Helminth parasites of seven anuran species from northwestern Mexico

One hundred eighty-three specimens representing 7 anuran species were examined for helminth parasites: Bufo kelloggi, B. mazatlanensis, Leptodactylus melanonotus, Pachymedusa dacnicolor, Rana forreri, R. magnaocularis, Smilisca baudini . The following species were found: 8 species of Trematoda, Cephalogonimus americanus, Clinostomum attenuatum (larva), Glypthelmins poncedeleoni, G. quieta, Gorgoderina attenuata, Haematoloechus complexus, H. longiplexus , and Megalodiscus temperatus ; 2 species of Cestoda, Cylindrotaenia americana and Nematotaenia dispar ; 13 species of Nematoda, Aplectana incerta, A. itzocanensis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Cosmocercella haberi, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Foleyellides striatus, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, Rhabdias americanus, R. ranae, Subulascaris falcaustriformis, Physaloptera sp. (larva), Physocephalus sp. (larva), and Spiroxys sp. (larva); and 1 species of Acanthocephala (cystacanth). Helminth species richness was 6.4 ± 2.4 s. Thirty-five new host records are reported.     

Helminth biodiversity of Costa Rican Anurans (Amphibia: Anura)

One hundred and sixty-three frogs representing 21 species collected in Costa Rica were examined for helminths. Those found were: one species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas), one species of Cestoda (Cylindrotaenia americana), 15 species of Nematoda, 11 species represented by gravid individuals (Aplectana hylambatis, Aplectana incerta, Aplectana itzocanensis, Capillaria recondita, Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Falcaustra costaricae, Hedruris heyeri, Oswaldocruzia costaricensis, Oswaldocruzia nicaraguensis, Rhabdias savagei) and four species represented by larvae (Physaloptera sp., Porrocaecum sp., Spirocamallanus sp., Ascarididae gen. sp.) and three species of Acanthocephala, one species represented by gravid individuals (Anuracanthorhynchus lutzi) and two species by cystacanths (Centrorhynchidae gen. sp. and Oligacanthorhynchidae gen. sp.). Mean helminth diversity (number of helminth species) per frog species was 2.4 ± 0.3 SE, range: 1–6. Forty-nine new host records are reported. Costa Rican frogs are infected by generalist helminths, which infect other species of frogs from Central and South America.     

Gastrointestinal helminths from fifteen species of Litoria and Nyctimystes (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

Three hundred and ninety‐nine individuals representing 10 species of Litoria and five species of Nyctimystes (Hylidae), L. arfakiana, L. bibonius, L. eucnemis, L. genimaculata, L. impura, L. infrafrenata, L. modica, L. nasuta, L. thesaurensis, L. wollastoni, N. gularis, N. kubori, N. papua, N. pulcher and N. semipalmatus collected in Papua New Guinea were examined for helminths. Gravid individuals representing one species of Monogenea (Parapolystoma bulliense), one species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas), 18 species of Nematoda (Aplectana krausi, Aplectana macintoshi, Aplectana zweifeli, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra papuensis, Icosiella papuensis, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Maxvachonia ewersi, Meteterakis crombiei, Moaciria moraveci, Ochoterenella papuensis, Oswaldocruzia bakeri, Parapharyngdon maplestoni, Parathelandros allisoni, Parathelandros andersoni, Physalopteroides milnensis, Rhabdias australiensis, Seuratascaris numidica) and one species of Acanthocephala (Acanthocephalus bufonis) were found. Also included were immature forms representing one species of Cestoda (as a metacestode), three species of Nematoda (Abbreviata sp., Rictulariidae gen. sp., Ascarididae gen. sp. in cysts), one species of Acanthocephala (unidentified cystacanth), and one species of Pentastomida [Raillietiella sp. (nymph)]. The mean helminth species richness for infected hosts was 1.3±0.6 SD (range one to three species). Sixty‐seven new host records and two new locality records are reported.     

Arizona distribution of three Sonoran Desert anurans: Bufo retiformis, Gastrophryne olivacea , and Pternohyla fodiens

We surveyed historic collecting localities in south central Arizona during July, August, and September 1993-94 to determine the presence of 3 little-known Sonoran Desert anurans, Bufo retiformis, Gastrophryne olivacea, and Pternohyla fodiens . All 3 species were present at most historic localities visited under appropriate conditions (following rainfall in July and August). Pternohyla fodiens was restricted to San Simon Wash and associated tributaries in south central Pima County. Gastrophryne olivacea ranged from Vekol Valley in extreme southern Maricopa County south to the Mexican border, and southeast near Tucson and Nogales in Pima and Santa Cruz counties. Bufo retiformis occurred over the widest area, from southern Rainbow Valley in Maricopa County southwest to the vicinity of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and southeast to the vicinity of Tucson and Sasabe in Pima County.     

