Dog owners and hydatid disease in Sanpete County, Utah

A questionnaire survey was conducted in Sanpete County, Utah, to determine the knowledge of dog owners concerning hydatid disease and an identification of some basic sheep management practices there. The households surveyed included 21 (Group I) that had one or more dogs infected with Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms at more than one annual field clinic, and 19 others (Group II) that had one or more dogs infected when the study first began in 1971–72, but had not had any infected dogs identified at field clinics during subsequent years. The results showed that 92.5 percent of households knew the cause of the disease and how it is transmitted, and that 90 percent knew of someone who had been operated on for surgical removal of hydatid cysts. There was no significant difference in the level of knowledge of the disease between the two groups of respondents, nor in their sheep management practices. Even though the level of infection of the parasite in dogs has decreased since the project started, certain sheep management practices persist among respondents in both groups that allow for continued transmission of the parasite in this region.     

Helminth parasites of the Wyoming ground squirrel, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863

Helminth parasites of the Wyoming ground squirrel, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863, were surveyed from two environmentally different habitats within Wyoming. A total of four helminth species were identified. Three helminth species were found in 419 hosts collected in a mesic habitat including one species of adult cestode, Hymenolepis citelli, and two species of nematodes, Citellinema bifurcatum and Syphacia citelli. Only larval cestodes ( Taenia taxidiensis ) were found infecting 335 Wyoming ground squirrels collected from a xeric habitat.     

Parasites from two species of suckers (Catostomidae) from southern Utah

Twenty Catostomus latipinnis and 50 Catostomus discobolis from La Verkin Creek and the Fremont River in southern Utah were collected and surveyed for parasites. Data from the survey indicated that 83 percent of the fish were infected with at least one parasite, with the fish from La Verkin Creek harboring more parasites. Twelve genera and 12 species of parasites were identified from these fish. A monogenetic trematode, Gyrodactylus elegans, which was found in 90 percent of the fish, was the most common parasite. Comments are included on habitat and host variations for the parasitofauna from suckers taken from the two locations.     

Parasites of Indochinese refugees entering Utah County, Utah: a two-year survey

A survey of parasites from 39 stool specimens taken from 36 Indochinese refugees who are now living in Utah County, Utah, indicated representative intestinal helminths (worms), and protozoans upon clinical examination. .Approximately 75% of the stools contained nematodes, and 55.5% had protozoans. Parasites found were Entamoeba coli, Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, lodamoeba buetschlii, Clonorchis sinensis, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Plasinodium vivax. The most common protozoan observed was Entamoeba coli (1979 and 1980) while the most common helminths were Ascaris lumbricoides ) (1979) and Clonorchis sinensis (1980). These data were comparable to studies of refugees at two other laboratories in Utah and one at Washington, D.C.     

Geographic variability in the genetic polymorphism of the Isopod,Venezillo evergladensis

Influence of host on hook morphology, soluble protein profile and two polymorphic loci of the marine tapeworms, Hepatoxylon trichiuri and H. megacephalum were studied. It was found that hook lengths of the two parasites differed significantly and that they varied with the host species. Unweighted pair-group analysis of soluble protein similarity indices separated H. trichiuri and H. megacephalum into three groups by fish host species. Allozyme analyses revealed that a polymorphic locus, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, of H. trichiuri showed significant variations in the allelic and phenotypic frequencies between populations of parasites from different host species, but a second polymorphic locus, esterase, did not show any host-related variation. Owing to the small sample size of H. megacephalum statistical analysis was not carried out for the allozyme study. However, allelic frequencies of the Est locus differed significantly between the two parasites. The possible influence of fish hosts on parasite morphology, protein biochemistry and population genetics was discussed.     

Some relationships between internal parasites and brown trout from Montana streams

Forty - five percent of 306 brown trout from 16 Montana streams were infected with one or more of the nematodes Cystidicoloides salvelini, Bulbodacnitis globosa, Rhabdochona sp., and Eustrongylides sp. The relationships between incidence and intensity of nematode infections and age and sexual maturity of the host fish were studied. Generally, sexually mature female brown trout had a higher rate of infection and had more nematodes per infected fish than immature female brown trout. Higher incidence and intensity of infection in sexually mature fish was attributed to more aggressive feeding behavior leading to more exposure to the intermediate hosts (mayflies) of the nematode parasites.         

The prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus and other taeniid cestodes in sheep dogs of central Utah

Fifty-one of 62 sheep dogs in central Utah were successfully purged for diagnosis of cestodes in 1981. Tapeworms were identified in the purged fecal samples of 33 (64.7 percent) animals. Minimum infection rates in the dogs which were purged were; 9.8 percent for Echinococcus granulosus , 29.4 percent for Taenia pisiformis , 27.5 percent for T. ovis krabbei , 27.5 percent for T. hydatigena , and 2.0 percent for T. serialis . The prevalence of E. granulosus decreased from 27 percent in 1971 to 9.8 percent in 1981.     

Helminth parasites of the white-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus townsendi, from northwestern Colorado and southern Wyoming

Helminth parasites of white - tailed jackrabbits, Lepus townsendi , were surveyed from southern Wyoming and northwestern Colorado. A total of eight helminth species were identified, including two species of adult cestodes, Mosgovoyia pectinata and M. varabilis ; three species of larval cestodes, Multiceps serialis , Taenia pisiformis , and Taenis sp. ; and three species of nematodes, Dermatoxys veliger , Passalurus ambiguus , and a filariid, Micipsella brevicauda . In addition, eggs of an unidentified species of Nematodirus were found in pooled fecal samples. The cysticercus larva of Taenia sp. is a species new to science and will be reported elsewhere. Mosgovoyia varabilis and Micipsella brevicauda are new records for the white - tailed jackrabbit.         

Parasites of the bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus

Blood, tissue, and organ samples from five bowhead whales were examined for ecto- and endoparasites. Two species of protozoans, four genera of diatoms, one species of trematoda, two species of nematoda, and one species of amphipoda "louse" were found. No blood parasites were recovered. The larval anisakid nematode, found in the submucosa of the forestomach of one whale, generated a prominent inflammatory response. Protozoans found in contents of the colon included a flagellate and a sarcodinan. The sarcodinan, which was common in the colon contents of one whale, belongs to the genus Entamoeba and probably represents an undescribed species. Ogomogaster plicatus , a trematode, was also identified. The data from this study are compared with previous lists of parasites for the bowhead whale and two other species of baleen whales. From the results presented, the previous list of parasites for the bowhead whale has been expanded to include eight additional genera and species.     

The epibionts of beach hoppers (Crustacea: Talitridae) of the North American Pacific coast

The beach hoppers Megalorchestia californiana and M. corniculata (Crustacea: Talitridae) were studied for the interaction of two of their epibionts. Rhabditid nematodes reside under the host's dorsal pereonites where they may be facultative parasites or feed on bacteria and detritus associated with the host. The mite Thinoseius brevisternalis (Canaris, 1962) (Acari: Eviphididae) preys upon the above nematodes. Both nematodes and mites also use the host as transport between patches of beach wrack. Other epibiotic Acari on talitrids are also reported here.     

Parasites of the Lessepsian invasive fish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Lagocephalus sceleratus, is a Lessepsian invasive fish species introduced into the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. This study investigated it as host of parasites. Out of 41 individuals caught from northern and southern locations of the eastern Aegean Sea, nine were found to host parasites. Gnathia sp. praniza larva, an ectoparasite, was associated with severe damage of the primary and secondary structures of the gills and it was found in one specimen (prevalence 2.4%). Regarding endoparasites, Anisakis type I third-stage larvae were found in two specimens (prevalence 4.9%). In addition, adult nematodes of Hysterothylacium aduncum were found in another six specimens (prevalence 14.6%). Lagocephalus sceleratus is a new host for some indigenous parasites, with low host specificity, in the Mediterranean Sea, providing an additional niche for the success and increase of local populations of these parasites and, to our knowledge, this is the first record of L. sceleratus parasites in this area. Whether these parasites can control the invasion success of L. sceleratus needs to be further investigated. However, the low mean intensity of infection found in this study does not support such control.     

