Bacillary Bands Research Articles

Additional morphological characters of the nematode Capillostrongyloides fritschi (Travassos, 1914) Moravec, 1982 (Nematoda: Capillaridae) from Bagrus spp. (Bagridae) inhabiting Damietta Branch of the River Nile, Egypt with a special reference to evaginated cirrus

The catfish Bagrus bajad (Forsskål) and B. docmak (Forsskål) (Siluriformes: Bagridae) are well distributed in the River Nile and have an economic value with good marketing and use in aquaculture. Collected specimens of Capillostrongyloides fritschi (Travassos 1914) were redescribed using a phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. The most remarkable finding was the unique structure of the evaginated cirrus, being composed of a proximal long tube, a middle spherical bulb packed with mature spermatozoa, and a distal funnel-shaped structure. All regions of the cirrus are provided with longitudinal and transverse muscles and covered with transverse cuticular folds. The mechanism of cirrus emergence was discussed based on available musculature data. Other important findings are the short stylet of the mouth, the two lateral oral lobes, 6-10 buried cephalic papillae and the bacillary bands that lack elevations. Stichosome is formed of 35-44 stichocytes that were differentiated into black and white forms, each containing dense granules and translucent vacuoles. The intestine showed a convoluted part at its anterior region. The vulvar lips are slightly elevated, many mature eggs are cleaved, and their shells are 3-layered. The anus was found in a groove bounded by two unequal lobes.

A new nematode of the family Capillariidae identified in Cairina moschata (Linnaeus) on Marajó Island in the Brazilian Amazon.

Capillaria Zeder, 1800, parasitizes the organs and tissues of several hosts, including the domestic duck Cairina moschata (Linnaeus). This article describes a new species of Capillaria in domestic ducks identified based on morphological studies and molecular analyses of the ribosomal RNA gene. Thirty-eight specimens of C. moschata from the municipality of Soure, Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil. The organs of the birds' digestive tract were analyzed under a stereomicroscope to confirm the parasitic infection, after which the collected nematodes were identified by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular analysis. Capillariids parasitized the intestine and cecum of the examined birds. These parasites had three bacillary bands and a pair of elongated precloacal papillae on the tail. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the new species formed a sister clade with Capillaria spinulosa (Linstow, 1890), as described in Indonesia and Japan. Based on morphological distinctions and molecular data, Capillaria cairina n. sp. can be considered a new parasite species of C. moschata in the Brazilian Amazon.

Nematode capilaridae in the tongue of Cerdocyon thous of free life in Brazil.

Studies of helminths in road-killed wild animals are still uncommon but may provide promising results since they can identify the parasites in juvenile and adult hosts and meet the recommendations of current discussions on bioethics that prioritize alternative methods for the use of animals. This study evaluated three Cerdocyon thous individuals that were donated after dying from being run over. Two of them had small nematode adults in the epithelial and connective tissues of the tongue. The diagnosis was based on the presence of eggs, observed in histological sections, and morphological characteristics of the nematodes in the tongue. Morphologically, this nematode has a body with transverse grooves, simple mouth opening and no lips, esophagus and stichosome with stichocytes and bacillary bands along the body, which is characteristic morphology of the family Capilariidae and genus Capillaria . The presence of this nematode in the tongue of C. thous is an extremely important fact that contributes to what is known about the biodiversity of zoonotic parasites in wild canid populations. However, an explanation for these findings remains unclear because, until now, this has not been observed in the biological cycle of the species.

Identification of lead chemotherapeutic agents from medicinal plants against blood flukes and whipworms.

