Genetic and morphological characterisation of a new species of the genus Hysterothylacium (Nematoda) from Paralichthys isosceles Jordan, 1890 (Pisces: Teleostei) of the Neotropical Region, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Taking into account the difficulties of taxonomic identification of larval anisakid nematodes based on morphological characters, genetic analyses were performed, together with those usually applied, in order to identify anisakid larvae found in the flounder Paralichthys isosceles from the littoral of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The analysis of 1,820 larvae revealed a new species, similar to Hysterothylacium MD, Hysterothylacium 2, Hysterothylacium KB and Hysterothylacium sp regarding the absence of the larval tooth, an excretory pore situated below the nerve ring level, and slender lateral alae. Moreover, the new species differs from Hysterothylacium fortalezae and Hysterothylacium reliquens with regard to the number and size of spines present on the tail end and from Hysterothylacium patagonicus by the absence of interlabia. The maximum parsimony and neighbour joining tree topologies based on the 18S ribosomal DNA gene, complete internal transcribed spacer region and cytochrome oxidase 2 (COII) gene demonstrated that the Brazilian larvae belong to Raphidascarididae and represent a unique genetic entity, confirmed as a new Hysterothylacium species. Furthermore, the new species presents COII genetic signatures and shares polymorphisms with Raphidascarididae members. This is the first description of a new anisakid species from Brazil through the integration of morphological and molecular taxonomy data.

The systematic position of Lauroiinae Skrjabin and Schikhobalova, 1951 (Nemata: Heterakoidea: Aspidoderidae), as revealed by the analysis of traits used in its diagnosis.

During our work on biodiversity of parasites of mammals of the Neotropics we collected numerous nematodes assignable to species of the family Aspidoderidae (Nemata: Heterakoidea). These nematodes occur as parasites of the cecum and large intestine of marsupials, rodents and xenarthrans (armadillos) only in the New World. As aspidoderid nematodes have been little studied beyond their alpha taxonomy, it is the purpose of the present paper to apply phylogenetic systematic methods to more completely understand the evolutionary relationships of the included species. Members of the aspidoderid subfamily Lauroiinae have had very little work applied to their systematic relationships and no systematic revisions exist that include all recognized species. Diagnostic characters that define species in this subfamily include plate-like cuticular structures on the anterior end. Herein we define a suite of 52 characters derived from studies of specimens using both light and electron microscopy. Our phylogenetic systematic analysis included the eight known species in the Lauroiinae, seven of the Aspidoderinae and four outgroup taxa. The results indicate that the Lauroiinae is paraphyletic, that the cephalic plates on the anterior end are not synapomorphies for the Lauroiinae, and that structures forming the cordon are present in all species of the family. We propose elimination of the subfamily designations in the family Aspidoderidae and we show the utility of using additional characters in the diagnosis of the family and the genera within this family. The resulting hypothesis should serve as the foundation to understand the historical associations of the nematodes with the mammals they infect. © The Willi Hennig Society 2008.

Redescription of Gymnorhynchus isuri (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from Isurus oxyrinchus (Elasmobranchii: Lamnidae).

Specimens of the elasmobranch, Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, captured in 1999 in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, were parasitized with the poecilacanthoid trypanorhynch cestode Gymnorhynchus isuri Robinson, 1959, that is redescribed here. New details of scolex and proglottid morphology are given. These details are mainly related to tentacle armature, terminal genitalia and observations of external morphology of proglottids.

Evaluation of coinfection with pinworms (Aspiculuris tetraptera, Dentostomella translucida, and Syphacia obvelata) in gerbils and mice.

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) naturally infected with the nematode Dentostomella translucida and mice (Mus musculus) that were either pinworm-free or harboring either or both Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia abvelata were crossinfected experimentally with these nematode species. Gerbils were susceptible to infections by S. obvelata and A. tetraptera from mice, whereas mice were resistant to infection by D. translucida from gerbils. The data presented are the first regarding coinfections with these three pinworms in gerbils.