Helminths of some tree frogs of the families Hylidae and Phyllomedusidae in an Atlantic rainforest fragment,Brazil

Despite the fact that Brazil is the most-studied country regarding helminths of amphibians, only around 8% of Brazilian anurans have had at least one study made of their helminth fauna. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the helminth community of nine species of Atlantic Rainforest anurans of two different families, eight of them with no previous study, and six of which are endemic to Brazil. The analysed hosts for their parasites were: Dendropsophus minutus (n = 48), Scinax auratus (n = 36), D. branneri (n = 33), D. elegans (n = 26), Hypsiboas albomarginatus (n = 22), Pithecopus nordestinus (n = 19), D. decipiens (n = 12), D. haddadi (n = 11) and S. x-signatus (n = 11). A total of 781 helminths were collected from 106 (48.6%) of 218 analysed hosts, 656 Centrorhyncus sp. cystacanths and 125 nematodes: 76 adults (25 Cosmocerca sp.; three Cosmocerceidae gen. sp.; 20 Cosmocerca parva, 20 Cosmocercella phyllomedusae, five Aplectana sp., two Oswaldocruzia sp. and one Rhabdias sp.), 43 encysted larvae (nine Porrocaecum sp. and 34 Brevimulticaecum sp.) and six Physaloptera sp. larvae. Anurans may display many roles within the helminth life cycles, as they act as both predator and prey to a wide variety of animals. Consequently, we have found helminths that use anurans as definitive, intermediate and paratenic hosts. Opposing other surveys in which nematodes are the most prevalent and abundant parasites, acanthocephalans were the most prevalent taxa. These findings highlight the lack of knowledge regarding the helminth fauna of anurans and reveal many gaps with respect to their infection patterns in amphibians.     

Helminths of the southwestern toad, Bufo Microscaphus , Woodhouse's toad, Bufo woodhousii (Bufonidae), and their hybrids from central Arizona

The gastrointestinal tracts, lungs and urinary bladders from 77 Bufo microscaphus , 61 Bufo woodhousii , and 8 of their hybrids were examined for helminthes. One species of trematode ( Glypthelmins quieta ), 1 species of cestode ( Distoichometra bufonis ), and 5 species of nematodes ( Aplectana incerta, A. itzocanensis, Rhabdias americanus, Physaloptera sp., and Physocephalus sp.) were found. The greatest prevalence (41%) and mean intensity (231.7) were recorded for Aplectana incerta in Bufo woodhousii . It appears hybrids harbor fewer parasites than either parent species.     

A checklist of suctorian epibiont ciliates (Ciliophora) found on meiobenthic marine nematodes

ABSTRACT

A compilation of the ciliated suctorian species found on marine meiobenthic nematodes as epibiont has been carried out based on published records. It included the taxonomic position of each species of ciliate epibiont, the species of basibiont nematodes, the geographic zones where they have been found and the different records of these species together with the corresponding bibliographic references. Altogether 12 suctorian species were listed. Among registered suctorian species, Thecacineta oregonensis, T. urceolata, Trematosoma rotunda, Loricophrya bosporica, L. mediterranea, L. scanica, L. sivertseni, L. spitinae and L. stresemanni are likely specific to nematodes. The species as Thecacineta calix and Limnoricus ceter were found on a variety of hosts. Representatives of the genus Thecacineta reproduce by vermigemmic budding, swarmers of which are unable to swim, and often attached close to the cloaca of the nematodes. Any regularity in localization were not observed in the representatives of genera Trematosoma and Loricophrya, which form ciliary, swimming swarmers.     

Three-year surveillance for cestode infections in sheep dogs in central Utah

During the summers of 1982, 1983, and 1984, 269 sheep dogs from an area endemic for hydatid disease were examined for cestodes ( Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp.). Each dog was given an oral purge of arecoline hydrobromide and then following purgation received a subcutaneous injection of praziquantel (Droncit ® ). During the three-year study period, 205 dogs were examined one time only, 48 dogs were examined two of the three years, and 16 dogs were examined each of the three years (= 349 separate examinations). In 1982, 45 of 91 dogs examined (49.5%) harbored at least one species of cestode. Those data for 1983 and 1984 were 55 positive of 141 examined (39.0%) and 34 positive of 117 examined (29.1%), respectively. The marked drop in dogs infected during the second and third year of the study suggests that many sheep ranchers were implementing some of the control measures recommended for prevention of E. granulosus infections. The numbers of separate purgations showing specific cestodes detected in all positive dogs (some dogs naturally with more than one species of cestode) were: E. granulosus, 16 (4.6%); T. hydatigena, 34 (9.7%); T. ovis krabbei, 46 (13.2%); T. pisiformis, 47 (13.5%); and T. serialis, 24 (6.9%).     