Schistosomiasis and trichuriasis are two of the most common neglected tropical diseases (NTD) that affect almost a billion people worldwide. There is only a limited number of effective drugs to combat these NTD. Medicinal plants are a viable source of parasiticides. In this study, we have investigated six of the 19 phytochemicals isolated from two Bhutanese medicinal plants, Corydalis crispa and Pleurospermum amabile, for their anthelmintic properties. We used the xWORM technique and Scanning Electron Microscope-based imaging to determine the activity of the compounds. Of the six compounds tested, isomyristicin and bergapten showed significant anthelmintic activity against Schistosoma mansoni and Trichuris muris with bergapten being the most efficacious compound one against both parasites (S. mansoni IC50 = 8.6 μg/mL and T. muris IC50 = 10.6 μg/mL) and also against the schistosomulum stage of S. mansoni. These two compounds induced tegumental damage to S. mansoni and affected the cuticle, bacillary bands and bacillary glands of T. muris. The efficacy against multiple phylogenetically distinct parasites and different life stages, especially the schistosomulum where praziquantel is ineffective, makes isomyristicin and bergapten novel scaffolds for broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug development that could be used for the control of helminths infecting humans and animals.

Compounds Derived from the Bhutanese Daisy, Ajania nubigena, Demonstrate Dual Anthelmintic Activity against Schistosoma mansoni and Trichuris muris.

BackgroundWhipworms and blood flukes combined infect almost one billion people in developing countries. Only a handful of anthelmintic drugs are currently available to treat these infections effectively; there is therefore an urgent need for new generations of anthelmintic compounds. Medicinal plants have presented as a viable source of new parasiticides. Ajania nubigena, the Bhutanese daisy, has been used in Bhutanese traditional medicine for treating various diseases and our previous studies revealed that small molecules from this plant have antimalarial properties. Encouraged by these findings, we screened four major compounds isolated from A. nubigena for their anthelmintic properties.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we studied four major compounds derived from A. nubigena for their anthelmintic properties against the nematode whipworm Trichuris muris and the platyhelminth blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni using the xWORM assay technique. Of four compounds tested, two compounds—luteolin (3) and (3R,6R)-linalool oxide acetate (1)—showed dual anthelmintic activity against S. mansoni (IC50 range = 5.8–36.9 μg/mL) and T. muris (IC50 range = 9.7–20.4 μg/mL). Using scanning electron microscopy, we determined luteolin as the most efficacious compound against both parasites and additionally was found effective against the schistosomula, the infective stage of S. mansoni (IC50 = 13.3 μg/mL). Luteolin induced tegumental damage to S. mansoni and affected the cuticle, bacillary bands and bacillary glands of T. muris. Our in vivo assessment of luteolin (3) against T. muris infection at a single oral dosing of 100 mg/kg, despite being significantly (27.6%) better than the untreated control group, was markedly weaker than mebendazole (93.1%) in reducing the worm burden in mice.Conclusions/SignificanceAmong the four compounds tested, luteolin demonstrated the best broad-spectrum activity against two different helminths—T. muris and S. mansoni—and was effective against juvenile schistosomes, the stage that is refractory to the current gold standard drug, praziquantel. Medicinal chemistry optimisation including cytotoxicity analysis, analogue development and structure-activity relationship studies are warranted and could lead to the identification of more potent chemical entities for the control of parasitic helminths of humans and animals.

EUCOLEUS BOEHMI INFECTION IN THE NASAL CONCHAE AND PARANASAL SINUSES OF RED FOX (VULPES VULPES) ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA.

Eucoleus boehmi (Nematoda: Capillariidae) occurs in the nasal conchae and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. We surveyed the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) on Prince Edward Island, Canada, for E. boehmi infection and characterized the associated histopathology. Nasal capillarid infections were detected based on histologic examination of three coronal sections of the nasal cavity and by centrifugal flotation examination (CFE) of rectal feces. Capillarids were detected in histologic sections in 28 of 36 (78%) foxes; detection occurred most frequently in the caudal section (28 foxes) and least in the rostral section (10 foxes). Adult worm morphology was typical for capillarids (stichosome esophagus, bacillary bands, bipolar plugged eggs); E. boehmi eggs were specifically identified based on the characteristic pitted shell wall surface. Adult worms were detected in histologic sections in all 28 and E. boehmi eggs in 21 of the positive foxes. No eggs of Eucoleus aerophilus were observed in any of the sections. Affected foxes had an eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis with goblet cell hyperplasia. Eggs of E. aerophilus were detected on CFE in 20 of 36 (56%) foxes; 19 of the histologically positive foxes were coinfected with E. aerophilus. Eggs of E. boehmi were detected on CFE in 26 of 36 (72%) foxes and were consistent in size and morphology with those described from wild canids, but they differed from those reported from cases of infection in dogs. Prevalence based on identification of eggs on histologic section or CFE indicated 27 of 36 (75%) red foxes examined were infected with E. boehmi.