Nematodes in Hoplerytrinus unitaeniatus, Hoplias malabaricus and Pygocentrus nattereri (pisces characiformes) in Marajó Island, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tegument, musculature and mesentery of 102 specimens of Hoplerytrinus unitaeniatus, 104 of Hoplias malabaricus and 101 of Pygocentrus nattereri, from Arari Lake, Marajó Island, State of Pará, Brazil. Were identified the nematodes Contracaecum sp., Eustrongylides sp. and Procamallanus sp. Contracaecum sp. was the most prevalent, with rates of 84.31% (H. unitaeniatus), 95.19% (H. malabaricus), and 89.11% (P. nattereri). The highest prevalences of Eustrongylides sp. occurred in H. unitaeniatus (56.86%) and H. malabaricus (53.84%). Procamallanus sp. was only collected in the mesentery. Specimens of Eustrongylides sp. collected from the musculature were 91.9% of its population. Among the nematodes found in the mesentery, 98.34% were Contracaecum sp. with a mean intensity (MI) of 7.92 ± 8.11 (H. unitaeniatus), 8.49 ± 8.34 (H. malabaricus) and 7 ± 6.40 (P. nattereri). Contracaecum sp. presented the highest MI (8.49 ± 8.34) and mean abundance (8.09 ± 8.34). The highest MI values were observed in the mesentery. Eustrongylides sp. presented MI of 2.65 ± 3.21 (H. unitaeniatus), 3.41 ± 3.27 (H. malabaricus) and 2.17 ± 1.18 (P. nattereri). Nematodes with zoonotic potential that were found with high prevalence, shows the importance of actions by the health authorities.

Anisakidae nematodes and Trypanorhyncha cestodes of hygienic importance infecting the king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla (Osteichthyes: Scombridae) in Brazil.

From February to October 2007, thirty specimens of the king mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier, 1829) were purchased from markets in the municipalities of Niterói and Rio de Janeiro. The fishes were measured, filleted and further had their organs investigated for helminths. Ten out of the thirty fish specimens were parasitized with anisakid nematodes represented by Anisakis sp. and Contracaecum sp. with prevalence of 1% and 16%, mean intensity of 2 and 3.31 and mean abundance of 0.02 and 0.53, respectively. The infection range with Contracaecum sp. was 1-9. The sites of infection were the stomach serosa and mesentery. Seventeen fish specimens (53%) out of the 30 investigated were parasitized with Trypanorhyncha metacestodes, identified as Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Pterobothrium crassicole, Callitetrarhynchus speciosus and Tentacularia coryphaenae in the mesentery, with prevalence of 26, 20, 6, 3%, intensity and mean intensity of 3.25, 3.5, 1, 2 and mean abundance of 0.86, 0.7, 0.06 and 0.06, respectively. The infection range due to C. gracilis and P. crassicole were of 1-5 and 1-20, respectively. Anisakis sp., C. speciosus and P. crassicole are reported in S. cavalla for the first time. Considerations on the zoonotic potential of the parasites and their rules in sanitary inspection are presented.

Capillariid nematodes in Brazilian turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo (Galliformes, Phasianidae): pathology induced by Baruscapillaria obsignata and Eucoleus annulatus (Trichinelloidea, Capillariidae).

The pathology induced in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) by two capillariid nematodes, Baruscapillaria obsignata and Eucoleus annulatus is described together with data on prevalences, mean infection and range of worm burdens. B. obsignata occurred with a prevalence of 72.5% in the 40 examined hosts in a range of 2-461 nematodes and a mean intensity of 68.6, whereas E. annulatus was present in 2.5% of the animals, with a total amount of five recovered parasites. Gross lesions were not observed in the parasitized birds. Lesions due to B. obsignata mainly consisted of the thickening of intestinal villi with a mild mixed inflammatory infiltrate with the presence of mononuclear cells and heterophils. The lesions induced by E. annulatus were represented by foci of inflammatory infiltrate with heterophils in the crop epithelium and esophagus of a single infected female. These are the first pathological findings related to the presence of capillariid worms in turkeys to be reported in Brazil so far. Capillaria anatis, although present, was not pathogenic to the investigated turkeys.

