Natural occurrence of entomopathogenic nematode species (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in cotton fields of Tamil Nadu,India

A total of 200 soil samples collected from the cotton fields of 10 different districts of the state of Tamil Nadu in India were evaluated for the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) belonging to Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae during 2008–2009. This survey detected the occurrence of EPN in arable lands through the use of a standard insect baiting bioassay technique. EPN were recovered from all 10 cotton growing districts with 27 positive sites (13.5%) ranging from irrigated to rain-fed cotton fields of varied soil types (sandy to clayey), soil pH (4.9–8.4), electrical conductivity (0.11–1.25 dS/m) and organic matter content (0.21–3.8%). Both morphological and molecular tools were used to identify the isolates. Among 27 positive samples, 20 samples yielded steinernematids (74%) and seven samples yielded heterorhabditids (26%). The Heterorhabditis isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The Steinernema included Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema siamkayai and Steinernema monticolum. Steinernema carpocapsae was the predominant species. The cropping patterns comprising cotton–vegetables had higher EPN prevalence (26%) than cotton–pulses (22%), cotton–banana (3.3%) and cotton–millets (2.8%). Steinernema carpocapsae was recovered from cotton–pulses, cotton–millets and cotton–vegetables cropping patterns, whereas H. bacteriophora was isolated from cotton–pulses, cotton–vegetables and cotton–banana cropping patterns. This study demonstrated that EPN are prevalent in the cotton fields of Tamil Nadu, India and could potentially be incorporated into biological control or integrated pest management programmes.     

Cienfuegia gen. nov. (Xyalidae) and Pseudoterschellingia gen. nov. (Linhomoeidae), two new genera of free‐living marine nematodes from the Caribbean Sea

Two new genera of nematodes are described from the Caribbean Sea. Cienfuegia gen. nov. belongs to the Xyalidae based on the position of the anterior gonad constantly left of the intestine, cuticle clearly striated, second and third circle of anterior sensilla inserted at the same level and buccal cavity surrounded by pharynx. The new genus is differentiated from other genera by the buccal cavity divided in two chambers and by the four cephalic setae being longer than the six outer labial setae. Within the Xyalidae, Cienfuegia shows most affinities with the genera Daptonema and Theristus. Pseudoterschellingia gen. nov. is placed within the Linhomoeidae on the basis of the presence of anterior rounded amphidial fovea, unarmed narrow buccal cavity, distinctive cardia and presence of apophysis of gubernaculum. Pseudoterschellingia is closely related to the genera Terschellingia and Terschellingioides, but is differentiated by the crypto‐spiral amphidial fovea, and conical buccal cavity surrounded by pharyngeal tissue.     

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.     

A new genus and three new species of free‐living marine nematodes from the Yellow Sea,China

One new genus, Paramphimonhystrella gen. nov., and three new species of free‐living marine nematodes in this genus, P. elegans sp. nov., P. minor sp. nov., and P. sinica sp. nov., are described and illustrated from the Yellow Sea, China. Paramphimonhystrella gen. nov. differs from the similar genus Amphimonhystrella by the elongated buccal cavity, cervical setae and large caudal glands. Paramphimonhystrella elegans sp. nov. is characterized by ovoid amphids and spicules with a small hook at distal end and cylindrical part of tail shorter than conical part. Paramphimonhystrella sinica sp. nov. is characterized by circular amphids, wide buccal cavity, spicules with blunt tip, and cylindrical part of tail longer than conical part. Paramphimonhystrella minor sp. nov. differs from the other two species by its smaller body (shorter than 800 µm), circular amphids, and spicules with sharp tip. The type species of this new genus is P. elegans gen. nov. and sp. nov. Types are deposited in the College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China.     

Population structure of a native and an alien species of snail in an urban area of the Atlantic Rainforest

Native Megalobulimus paranaguensis was identified on Brazil’s Ilha Porchat promontory, an area that Achatina fulica commonly populates. The population structures of these species were investigated for interactions. Spatial distribution, niche overlap and mark–recapture analysis were conducted. The outer lip of M. paranaguensis and environmental variables were measured. One and two abundance peaks were observed for A. fulica and M. paranaguensis, respectively. Survivorship was higher in A. fulica. Distribution was aggregate for M. paranaguensis, whereas for A. fulica it varied from random to aggregate. Both species aggregate as abundance increases. The lifespan of M. paranaguensis in this location is shorter than its lifespan in a nearby location. Achatina fulica was affected by soil temperature and humidity; M. paranaguensis was influenced by humidity. Niche overlap was random. The results show that M. paranaguensis can keep its natural activity and abundance in the presence of A. fulica, but environmental degradation impacts M. paranaguensis and should be evaluated.     