Redescription ofEchinocoleus hydrochoeri(Travassos, 1916) (Nematoda: Trichuridae) fromHydrochoeris hydrochaerisLinnaeus, 1766 (Rodentia: Caviidae) from Argentina

Twenty-eight Capillariinae species have been recorded in rodents; 1 of these species was reported from a caviomorph rodent, Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris (capybara), and placed in the genus Echinocoleus by Moravec (1982). However, both original description and subsequent contributions of Echinocoleus hydrochoeri are poor and incomplete. In this paper, this species is redescribed, and a new geographical distribution is reported. The redescription is based on morphologic and morphometrical features; intestine ends in a cloaca beside ejaculatory duct, caudal bursa composed of 2 large ventrolateral lobes with a fleshy internal part and a membranous external part (they are not united dorsally with a membrane), 1 pair of caudal papillae, terminal part of cylindrical cirrus ornamented with thin and thick spines (and particular pattern distribution), sclerotized spicule in male, and vulvar appendage in female, and 3 bacillary bands (1 ventral and 2 lateral). Generic and specific analyses were performed to establish new standards for future studies on the systematic position of Capillariinae species. This study presents new morphological information and a new record of a capillariid species from Argentina.

Description of A New Capillariinae (Nematoda: Trichuridae) from Scapteromys aquaticus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Buenos Aires, Argentina

A new species of Capillaria is described on the basis of specimens recovered from the intestine of the swamp rat Scapteromys aquaticus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Argentina. Capillaria alainchabaudi n. sp. and a peculiar species from Australian marsupials are the only 2 species of Capillaria sensu stricto parasitic in mammals. A comparison with the Australian species and with the 18 species of this genus described from other vertebrates from the Western Hemisphere is given. The separation of the new species is based on morphologic and morphometrical features, such as intestine ending in cloaca beside ejaculatory duct, 2 lateral nonmembranous caudal lobes, 2 pairs of caudal non-pedunculated papillae, terminal part of cylindrical cirrus ornamented with thin and thick spines, spicule with apex not well sclerotized in the males, a conspicuous vulvar appendage in the females, and 2 bacillary bands. A survey of the literature revealed that the species of Capillariinae from rodents belong to 9 genera, and the total number of species is low compared to the high diversity and abundance of the hosts, particularly if the modern Muroidea are considered.

Zoonotic Anatrichosomiasis in an Illinois Resident

We describe a case of zoonotic anatrichosomiasis in a patient from Illinois. A 44-year-old immigrant from Mexico originally presented with a history of multiple oral ulcers and two submucosal nodules on the dorsal surface of the tongue. An incisional biopsy was taken to assist with diagnosis. Examination of stained sections revealed the presence of a coiled nematode. The histologic examination displayed trichuroid features. Anatomic structures that aided in the identification included esophagus embedded in a prominent stichosome in the anterior end, paired bacillary bands, and small size. The location of the worm within the oral mucosal epithelium also facilitated the diagnosis.

