the pre-equatorial position of the vulva and the length of the first-stage larvae. Micropleura huchzermeyeri n. sp. is further characterised by having 14 cephalic papillae in both sexes and ten pairs of caudal papillae in males. This is the first report of a representative of the genus Micropleura von Linstow, 1906 from a crocodilian in the Afrotropical region. Micropleura helicospicula Dey Sarkar, 2003 is considered a species incertae sedis.

A new ascaridid nematode, Mammalakis zambiensis n. sp. (Heterakoidea: Kiwinematidae), from the mole rat Fukomys anselli (Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán & Kawalika) (Rodentia: Bathyergidae) in Zambia.

Mammalakis zambiensis n. sp. is described from the large intestine and caecum of Fukomys anselli (Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán & Kawalika), a bathyergid rodent endemic to Zambia. Morphological data for comparison with its three congeners, M. macrospiculum (Ortlepp, 1939), M. spalacis (Marcu, 1930) and M. spalaxi (Kozlov & Jangolenko, 1962) are provided. Based on studies of the type-material, observations of hitherto undescribed morphological characters of M. macrospiculum, a parasite of Bathyergus suillus (Schreber) (Hystricomorpha: Bathyergidae) in South Africa, are presented. To date, the generic diagnosis of Mammalakis Inglis, 1991 is based largely on characters of its type-species, M. macrospiculum. In having three rounded lips, not set-off from the body, a stout oesophagus with a flask-shaped posterior bulb, lateral alae that broaden on the level of the precloacal sucker and cloaca, and mature eggs with a smooth shell, M. zambienis n. sp. corresponds to the characters of the genus. However, the presence of lips with anterior flanges that were observed in M. zambiensis n. sp., and also for the first time in M. macrospiculum, are in contrast with the current diagnosis of Mammalakis. Further studies will be needed to determine if an amendment of the generic diagnosis is indicated.

Whence river blindness? The domestication of mammals and host-parasite co-evolution in the nematode genus Onchocerca.

The genus Onchocerca includes 34 described species and represents one of the largest genera of the filarial nematodes within the family Onchocercidae. Representative members of this genus are mainly parasites of ungulates, with some exceptions such as Onchocerca lupi and Onchocerca volvulus, infecting carnivores and/or humans. For a long time, the evolutionary relationships amongst onchocercids remained poorly studied, as the systematics of this genus was impaired by the high morphological variability of species included in the taxon. Although some molecular phylogenies were developed, these studies were mainly focused on bovine Onchocerca spp. and O. volvulus, including assessments of Wolbachia endosymbionts. In the present study, we analysed 13 Onchocerca spp. from a larger host spectrum using a panel of seven different genes. Analysis of the coxI marker supports its usefulness for the identification of species within the genus. The evolutionary history of the genus has been herein revised by multi-gene phylogenies, presenting three strongly supported clades of Onchocerca spp. Analyses of co-evolutionary scenarios between Onchocerca and their vertebrate hosts underline the effect of domestication on Onchocerca speciation. Our study indicates that a host switch event occurred between Bovidae, Canidae and humans. Cophylogenetic analyses between Onchocerca and the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia indicate the strongest co-evolutionary pattern ever registered within the filarial nematodes. Finally, this dataset indicates that the clade composed by O. lupi, Onchocerca gutturosa, Onchocerca lienalis, Onchocerca ochengi and O. volvulus derived from recent speciation.

Description of Acuaria europaea n. sp. (Spirurida: Acuariidae) from Dendrocopos syriacus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg) and Oriolus oriolus (L.) (Aves) in Europe, with results of re-examination of related European species of Acuaria Bremser, 1811.

Acuaria europaea n. sp. is described from one Dendrocopos syriacus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg) (Piciformes: Picidae) (type-host) and three Oriolus oriolus (L.) (Passeriformes: Oriolidae) in Bulgaria (type-locality) and France. The new species is characterised by cordons extending slightly beyond the level of the anterior end of the glandular oesophagus, left spicule 297 µm long, right spicule 155 µm long, protruding vulvar region and strongly ventrally curved female tail. The male (holotype) and the female (allotype) of A. parorioli Chabaud & Petter, 1961 from O. oriolus are regarded as not being conspecific based on the differing morphology of their cordons; the female is identified as A. europaea n. sp. The type-material of Acuaria attenuata (Rudolphi, 1819) is redescribed. The species is characterised by a small and delicate body, cordons extending beyond the oesophago-intestinal junction and similar spicules in size and shape, 140 µm long. The only type-material of Acuaria anthuris (Rudolphi, 1819) available for examination consists of a male and a female (syntypes) from O. oriolus. The two specimens differ from one another by the relative lengths of their cordons and we consider them as belonging to two species. However, both type-specimens differ in their much shorter cordons from the species of Acuaria parasitising Corvidae. The present study reveals that the original description of A. anthuris has been based on heterogeneous material.