Improved geographic sampling provides further evidence for the separation of Glossiphonia complanata and Glossiphonia elegans (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae)

Historically, there has been much confusion surrounding the identity and separation of European and North American species of Glossiphonia (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae). Using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from newly collected specimens of Glossiphonia complanata and Glossiphonia elegans from a broad geographic range covering southern Canada, parts of the US, Slovenia and Croatia, we confirm that G. complanata is likely confined to Europe. The species is phylogenetically distinct from G. elegans, which seems to exclusively inhabit North America. Parsimony and maximum likelihood of the COI locus show the European samples placing as the sister group to an unidentified species of Glossiphonia from Russia, while the North American samples are the sister group to all other Glossiphonia species. We also investigate the consistency of number of crop cecae for separating these species and contrary to previous reports, this character shows no differences between our specimens of the two species. Additionally, the trees show evidence of subdivisions within both G. complanata and G. elegans, with some sequences separated by high ‘intraspecific’ distances. Forces might be shaping population structure and/or potential incipient speciation within these species, emphasizing the need for future research into the biogeography and population genetics of Glossiphonia.     

From the subantarctic to the subtropics: a revision of the Davacaridae Kethley, 1977 (Acari: Trigynaspida: Mesostigmata) with the description of a new genus and three new species

The family Davacaridae is shown to consist of at least two genera (Davacarus Hunter, Acanthodavacarus n. gen.) and four species that are distributed from subantarctic islands (D. gressetti Hunter) to Tasmania (D. reginaldi n. sp.), and to mainland Australia (D. lindquisti n. sp., A. klompeni n. sp.) at least as far north as the subtropical rainforests of south-east Queensland. These mites share a number of striking synapomorphies including the paedomorphic retention of the deutonymphal pattern of sclerotized plates in the adult, a secondary thickening of the cuticle around those plates and a lateral cheliceral excrescence that adheres to the cheliceral teeth. Species of Davacarus have lost the pregenital shield, have an intricate endogynium and four pairs of large, sessile opisthosomal glands; species of Acanthodavacarus have a pregenital shield with a pair of setae and two pairs of hypertrophied opisthosomal glands on short horn-like protrusions.     

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.     

Epibionts and parasites of Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Metapenaeus dobsoni from Gosthani estuary

Juveniles of two species of commercially important prawns, Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers) and Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) collected from Gosthani estuary, Bheemunipatnam near Visakhapatnam, India during the period August 1995 to August 1996 were subjected to a detailed study with a view to identifying the various species of epibionts and parasites and to monitor the seasonal changes in the occurrence and abundance of common species of ciliates and larval helminths. A wide range of protozoan and metazoan parasite species was encountered in the prawns. The protozoans were represented by epicommensal ciliates belonging to the genera Zoothamnium, Epistylis, Acineta, Vorticella, an unidentified apostome ciliate and two species of gregarines. The metazoan parasites included metacercariae of families Opecoelidae and Microphallidae, a larval cestode, a larval nematode and two species of bopyrid isopods. Altogether eight species were found infecting M. rosenbergii and 11 species infected M. dobsoni. A majority of the parasite species infected both the hosts. The peritrichous and apostome ciliates constituted the dominant members of the parasite fauna, occurring on both species of prawns as epibionts with high prevalence and density. All the other infections were rarely encountered. Infections with gregarines were restricted to M. dobsoni while those of microphallid metacercariae were found only in M. rosenbergii. Zoothamnium infections were more common on M. rosenbergii than on M. dobsoni. Apparent differences in the parasite fauna, attributed to differences in the behaviour of the two species, were noted. Seasonally Zoothamnium infections were at their peak during monsoon and post-monsoon months and these infections appear to be governed directly by salinity of the habitat and indirectly by the rainfall. Apostome ciliate infections were at their peak during the months November and February. Opecoelid metacercarial infections were confined to the period August to February, with peak during summer months.     