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: Monitoring the scientific literature on human cases of Dirofilaria infections worldwide, a topic that the first named author follows since more than 30 yr, our attention was drawn to the article by Kim et al. first human case of hepatic dirofilariasis, issued in the Journal, vol.17, pp. 686-670 (2002). Reading the paper and analysing the figures, we noticed that the authors, unfortunately, misinterpreted the histological sections of the hepatic biopsy by describing some non-existent morphological details, and formulated a wrong parasitological diagnosis. Actually, from the histological sections shown in the four figures of the article, it was clearly visible that it was not Dirofilaria immitis, as claimed by the authors, but Capillaria (=Calodium) hepatica (Bancroft, 1893), Travassos, 1915 (Nematoda, Trichinelloidea, Capillariidae), a zoonotic infection of rather common occurrence in rats and mice but extremely rare in man. No more than 30 cases have been reported worldwide since the first case published by MacArthur in 1924 (1). Therefore, given this limited number of cases studied and still several unknown clinical and pathogenetic aspects of this infection in humans, it seems appropriate to record this new case in Korea, where the first case was reported a few years ago (2). Therefore, we would like to re-describe the case briefly using the information reported by Kim et al. The patient was a 39-yr-old man without any history of recent illness, who visited Guro Hospital in Seoul for a routine physical check-up. An ultrasonogram revealed a hepatic subcapsular hypoechoic nodule in the right lobe. After many hematological and serological tests, he agreed to have the resection of the liver segment to rule out any possibility of malignancy. He had no history of travelling abroad. From the photos of the histological sections, we could notice important morphological details, which have led us to a correct parasitological diagnosis. Fig. 4 showed several sections of the parasite, plunged in a necrotic liver parenchyma surrounded by an inner granulomatous rim and an outer zone of mixed inflammatory cell infiltrates containing plasma cells, lymphocytes, foreign body-type giant cells, and abundant eosinophils. Due to the limited field of the photo, the internal structures of the worm were not evident. Fig. 5 showed a cross-section of an adult worm, where the thin cuticle, the intestine, a sexual tube, and two bacillary bands were evident. Fig. 6 demonstrated a partial view of another adult worm in a strong regressive phase but where the fine striation of the cuticle was well visible. Fig. 7 involved the cross-section possibly of a female worm, with evident internal tubes. Unfortunately, the poor quality of the photos and the regressive conditions of the worm did not allow us to establish precisely whether the sexual tubes visible in the pseudocoeloma belonged to a male or to a female worm. More sections and other staining besides H&E would be necessary for an accurate identification of the worm. The diameter of the cross-sections of the adult of C. hepatica (female 78-184 µm, male 80 µm) (3) falls within the range measured by Kim et al. on the presumptive D. immitis sections. However, the presence of the bacillary bands, the fine striation on a thin cuticle, the diameter of the adult sections, the peculiar location of the worm, and the histological picture of the inflammatory reaction were sufficient for the diagnosis of C. hepatica. The absence of symptoms is also compatible with capillariasis. The positivity of the antibody test by ELISA using crude extracts of adult filarial worm should support the identification of the worm as a D. immitis, but we do not consider this test valid as a proof of an actual infestation by this nematode. Our opinion is also supported by many other qualified authors (4-6). In the paper by Kim et al. no data were presented regarding the hygienic and environmental conditions relating to the patient, so it is difficult to ascertain the way of infection. Nevertheless, since C. hepatica represents the most common nematode parasite of the liver of house rats in Korea (88% out of 325 rats examined by Seo et al. [7]), it is possible that the patient was infected through foods contaminated by rat stools containing embryonated eggs of the nematode. The life cycle of the parasite, the list of previous human cases of liver capillariasis in the world, their clinical and histological characteristics, and the pictures of eggs and adults of this nematode are well descrived or presented in the papers by Pampiglione & Conconi (8), Attah et al. (9), Choe et al. (2), and the chapter on Capillaria spp. in the text-atlas by Orihel & Ash (3).

