Two New Species of Aphelenchoididae (Nemata) from Declining Red Pines in Maryland

Aphelenchoides resinosi n. sp. and Ektaphelenchus joyceae n. sp. are described and illustrated from red pines of the Allegheny plateau of Maryland, USA. The new species were found in trees infested with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Primary diagnostic characters of A. resinosi females are constriction of the head, basal stylet knobs, tong postuterine sac, two incisures in the lateral field, and conical tail four to five anal body widths long with a simple terminal mucro. Diagnostic characters of the males are two pairs of subventral caudal papillae and spicule shape: Primary diagnostic characters of E. joyceae females are a slight constriction of the head, six similar lips, conical tail, and short postuterine sac. Diagnostic characters of the males are spicule size and shape, a single row of spermatocytes, and one pair of caudal papillae. Within-tree distributions of A. resinosi and E. joyceae are presented. A total of 70% of both red-needled and chlorotic-needled trees in the study were positive for A. resinosi and E. joyceae. Branch hierarchy was related to the percentage of samples positive for A. resinosi.     

Ascarops talpa sp. n. (Nematoda: Spirocercidae) from the formosan mole, Talpa micrura insularis, in Taiwan

Ascarops talpa sp. n. (Nematoda: Spirocercidae) is described from the small intestine of the Formosan mole, Talpa micrura insularis, from Taiwan. It is most similar to A. kutassi (Shul'ts, 1927) and A. tuvensis Sulimov, 1961. Ascarops kutassi differs by having a smaller ratio of left to right spicule length (1:4 vs. 1:5.5), no caudal alae, by its preanal papillae that are not equidistant from one another, and in its area rugosa which extends 1.25 mm anterior to the anus. Ascarops tuvensis differs by having a smaller ratio of left to right spicule length (1:3.8 vs. 1:5.5), by its preanal papillae that are not equidistant from one another, and in its area rugosa which covers only the ventral tip of the tail.     

Two new species of Parapharyngodon parasites of Sceloporus pyrocephalus,with a key to the species found in Mexico (Nematoda,Pharyngodonidae)

Two new species of Parapharyngodon collected from the intestine of the Mexican boulder spiny lizard Sceloporus pyrocephalus are described. This study increases to 49 the number of valid species assigned to Parapharyngodon worldwide, 11 of them distributed in Mexico. Males of the two new species share the presence of four pairs of caudal papillae, an anterior echinate cloacal lip and the presence of lateral alae; however, both differ from each other in lateral alae extension and echinate cloacal anterior lip morphology. Females of both species have a prebulbar uterus and eggs shell punctuate with pores, characteristics shared with few other species of Parapharyngodon. Both new species differ from other congeneric species in the papillar arrangement, the anterior cloacal lip morphology, the lateral alae extension and total length/spicule ratio. A taxonomic key for the species of Parapharyngodon distributed in Mexico is provided.     

Surface ultrastructure of Pygidiopsis summa (Digenea: Heterophyidae) adult flukes

A scanning electron microscopic study was performed on the surface ultrastructure of Pygidiopsis summa (Digenea: Heterophyidae) adults. Metacercariae were collected from gills and muscles of mullets (Mugil cephalus) caught in a known endemic area, and adult flukes were harvested from dogs after 8 weeks of experimental infection. The worm was calabash form with its posterior part broader than the anterior part. Tegumental spines were densely distributed over the body surface, except on the suckers and genital apparatus, and around the excretory pore. Well differentiated spines were observed on the anterior half of the body, with 14-16 tips ventrally, and 19-20 tips dorsally. On the oral sucker, three pairs of type I sensory papillae (uni-ciliated knob-like swellings) and one pair of type II sensory papillae (aciliated round-swellings) were observed on the anterior and posterior parts of the lip, respectively. On the lip of the ventral sucker, one pair of type II sensory papillae was distributed only on its posterior part. Sperms were seen emerging from or entering into the genital apparatus. The results showed that the surface ultrastructure of P. summa was unique among the heterophyid trematodes, especially in digitation of tegumental spines and in distribution of sensory papillae on oral and ventral suckers.     