Filarial infection caused by Onchocerca boehmi (Supperer, 1953) in a horse from Italy.

Equids can be infected by a range of skin-dwelling filarial nematodes, including four species of the genus Onchocerca. Current literature on equine onchocercosis is fragmentary and often limited to isolated case reports. The present study aimed to describe a clinical case of equine onchocercosis caused by Onchocerca boehmi (Supperer, 1953) (syn. Elaeophora boehmi) in an 8-year-old gelding Belgian show jumper from northern Italy. The horse was presented with a firm and painless mass on the proximal third of the right metacarpal region. Ultrasound examination showed a peritendinous enlargement around the palmaro-lateral area of the tendons, characterized by an elongated hypoechoic and well-defined structure, embedding a coiled hyperechoic line. The metacarpal nodule was resected and histologically examined. Fragments of a parasitic nematode were detected, isolated and examined. The morphological analysis allowed identifying the nematode as O. boehmi. In addition, total genomic DNA was extracted from individual fragments using a commercial kit for the nematode identification and a comparative sequence analysis of the nematode cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequence with data available in the GenBankTM database revealed the closest identity (i.e. 91 %) with that of Onchocerca lupi. Thus far, O. boehmi has only been reported in Austria and Iran, and information about its life-cycle and vectors is lacking. The systematic position of this species within the genus Onchocerca, not in Elaeophora where it was originally described, is in concordance with the morphological and molecular analysis. In this article, we describe the first autochthonous case of equine onchocercosis in Italy caused by O. boehmi and discuss novel parasitological, clinical, and pathological data on these pathogens of horses.

Descriptions of two new species of Quasithelazia Maplestone, 1932 (Spirurida: Acuariidae) and a redescription of Alinema sturni Jögis, 1968 from birds in Australia.

Quasithelazia minuta n. sp. and Quasithelazia pearsoni n. sp. (Spirurida: Acuariidae) are described from Todiramphus sanctus (Vigors & Horsfield) (Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae) in Australia. Alinema sturni Jögis, 1968 from Sturnus vulgaris (L.) (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) in Europe, is considered to belong in the subfamily Schistorophinae Travassos, 1918 (and not in the Seuratiinae Chitwood & Wehr, 1932, where it has previously been placed) on the basis of the number of the pairs of precloacal papillae. The latter species, known from its original record only, is found as parasitic in diverse passerine birds in Australia, namely Psophodes olivaceus (Latham) (Psophodidae), Falcunculus frontatus (Latham) (Pachycephalidae), Colluricincla harmonica (Latham) (Pachycephalidae), Malurus cyaneus (Ellis) (Maluridae) and Ptilotula penicillata (Gould) (Meliphagidae). Alinema sturni is considered an alien species for Australia that has been introduced with its host (starling) and subsequently adapted to a wide range of native avian hosts.

Development of Crenosoma vulpis in the common garden snail Cornu aspersum: implications for epidemiological studies.

BACKGROUND: Crenosoma vulpis (Dujardin, 1845), the fox lungworm, is a metastrongyloid affecting the respiratory tract of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), dogs (Canis familiaris) and badgers (Meles meles) living in Europe and North America. The scant data available on the intermediate hosts of C. vulpis, as well as the limited information about the morphology of the larvae may jeopardise epidemiological studies on this parasite. METHODS: Suitability and developmental time of C. vulpis in the common garden snail Cornu aspersum (= Helix aspersa) was assessed at selected days post-infection (i.e. 3, 6, 10, 15, 20 and 180). Nematodes were preserved in 70% ethanol, cleared and examined as temporary mounts in glycerol for morphological descriptions of first- and third-stage larvae. In addition, nematodes collected from the dog and the experimentally infected snails were molecularly analysed by the amplification of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Specimens of C. aspersum digested before the infection (n = 10) were negative for helminth infections. Out of 115 larvae recovered from infected gastropods (mean of 9.58 larvae per snail), 36 (31.3%) were localised in the foot and 79 (68.7%) in the viscera. The 18S rDNA sequences obtained from larvae collected from the dog and the snail tissues displayed 100% identity to the nucleotide sequence of C. vulpis. CONCLUSIONS: Cornu aspersum is herein reported for the first time as a suitable intermediate host of C. vulpis. This snail species may play an important role for the infection of animals living in regions of the Mediterranean basin. In addition, this study provides more details on the morphological descriptions of L1 and L3 and supports future investigations on the epidemiology of this little known parasite.