The Author Respond

Dear Sir: Upon reading the comments on our report of first human case of hepatic dirofilariasis (1), we thank Dr. S. Pampiglione and Dr. A. Gustinelli for providing us a lesson and a chance to correct the inappropriate diagnosis. The case we reported presented degenerated nematode sections in a limited area of the patient's liver. In the process of identifying the nematode sections morphologically, Capillaria hepatica was ruled out from the initial stage because egg sections were lacking (1). As shown in Table 1 of the paper by Choe et al. (2), all of previously reported cases of hepatic capillariasis revealed sections of the pathognomonic eggs on histopathologic samples. In this regard, the case was unique and exceptional. The infection with degenerated adult C. hepatica without eggs may explain the rarity of human capillariasis. Retrospectively, the absence of egg sections led us to the wrong morphologic identification: while identifying the sections as Dirofilaria immitis based on the width, internal structures and estimated length, the coagulated bacillary bands in hypodermis were interpreted as degenerated muscle cells. Correct identification of helminth sections is not always easy because, in many occasions, the parasites are in the process of different degrees of degeneration, especially in the granulomatous lesions. We regret that we made a wrong diagnosis, and hope this correspondence be a lesson also to other nematodology specialists.

A NEW HUFFMANELA SPECIES (NEMATODA: TRICHOSOMOIDIDAE) PARASITIZING ATHERINID FISHES IN NORTH PATAGONIAN GULFS, ARGENTINA

Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. (Nematode: Trichosomoididae) is described from the skin of fins and gills of the silversides Odontesthes smitti Lahille, 1949, and Odontesthes nigricans Richardson, 1848 (Pisces: Atheriniformes), from southwestern Atlantic coast, on the basis of the morphology of adults and eggs found in the host tissues. Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. can be distinguished from Huffmanela carcharini, H. banningi, H. japonica, H. mexicana, H. paronai, H. schouteni, H. shikokuensis, H. branchialis, H. filamentosa, H. ossicola, and H. lata by the size and shape of the eggs. The adult stage of H. moraveci n. sp. can be differentiated from H. hufmani and H. canadensis by the position of the nerve ring and by the total esophagus length/body length ratio. Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. also differs from H. huffmani by the presence of bacillary bands and by the body length. This is the first report of a species of Huffmanela in South America, the first report of a species of Huffmanela with Odontesthes spp. as host, and the third known adult form in the genus.

Are bacillary bands responsible for expulsion of Trichinella spiralis?

Newborn larvae, muscle larvae, intestinal larvae, and adults of Trichinella spiralis were examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy for the presence of bacillary bands and pores of the gland cells. Vital staining of living adults disclosed that the bacillary bands, approximately 5 μm in width, begin at the cephalic end of the worms, on each side of the worm, as a row of single cells. The bands extend, gradually increasing in width, to the posterior end of the worms; and in the mid-body and posterior end of the worms they measure approximately 17 μm wide and accommodate at least two cells side by side. Each gland cell communicates with the outside of the worms through a 1.5–2 μm pore, containing dense material, in the cuticle. The pores constitute anatomic weak points of Trichinella since they can be can be targeted by the host's humoral immune responses and enzymatic attacks. The appearance of patent pores after the first intestinal molt correlates in time with the early expulsion of Trichinella from the intestine, suggesting that the bands may be the source of secreted metabolic or antigenic irritants that initiate, or contribute, to the expulsion mechanisms. Further studies to elucidate the functions of these organs would greatly increase our understanding of the biology of Trichinella and the mechanisms of expulsion.

Bacillary band ultrastructure of the fish parasite Capillaria pterophylli (Nematoda: Capillariidae)

In Capillaria pterophylli Heinze, 1933, two lateral bacillary bands extend along the whole body in female and male worms. A ventral bacillary band is present in females only. The bacillary bands consist of glandular and non-glandular cells, in the region between the nerve ring and the end of the stichosome, ciliated sense receptors in tight connection with gland are present.

Aonchotheca musimon n. sp. (Nematoda : Capillariinae) from the mouflon Ovis musimon in the sub-antarctic Kerguelen archipelago, with comments on the relationships with A. bilobata (Bhalerao, 1933) Moravec, 1982 and other species of the genus.