Anisakidae nematodes in the blackfin goosefish, Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 purchased in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Nematoides Anisakidae no peixe sapo-pescador, Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 comercializado no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The blackfin goosefish is included in a prized fish category, representing valuable fishery resource worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the Anisakidae larvae parasitizing this fish species, considering the hygienic-sanitary and public health importance of these parasites infecting specimens of the blackfin goosefish, Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 (Lophiidae), purchased from markets in the municipalities of Cabo Frio, Niterói, Duque de Caxias and Rio de Janeiro; parasitological indices and sites of infection are presented. From March 2000 to December 2005, 87 specimens of Lophius gastrophysus were investigated for helminths. Seventeen fish (19.5%) were parasitized with larvae of anisakid nematodes. Anisakis simplex , Hysterothylacium sp. and Raphidascaris sp. appeared with prevalence of 1.14, 12.6 and 12.6%, intensity and mean intensity of infection of 1, 2.81, 10.5 and mean abundance of 0.01, 0.35 and 1.33 respectively. The sites of infection were stomach, stomach and intestine serosas and abdominal cavity. This is the first record of Anisakis simplex, Hysterothylacium sp. and Raphidascaris sp. for this species of fish.

Nematoides Anisakidae no peixe sapo-pescador, Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 comercializados no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. O peixe sapo-pescador é muito apreciado e representa um valioso recurso pesqueiro em nível mundial. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de identificar larvas de Anisakidae pela sua importância higiênico-sanitária e na saúde pública, cujos parasitos infectam espécimes do peixe sapo-pescador, Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 (Lophiidae), obtidos em mercados dos municípios de Cabo Frio, Niterói, Duque de Caxias e Rio de Janeiro; são apresentados os índices parasitológicos e sítios de infecção dos helmintos encontrados. Foram investigados 87 espécimes de Lophius gastrophysus no período de março de 2000 a dezembro de 2005. Desses, 17 (19,5%) estavam parasitados por larvas de anisaquídeos. Anisakis simplex, Hysterothylacium sp. e Raphidascaris sp. apareceram com prevalências de 1,14, 12,6 e 12,6%, intensidade e intensidade média de infecção de 1, 2,81 e 10,5, abundância média de 0,01, 0,35 e 1,33 respectivamente. Os sítios de infecção foram o estômago, serosas do estômago e intestino e cavidade abdominal. Este é o primeiro registro de Anisakis simplex, Hysterothylacium sp. e Raphidascaris sp. nesta espécie de peixe.

Parasitism of two zoonotic reservoirs Dasyprocta leporina and D. fuliginosa (Rodentia) from Amazonas, with Trichostrongylina nematodes (Heligmonellidae): description of a new genus and a new species.

A new genus and a new species of Heligmonellidae nematodes are described parasiting the stomach of three agoutis (two Dasyprocta fuliginosa and one D. leporina) captured in the middle and high Negro river microregion, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The new genus, as well as its type-species, are closely related to the trichostrongylids included in Fuellebornema, particularly on what concerns the pattern of the caudal bursa, but differing from them by the characteristics of the synlophe, that presents a poorly developed carene, when compared to the referred number of body ridges in Freitastrongylus n. gen. and consequently in F. angelae n. sp.,in which the ridges are well developed and the carene at mid-body has a similar size when compared to the ridge situated in front of the right field (ridge no. 5). Caudal bursa is of the type 1-4, with rays 9 shorter than rays 10, with a very long genital cone.

