Copepods of the family Ergasilidae (Poecilostomatoida) parasitic on coastal fishes of Kerala,India

Six species of ergasilid copepods are described, based on material found on 11 species of fishes collected from estuaries and rivers in Kerala, India. Five are new to science, they are: Dermoergasilus varicoleus n. sp. from Liza tade Forskål; Ergasilus parvitergum n. sp. from Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) and Caranx malabaricus (Bloch and Schneider); Ergasilus rostralis n. sp. from Liza tade, L. macrolepis (Smith), and Valamugil seheli (Forskål); Ergasilus uniseriatus n. sp. from Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton) and Xenentodon cancila Hamilton; and Paraergasilus dentatus n. sp. from Glossogobius giuris. Dermoergasilus amplectens (Dogiel and Akhmerov) was recovered in India from six species of hosts: Etroplus maculatus (Bloch), Gerres setifer (Hamilton), Hyporamphus xanthopterus (Cuvier and Valenciennes), Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet), Valamugil seheli (Forskål), and Chanos chanos (Forskål).     

Monstrilloids (Crustacea: Copepoda) from the Mediterranean Sea (Northern Adriatic Sea), with a description of six new species

Monstrilloid copepods collected during zooplankton surveys carried out over several years (2009–2016) in the Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea, were examined. A total of seven species were found, of which six are undescribed, five of Cymbasoma and one of Monstrilla. These new species are described, illustrated and compared herein with its known congeners. Two of them are related to the C. rigidum species complex. One of these species is described based on both the male and the female; sexes were linked by identical details of the cephalic structure and the antennulary armature. Two previous reports of females attributed to C. tumorifrons from the Mediterranean relate to specimens that in fact belong to a new species, C. mediterranea. The most abundant species was M. grandis, which had a remarkable aggregation around the Trieste harbour in 2015. Male and female specimens of this assumedly widespread species were examined and the observed intra-specific morphological variability is reported and compared with previous illustrated reports; this nominal species probably this nominal species, probably represents a species complex. The addition of the new species here described brings the number of nominal species in the Mediterranean-Black Sea region to 26.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3D4B38E4-CCCD-4BD6-AC57-B59343A865F7     

Copepodid stages of Lichomolgus forficula Thorell 1859 (Copepoda,Poecilostomatoida, Lichomolgidae), a copepod associated with Phallusia mammillata (Cuvier, 1815)

The five copepodids of Lichomolgus forficula, a poecilostomatoid copepod (family Lichomolgidae), are described. Sexual dimorphism first occurs in copepodid V in which the male maxilliped, unlike that of female, shows a row of spinules on its second segment. Changes of leg armatures during copepodid development are discussed.     

On the occurrence of blood flukes (Sanguinicolidae: Trematoda) in British freshwater fish

Summary

A new genus, Cahara, is described, based upon Dalpada brevivitta Walker, as its type species C. brevivitta (Walker) comb. nov., C. confusa (Distant) comb. nov. and C. jugatoria (Lethierry) comb. nov. are redescribed and illustrated. C. murreeana sp. nov., C. montana sp. nov., C. kightleyi sp. nov., C. chaubattia sp. nov., C. bhowaliana sp. nov. and C. metallica sp. nov. are described as new. The genus Cahara occurs in the subhimalayan region of India, Pakistan and Nepal. Its members feed on deciduous trees, apple, walnut, fir, deodar, Bauhinia, etc. Superficially, the species resemble one another, as well as members of Dalpada s. lat. in their coloration and some have been confused with species like Dalpada versicolor in the past, but certain characters, like the shape of the head, the simple second antennal segment and more particularly the male and female genitalia, distinguish the genus Cahara from all others. A key to the species of Cahara is provided.     

