Cuticular Ridges Research Articles

Morphological variation between isolates of the nematode Haemonchus contortus from sheep and goat populations in Malaysia and Yemen

Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic nematode parasite of sheep and goats. This work was conducted to investigate the population and host variations of the parasitic nematode H. contortus of sheep and goats from Malaysia and Yemen. Eight morphological characters were investigated, namely the total body length, cervical papillae, right spicule, left spicule, right barb, left barb, gubernaculum and cuticular ridge (synlophe) pattern. Statistical analysis showed the presence of morphological variation between populations of H. contortus from Malaysia and Yemen, with minor variation in the synlophe pattern of these isolates. Isolates from each country were grouped together in the scatterplots with no host isolation. Body, cervical papillae and spicule lengths were the most important characters that distinguished between populations of the two countries. This variation between Malaysia and Yemen may be attributed to geographical isolation and the possible presence of a different isolate of this worm in each country.

A New Species of Trichosomoididae (Nematoda) from Skin of Red Snapper,Lutjanus campechanus(Perciformes: Lutjanidae),on the Texas–Louisiana Shelf, Northern Gulf of Mexico

Eggs and larvae of Huffmanela oleumimica n. sp. infect red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Poey, 1860), were collected from the Texas-Louisiana Shelf (28°16'36.58″N, 93°03'51.08″W) and are herein described using light and scanning electron microscopy. Eggs in skin comprised fields (1-5 × 1-12 mm; 250 eggs/mm(2)) of variously oriented eggs deposited in dense patches or in scribble-like tracks. Eggs had clear (larvae indistinct, principally vitelline material), amber (developing larvae present) or brown (fully developed larvae present; little, or no, vitelline material) shells and measured 46-54 μm (x = 50; SD ± 1.6; n = 213) long, 23-33 (27 ± 1.4; 213) wide, 2-3 (3 ± 0.5; 213) in eggshell thickness, 18-25 (21 ± 1.1; 213) in vitelline mass width, and 36-42 (39 ± 1.1; 213) in vitelline mass length with protruding polar plugs 5-9 (7 ± 0.6; 213) long and 5-8 (6 ± 0.5; 213) wide. Fully developed larvae were 160-201 (176 ± 7.9) long and 7-8 (7 ± 0.5) wide, had transverse cuticular ridges, and were emerging from some eggs within and beneath epidermis. The new species differs from its congeners by having eggs <65 μm in total length and that have a brown eggshell when fully developed, an envelope throughout development, and irregularly-dispersed eggshell spines plus a larva >110 μm long with transverse cuticular ridges. The eggs lack a spindle-shaped envelope, polar filaments, and eggshell ridges. This is the first report of a species of Huffmanela from a snapper (Lutjanidae) or from the Gulf of Mexico. A table of egg and larval characteristics, hosts, and localities for Huffmanela spp. is provided.

Identification and Characterization of Pale Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera pallida) in Teplá, the Czech Republic.

Potato cyst nematode poses a significant threat to potato producers in the Czech Republic. Both species of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida) are listed as quarantine pests in the Czech Republic and also by the European Union, European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization, and North American Plant Protection Organization. To date, G. rostochiensis was responsible for all damage to potatoes caused by cyst nematodes in the Czech Republic, while G. pallida was recorded only once in the Czech Republic (2) 8 years ago. It is important to note that this occurrence of G. pallida was not located in the free-cultivation area. In July 2011, soil samples from a potato field located in the area of Teplá (Karlovy Vary Region) were collected, and the cysts extracted were identified as G. pallida according to microscopic observation of cyst fenestra and morphology of juveniles (1). Cyst morphometrics (means from 10 cysts) included: fenestra diameter 21.2 μm, distance fenestra to anus 56.8 μm, Granek's ratio 2.7, number of cuticular ridges between fenestra and anus 14; while second stage juvenile morphometrics (means of 13 specimens) were: L 466.7 μm, stylet 24.2 μm, tail 53.2 μm, body width at anus 13.2, h 28.6, c 8.8, c' 4.0. Terminus of juvenile tails was rounded, and stylet knobs possessed distinct forward projections. Total DNA was extracted from single cysts using the TriPure reagent (Roche), and the DNA samples were used to amplify cistron rDNA with the following primers: 18S, 5'-TTGATTAGGTCCCTGCCCTTT-3', and 21S, 5'-TTTCACTCGCCGTTACTAAGG-3'. The amplified region contains the 3' end of the 18S gene, ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2, and the 5' end of the 28S gene. Pfu DNA polymerase (Fermentas) was used for accurate amplification. A PCR product of approximately 1.0 kb was amplified from three individual cysts. The PCR amplicons were cloned into pJET1.2 using the CloneJET PCR Cloning Kit (Fermentas) and sequenced in both directions. The sequences of representative isolates were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JQ692592, JQ692593, and JQ692594). The resultant 1.0 kb sequences showed 99% nucleotide identity to sequences of G. pallida from Canada (GenBank Accession Nos. GQ294522.1, GQ355975.1, and GQ294523.1), thus confirming the results of the morphological analyses. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of G. pallida in the free-cultivation area of Karlovy Vary Region, and only the second in the Czech Republic since the first report in 2003 (2).