Morphological Comparison and Taxonomic Utility of Copulatory Structures of Selected Nematode Species

Spicules of 9 Meloidogyne, 2 Heterodera, 3 Globodera, and 12 other plant-parasitic, insect-parasitic, and free-living nematodes were excised and examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gubernacula of some of the species were also excised, and their structure was determined. The two spicules of all species examined were symmetrically identical in morphology. The spicule typically consisted of three parts: head, shaft, and blade with dorsal and ventral vela. The spicular nerve entered through the cytoplasmic core opening on the lateral outer surface of the spicule head and generally communicated with the exterior through one or two pores at the spicule tip. Spicules of Xiphinema sp. and Aporcelaimellus sp. were not composed of three typical parts, were less sclerotized, and lacked a cytoplasmic core opening and distal pores. Spicules of Aphelenchoides spp. had heads expanded into apex and rostrum and had very arcuate blades with thick dorsal and ventral edges (limbs). Gubernaculum shapes were stable within a species, but differed among species examined. The accessory structures of Hoplolaimus galeatus consisted of a tongue-shaped gubernaculum with two titillae at its distal end and a plate-like capitulum terminating distally in two flat, wing-like structures. A comparison of spicules of several species of Meloidogyne by SEM and light microscopy revealed no striking morphological differences.     

Secondary Male Sex Characteristics of Hoplolaimus galeatus

The secondary male sex characteristics of Hoplolaimus galeatus consisted of caudal alae, two independently retractable spicules and a gubernaculum with two bilobed titillae. The spicules were dimorphic, with the outer one possessing a velum. When both spicules were completely extruded, the only open orifice on the ventral surface of the posterior region was formed by the close association of these two appendages. In specimens where the inner spicule was slightly retracted, the velum almost completely surrounded the inner spicule. When the inner spicule was retracted further, the velum appeared to convolute, closing the orifice described above.     

Scanning Electron Microscope Studies of Steinernema anomali Kozodoi, 1984

This paper presents SEM micrographs of portions of the male, female, and infective-stage juvenile of Steinernema anomali. Included are micrographs of the cephalic and caudal region, spicules, and gubernaculum of the male, the cephalic and vulval region of the female, and the cephalic region of the infective-stage juvenile. Males have six labial and four prominent cephalic papillae and small amphids. There are 11-14 pairs and one single genital papillae; of these, 6-9 pairs are preanal and subventral, one pair preanal, lateral, one pair adanal, and three pairs postanal. Spicules have a short head, a long blade, and a reduced shaft. The distal end is enlarged and bears a dorsal aperture. Gubernaculum much shorter than spicules; cuneus of gubernaculum short and bifurcate anteriorly. Females have six labial and four cephalic papillae and small amphids. Vulva with a thickened posterior lip. Infective juveniles have a smooth head, prominent amphids, and four cephalic papillae. Labial papillae, if present, are not evident.     

Morphological Differences Between Radopholus citrophilus and R. similis

SEM observations of the external morphology of populations of Radopholus citrophilus and R. similis revealed several diagnostic differences. The cloaco-spicular orifice on males of R. citrophilus had three to seven genital papillae (anterior hypoptygmata), whereas males of R. similis were either smooth or had one or two shorter genital papillae (anterior hypoptygmata). Females of R. citrophilus had four annules in the region of the vulval opening, but R. similis had five annules in the same region. The labial disc and lateral lips appeared to be of diagnostic significance, but these areas were more susceptible to artifacts due to fixation. An unknown population of Radopholus from Puerto Rico with a chromosome number of n = 4 was morphologically similar to R. similis. These morphological differences provide additional support that R. citrophilus and R. similis are distinct species.     

Surface ultrastructure of Metagonimus miyatai metacercariae and adults

A scanning electron microscopic study was performed to observe surface ultrastructures of excysted metacercariae and adults of Metagonimus miyatai. Metacercariae were collected from the scale of the pale chub (Zacco platypus), and adult flukes were harvested 1-4 weeks after infection to rats. In excysted metacercariae, the oral sucker was devoid of tegumental spines and had type I and type II sensory papillae. Anteriorly to the ventral sucker, spines were dense and digitated into 5-7 points, whereas near the posterior end of the body spines were sparse and digitated into 2-3 points. In one-week adults, 7 type II sensory papillae were arranged around the lip of the oral sucker, and at inner side of the lip one pair of small and two pairs of large type 1 sensory papillae were seen on each side. The distribution of tegumental spines was similar to that of metacercariae, but they were more differentiated with 9-11 pointed tips. In two- to four-week old adults, the surface ultrastructure was nearly the same as in one-week old adults, however, sperms were frequently seen entering into the Laurer''s canal. Conclusively, the surface ultrastructure of M. miyatai was generally similar to that of M. yokogawai, however, differentiation of tegumental spines and distribution of sensory papillae around the oral sucker were different between the two species, which may be of taxonomic significance.     

Trichodorus elefjohnsoni n. sp. (Nemata: Trichodoridae) from Undisturbed Appalachian Forest

A new species of Trichodoridae, Trichodorus elefjohnsoni, is described from undisturbed regions of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States. It resembles T. orientalis De Waele &Hashim, 1984, T. persicus De Waele &Sturhan, 1987, and T. taylori De Waele, Mancini, Roca, '' Lamberti, 1982 in arrangement of ventromedian cervical papillae and posterior preanal supplements, but differs by combinations of the following characteristics: body length 516-731 μm; spicule length 33-50 μm, spicules densely striated, constricted medially; vaginal sclerotizations ovate; one pair of lateral body pores near vulva.     