An intestinal capillariid nematode, Aonchotheca musimon n. sp., is described from Ovis musimon imported into the Kerguelen archipelago (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises). The comparison of this new material with other Aonchotheca spp. is based on the usual characters, i.e. spicule, caudal bursa, number of papillae, stichosome, bacillary bands, shape of the cirrus, and on the length of the ejaculatory duct which appears to be of some phylogenetic value. A. musimon, of which the spicule is 208-230 microm long, is close to A. bilobata, another parasite of bovids, which is redescribed here. It is distinct from this species because the posterior region of the female worm is cylindrical instead of conical, the lateral alae of the male worm are longer, quadrangular and vesicular instead of triangular and smooth, the caudal bursa has a folded dorso-lateral edge, there is a recurrent ventral fold of the cirrus, the slender distal part of the spicule is longer, the oesophagus is shorter in both sexes and the slightly larger eggs have a thicker shell. These two species from bovids and A. murissylvatici from murid rodents, of which the main characters are similar, represent a small group with a very elongate ejaculatory duct (1.9-2.5 mm). This is in contrast to a larger group of species with a short ejaculatory duct (350-600 microm), which are parasites of Chiroptera (A. brosseti, A. chabaudi, A. landauae, A. gabonensis), Insectivora (A. erinacei), mustelid Carnivora (A. putorii, A. mustelorum) and glirid rodents (A. myoxinitelae, A. legerae). A. bovis and A. dessetae, respectively parasites of bovids and lagomorphs, present an ejaculatory duct of intermediary length and do not belong to these groups. Several species are transferred to the genus Aonchotheca: A. kashmirensis (Raina & Kaul, 1982) n. comb., A. legerae (Justine, Ferté & Bain, 1987) n. comb., A. forresteri (Kinsella & Pence, 1987) n. comb., A. chabaudi (Justine, 1989) n. comb., A. landauae (Justine, 1989) n. comb., A. brosseti (Justine, 1989) n. comb., A. gabonensis (Justine, 1989) n. comb. and A. dessetae (Justine, 1990) n. comb.

A Space-Occupying Lesion in the Liver Due to Capillaria Infection

A space-occupying lesion 3.5 by 2.0 cm in size caused by Capillaria infection was revealed ultrasonographically in segment 6 (S6) of the liver of a 32-year-old woman from Okinawa, Japan, who was hospitalized with a complaint of pain in the right upper quadrant. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis of 10,400/mm3 with 22% eosinophils and slight impairment of liver function. The tumor was removed surgically and found to be a necrotic granuloma with eosinophilic infiltration formed around a degenerated nematode. The causative agent was presumed to be Capillaria hepatica based on the morphology of the bacillary bands and stichosome observed in the sectioned worm and in the fragments of worm recovered by dissecting the tumor tissue that was embedded in paraffin.

Anatrichosoma buccalis sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) from the Buccal Mucosa of the Common Opossum, Didelphis marsupialis L.