A New Molineid (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina) Parasite ofDasypus hybridus(Xenarthra: Dasypodidae) from Argentina

Delicata abbai n. sp. collected from the small intestine of the southern long-nosed armadillo, Dasypus hybridus, from Argentina is herein described. This new species is characterized by vulvar opening within second half of body length, female tail conical, ending bluntly with a terminal spine, complex spicules, presence of a bursal membrane supported by 2 small rays, and a synlophe with bilateral symmetry and 26 cuticular ridges. By the morphology of the caudal bursa, caudal end of female, and shape of spicules, the new species resembles Delicata cameroni Travassos, 1935 and Delicata variabilis Travassos, 1935 . However, it differs from D. cameroni by having rays 5 and 6 diverging more proximally, rays 8 shorter than the dorsal ray, and spicules with a different shape. Delicata abbai n. sp. is distinguished from D. variabilis mainly by the spicules, which have a different shape and proportion of their constitutive parts. This is the first report of a species of Delicata in Argentina.

New Macrostylidae Hansen, 1916 (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the Gay Head-Bermuda transect with special consideration of sexual dimorphism

In the Asellota, sexual dimorphism is often characterized by males that show pronounced morphological differences after thefinal moult compared to females but also to sub-adult males. Such a sexual dimorphism may strongly complicate allocation ofthese terminal males to conspecifics. Consequently, we regard it to be a likely explanation for why in 50% of the described spe-cies of the family Macrostylidae Hansen, 1916, only one sex is known. Based on detailed description of two previouslyunknown species of the isopod genus Macrostylis Sars, 1864, the changes in the morphology that can occur during the finalmoult of the males are highlighted. M. dorsaetosa n. sp. is unlike any other species owing to the row of spine-like setae on theposterior margins of pereonites 5–6. M. strigosa Mezhov, 1999 shows remarkable similarity but lacks these setae. In M. papil-lata n. sp., cuticular ridges overlap posteriorly with the margin of the pereonites 1–4 and head forming a warty appearance. Thisspecies is easily identifiable and unlike any previously described macrostylid owing to the presence of the tergal articulationbetween pleonite 1 and pleotelson. Information for the identification of terminal males is provided and implications of our results for future taxonomic and systematic work on this isopod family are discussed.

The Genus Guerrerostrongylus (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) in Cricetid Rodents from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Misiones, Argentina: Emended Description of Guerrerostrongylus zetta (Travassos, 1937) and Description of a New Species

Two species of Guerrerostrongylus Sutton and Durette-Desset, 1991, are reported in cricetid rodents from the Atlantic rain forest of Misiones, Argentina. Guerrerostrongylus zetta (Travassos, 1937) is redescribed on the basis of material collected from Oligoryzomys nigripes from Argentina and material loaned by CHIOC from Brazil. It is characterized by a synlophe with about 40-45 (35-48) well-developed cuticular ridges, caudal bursa with long rays 6 and dorsal ray divided at mid-length, and well-sclerotized spicules with marked twisting. It was found with a prevalence of 100% in O. nigripes (14 hosts examined); however, it was not found in its type host Nectomys squamipes (4 hosts examined). Guerrerostrongylus ulysi n. sp., which is described from Sooretamys angouya , differs from the remaining species in the genus mainly by a synlophe with a strong reduction of the cuticular ridges and struts on the right side, and by a heart-shaped caudal bursa, with short rays 6 and a dorsal ray divided distally. It was found with a prevalence of 100% in 5 hosts examined.