Helminths of 13 species of microhylid frogs (Anura: Microhylidae) from Papua New Guinea

In an attempt to better document the invertebrate biodiversity of the threatened fauna of Papua New Guinea (PNG), 208 microhylid frogs representing 13 species collected in 2009 and 2010 in PNG were examined for endoparasitic helminths. This study found mature individuals of one species of Digenea (Opisthioglyphe cophixali), adults of two species of Cestoda (Nematotaenia hylae, Cylindrotaenia sp.) and cysticerci of an unidentified cestode species; adults of nine species of Nematoda (Aplectana krausi, Bakeria bakeri, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Cosmocercella phrynomantisi, Falcaustra papuensis, Icosiella papuensis, Ochtoterenella papuensis, Parathelandros allisoni, Parathelandros andersoni), and one species of Acanthocephala (cystacanths in the family Centrorhynchidae). There was a high degree of endemism among the helminth species infecting the microhylids, with 83% of the species known only from PNG. Yet the helminth fauna infecting Papuan microhylids are generalists with direct life cycles (no intermediate host) that also infect other anuran species. We thus conclude infection is more dependent upon habitat conditions than diet. Twenty-nine new host records are reported.     

A new species of the genus Gorgodera (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae), from two species of Anura from the Eastern Pyrenees

Summary

A bladder fluke from two species of Anura, Rana temporaria temporaria L. and Bufo bufo bufo L., is described and erected as a new species under the name Gorgodera euzeti sp. nov.     

Distributional changes and population status of amphibians in the eastern Mojave Desert

Several amphibian species historically inhabited sparsely distributed wetlands in the Mojave Desert of western North America, habitats that have been dramatically altered or eliminated as a result of human activities. The population status and distributional changes of amphibians were investigated over a 20,000-km 2 area in the eastern Mojave Desert in 2 ways. For upland sites (i.e., sites outside of major valleys and river floodplains), where wetland habitat is almost exclusively springs, encounter surveys were conducted at 128 sites in 1997-1999, and results were compared to historical (pre-1970) locality records. For lowland sites (i.e., sites within major valleys and river floodplains), locality records and field surveys in 1995-2004 were reviewed to detect changes in distribution over time. Amphibians were found at 79% of upland sites. By far the most common species was the red-spotted toad ( Bufo punctatus , 73% of sites), followed by the Pacific chorus frog ( Pseudacris regilla ), Woodhouse's toad ( B. woodhousii ), relict leopard frog ( Rana onca ), and the introduced American bullfrog ( R. catesbeiana ). Taxa observed or collected in the lowlands since 1990 were Woodhouse's toad, Pacific chorus frog, American bullfrog, and the introduced tiger salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum ). Four taxa (Vegas Valley leopard frog [ Rana sp.], Arizona toad [ B. microscaphus ], Great Plains toad [ B. cognatus ], and Great Basin spadefoot [ Spea intermontana ]) had historical records but no evidence of occurrence in the study area within the past 5 decades. The amphibian fauna of the study area has changed dramatically in the past century, primarily at lowland sites where habitat loss and modification have been extreme. Striking changes are the nearly complete replacement of native leopard frogs (i.e., Vegas Valley and relict leopard frogs) with the introduced bullfrog, and the complete replacement of the Arizona toad in Las Vegas Valley with Woodhouse's toad or hybrids with predominantly Woodhouse's traits. In contrast, the distributions of 2 species characteristic of upland springs, red-spotted toad and Pacific chorus frog, appear to have changed little from their historical distributions, despite habitat modification at many sites.     