Some anisakid nematodes from marine fishes of Japan and the North Pacific Ocean

A recent collection of anisakid nematodes from marine fishes from Japan and the North Pacific Ocean comprised a total of seven species of two genera; six of them (Raphidascaroides nipponensis Yamaguti, 1941, Hysterothylacium aduncum aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802), H. auctum (Rudolphi, 1802), H. cornutum (Stossich, 1904), H. marinum (Linnaeus, 1767) and H. physiculi sp. n.) parasitize fishes as adults, whereas one (Hysterothylacium sp.) occurred as larvae encapsulated in the host's abdominal cavity. Hysterothylacium physiculi sp. n. from the intestine of the gadiform fish Physiculus maximowiczi (Herzenstein) (family Moridae) from the western North Pacific (Kamaishi Bay, Honshu) is characterized mainly by shape of the lips, presence of well developed lateral alae starting some distance posterior to base of the lips, a short caecum, and markedly short (324-416mum) spicules. SEM study of R. nipponensis, type species of the genus, did not confirm the presence of dentigerous ridges on the lips. All species are briefly described and illustrated and some taxonomic problems are discussed. Several new host and geographical records are presented.     

The family Leucospidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the South of Saudi Arabia,with the first report of the genus Micrapion and description of Leucospis arabica sp. nov.

The family Leucospidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Saudi Arabia is reviewed. Specimens were mainly collected from the south-western region of the country – Raydah (Abha, Asir), Sajid (Farasan Islands, Jazan) and Wadi Tourabah (Mandaq, Al Baha); and from Egypt – Wadi Khoshb (Sinai Peninsula), as well as a specimen (Leucospis elegans Klug) deposited in the Efflatoun Bey collection, Cairo University, Egypt. The genus Micrapion Kriechbaumer is here recorded for the first time from the fauna of the Arabian Peninsula, with a single species, M. clavaforme. Leucospis arabica Gadallah and Soliman sp. nov. (dorsigera group) is described. Leucospis africana (elegans group) is also newly recorded from the Saudi Arabian fauna, in addition to L. elegans which has been previously recorded. An illustrated key and a list of all leucospid species recorded and expected to occur in Saudi Arabia are provided.

www.zoobank.org/lsid:Zoobank.org:pub:40BEF37F-0D92-4AEF-9990-30C1CFC3A7A7     

Composition and distribution patterns of chewing lice of two neotropical species of Turdus

We analyzed the prevalence and intensity of chewing lice on two neotropical species of Turdus and identified morphological parameters of birds influencing louse population dynamics. The study was conducted in southernmost Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), Brazil, between July 2009 and June 2010. Chewing lice were collected by dust-ruffling. The prevalence of chewing lice on both species of Turdus was high. Chewing lice from both species of Turdus exhibit similar composition and distribution patterns. However, chewing lice were more abundant on Turdus rufiventris, whereas species richness was higher on Turdus amaurochalinus. Myrsidea and Brueelia were the most prevalent and abundant genera on both host species in all seasons of the year. A predominance of chewing louse females and adults was observed. Aggregated distributions were observed. Body length was the only morphological parameter correlated with louse abundance, suggesting that specimens with a larger body have a higher abundance of lice.     

Two remarkable nematodes from sharks in Japan

Two species of nematodes, Acanthocheilus rotundatus (Rudolphi, 1819) and Metaleptus rabuka Machida, Ogawa and Okiyama, 1982, have been recorded from the stomach of Mustelus griseus Pietschmann and M. manazo Bleeker (Triakinidae, Carcharhiniformes) and from the intestine of Apristurus fedorovi Dolganov (Scyliorhinidae, Carcharhiniformes), respectively, from the North Pacific Ocean off Honshu, Japan. Both species are redescribed and their cephalic structures have been studied, for the first time, by scanning electron microscopy. A. fedorovi represents a new host record for M. rabuka. The morphology of M. rabuka, particularly the presence of a somewhat trilobed pseudolabia, an undivided oesophagus and the structure of the male caudal end, shows that it is necessary to transfer the monotypic genus Metaleptus Machida, Ogawa and Okiyama, 1982 from the Physalopteroidea to the Gnathostomatoidea, where a new subfamily, Metaleptidae subfam. n., is established to accommodate it. Undoubtedly, Metaleptus represents a very old and primitive form of nematode, the morphology of which indicates affinities also to physalopterids, cucullanids and acanthocheilids.     