The worm is described from the mucosa of the hard palate, gums, and tongue of the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis, from Louisiana, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The new species differs from other described species of the genus by its marsupial host, the unique location in the host, and certain morphological characters. The pathology and certain observations on the biology of this species are discussed. This is the first report of this genus from a host indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Anatrichosoma gerbillis Bernard comb. n. is proposed for Trichosomoides gerbillis Bernard, 1964. Nematodes of the genus Anatrichosoma were recovered from the buccal mucosa of the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis, from southern Louisiana, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The host and unique location of these parasites together with certain morphological characters provide the basis for the description of a new species of the genus Anatrichosoma. Nematodes were fixed in glacial acetic acid, stored in a mixture of 95 parts 70% ethyl alcohol and 5 parts glycerin, and studied in glycerin mounts after evaporation of the alcohol. In the following description all measurements are in millimeters unless otherwise indicated. The range of measurements and their means of the paratypes follow in parentheses the values for the holotype and allotype. Drawings were made with the aid of a camera lucida. Anatrichosoma buccalis sp. n. (Figs. 1-7) Description: Trichuroidea Railliet, 1916, Trichosomoididae York and Maplestone, 1926, Anatrichosomatinae Smith and Chitwood, 1954, Anatrichosoma Smith and Chitwood, 1954. With the characters of the genus. Small, slender nematodes. Received for publication 17 March 1972. * Supported in part by the Tulane University International Center for Medical Research and Training grant AI-10050 from the NIAID, NIH, U. S. Public Health Service. t Department of Tropical Medicine and Medical Parasitology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. t Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. Body of female increasing in diameter from anterior to posterior. Body of male uniform in diameter throughout most of length, slightly tapered at anterior and posterior extremities, diameter less than one-third that of female, length same as female or slightly longer. Cuticle thick, transparent, with two broad lateral bacillary bands extending entire length of body. Head with two lateral amphids, cephalic papillae absent or inapparent. Lips absent, oral opening dorsoventrally elongate, small stylet present. Cephalic inflation present in female, absent in male. Cuticle of female greatly thickened from just posterior to cephalic inflation to near end of second stichocyte. Nerve ring just posterior to cephalic inflation in female. Preglandular esophagus elongate, muscular. Anterior stichocytes longer than wide, gradually becoming larger, more compacted, and wider toward posterior extremity of esophagus. Intestine terminating in a small muscular rectum. Anus terminal. Vulva at level of or just posterior to last stichocyte, lips salient. Cloaca of male terminal, without spicule or spicule sheath. Posterior extremity of male with 2 small lateral papillae. Egg bipolar, thick-walled, with well-developed larva when laid. Female (based on holotype and 41 paratypes): 25.1 (17.3 to 34.0, 25.5) long, 215 (110 to 280, 192) pu in maximum width. Anterior region of body (anterior extremity to esophagointestinal junction) 3.6 (2.8 to 4.9, 3.7) long, 140 (85 to 165, 137) p wide at last stichocyte, muscular portion of esophagus 230 (150 to 265, 235) IA long, nerve ring 63 (55 to 67, 62) uf from anterior extremity, stichocytes 92 (71 to 93, 84) in number. Posterior region of body 21.5 (14.5 to 29.6, 21.7) long. Ratio of anterior body region to total length 1:7.0 (1:5.8 to 1:8.3, 1:6.9). Eggs 61 (53 to 70, 62) i long, 37 (32 to 40, 35) u wide. Male (based on allotype and 10 paratypes): 28.3 (22.0 to 29.0, 27.6) long, 55 (45 to 55, 50) )u maximum width. Anterior region of body 5.1 (3.6 to 5.2, 4.6) long, 45 (45 to 54, 49) u wide at last stichocyte, muscular portion of esophagus 220 (210 to 280, 226) /u long, nerve ring 64 (60 to 67, 64) u from anterior extremity, stichocytes 81 (74 to 86,