Nematodes in Hoplerytrinus unitaeniatus, Hoplias malabaricus and Pygocentrus nattereri (pisces characiformes) in Marajó Island, Brazil / Nematóides em Hoplerytrinus unitaeniatus, Hoplias malabaricus e Pygocentrus nattereri (pisces characiformes) na Ilha de Marajó, Brasil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tegument, musculature and mesentery of 102 specimens of Hoplerytrinus unitaeniatus, 104 of Hoplias malabaricus and 101 of Pygocentrus nattereri, from Arari Lake, Marajó Island, State of Pará, Brazil. Were identified the nematodes Contracaecum sp., Eustrongylides sp. and Procamallanus sp. Contracaecum sp. was the most prevalent, with rates of 84.31% (H. unitaeniatus), 95.19% (H. malabaricus), and 89.11% (P. nattereri). The highest prevalences of Eustrongylides sp. occurred in H. unitaeniatus (56.86%) and H. malabaricus (53.84%). Procamallanus sp. was only collected in the mesentery. Specimens of Eustrongylides sp. collected from the musculature were 91.9% of its population. Among the nematodes found in the mesentery, 98.34% were Contracaecum sp. with a mean intensity (MI) of 7.92 ± 8.11 (H. unitaeniatus), 8.49 ± 8.34 (H. malabaricus) and 7 ± 6.40 (P. nattereri). Contracaecum sp. presented the highest MI (8.49 ± 8.34) and mean abundance (8.09 ± 8.34). The highest MI values were observed in the mesentery. Eustrongylides sp. presented MI of 2.65 ± 3.21 (H. unitaeniatus), 3.41 ± 3.27 (H. malabaricus) and 2.17 ± 1.18 (P. nattereri). Nematodes with zoonotic potential that were found with high prevalence, shows the importance of actions by the health authorities.

Examinou-se o tegumento, mesentério e musculatura de 102 espécimes de Hoplerytrinus unitaeniatus, 104 de Hoplias malabaricus e 101 de Pygocentrus nattereri, do Lago Arari, Ilha do Marajó, Estado do Pará, Brasil. Foram identificados os nematóides Contracaecum sp., Eustrongylides sp. e Procamallanus sp. nas três espécies de peixes. Contracaecum sp. foi o mais prevalente, com índices de 84,31% (H. unitaeniatus), 95,19% (H. malabaricus) e 89,11% (P. nattereri). As maiores prevalências de Eustrongylides sp. foram observadas em H. unitaeniatus (56,86%) e H. malabaricus (53,84%). Procamallanus sp. só foi coletado no mesentério, sendo o sítio de infecção mais parasitado. Na musculatura, foram coletados espécimes de Eustrongylides sp., representando 91,9% de sua população. Dos nematóides coletados no mesentério, 98,34% foram Contracaecum sp. com intensidade média (IM) de 7,92 ± 8,11 (H. unitaeniatus), 8,49 ± 8,34 (H. malabaricus) e 7,0 ± 6,40 (P. nattereri). Contracaecum sp. apresentou maior IM (8,49 ± 8,34) e abundância média (8,09 ± 8,34). Os maiores valores de IM foram obtidos no mesentério. Eustrongylides sp. apresentou IM de 2,65 ± 3,21 (H. unitaeniatus), 3,41 ± 3,27 (H. malabaricus) e 2,17 ± 1,18 (P. nattereri). Nematóides com potencial zoonótico, encontrados com alta prevalência, demonstram a importância para ações das autoridades sanitárias.

Prevalence and pathology of the nematode Heterakis gallinarum, the trematode Paratanaisia bragai, and the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis in the turkey, Meleagris gallopavo.

The prevalence of infection and associated pathology induced by two helminth and one protozoan species infecting Brazilian turkeys are reported. The intestinal nematode Heterakis gallinarum appeared with a prevalence of 70% in the infected birds, without gross lesions when not associated to the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis. Histological findings in the ceca were represented by the presence of H. gallinarum worms, intense chronic diffuse inflammatory processes with mononuclear and polymorphonuclear (heterophils) leucocyte infiltrations. The prevalence of the protozoan H. meleagridis associated to H. gallinarum was of 2.5% and microscopic examination revealed a severe inflammatory process in the liver and cecum with the presence of small clear areas with round eosinophilic parasites. Gross lesions were absent in turkeys infected with the renal digenetic trematode Paratanaisia bragai; the parasite was prevalent in 20% of the cases and cross-sections of the kidneys showed a remarkable distension of the collecting ducts with several worms in the lumen. The walls of the ducts presented a discrete heterophilic infiltrate among mononuclear cells.

Camallanus cotti Fujita, 1927 (Nematoda, Camallanoidea) in ornamental aquarium fishes: pathology and morphology.