Metazoan parasites of Calophysus macropterus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) in the Acre and Iaco rivers in the western Amazon region of Brazil: diversity,similarity and seasonal variation

ABSTRACT

The diversity, similarity and seasonal variation of metazoan parasite communities in Calophysus macropterus in the Acre and Iaco rivers, in the western Amazon (Brazil), was investigated. Parasites from 13 taxa were collected from C. macropterus in both rivers: four species of monogeneans, four nematodes, two cestodes, one digenean, one crustacean and one pentastomid. In hosts from the Acre river, Cucullanus pinnai predominated; while in hosts in the Iaco river, Monticellia amazonica predominated. The component communities of the parasites among the hosts in the two rivers presented high similarity (100%). Prevalence of Alinema amazonicum was higher in hosts in the Acre river; while the prevalence of C. pinnai was higher in hosts in the Iaco river and the mean prevalence and abundance of M. amazonica were higher in fish from the Iaco river. Regarding C. macropterus from the Acre river, infection levels by A. amazonicum were higher during the rainy season, while Demidospermus pinirampi only occurred in the dry season and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus only occurred in the rainy season. In hosts from the Iaco river, infections by larvae of Anisakidae gen. sp. were higher during the dry season, while infection by Rudolphiella piracatinga and Sebekia sp. only occurred in the rainy season. However, P. (S.) inopinatus, Ergasilus callophysus, Ameloblastella unapi, Demidospermus luckyi, Demidospermus macropteri and D. pinirampi only occurred in the dry season. High similarity of the component communities of the parasite was observed between the rainy and dry seasons. These results suggest that factors other than location and seasonality were influencing the communities and infracommunities of the parasites found. Lastly, C. macropterus is a new host for almost 50% of the parasite species found. In addition, the results from the present study have expanded the geographical range of these 13 species of parasites to the western Amazon region.     

Some parasites of paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula ) from the Yellowstone River, Montana

One species of copepod ( Ergasilus elongatus ), one trematode ( Diclybothrium hamulatum ), two nematodes ( Camallanus oxycephalus and Contracaecum sp.), and two cestodes ( Marsipometra hastata and M. parva ) were recovered from 17 paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula ) collected from the Yellowstone River, Montana, on 11 and 18 May 1973. The male paddlefish averaged 69.4 nematodes and 157.6 cestodes per infected fish while the females averaged 12.0 nematodes and 415.7 cestodes. The higher intensity of cestode infection in female paddlefish was attributed to their larger size and consequent greater intake of food resulting in more exposure to the cestode intermediate hosts ( Cyclops bicuspidatus ).     

Parasites of mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi Girard, from five locations in Utah and Wasatch counties, Utah

Between 1983 and 1985, 97 mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi Girard, were examined from five collection sites in central Utah for parasites. Eight different species of parasites were observed, representing seven genera of Protozoa ( Plistophora, Myxidium, Myxobolus, Ichthyophthirius, Trichodina, Apiosoma, Eimeria ) and one genus of Nematoda ( Rhabdochona ). The highest number of parasites was found in sculpin from the Provo River near residential areas, while the lowest number was recorded from Hobble Creek, a nearby pristine area. A complete list of parasites for C. bairdi with literature citations is presented. Each observed parasite is discussed emphasizing pathogenesis to the host.     

Parasites of the cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki, and longnose suckers, Catostomus catostomus, from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming

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Fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae) from rodents in five southwestern states

Nine species of fleas were collected incidental to a survey of rodents for molecular studies in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah, south of latitude 38° N. Three species were parasites of woodrats, Neotoma spp.: Orchopeas neotomae Augustson was confirmed for Texas, and the distribution patterns of O. agilis (Rothschild) and O. schisintus (Jordan) were more clearly defined. Four species were parasites of mice, Peromyscus spp.: Aetheca wagneri (Baker) was a new flea for P. gratus Merriam, the distribution of O. leucopus (Baker) was extended to far west Texas, Plusaetis sibynus (Jordan) was new for Utah and N. lepida , and the range of Stenoponia americana (Baker) was extended west of the Continental Divide in New Mexico. Other species included Foxella ignota (Baker) and Meringis dipodomys Kohls.