Capillaria colubra sp. n. from the Oviducts of Coluber constrictor priapus

Capillaria colubra sp. n. is described from the oviducts of the southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus, from southern Louisiana. It is distinguished from the closely related Capillaria heterodontis by its larger size, transverse striations on the spicule and spicule sheath, and a more elaborate caudal bursalike expansion and two ventral papillae in the male. It is smaller and has a lower ratio of anterior to posterior body regions than Capillaria longispicula. It differs from other snake capillarids in its greater size, higher ratio of anterior to posterior body regions, larger eggs, and more elaborate male caudal bursalike expansion. This is the first capillarid reported from the oviducts of a vertebrate host. Several species of Capillaria have been reported from snakes in South and Middle America (Teixiera de Freitas and Lent, 1935; Aravjo and Gandra, 1943; Caballero and Cerecero, 1944; Yamaguti, 1961). However, Capillaria heterodontis Harwood, 1932, is apparently the only species described from a snake endemic to the United States. Between 1967 and 1969 17 specimens of Capillaria were removed from the oviducts of three southern black racers collected near New Orleans, Louisiana. These specimens represent a new species. Capillarids were removed from the oviducts, fixed in glacial acetic acid, stored in a mixture of alcohol, formalin, and glycerin, and studied in glycerin mounts after evaporation of the alcohol at room temperature. Drawings were made with the aid of a camera lucida. In the following description measurements are in millimeters unless otherwise noted. Capillaria colubra sp. n. (Figs. 1-6) Definition: Trichuridae Railliet, 1915; Capillariinae Railliet, 1915; Capillaria Zeder, 1800. Body diameter increasing from anterior to about the posterior three-fourths. Body very slender, threadlike. Cuticle smooth. Two lateral bacillary bands. Mouth small, porelike. Esophagus consisting of a single chain of stichocytes, some cells darker than others and containing granules, alternating with lighter cells devoid of granules. Anterior region shorter than posterior region of body in male and female. Female slightly longer than male. Received for publication 10 October 1969. * Supported in part by a Predoctoral Fellowship, 5-F01-GM-38,070, awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH, Public Health Service. Male (9 specimens): 19.56 to 26.40 (21.83) long, 68 to 78 /L (72) maximum width. Anterior region of body 5.54 to 6.90 (5.96) long, with muscular pharynx 304 to 552 /L (425) long, followed by 40 to 59 (45) stichocytes. Posterior egion of body 13.84 to 19.50 (15.88) long. Ratio of anterior to posterior region 1:2.4 to 1:2.9 (1:2.7). Ratio of anterior region to total length 1:3.4 to 1:3.9 (1:3.7). Posterior extremity bears ventrally a small bursalike expansion and 2 small papillae. Body terminates in short blunt tail dorsally. Cloaca 3.31 to 3.70 (3.45) in length. Anus subterminal, surrounded by bursa. Spicule 2.22 to 2.96 (2.59) long, 12 to 17 /u (14) at maximum width, transversely striated, with blunt tip. Spicule sheath long, transversely striated, 18 to 26 / (22) at maximum width. Female (8 specimens): 29.15 to 36.46 (31.99) long, 77 to 100 ,u (87) at maximum width. Anterior region of body with muscular pharynx 276 to 684 /, (490) long, followed by 40 to 52 (48) stichocytes. Posterior region 24.51 to 30.29 (25.71) long. Ratio of anterior to posterior regions 1:3.4 to 1:4.9 (1:4.1). Ratio of anterior to total length 1:4.4 to 1:5.9 (1:5.1). Vulva 100 to 150 A (130) posterior to last stichocyte, anterior and posterior lips slightly salient. Anus subterminal. Posterior extremity slightly rounded and blunt, caudal papillae absent. Eggs unembryonated, 61 to 70 / (65) in length, 28 to 31 ,/ (30) in width. Holotype male: USNM Helm. Coll. No. 70563. Allotype female: USNM Helm. Coll. No. 70564. Paratypes: USNM Helm. Coll. No. 70565. Host: Coluber constrictor priapus Dunn and Wood, 1939. Location: Posterior region of oviducts; anterior end threaded into the mucosa, posterior region free in the lumen. Locality: Covington, Louisiana, USA 30?30' N, 90010' W. DISCUSSION The capillarids of cold-blooded vertebrates were thoroughly reviewed by Teixiera de Freitas and Lent (1935). In addition, Yama-

Cytology of the bacillary bands of the nematode Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893)

Cytology of the bacillary bands of the nematode <i>Capillaria hepatica</i> (Bancroft, 1893)

On the Structure and Relationships of the Nematode Capillaria [Hepaticola] hepatica (Bancroft)

1. Some account of the occurrence of “Hepaticola” hepatica in various hosts is given, and it is recorded from the wood-mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in England.2. Some additions and corrections are made to the morphological des scription of “H.” hepatica, which is shown to possess characters (presence of “bacillary bands,” presence of a spicule in the male) the supposed absence of which had led to the erection of the genus Hepaticola as distinct from Capillaria.3. The status of the genera Hepaticola, Eucoleus, Thominx, Calodium and Liniscus is discussed, and the conclusion is reached that these should all be suppressed as synonyms of Capillaria, which is redefined.