Metazoan endoparasites of 18 anuran species from the mesophytic semideciduous Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil

Brazil has the richest anuran biodiversity in the world and many species have not yet been studied for parasites. One hundred and forty frogs belonging to 18 species (Rhinella schneideri, Dendropsophus aff. minutus, Dendropsophus nanus, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, Hypsiboas punctatus, Hypsiboas raniceps, Phyllomedusa tetraploidea, Pseudis platensis, Scinax fuscovarius, Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus aff. latrans, Leptodactylus mystacinus, Leptodactylus podicipinus, Physalaemus cuvieri, Physalaemus nattereri and Elachistocleis bicolor) collected in aquatic habitats in forest remnants and surrounding agricultural landscapes in southern Brazil were examined for endoparasites. Twenty-four species of endoparasites were identified among 21 adult and three larval individuals: one species of Monogenea, Polystoma lopezromani; eight species of Digenea, Catadiscus marinholutzi, Catadiscus propinquus, Choledocystus simulans, Gordoderina sp., Neohaematoloechus neivai, Rauschiella lenti, Rauschiella linguatula, Rauschiella repandum; one species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia sp.; one species of Acanthocephala, Centrorhyncus sp.; 12 species of Nematoda, Aplectana sp., Aplectana travassosi, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Raillietnema sp., Schrankiana formolusa, Falcaustra mascula, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Physaloptera sp., Brevimulticecum sp., Rhabdias sp., Parapharyngodon hylidae; and one species of Annelida, Dero (Allodero) lutzi. The endoparasite fauna found is constituted by generalist species. Two new records of occurrence in Brazil and 33 new host records are reported.     

The shore fishes of Trindade Island,western South Atlantic

Trindade Island (20°30'S, 29°20'W) is located approximately 620 nautical miles (1160km) off the eastern Brazilian coast. Due to its geographical isolation, its ichthyofauna arouses great biogeographic interest. This work intends to provide the first comprehensive checklist for the shore fishes of Trindade Island. Six expeditions were undertaken (1995, 1997, two in 1998, 1999 and 2000—in total 86 days of fieldwork) to survey the ichthyofauna from tidal pools to reefs 30 m deep. A checklist of 97 species belonging to 44 families is presented, with information on the ecology and geographical distribution of each species. The most representative families were the Carangidae (nine species), Serranidae (nine), Labridae (seven), Pomacentridae (five) and Muraenidae (five). Trindade is zoogeographically related to the western Atlantic, since 32% of its species are also found in the continental margin and 12.3% are shared with the western and central Atlantic. Nearly thirty-five percent of the shore fish fauna of Trindade are widespread pan-Atlantic warm-water species. Another 14.6% are restricted to the Brazilian Province. At least six endemic species (6.2%) were found: Malacoctenus sp. (Labrisomidae), Scartella sp., Entomacrodus sp. (Blenniidae), Arcos sp. (Gobiesocidae), Elacatinus sp. and Lythrypinus sp. (Gobiidae). This endemism level is lower than that found on the tropical mid-Atlantic Ridge islands of St. Helena (13.9%), Ascension (15.7%) and St. Paul's Rocks (12.1%).     

Are bufonid toads specialized ant-feeders? A case test from the Argentinian flooding pampa

Several causes have been considered to explain the specialized ant-feeder habits of the bufonids. We analysed the diet and availability of prey items for sympatric Bufo arenarum, Bufo dorbignyi and Odontophrynus americanus living in a grassland of the flooding pampa, Argentina. Frogs and insects were captured once a month with pitfall traps during the 2-year sampling. The frogs were measured and the stomach content was analysed. Odontophrynus americanus ingests Lepidoptera larvae, Coleoptera, Diptera and Homoptera; while both Bufo species not only feed on ants, but also prefer them. Whereas the two Bufo species show high niche overlap, the niche overlapping between both Bufo and Odontophrynus americanus was low. There are significant differences among body size of both Odontophrynus americanus and Bufo arenarum when compared with B. dorbignyi ; while there are no differences in body size of O. americanus and B. arenarum. Gape is larger in Odontophrynus americanus than in Bufo dorbignyi and B. arenarum, but it is similar in the two Bufo species. The mean prey size is larger for Odontophrynus americanus, followed by Bufo arenarum and B. dorbignyi. These results would confirm that the bufonids have ant-feeder habits, perhaps due to their small edentate gape that would constitute a morphological constraint that could explain their mirmecophagic habits.     

A redescription of the genus Cyrebion Fairmaire, 1891, with notes on related taxa and distribution (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

Eight new species and one new record of Elasmopus Costa, 1853 are described from Australian waters including the extended offshore territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Indian Ocean), Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), Ashmore Reef (Timor Sea), Norfolk Island (Tasman Sea) and Lord Howe Island (Tasman Sea). Range extensions are reported for seven described Australian species. Twenty-three species are now known from Australian waters. Elasmopus arafura sp. nov., E. carteri sp. nov., E. hyperopia sp. nov., E. leveque sp. nov., E. mcluerensis sp. nov., E. otus sp. nov., E. shepherdi sp. nov. and E. woodjonesi sp. nov. are described herein.     