The life cycle of Diploproctodaeum arothroni Bray and Nahhas, 1998 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae), with a comment on the parasitic castration of its molluscan intermediate host

Diploproctodaeum arothroni Bray and Nahhas, 1998 Bray, R. A. and Nahhas, F. M. 1998. Diploproctodaeum arothroni n. sp. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from the pufferfish Arthron hispidus (Tetraodontidae) from Suva, Fiji, with a revised key to the species of the genus.. Systematic Parasitology, 40: 55–59. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) was found in the intestine of its type‐host, Arothron hispidus, a tetraodontid fish permanently resident in a lagoon within the mangrove swamps on the Egyptian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Larval forms of this trematode (sporocysts, rediae, and cercariae) were found in the gonads and digestive gland of Crassostrea cuccullata (Ostreidae), a common oyster in the same lagoon. So, the life cycle of D. arothroni is elucidated under natural conditions; eggs are directly ingested by the oyster; mother sporocysts and rediae reach their maturity 3–5 and 9–11 weeks after infection; rediae contain 18–25 developing cercariae; fully mature cercariae are trichocercous, without penetration glands, emerge from the oyster during the night 14–15 weeks after infection, their existence in seawater being very brief and transitory, and rapidly encyst on aquatic vegetation or other surfaces (there is no second intermediate host); encysted metacercaria are not progenetic; 4‐day‐old metacercariae encysted on filamentous algae fed to A. hispidus developed into fully mature worms 8–9 weeks after infection. This cycle is completed in about 24 weeks and has its own characteristics, which differentiate it from the other known lepocreadiid life cycles. All of the developmental stages are figured and described. Parasitic castration in the females of C. cuccullata caused by the parasite was studied histologically and is described and discussed.     

The morphology and biology of the entomophilic Thripinema fuscum (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae), and the histopathological effects of parasitism on the host Frankliniella fusca (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

We used light and electron microscopy to detail the in vivo life cycle of the nematode Thripinema fuscum and to determine the effects of parasitism on tissues of the thrips host Frankliniella fusca. The parasitic T. fuscum female produced eggs within 4–5 days after ingress and the host haemocoele became packed with eggs and developing juvenile nematodes. Mature juveniles migrated to the hindgut and fully developed juveniles first emerged from the posterior end of the male or female F. fusca 9 days after parasitization. Parasitization induced a displacement of the host alimentary tract, an atrophy of the ovaries and fat body, and an alteration of energy and waste reserves in host tissues. Our observations reveal a specialized relationship showing that this parasite is well adapted to exploit the host digestive, reproductive and excretory systems.     

Development of Caligus multispinosus Shen,a caligid copepod parasitic on the black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) cultured in Taiwan

The development of Caligus multispinosus was studied using instars reared from eggs in the laboratory and specimens obtained from the gills of pond-cultured black sea bream. Nine stages were identified, namely, two nauplii, one copepodid, four chalimus stages, one preadult and the adult. The distinctive feature of the spinulose outer spines on leg 4 appeared late in development (preadult stage) and the frontal filament produced in chalimus I is kept throughout the chalimus stages.     

Parashiinoa mackayi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Poecilostomatoida: Shiinoidae), a new parasitic copepod from two Australian species of Pomadasys (Haemulidae)

A new genus, Parashiinoa, is proposed for a new species of parasitic copeepod found attached at the base of the dorsal fins of two species of Australian haemulid fishes, Pomadasys maculatus (Bloch) and P. argenteus (Forsskål). The new species, P. mackayi, is described and illustrated. One species of the genus Shiinoa, S. bakeri Cressey and Cressey, is transferred to the new genus. A redefinition of the family Shiinoidae is provided.     

The freshwater crustaceans (Cladocera: Copepoda) of Bering Island (Commander Islands,Russian Far East): species richness and taxocene structure

The crustaceans of the fresh waters of Bering Island and their link to the fauna of adjacent regions were studied. Based on original data and existing literature, the species composition of Cladocera and Copepoda was described. The compiled list includes 22 species of Cladocera and 30 species of Copepoda. In the original data, 35 species native to the Commander Islands were reported for the first time. Six species were newly reported in the Far East, and two were newly reported in Russia. The ecological peculiarities of several species and some biogeographical features of the freshwater zooplankton of the island are discussed. The main part of the fauna of the island form Holarctic widespread species (64.3%), another slightly smaller group of the fauna is comprised of Palaearctic species (20.1%), and the remainder comprise Nearctic (6.7%) and Beringian species (8.9%). Particular patterns in the distribution of freshwater zooplankton and the factors underlying the occurrence of these species on the island are considered.     