Shaking the Tree: Multi-locus Sequence Typing Usurps Current Onchocercid (Filarial Nematode) Phylogeny.

During the past twenty years, a number of molecular analyses have been performed to determine the evolutionary relationships of Onchocercidae, a family of filarial nematodes encompassing several species of medical or veterinary importance. However, opportunities for broad taxonomic sampling have been scarce, and analyses were based mainly on 12S rDNA and coxI gene sequences. While being suitable for species differentiation, these mitochondrial genes cannot be used to infer phylogenetic hypotheses at higher taxonomic levels. In the present study, 48 species, representing seven of eight subfamilies within the Onchocercidae, were sampled and sequences of seven gene loci (nuclear and mitochondrial) analysed, resulting in the hitherto largest molecular phylogenetic investigation into this family. Although our data support the current hypothesis that the Oswaldofilariinae, Waltonellinae and Icosiellinae subfamilies separated early from the remaining onchocercids, Setariinae was recovered as a well separated clade. Dirofilaria, Loxodontofilaria and Onchocerca constituted a strongly supported clade despite belonging to different subfamilies (Onchocercinae and Dirofilariinae). Finally, the separation between Splendidofilariinae, Dirofilariinae and Onchocercinae will have to be reconsidered.

Meteterakis saotomensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterakidae) from Schistometopum thomense (Bocage) (Gymnophiona: Dermophiidae) on São Tomé Island.

Meteterakis saotomensis n. sp. is described from Schistometopum thomense (Bocage), a gymnophionan endemic to the oceanic island of São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea. The specimens were assigned to Meteterakis Karve, 1930, based on the possession of a head with three rounded lips, not set-off from the body, the absence of interlabia and cordons, females with a long vagina and males with a preanal sucker, surrounded by a cuticularised rim and caudal alae that are supported by fleshy papillae. The new species is characterised by: body length 4.2-4.5 mm (males) and 5.1-6.4 mm (females); total length of oesophagus, including pharyngeal portion and oesophageal bulb, 820-856 µm (males) and 898-1,070 µm (females); length of pharynx 57-58 µm (males) and 65-68 µm (females); spicules equal, 410-521 µm long, with tessellated ornamentation throughout their length and alae, and with bevelled tip; gubernaculum or 'gubernacular mass' absent; tail length 164-176 µm (males) and 214-239 µm (females), with elongated tip; vulva at 2.3-2.8 mm from anterior end, with anterior lip forming small flap. This is the second species of Meteterakis reported from gymnophionan hosts and the first from the Afrotropical region. Selected comparative morphological data for Meteterakis spp. are presented, and data on host range and geographic distribution are updated. The name M. striaturus Oshmarin & Demshin, 1972 is corrected to M. striatura to reflect the female gender of the genus name.

Crenosoma vulpis in wild and domestic carnivores from Italy: a morphological and molecular study.

Crenosoma vulpis is a metastrongyloid nematode primarily associated with respiratory tract infections of red foxes in North America and Europe. Sporadic cases have also been reported in domestic dogs. The present study aimed to provide morphological, molecular, and epidemiological data on the geographical distribution of this nematode throughout Italy. From 2012 to 2014, 12 of the 138 foxes examined, three dogs and one badger scored positive for C. vulpis. Forty adults were isolated from foxes and the badger, whereas first-stage larvae were detected in the three dogs. All specimens were morphologically identified as C. vulpis, and 28 nematodes were also molecularly characterized by sequencing mitochondrial (12S ribosomal DNA (rDNA)) and nuclear (18S rDNA) ribosomal genes. Four haplotypes were identified based on the 12S rDNA target gene, with the most representative (78.5%) designated as haplotype I. No genetic variability was detected for the 18S rDNA gene. The molecular identification was consistent with the distinct separation of species-specific clades inferred by the phylogenetic analyses of both mitochondrial and ribosomal genes. Data herein reported indicates that C. vulpis has a wide distribution in foxes from southern Italy, and it also occurs in dogs from southern and northern regions of the country. Practitioners should consider the occurrence of this nematode in the differential diagnosis of canine respiratory disease, particularly in dogs living close to rural areas where foxes are present.