First record of the subfamily Coelotinae in Laos,with review of Coelotinae embolus morphology and description of seven new species from Laos and Vietnam (Araneae,Amaurobiidae)

First records of Coelotinae are reported from Laos. Five new species of the genus Draconarius are described from the northern Luang Nam Tha Province: Draconarius bounnami sp. nov. (male), D. latidens sp. nov. (female), D. postremus sp. nov. (male, female), D. songi sp. nov. (male) and D. tabularis sp. nov. (female). In addition, two new Coelotinae species are described from Vietnam: D. hanoiensis sp. nov. (female) and D. huongsonensis sp. nov. (female). Of the 429 currently valid Coelotinae species, 154 of them have only females described (36%). The embolus characteristics of those with males described (275 species, 64%) are reviewed. Two characters have been found that might be informative for the estimation of phylogeny, and their congruence with the current Coelotinae classification system is discussed. One character is the point from which the embolus arises and another is the embolus shape.     

Large, wetland-associated mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Glacier National Park, Montana

We describe species richness and habitat associations of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) collected during amphibian surveys of 355 water bodies in Glacier National Park (NP), Montana, in 2006–2008. We collected 9 taxa (in 7 genera) of mayflies that were identifiable to species. Callibaetis ferrugineus hageni was collected most frequently, followed by Siphlonurus occidentalis, S. phyllis, Ameletus celer, A. similior, Parameletus columbiae, Ephemerella dorothea infrequens, Baetis bicaudatus, and Leptophlebia cupida. Siphlonurus phyllis had not been reported in the western United States prior to our surveys, and P. columbiae is a species of concern in the region. The identifications of 4 additional taxa were uncertain due to the poor condition of specimens found at only one site ( Centroptilum sp. and Paraleptophlebia sp.) or because nymphal specimens could not be confidently identified ( Cinygma sp. and Cinygmula sp.). Species richness of mayflies in wetlands seems low compared to that in streams and lakes in Glacier National Park. We found the most species of mayflies in beaver ponds, where we detected some species not commonly associated with lentic water bodies. Our survey was the first extensive survey of wetland invertebrates in Glacier NP and only the second that we are aware of in western Montana.     

Species of Symplectoscyphus Marktanner-Turneretscher, 1890 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa,Sertulariidae) from recent Antarctic expeditions with R.V. Polarstern,with the description of four new species

Fifteen species of the genus Symplectoscyphus Marktanner-Turneretscher have been studied, four of which are new to science (Symplectoscyphus anae sp. nov., S. frigidus sp. nov., S. sofiae sp. nov. and S. weddelli sp. nov.). The material studied originates from the Weddell Sea and was collected by several French and German Antarctic expeditions with R.V. Polarstern. Each species is described and figured, the systematic position amongst allied species discussed and available data concerning autecology and geographical distribution given. The type material of five poorly known species of Symplectoscyphus, S. aggregatus (Jäderholm), S. cumberlandicus (Jäderholm), S. glacialis (Jäderholm), S. hero Blanco and S. plectilis (Hickson and Gravely), has been re-examined, re-described and figured. Finally, a general survey of the bathymetrical and biogeographical distribution of the known Antarctic species is given.     

Three new endogean species of Laparocerus Schönherr, 1834 from the Canary Islands (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Three new species of the weevil genus Laparocerus Schönherr (1834) adapted to the edaphic environment of the Canary Islands are described: L. edaphicus n. sp., L. oromii n. sp. and L. lopezi n. sp. They live in the humid laurel forests of Tenerife (Anaga Mountains), La Gomera (Garajonay National Park) and Gran Canaria (Valsendero), respectively. The small size and somewhat tubular body shape is a common character among them, as is the reduction of the eyes, which are totally absent in L. oromii n. sp. Despite these common adaptive traits, the three species seem not to be directly related. A key for the identification of all the known cryptozoic (edaphic and troglobitic) species of Laparocerus is provided.     