A new fecampiid of the genus Kronborgia (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) parasitic in the intertidal isopod Exosphaeroma obtusum (Dana) from New Zealand

Kronborgia isopodicola sp. n. (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela: Fecampiidae) is described from the South Island of New Zealand. The species has a parasitic phase within the haemocoel of the intertidal isopod Exosphaeroma obtusum (Dana). Sexes are separate: each female worm, emerging when mature from its host, secretes a cocoon around itself in which it is joined by a male. Cocoons are found under rocks, are approximately 10 mm long and reflect the shape of the contained female. The worms spawn and lay numerous egg capsules, each containing two embryos. Although placed in Kronborgia Christensen and Kanneworff, 1964 because it is dioecious, K. isopodicola exhibits some characters typical of the genus Fecampia Giard, 1886. It differs from all other described fecampiids by its possession of eyes throughout life.     

British species of the parasitic cynipid-wasp genus Aegilips (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea,Anacharitinae)

The British species of Aegilips are revised and a key to species is provided. Of the eight species previously described from Britain seven are synonymized under the name A. nitidula (Dalman). Three new species (A. atricornis, A. romseyensis and A. vena) are described. A neotype is designated for A. nitidula (Dalman) and lectotypes are designated for A. rufipes (Westwood), A fumipennis (Westwood) and A. dalmani Reinhard.     

Lernanthropus antofagastensis sp. nov. (Copepoda: Lernanthropidae) parasitic on Anisotremus scapularis in Chilean waters,and new records of Lernanthropus trachure (Brian, 1903)

Lernanthropus antofagastensis sp. nov., parasitic on Anisotremus scapularis, and inshore fish of Antofagasta, Chile, is described and illustrated. It resembles five other species of Lernanthropus in its dorsal plate and third leg, but can be distinguished from them by a combination of characters. L. trachuri Brian, 1903, is recorded, its male described and illustrated from specimens collected from Seriolella violacea and Trachurus murphy, taken in the same locality.     

Revision of the isopod crustacean genus Mothocya Costa,in Hope, 1851 (Cymothoidae: Flabellifera), parasitic on marine fishes

The genus Mothocya is fully revised. Irona Schioedte and Meinert is placed in synonymy with Mothocya. All named species but one, including 18 new species, are described and figured in detail. A further eight undescribed species are listed. With one exception Mothocya species are all gill parasites found principally on atherinomorph fishes of the families Hemiramphidae, Belonidae, and Atherinidae. Brief accounts are given of the biogeography, biology and host-parasite interaction of the species of Mothocya. Keys to the species are provided for the different major biogeographic regions.     

Description of two new species of Zosime (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Zosimeidae), including remarks on its phylogeny and distribution on the Great Meteor Seamount plateau (North-east Atlantic Ocean)

Quantitative sampling during the POS397 GroMet expedition in 2010 allowed analysis of the community structure of Zosimeidae on the Great Meteor Seamount (GMS) plateau. Twelve species of Zosime Boeck, 1873 were identified; 11 were recorded in the middle, nine in the northern, and 10 in the southern region. Similarity and diversity analyses showed no differences in community structure between these regions. The community seemed unaffected by geographical features; similarities between regions could reflect the uniform sediment structure and the complex water current system. Zosime can be characterised as monophyletic, due to the apomorphic one-segmented endopod of the mandible, armed with at most four setae. Two new species are described. Zosime carsteni sp. nov. (incrassata group) is defined by blunt spinules on the outer spines of exopods 1–3 of pereiopods 2–4 and the spinose nature of the innermost distal element of endopod 3 of pereiopods 1–4. Zosime eliasi sp. nov. (typica group) is defined by a flexible outer seta on the maxillipedal endopod. As both species bear an eight-segmented antennule (most plesiomorphic condition known so far), the recently erected anneae group is included into the typica group. An updated key of Zosime at the species level is given.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0BA28922-C575-4AAD-AD64-FDDBA22C34CC     

The taxonomy and biology of the British Adelognathinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Summary

The known biology of Adelognathus, including new findings, is summarized. An illustrated key is given to the 15 species found in the British Isles. One species, A. stelfoxi, is described as new.