Two new species of Enoplida (Nematoda) from the Yellow Sea,China

Two new species of free‐living marine nematodes Adoncholaimus chinensis sp. nov. and Bathylaimus huanghaiensis sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China are described and illustrated. Adoncholaimus chinensis sp. nov. is characterized by the gubernaculum with a slender apophysis; two files of seven to eight circumcloacal setae on each subventral side of body. Bathylaimus huanghaiensis sp. nov. is characterized by a cylindrical body and smooth cutical. The buccal cavity is relatively smaller than in other species of the genus Bathylaimus. The anterior buccal cavity has only one obvious dorsal tooth. The amphids are subspiral with 1.2 turns, posterior to the base of posterior buccal cavity. They also have a long three‐jointed cephalic seta.     

New species of ptyctimous mites (Acari,Oribatida) from Cuba

Five new species of two genera of ptyctimous, soil mites (Acari, Oribatida, Steganacaridae) are described: Protophthiracarus aethes sp. nov., Protophthiracarus pinarensis sp. nov., Protophthiracarus ruseki sp. nov., Notophthiracarus granpiedraensis sp. nov. and Notophthiracarus obturatus sp. nov. The identification key for determination of Protophthiracarus species of Cuba is provided. One of the genera, Notophthiracarus, is newly found in the Antilles. New described species have increased the number of endemic species for Cuba and increased the number of the known species of ptyctimous mites to 47.     

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.     

A systematic revision of the large-scaled Marcusenius with description of a new species from Cameroon (Teleostei; Osteoglossomorpha; Mormyridae)

Nine out of 37 recognized species in the genus Marcusenius have eight large circumpeduncular scales rather than 12 or 16, which is more typical of the genus. They are: M. dundoensis, M. fuscus, M. ghesquierei, M. intermedius, M. kutuensis, M. lambouri, M. moorii, M. paucisquamatus and M. schilthuisiae. All nine are restricted to West-Central and Central Africa. A detailed morphometric analysis could not distinguish differences between M. moorii, M. paucisquamatus and M. lambouri. Therefore they are considered as synonyms with M. morrii as the senior synonym. The systematic status of M. intermedius is uncertain owing to the existence of only three specimens. Within this species complex a new species, Marcusenius sanagaensis, is described from the Sanaga River basin in Cameroon. It differs from all the others in the number of scales on the lateral line and in the extent of the broad dark band between the anterior base of the dorsal fin and the anterior base of the anal fin. All valid Marcusenius species with eight circumpeduncular scales are redescribed and a key to these species is given.     

Predation on eggs of Schneider’s dwarf caiman,Paleosuchus trigonatus (Schneider, 1807), by armadillos and other predators

Nests of Schneider’s dwarf caiman, Paleosuchus trigonatus, were located in the forests around three streams that drain into the Xingu River, Brazilian Amazonia, in October 2014. Camera traps were installed at the edge of four nests to document predators and female parental care. At two nests, females unsuccessfully defended their nests against one or more giant armadillos, Priodontes maximus, and nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus. Both armadillo species responded to the attack by fleeing and returning on the opposite side of the nest by going around the tree under which the nest was located. Giant armadillos have never before been recorded consuming caiman eggs and their diet has been described as consisting mostly of ants and termites. Another species of armadillo, Cabassous unicinctus, was also registered digging into a nest and probably consuming eggs, though it is generally considered to be primarily insectivorous. A tayra (Eira barbara), lizard (Tupinambis teguixin) and coati (Nasua nasua) were also registered taking eggs from nests during the day, but we obtained no registers of nest defence by caimans during the day. The three nests were attacked after 60 days of incubation, when the eggs were well developed.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Mesobuthus eupeus (C.L. Koch, 1839) inferred from COI sequences (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

In this study, the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of Mesobuthus eupeus in Iran is presented based on sequence data of a ～ 700-base-pair fragment of cytochrome C oxidase, subunit I. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The results support monophyly of M. eupeus, but there is a clear divergence between northern and southern clades. The northern clade includes four subspecies – M. e. eupeus, M. e. philippovitschi, M. e. afghanus and M. e. thersites; whereas the southern clade is comprised of two others – M. e. phillipsi and M. e. kirmanensis. Accordingly, possible scenarios for the evolution and phylogeographic structure of M. eupeus based on the geological history of the Iranian Plateau were proposed. The observation of two distinct lineages supports the proposal that M. eupeus might be a species complex composed of species with highly similar morphological features.