A New Heligmonellid (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) from Oecomys mamorae (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) In the Pantanal and New Data on the Synlophe of Guerrerostrongylus zetta from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

A new species of Heligmonellidae nematode, Guerrerostrongylus gomesae n. sp., is described from specimens collected from the small intestine of the rodent Oecomys mamorae Thomas, 1906 in the Brazilian Pantanal. It differs from the 2 other species of the genus by the number of ridges in the synlophe 35-46 and 40-48 at the midbody in the male and female, respectively, by rays 8 arising at midlength of the dorsal trunk, ending near the margin of the caudal bursa, and the dorsal ray divided at the second-third part into 2 branches, each branch divided into 2 subequal subbranches. In addition, specimens of Guerrerostrongylus zetta Travassos, 1937 collected in Oligoryzomys nigripes Olfers, 1818 contain synlophe with 36-42 cuticular ridges in males and 38-42 in females at the midbody. By the characteristics of the synlophe and caudal bursa, Gerrerostrongylus gomesae n. sp. is considered a new species. We suggest that the number of cuticular ridges for this genus broadens the range of the cuticular ridges to at least 35 at midbody.

Silk secretion from tarantula feet revisited: alleged spigots are probably chemoreceptors

Controversial views have been expressed about whether tarantula feet can secrete fine silk threads that could prevent them from falling off smooth vertical surfaces. Two studies have claimed that 'ribbed hairs' on the tarsi of tarantulas produce silk. We examined these ribbed hairs in several tarantula species using light and scanning electron microscopy, and compared them with the silk-producing spigots on the abdominal spinnerets. We found that, morphologically, these ribbed hairs correspond very closely to known chemosensitive hairs in spiders; they have a distinct socket, a bent hair shaft with fine cuticular ridges, an eccentric double lumen within the hair shaft, and a blunt tip with a subterminal pore. Spigots on the spinnerets have a large bulbous base instead of a socket, a long shaft with a scaly surface and a central terminal pore. We never observed any silk threads coming out of these ribbed hairs under the electron microscope. By contrast, silk threads exiting the spigots on the spinnerets were common. Interestingly, ribbed hairs also occur on the spinnerets, often side by side with the silk-producing spigots. Our conclusion is that the ribbed hairs are chemoreceptors, not spigots. Observations of live tarantulas clinging inverted to glass coverslips confirmed that some substance is produced by the ribbed hairs, but it remains unclear whether this secretion is actually silk. In any case, the thousands of adhesive setae on the tarsi of legs and pedipalps almost certainly far outweigh any potential contribution from the sparsely distributed trails secreted by the ribbed hairs.

Histological and molecular confirmation of the fourth human case caused by Dirofilaria repens in a new endemic region of Slovakia

Dirofilariosis is considered to be the arthropod vector-borne disease with the fastest spread in Europe. Slovakia belongs to new endemic regions for canine and human infections. This paper reports the fourth human case, where diagnosis was confirmed using computed tomography (CT), histological and molecular examinations - for the first time in this endemic region. The epidemiological history of this case indicated the autochthonous origin, and infection manifested by intense swelling in the periocular region, where a subcutaneous nodule was localized. Microscopic analysis of cross-sections of the surgically removed nodule confirmed the presence of a single male worm of Dirofilaria repens, indicated by the external cuticular ridges, the robust muscle cells and a single male sex organ seen as one tube beside the intestine. Considering that the worm morphology was partially damaged, molecular study was performed using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the worm. In polymerase chain reactions (PCR) a set of primers specific for D. repens DNA for the CO1-encoding gene amplified the expected 246 bp product using a high concentration of DNA template. Our diagnostic approach, involving molecular techniques, showed that identification of D. repens from excised tissues is possible even when the morphology of the worm and DNA are damaged during tissue processing. It is expected that the spread of this disease will continue due to climatic changes in central Europe. This warrants higher awareness among clinicians, who will initially be approached by patients, and better co-operation with parasitologists in newly endemic countries.