尾突角蟾Megophryscaudoprocta(两栖纲,角蟾科)的进一步记述

尾突角蟾(Megophrys caudoprocta Shen,1994)具有非常特殊的特征,它们的尾杆骨(urostyle)长,超过坐骨(ischium)后缘,支持着尾突(caudal projection);泄殖孔(cloacal pore)在股间后缘向腹面开口;上眼睑(upper eyelid)前部大,有一三角形突起向侧后突出.这些特征有别于角蟾属其他物种,有重要研究价值.近年来在模式标本产地又采到1雌2雄,先后共4号成体标本,本文对其形态特征,生物学资料和分布作了进一步记述,并拍摄到原色生态照片.     

Torquatoides trogoni n. sp. and Excisa ramphastina n. sp. (Nematoda: Habronematoidea: Habronematidae) in birds from the area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Two new species of habronematid nematodes are described in birds from the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Torquatoides trogoni n. sp., in Trogon massena, can be distinguished from T. torquata, T. bengalensis, and T. crotophaga in lacking lateral alae. Among species lacking lateral alae, the new species differs from T. balanocephala in having 14 versus 8-10 cephalic cuticular plaques, 21-22 versus 13-17 pairs of preanal papillae, and a beak-shaped versus U-shaped gubernaculum. The new species differs from T. singhi in body length, in having 21-22 versus 10 pairs of precloacal papillae, longer spicules, and larger eggs. The new species differs from T. crotophaga, the only other species known from Central America, in lacking lateral alae, and having 14 versus 6 cephalic cuticular plaques, 21-22 versus 17 pairs of precloacal and 3 versus 2 pairs of postcloacal papillae, and a gubernaculum. Excisa ramphastina n. sp., in Ramphastos sulfuratus, can be distinguished from E. excisa, E. biloba, E. buckleyi, E. dentifera, and E. khalili in having 1 lateral ala versus none, cervical papillae anterior versus posterior to the nerve ring, and asymmetrical caudal alae. Excisa ramphastina is similar to E. curvata in having cervical papillae anterior to the nerve ring but differs in having 1 lateral ala versus none, asymmetrical caudal alae, an average spicule ratio of 1:4.4 versus 1:3.3, and 4 versus 2 pairs of sessile papillae. The new species differs from E. columbi in having 1 versus 2 lateral alae, in the length of the spicules, in having a different spicule ratio, and in the numbers of sessile papillae.     

Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov''eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.     

Diplogasteroides asiaticus n. sp. is Associated with Monochamus alternatus in Japan

Diplogasteroides asiaticus n. sp. is described and illustrated, and its molecular profile and phylogenetic status within the family Diplogastridae are inferred. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by its stomatal structure, a tube-like stoma with three small, rod-like dorsal teeth and two subventral ridges; a spicule clearly ventrally bent at 1/3 from the anterior end; a gubernaculum with a rounded anterior end and sharply pointed distal end in lateral view; nine pairs of genital papillae with an arrangement of <v1, (v2, v3d), C, v4, ad, ph, (v5, v6, v7), pd>; a short tail spike in males; and a well-developed receptaculum seminis, i.e., the antiparallel blind sacs of the uteri beyond the vulva region and elongated conical tail in females. This new species is morphologically similar to D. haslacheri, but it can be distinguished by the morphology of the somewhat shorter tail in females. D. asiaticus n. sp. shares high sequence conservation with D. andrassyi as there is only one base pair difference in the nearly full-length 18S rDNA and seven base pair differences in the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rDNA. Despite this sequence conservation, the species status of D. asiaticus n. sp. was confirmed using the biological species concept, as D. asiaticus n. sp. and D. andrassyi failed to generate viable F₂ progeny in hybridization tests.     

Paramphistomum cervi: Surface topography of the tegument of adult fluke

Adult Paramphistomum cervi or rumen fluke are pear-shaped, slightly concave ventrally and convex dorsally. The worm measures about 5-13 mm in length and 2-5 mm in width across the mid-section. As observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the tegumental surface in all part of the body, appears highly corrugated with transverse folds alternating with grooves and is spineless. At high magnification, the surface of the fold is composed of microfolds or ridges separated by microgrooves or pits. Corrugations and invaginations of the ventral surface are also more extensive than on the dorsal surface of the body. Both anterior and posterior suckers have thick rims covered with transverse folds without spine. The genital pore is situated at the anterior third of the body. There are two types of sensory papillae on the surface: type 1 is bulbous in shape, measuring 10-15 μm in diameter at the base with nipple-like tips, and type 2 has a similar shape and size and also a short cilia on top. These sensory papillae usually occur in large clusters, each having between 5 and 20 units depending on the region of the body. Clusters of papillae on the ventral surface and around the anterior suckers tend to be more numerous and larger in size. The dorsal surface of the body has the least number of papillae.     