The pathology induced by the nematode Camallanus cotti in the aquarium fishes Beta splendens (beta fish) and Poecilia reticulata (guppy) consisted of gross and microscopic lesions, the former characterized by abdominal swelling with reddish parasites protruding from the anus in both fish hosts and the latter, similar in the beta fishes and guppies, by hemorrhage, congestion, edema, a few glandular elements, and extensive erosion areas in the rectum mucosa, with a marked thickening of the wall and absence of inflammatory infiltrate. Lesions were associated with the presence of several worms attached to the wall or free in the rectal lumen. This is the second reference of the parasite in Brazil and the first report of pathological findings related to this nematode species that is also briefly redescribed and illustrated for the first time on the basis of Brazilian samples.

Pathology and first occurrence of the kidney trematode Paratanaisia bragai (Santos, 1934) Freitas, 1959 (Digenea: Eucotylidae) in Phasianus colchicus L., 1758, from Brazil.

The kidney trematode Paratanaisia bragai is reported for the first time parasitizing the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L., 1758) and the pathological alterations associated to the parasitism are referred on the basis of 50 specimens of this bird from backyard flocks in 11 counties of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil after clinical examination, necropsies, and histopathological analysis. The counting of the kidney flukes was based on worms recovered from one of the kidneys, since the other was fixed in 10% formalin and then routinely processed for histopathological procedures. The prevalence of P. bragai was of 22%, with a mean intensity of 44.3, mean abundance of 9.7, and range of infection of 3-153. Parasitized birds did not present with clinical signs and kidney gross lesions. Microscopic lesions were mild and characterized by dilatation of the renal medullary collecting ducts, occasional flattening of the lining epithelium of the ducts and inflammatory reaction of variable intensity with granulocytes around the ureter branches and medullary collecting ducts. The severity and pattern of the microscopic lesions seem not to be associated to the size of the worm burden and could be related to the mechanic action of the parasites, without traumatism, in despite of the presence of the tegumentar spines in specimens of P. bragai.

Pathology and first report of natural infections of the eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 (Digenea, Philophthalmidae) in a non-human mammalian host.

The avian eye trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus Braun, 1902 is for the first time referred naturally occurring in a non-human mammalian host. Previously, natural infections with P. lachrymosus and other species of Philophthalmus have been occasionally reported from man, with few data on experimental infections of non-human mammals. Results presented here are related to the report of two cases of philophthalmosis due to natural infections of wild Brazilian capybaras, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L., 1766 with P. lachrymosus and associated pathology. Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions as well as new morphometric data on the parasite are presented.

First report of Lappetascaris lutjani Rasheed, 1965 (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea, Anisakidae) parasitizing Trachipterus arawatae (Pisces, Lampridiformes) on the Atlantic coast of Brazil.

New host and geographical records are reported for the nematode Lappetascaris lutjani Rasheed, 1965, parasitizing the marine fish Trachipterus arawatae Clark, 1881 in Brazilian waters. Morphometric data and illustrations of the parasites are included.

Pathology and frequency of Cheilospirura hamulosa (Nematoda, Acuarioidea) in Galliformes hosts from backyard flocks.

This investigation reports data on frequency and pathology related to the nematode Cheilospirura hamulosa in 28 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and 30 domestic chickens (Gallus g. domesticus) from backyard flocks of five localities of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The prevalence of C. hamulosa in pheasants was of 14.3%, with a mean intensity of 1.5 and range of infection of 1-2. In chickens these values were of 26.7%, 4 and 1-12, respectively. Parasitized birds did not present with clinical signs. In spite of the low parasite burdens, the lesions induced by C. hamulosa were severe in the two species of investigated hosts, causing severe gross lesions in the gizzard such as haemorrhages, ulcers and thickening of the mucosa and cuticle, and single yellowish nodules on the caudoventral muscle. The microscopic lesions, also severe, were characterized by chronic diffuse inflammatory processes and ulcers in the mucosa, and granulomas in the muscular, submucosa and serosa layers of this organ.

Nodular typhlitis associated with the nematodes Heterakis gallinarum and Heterakis isolonche in pheasants: frequency and pathology with evidence of neoplasia.