First report of Obeliscoides cuniculi in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus)

Obeliscoides cuniculi is a New World nematode parasite of the Trichostrongilidae family infecting the gastric tract of different domestic and wild Lagomorph species. This parasite is reported for the first time from a European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The nematodes isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract were identified using the primary characteristics used to differentiate the species of this genus as adults morphology (length and thickness) and other characteristics of spicules, cervical papillae, cuticular ridges and striations. In the Italian study area, the European brown hare lives in sympatry with the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), species in which the nematode was previously isolated; therefore, the possibility of a cross-infestation must be considered.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Globodera Populations from Oregon and Idaho

An unusual population of cyst nematode was found in soils collected from a Powell Butte, OR field with a cropping history including potato, wheat, other crops, and significant weed presence. These nematodes could not be placed with certainty into any known species and exhibited some unique morphological features in some specimens. Compared with Globodera pallida, the cyst body length was slightly longer and the second-stage juvenile stylet length was slightly shorter. In some individuals, the J2 stylet knob height was greater and the tail annules were more prominent than in G. pallida, and the tail abruptly narrowed, with a slight constriction near the posterior third of the hyaline terminus. Compared with G. rostochiensis, the hyaline tail terminus had a larger number of refractive bodies, and cysts of this population had a smaller Granek's ratio and fewer cuticular ridges between the anus and vulva. In some individuals, the tail termini of second-stage juveniles were more bluntly pointed, and the stylet knobs were more anteriorly directed with greater height. Unlike G. tabacum, the cyst wall often lacked a network-like pattern and, in some individuals, the juvenile tail terminus distinctly narrowed after a constriction. Molecularly, the population was distinct from G. pallida, G. rostochiensis, and G. tabacum. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region gave results similar to G. tabacum; however, ITS restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns were observed to have individual bands in common with G. rostochiensis and G. pallida. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS1 and -2 rDNA sequences showed greatest similarity to populations from Argentina and Chile; together, they form a moderately supported clade, distinct from G. rostochiensis, G. tabacum, G. "mexicana," European type G. pallida, and several G. pallida populations from South America.

Phenotypic differences of Haemonchus contortus from sheep and goats in the States of Perak and Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

AbstractThe large stomach worm, Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic nematode parasite of sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus). It sucks blood and causes acute disease, anaemia and severe economic losses due to morbidity and mortality. This paper compares characteristics of surface cuticular ridges (synlophe) and morphometrics of total body length, cervical papillae, spicules, barbs, gubernaculum and vulvar flap morphology of H. contortus recovered in the two hosts from the States of Perak and Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. The morphological variation in H. contortus samples recovered from the two hosts in Kelantan was found to be higher than from Perak. A discriminant function, based on three measurements of the spicule, confirmed the identity of male worms in the two hosts as belonging to the same species H. contortus.

Two new species of dorylaimids (Nematoda and Dorylaimida) from Lake Baikal

Illustrated descriptions are given of two species of free-living nematodes new to science, Arctidorylaimus parvulus and Eudorylaimus sedatus, found in the littoral zone of southwestern Lake Baikal. A. parvulus, sp. n., differs from A. kurenkovi Gagarin, 2002, in its shorter body, absence of longitudinal cuticular ridges, shorter spicules, smaller number of precloacal supplements, and relatively short prerectum. E. sedates sp. n. is morphologically similar to E. spongiophilus Batalova, 1983, but smaller, has shorter odontostyle and odontophore, and longer tail and prerectum. An identification key to the valid species of the genus Arctidorylaimus is given.

The comparative morphology of Marshallagia marshalli and Ostertagia occidentalis (Nematoda: Strongylida, Trichostrongylidae) by scanning electron microscopy