A preliminary account of the fly fauna in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,with new records and biogeographical remarks (Diptera: Insecta)

A preliminary list of Diptera (Insecta) in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve (GRNR), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with remarks on their zoogeographic affinities is presented. This is the first in a series of planned faunal studies on different insect orders as an output of a project proposed to study the entire entomofauna of GRNR. A total number of 177 Diptera species belonging to 130 genera, representing 38 families has been listed. Some species have been identified only to genus and listed herein as genera that were not previously recorded from KSA or of a taxonomic or faunal importance. The list records five families, 11 genera and 31 species for the first time in KSA, namely: the families Acroceridae, Asteiidae, Chamaemyiidae, Heleomyzidae and Pipunculidae; the genera Acrocera (Acroceridae), Eremisca (Asilidae), Asteia (Asteiidae), Chamaemyia sp. (Chamaemyiidae), Ochthera (Ephydridae), Physoconops (Conopidae), Pseudoleria (Heleo-myzidae), Salentia (Therevidae), Sapromyza (Lauxaniidae), Sternobrithes (Stratiomyidae), Tomosvaryella (Pipunculidae); and the species Apoclea algira (Linnaeus), Apoclea femoralis (Wiedemann), Promachus rectangularis Loew, Eremisca sp. and Oligopogon nitidus Efflatoun [Asilidae]; Phycus sp., Salentia sp. and Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) [Therevidae]; Drapetis flavipes Macquartand Platypalpus flavicornis (Meigen) [Hybotidae]; Acrocera sp.1 and Acrocera sp.2 [Acroceridae]; Aspida-cantha atra Kertesz and Sternobrithes sp. [Stratiomyidae]; Tomos-varyella sp.1 and Tomosvaryella sp.2 [Pipunculidae]; Eristalinus taeniops (Wiedemann) and Eumerus amoenus Loew [Syrphidae]; Asteia sp. [Asteiidae]; Chamaemyia sp. [Chamaemyiidae]; Physoconops sp., and Thecophora fulvipes Rubineau-Desvoidy [Conopidae]; Ochthera sp. [Ephydridae]; Pseudoleria pectinata (Loew) [Heleomyzidae]; Cestrotus megacephalus Loew and Sapromyza sp. [Lauxaniidae]; Campylocera oculata Hendel [Pyrgotidae]; Australosepsis niveipennis (Becker) [Sepsidae]; Metasphenisca transilis Munro [Tephritidae]; Anthomyia xanthopus (Hennig) [Anthomyiidae]; and Sarcophaga inaequalis Austen [Sarcophagidae]. More than 50% of the recorded fly species are of an Afrotropical affinity, whereas the Palaearctic elements did not exceed 20%. Only 7% of the species were of both Afrotropical and Palaearctic affinities, and Oriental elements were close to nil. This emphasizes the fact that the southwestern part of KSA, including the study area, belonging to Asir Province, ought to be part of the Afrotropical Region rather than the the Palaearctic Region.     

Trypanoplasma atraria sp. n. (Kinetoplastida: Bodonidae) in fishes from the Sevier River drainage, Utah

A total of 181 fishes belonging to 10 species were captured near Richfield, Utah, and examined for parasites. A new species of hemoflagellate, Trypanoplasma atraria sp. n., was observed in 3 species: Utah chub ( Gila atraria [Girard]), redside shiner ( Richardsonius balteatus [Richardson]), and speckled dace ( Rhinichthys osculus [Girard]). Seven other species of fishes examined in the study area were negative for T. atraria sp. n. The salmonid leech, Piscicola salmositica (Meyer), collected in the same area harbored developmental stages of Trypanoplasma , suggesting a possible leech vector for the hemoflagellate. Characteristics of Trypanoplasma atraria sp. n. place it near T. salmositica , but the new species is twice as large.     

Helminths of ten species of Litoria frogs (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

One hundred and ninety-one frogs collected in Papua New Guinea from 10 species of the genus Litoria, namely, L. angiana, L. arfakiana, L. caerulea, L. congenita, L. eurynastes, L. gasconi, L. infrafrenata, L. iris, L. kumae and L. modica, were examined for helminths. Eighteen species of helminths were found: one species of Monogenea, Parapolystoma bulliense; three species of Digenea, Diplodiscus amphichrus, Halipegus zweifeli and Mesocoelium monas; 13 species of Nematoda, gravid specimens of Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra papuensis, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Maxvachonia flindersi, Maxvachonia ingens, Meteterakis crombiei, Moaciria moraveci, Parathelandros mastigurus, Physalopteroides milnensis, Pseudorictularia dipsarilis, Seuratascaris numidica, and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp. and, one species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis. Mean number of helminth species per host species was 3.0 ± 1.4 SD (range 1–5), mean number of helminth species per infected frog was 1.1 ± 0.4 SD (range 1–2), and mean number of helminths per infected host was 33.3 ± 5.8 SD (range 1–36). Twenty-eight new host records and two new locality records are reported. The biogeography of the recovered helminths is discussed.