Helminth parasites of Artemia franciscana (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in the Great Salt Lake, Utah: first data from the native range of this invader of European wetlands.

The present study is the first survey on the role of Artemia franciscana Kellogg as intermediate host of helminth parasites in its native geographical range in North America (previous studies have recorded nine cestode and one nematode species from this host in its invasive habitats in the Western Mediterranean). Samples of Artemia franciscana were collected from four sites in the Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, across several months (June-September 2009). A. franciscana serves as intermediate host of five helminth species in this lake. Four of them are cestodes: three hymenolepidids, i.e. Confluaria podicipina (Szymanski, 1905) (adults parasitic in grebes), Hymenolepis (sensu lato) californicus Young, 1950 (adults parasitic in gulls), Wardium sp. (definitive host unknown, probably charadriiform birds), and one dilepidid, Fuhrmannolepis averini Spassky et Yurpalova, 1967 (adults parasitic in phalaropes). In addition, an unidentified nematode of the family Acuariidae was recorded. Confluaria podicipina is the most prevalent and abundant parasite at all sampling sites, followed by H. (s. l.) californicus. The species composition of the parasites and the spatial variations in their prevalence and abundance reflect the abundance and distribution of aquatic birds serving as their definitive hosts. The temporal dynamics of the overall helminth infections exhibits the highest prevalence in the last month of study at each site (August or September). This native population of A. franciscana from GSL is characterised with higher prevalence, intensity and abundance of the overall cestode infection compared to the introduced populations of this species in the Palaearctic Region. The values of the infection descriptors in the native population of A. franciscana are slightly lower or in some cases similar to those of the Palaearctic species Artemia parthenogenetica Barigozzi (diploid populations) and Artemia salina (Linnaeus) in their native habitats.

Review of the genus Mansonella Faust, 1929 sensu lato (Nematoda: Onchocercidae), with descriptions of a new subgenus and a new subspecies.

Based on material deposited in museum collections, twelve species within Mansonella sensu lato were examined and their descriptions amended. Based on additional morphological details, the erection of the new monotypic subgenus Filyamagutia Bain & Uni for M. (F.) akitensis (Uni, 1983), and the new combination M. (Pseudolitomosa) musasabi (Yamaguti, 1941) Bain & Uni are proposed. A new subspecies, M. (Tetrapetalonema) atelensis amazonae Bain & Guerrero is described and a key to the seven subgenera of Mansonella is provided. Furthermore, the elevation of Sandnema to full genus rank comprising the two species S. digitatum (Chandler, 1929) n. comb. and S. sunci (Sandground, 1933) n. comb., is proposed. Host and geographic records for the species of Mansonella and Sandnema are included.

Stammerinema hyalinum n. comb. for Filaria hyalina von Linstow, 1890 and its recognition as a senior synonym of Stammerinema rhopalocephalum (Soltys, 1952) (Spirurida: Acuariidae), a parasite of shrews.

Based on a re-examination of type-specimens of Filaria hyalina von Linstow, 1890 from Sorex araneus L. (Mammalia: Soricidae) and morphological studies (light and scanning electron microscopy) of specimens collected from the same host species in Bulgaria and previously identified as Stammerinema rhopalocephalum (Soltys, 1952), both these forms are considered to be conspecific. Accordingly, F. hyalina is transferred to the genus Stammerinema Osche, 1955 as Stammerinema hyalinum n. comb. and the species originally described as Synhimantus rhopalocephalus Soltys, 1952 is considered its junior synonym.

Redescription of Cercopithifilaria rugosicauda (Böhm & Supperer, 1953) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) of roe deer, with an emended diagnosis of the genus Cercopithifilaria and a genetic characterisation.

Newly collected material of Cercopithifilaria rugosicauda from roe deer Capreolus capreolus was analysed and compared to descriptions of C. rugosicauda from Austria and Hungary. The present specimens were assigned to the genus Cercopithifilaria using both morphological and molecular analyses. Complementary morphological data on the males and microfilariae of C. rugosicauda were described. The main morphological characters of different species of Cercopithifilaria were outlined and an emended generic diagnosis proposed. A genetic characterisation based on the analyses of cox1 and 12S rDNA sequences was reported supporting that C. rugosicauda was included in the clade of the genus Cercopithifilaria distinctly from other congeneric species available. However, these molecular analyses did not solve the relationships between the species of Cercopithifilaria. These could be approached using morphological characters that might be representative of their evolutionary history. In addition, Wolbachia was not seen in C. rugosicauda, either by immunohistological or by molecular approaches.