The systematics of the Ostertagiinae is unsettled with no agreement on how many genera and species are present in cattle and sheep. Ten species of Ostertagiinae are commonly parasitic in cattle and sheep. In the global fauna, six of 13 ostertagiine genera are endemic to Iran. The life cycle of Ostertaginae is direct and ingested third-stage larvae after exsheatment in the rumen, penetrate the gastric glands in the abomasal mucosa where two parasitic moults occur before the L5 emerges from the gland. In the present work, Marshallagia marshalli and Ostertagia occidentalis, collected from the abomasums of sheep from Mashhad, Iran, is described. The association of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed a detailed analysis of the morphology and ultrastructure of these nematodes. The male body length of M. marshalli and O. occidentalis were 9.3-10.20 and 9.60-10.50 mm, respectively. The female body length of M. marshalli and O. occidentalis were 10.10-15.30 and 10.4-15.70 mm, respectively. One of cervical papillae is seen 333 and 250 μm from the anterior end of male and female body surface in O. occidentalis and 287.5 and 200 μm from the anterior end of male and female body surface in M. marshalli, respectively. The size of cervical papillae is 13.3 μm in male and 10 μm in female in O. occidentalis and 9.33 μm in male and 8.57 μm in female in M. marshalli. Some other taxonomic features of M. marshalli and O. occidentalis, such as details of cephalic region, the system of longitudinal and surface cuticular ridges (synlophe), the orientation of rays of the copulatory bursa, localization of vulva, morphology of vulvar flap, and posterior end of females are also documented by SEM.

Defective in Cuticular Ridges (DCR) of Arabidopsis thaliana, a Gene Associated with Surface Cutin Formation, Encodes a Soluble Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase

A key step in the triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthetic pathway is the final acylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) by DAG acyltransferase. In silico analysis has revealed that the DCR (defective in cuticular ridges) (At5g23940) gene has a typical HX(4)D acyltransferase motif at the N-terminal end and a lipid binding motif VX(2)GF at the middle of the sequence. To understand the biochemical function, the gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant protein was found to acylate DAG specifically in an acyl-CoA-dependent manner. Overexpression of At5g23940 in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae quadruple mutant deficient in DAG acyltransferases resulted in TAG accumulation. At5g23940 rescued the growth of this quadruple mutant in the oleate-containing medium, whereas empty vector control did not. Lipid particles were localized in the cytosol of At5g23940-transformed quadruple mutant cells, as observed by oil red O staining. There was an incorporation of 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid into TAG in At5g23940-transformed cells of quadruple mutant. Here we report a soluble acyl-CoA-dependent DAG acyltransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana. Taken together, these data suggest that a broad specific DAG acyltransferase may be involved in the cutin as well as in the TAG biosynthesis by supplying hydroxy fatty acid.

A new species of Pseudotorellia florin (Ginkgoales) from the Middle Jurassic of Eastern Mangyshlak (Kazakhstan)

A new species of Pseudotorellia Florin, Pseudotorellia papillata sp. nov., from the Middle Jurassic of Eastern Mangyshlak (Western Kazakhstan, Tonasha Formation) is described. The main distinction of the new species from the other species of this genus is the relief cutinization of periclinal walls of cells of the lower epidermis, especially within stomatal bands, expressed in prominent cuticular ridges and papillae of irregular shape.

Redescriptions of the Nematodes Litomosoides patersoni (Mazza, 1928) (Onchocercidae) and Stilestrongylus stilesi Freitas, Lent, And Almeida, 1937 (Heligmonellidae) Parasites of Holochilus chacarius (Rodentia, Cricetidae) From Salta, Argentina

Two nematode species are redescribed from the type host species Holochilus chacarius Thomas (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) and from the type locality of 1 of them, i.e., Ingenio San Martín de Tabacal, Salta Province, Argentina. Rodents were deposited at the Colección Mamíferos Lillo, Tucumán, Argentina. Litomosoides patersoni (Mazza, 1928) (Onchocercidae) possesses a buccal capsule with irregular external walls, a buccal cavity smooth, becoming thinner near the oral opening, a complete set of head papillae, 3-6 pairs of cloacal papillae, and the " sigmodontis " type of spicules. Filarioids were found in 3 of 17 examined hosts. Stilestrongylus stilesi Freitas, Lent, and Almeida, 1937 (Heligmonellidae), whose description was based on male specimens, was found in all 17 of the examined hosts. Here, we describe the female and the synlophe of both sexes. Females are characterized by a short uterus with less than 25 eggs, short ovejector, short and conical tail, and the posterior extremity strongly invaginated in a cuticular expansion usually harboring 1 to several eggs. The synlophe is characterized by 29-31 sub-equal cuticular ridges at the mid-body, with single (in males) or double (in females) axis of orientation of the ridges. The present work validates and enlarges the original descriptions of both species and assigns the specimens from L. patersoni, recovered from the type locality and the type host species, as neotypes.