An investigation related to the frequency and pathology of Heterakis gallinarum and pathology of Heterakis isolonche in pheasants from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was conducted by means of clinical examinations, necropsies, and histopathological analysis in 50 ring-necked pheasants from backyard flocks of 11 localities; also, histological sections of caeca of golden pheasants deposited in the Helminthological Collection of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (CHIOC) have been considered in the present study. During necropsies, only specimens of H. gallinarum were recovered with a prevalence of 90%, mean intensity of 81.9 and range of infection of 1-413. Gross lesions were characterized by congestion, thickening, petechial haemorrhages of the mucosa, intussusception, and nodules in the cecal wall. Under microscopy, chronic diffuse typhlitis, haemosiderosis, granulomas with necrotic center in the submucosa and leiomyomas in the submucosa, muscular and serosa associated with immature H. gallinarum worms were observed. The examination of histological sections previously deposited in the CHIOC, revealed more severe alterations associated with concomitant infections with H. gallinarum and H. isolonche in golden pheasants, and were characterized by several necrotic areas with cholesterol clefts in the submucosa, giant cell granulomas in the submucosa, and serosa centralized by necrosis and worm sections and neoplastic nodules in the muscular and submucosa.

Trichurid nematodes in ring-necked pheasants from backyard flocks of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: frequency and pathology.

The present investigation is related to the frequency of infection and to the gross and microscopic lesions associated to the presence of trichurid worms in 50 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) from backyard flocks in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the investigated birds, the overall infection rate was of 74%, with the presence of Eucoleus perforans with 72% of prevalence and 21.2 of mean intensity, in the esophageal and crop mucosa and rarely in the junction of the proventriculus and esophagus, E. annulatus with 2% and 3 in the crop mucosa, Capillaria phasianina, with 12% and 4.3 in the cecum and small intestine and Baruscapillaria obsignata, for the first time referred in this host, with 2% and 1 in the small intestine. Clinical signs were absent. The gross lesions observed in the crop and esophagus of 14 (38.9%) pheasants parasitized with E. perforans were thickening, small nodules, congestion, and petechial haemorrhages in the mucosa. These birds presented a mean infection of 37.5 and a range of infection of 10-82. The microscopic lesions revealed chronic esophagitis with diffuse inflammatory process in the lamina propria characterized mostly by a mononuclear cell infiltrate and also with the presence of granulocytes. In the case of the parasitism of pheasants with C. phasianina, the gross lesions were absent; microscopic lesions were characterized by chronic typhlitis with mononuclear infiltrate. Gross and microscopic lesions were absent in the pheasants parasitized with E. annulatus and B. obsignata.

Patterns of infection with the nematodes Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera in conventionally maintained laboratory mice.

Data on the frequency, distribution and mean intensity of the helminth fauna recovered from outbred and inbred mice conventionally maintained in Brazilian animal houses, are reported. The oxyurid nematodes Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera presented overall frequencies of 91.5% and 8.5%, respectively. The frequency of S. obvelata in animals of three groups out of the four investigated ranged from 9% to 74% and A. tetraptera from 17% to 83%, since animals of one of the groups were negative for helminths. Infections due to a single species were observed in 62% of the animals, compared to 16% related to associations. The frequency of single infections in each group varied from 58.6% to 100% whereas associations varied from 24.1% to 41.4%. The analysis of specific mean intensities showed that S. obvelata was represented by 13.35 to 66.58 specimens/host and A. tetraptera by 5.85 to 16.75 specimens/host.

Taxonomic reports of Otobothrioidea (Eucestoda, Trypanorhyncha) from elasmobranch fishes of the southern coast off Brazil.

Specimens of elasmobranch fishes, captured in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, of the southern coast off Brazil, represented by three families, four genera, and four species, were parasitized with otobothrioid trypanorhynch cestodes: Heptranchias perlo (Bonnaterre, 1788), Squalus sp. and Carcharhinus signatus (Poey, 1868) were parasitized with Progrillotia dollfusi Carvajal & Rego,1987; Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) with Molicola horridus (Goodsir, 1841) Dollfus, 1942. Details of internal morphology and/or scolex and/or proglottids surface ultrastructure, that expanded the description of M. horridus, through observations with lightfield, and/or scanning eletronic microscopy, are provided. The known geographical distribution for the species M. horridus is enlarged. P. dollfusi is reported for the first time in elasmobranchs.