Two new kathlaniid species (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) parasitic in salamanders of the genus Andrias (Amphibia: Caudata: Cryptobranchidae)

The new nematode species, Falcaustra hanzaki n. sp. and Urodelnema takanoensis n. sp. (Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniidae), were found from the intestine of giant salamanders in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The first species is featured by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae (3 pairs of precloacal papillae, 8 pairs of postcloacal papillae and a single ventral precloacal papilla), the presence of a single pseudosucker, spicules equal in size (520–638 μm long), and V-shaped gubernaculum in males; vulva situated about 3/5 of a body in females. The second species is characterized by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae (5 pairs of precloacal papillae, 6 pairs of postcloacal papillae and a single ventral precloacal papilla), spicules equal in size (403–593 μm long), V-shaped gubernaculum in males; vulva situated about 3/5 of a body in females. The molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed using the partial 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA and the internal transcribed spacers 1 region in the nuclear DNA. This phylogenetic study raised a question about the validity of Family Kathlaniidae and related families of Cosmocercoidea.     

Surface ultrastructure of Metagonimus takahashii metacercariae and adults

A scanning electron microscopic study was performed on the surface ultrastructure of metacercariae and adults of Metagonimus takahashii. Metacercariae were collected from the scale of crucian carp (Carassius auratus), and adult flukes were harvested 1-4 weeks after infection to rats. In excysted metacercariae, the oral sucker had type I (numerous) and type II (seven in total) sensory papillae. Tegumental spines were dense and digitated into 5-7 points on the surface anterior to the ventral sucker, but became sparse and less digitated posteriorly toward the end of the body. In adults, seven type II sensory papillae were characteristically arranged around the lip of the oral sucker, and on the inner side of the lip four small and two large type I sensory papillae were symmetrically seen on each side (12 in total). Tegumental spines on anterior two-thirds of the body, were digitated with 9-12 tips ventrally and 8-13 tips dorsally. Sperms entering into the Laurer's canal were observed. The results show that the surface ultrastructure of M. takahashii is generally similar to those of M. yokogawai and M. miyatai except for the digitation of tegumental spines.     

北京猛禽两种旋尾类寄生线虫的报道(线虫纲,旋尾目)(英文)

报道寄生于北京猛禽的2种旋尾类线虫,其中一种为新种,另一种为中国新纪录种。作者分别对其做了光镜和电镜观察。北京副旋翼线虫,新种Paraspiralatus beijingensis sp.nov.采自于雕鸮的口腔和胃内,它与P. sakeri Gibbons,Nicholls &Bailey,2004的不同之处在于具有单个的肛前乳突,右交合刺远末端弯向背侧并稍微膨大而P. sakeri的交合刺远末端是直的,不膨大,呈钝尖形。纵纹腹小鸮无肛线虫Aprocta noctuae Spaul,1928采自红角鸮的体腔。本次所观察标本在形态上,如交合刺的长短和形状,尾乳突的数目和排列,阴门的位置,卵的大小等,都与前人对A. noctuae的描述一致。但是电子扫描电镜结果显示,A. noctuae的头端具有8个头乳突而不是4个,线虫角质层具有精细的横纹。A. noctuae为我国新纪录种。标本保存于河北师范大学生命科学学院。     

Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 (Rhabditida) from Iran with the Phylogenetic Position of the Species

A population of Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 was isolated from vermicompost in Kerman in the Kerman Province of Iran during a nematode survey that was conducted during 2014. This population of B. butleri is characterized by the presence of a dorsal thorn-like tooth (4 to 5 μm long), long spicules (44 to 47 μm long), gubernaculum (33 to 37 μm or more than half of the spicule length), three pairs of precloacal papillae, five pairs of postcloacal papillae (papillae V3 and V5 comprising three small papillae), and a long filiform tail (304 to 409 μm in females, 312 to 380 μm in males). Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of B. butleri individuals from this Iranian population based on 18S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence placed this species close to Pseudodiplogasteroides compositus ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AB597237","term_id":"354681824","term_text":"AB597237"}}AB597237) and an unidentified Pseudodiplogasteroides species ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AB597238","term_id":"354681825","term_text":"AB597238"}}AB597238). Measurements, illustrations, and the phylogenetic tree, including the position of B. butleri are provided.