Discovery of New Ohbayashinema spp. (Nematoda: Heligmosomoidea) in Ochotona princeps and Ochotona cansus (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae) From Western North America and Central Asia, with considerations of Historical Biogeography

Three new species of Ohbayashinema (Nematoda, Heligmosomoidea) are described from localities in western North America and central Asia. Two of these species, Ohbayashinema nearctica n. sp. and Ohbayashinema aspeira n. sp., are parasitic in American pika, Ochotona princeps. Ohbayashinema nearctica is differentiated from the 5 known species of the genus parasitic in Ochotonidae from the Old World by very long spicules and an oblique axis of orientation for the ridges composing the synlophe. Ohbayashinema aspeira, described only from females, is similar to Oh. nearctica based on the number of cuticular ridges at the mid-body. It is mainly differentiated by an uncoiled anterior extremity and by near equal dimensions of the vestibule and the uterus. The third species, Ohbayashinema patriciae n. sp., is parasitic in Gansu pika, Ochotona cansus , from China. It is similar to Ohbayashinema erbaevae parasitic in Ochotona dauurica from Buriatia and Ohbayashinema ochotoni in Ochotona macrotis from Nepal, based on the length of the spicules and the ratio of spicule length to body length. It differs from the former species by possessing a smaller number of cuticular ridges and in the comparative length of the vestibule and infundibulum. Related to Oh. ochotoni by an identical number of cuticular ridges at the mid-body, it differs from this species in having smaller ridges in the dorsal rather than ventral field and in the dimensions of the dorsal ray where rays 9 are less than rays 10. Species of Ohbayashinema appear to be host-specific among the Ochotonidae but had not been previously reported in pikas from the Nearctic. Although much remains to be demonstrated about the diversity for helminths in pikas, it is apparent that factors associated with the assembly and structure of parasite faunas have been complex, involving episodic processes for geographic and host colonization along with coevolutionary mechanisms. Understanding the historical factors, particularly climate-driven fluctuations in geographic range, that have structured these faunas suggests that the current regime for global warming and habitat modification has considerable implications for the continuity of already localized assemblages of hosts and parasites.

Description of a new species ofHeligmosomoides(Nematoda: Heligmosomidae) parasitic inMicrotus limnophilus(Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Rangtang, Sichuan, China

Heligmosomoides craigi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heligmosomoidea) is described from Microtus limnophilus Büchner, 1889 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Rangtang, Sichuan, China. It is related to H. protobullosus Asakawa, 1987 and H. longispiculum Tokobaev & Erkulov, 1966 both parasites of Microtus spp. from Japan and USSR, respectively by the following features: a ratio of spicule length/body length of more than 45% and rays 9 shorter than rays 10. The new species is differentiated by rays 8 being closed to rays 6 and 19-22 cuticular ridges versus 14 in H. protobullosus (synlophe not described in H. longispiculum). H. longicirratus (Schulz, 1954) also a parasite of Microtus sp. from the USSR is the most closely related species based on the number of cuticular ridges (20) and the ratio of spicule length/body length (48% versus 50%). There are no illustrations of this species and the female has not been described; for that reason, it is not possible to compare it accurately with our specimens.

A case of canine ocular onchocercosis in Portugal

Onchocercosis is a newly recognized disease in dogs that has been reported with higher frequency in Europe and in the United States. We report a case of a 3-year-old male mongrel stray dog from the Algarve region (South Portugal) who had a retrobulbar granuloma containing a filaroid nematode of the genus Onchocerca. A gravid adult female parasite was embedded in a granulomatous inflammation adjacent to the sclera beyond the retina. The parasite was 191 to 267 mum in diameter (mean = 225 mum), surrounded by a cuticule and owing a uterus that was filled with small unsheated microfilariae. The cuticule consisted of two separated layers in longitudinal sections. The external layer had cuticular ridges and the internal layer contained striations. Sequencing of the COI and ND5 mitochondrial genes confirmed the identity of this parasite as Onchocerca lupi. Furthermore, the first sequence of the 12S mitochondrial gene is reported in this study.