Description of Proyseria petterae n. sp., with an amended generic diagnosis and a review of the species of Proyseria Petter, 1959 and Stegophorus Wehr, 1934 (Nematoda: Acuariidae).

Proyseria decora (Dujardin, 1845) (the type-species of the genus Proyseria Petter, 1959) is redescribed on the basis of specimens from Alcedo atthis (L.) (Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae) from Iran. P. petterae n. sp. is described from Corythornis vintsioides (Eydoux & Gervais) (Alcedinidae) from Madagascar by light and scanning electron microscopy. Proyseria sp. from Alcedo euryzona Temminck from continental Malaysia is described on the basis of a single male specimen. Stegophorus alcedonis Puqin, Yanyin & Guocal, 1991 from A. atthis in China is transferred to the genus Proyseria as P. alcedonis n. comb. The generic diagnosis of Proyseria is amended. Review of the species of the genera Proyseria and Stegophorus Wehr, 1934 is presented.

Larval helminths in the invasive American brine shrimp Artemia franciscana throughout its annual cycle.

One of the best examples of rapid displacement of native species by an invader is the eradication of native Artemia salina and A. parthenogenetica in the Mediterranean by the introduced American A. franciscana. Previous studies based on sampling from limited time periods suggest that the success of the American species as a competitor may be due partly to different parasite burden, since native Artemia spp. have high cestode infection rates regulating their density. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that the helminth infection in A. franciscana in its invasive range is low throughout its annual life cycle. Samples of A. franciscana were collected every second month from La Tapa saltern (Andalusia) during one year. Five helminth species were recorded: cestodes Flamingolepis liguloides, F. flamingo, Gynandrotaenia stammeri (all flamingo parasites), Eurycestus avoceti (a shorebird parasite) and larval spirurids of the Acuariinae (the first record of nematodes in Artemia). The overall infection rate was low, with total prevalence 5.9% and prevalence of individual parasite species between 0.2 and 3.2%. The mean abundance of helminths was 0.005-0.155 (av. 0.068), 5-13 times lower than in native congeners. Waterbird counts indicate that the low infection rates cannot be explained by lack of definitive hosts. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that helminths have no regulating effect on the invasive brine shrimp in the Mediterranean. The replacement of the native populations by the invader can be partially explained by a competition mediated by parasites/predators through a differential impact on host fitness.

Two new species of Quasithelazia Maplestone, 1932 (Nematoda: Acuariidae) from Malaysia, with an amended diagnosis and review of the genus.

Quazithelazia rostrata n. sp. from Ceyx erithaca (L.) (type-host) and Alcedo euryzona Temminck (Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae) and Q. alata n. sp. from Enicurus ruficapillus Temminck (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae) are described from vicinities of Gombak Biological Station, Selangor, Malaysia; both species are parasitic under the koilin lining of the gizzard. Paratypes of Schistogendra pelargopsis Nandi, De & Majumdar, 1985, a parasite of Pelargopsis capensis (L.) (Alcedinidae) from India, are redescribed and the species is recognised as a junior synonym of the type-species of Quasithelazia, Q. tenuis Maplestone, 1932 (new synonymy), a species originally described from Halcyon smyrnensis (L.) (Alcedinidae) in India. An amended diagnosis of the genus Quasithelazia Maplestone, 1932 is proposed. Currently, this genus includes eight species occurring in the Old World, six of them parasitic in kingfishers (Alcedinidae) and two species parasitic in flycatchers (Muscicapidae). These include, inter alia, Q. halcyoni n. comb. for Viktorocara halcyoni Ryzhikov & Khokhlova, 1964 from Halcyon smyrnensis and H. pileata (Boddaert) in Vietnam and the Russian Far East, Q. microcordonis n. comb. for Rusguniella microcordonis Schmidt & Kuntz, 1971 from Halcyon coromanda major (Temminck & Schlegel) in Taiwan and Q. multipapillata n. comb. for Schistogendra multipapillata Zhang, 1993 from Tarsiger cyanurus (Pallas) (Muscicapidae) in China. Comparative morphological data for Quasithelazia spp. are presented. Schistogendra oligopapillata Zhang & An, 2002 from domestic ducks in China is considered a species incertae sedis.