Female Nematodes Research Articles

First Report of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria on Cheeseweed Mallow (Malva parviflora) in the United States

During a 2010 field trial for examining alternatives to methyl bromide soil fumigation for the production of field-grown cut flowers, weeds were collected for identification and evaluated for their potential as hosts for plant pathogenic nematodes. In one cut flower field located in Martin County, FL, six cheeseweed mallow (Malva parviflora L.) plants were collected that had root-galling typical of infection by a root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). Field collected plants were used for species identification of the weed and maintained in the greenhouse for seed production. Several gravid female nematodes were extracted from field collected mallow roots and individually identified as Meloidogyne arenaria based on their esterase phenotype (PhastSystem, GE Healthcare) (1). A single egg mass was then extracted from the field collected mallow roots and inoculated onto a tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum, 'Rutgers') grown in steamed builders sand in the greenhouse. The single egg mass culture was increased for 8 weeks, until galling was sufficient to produce adequate nematode inoculum to complete Koch's postulates on the original mallow host. Ten mallow plants were inoculated with single egg masses originally isolated from mallow and increased on tomato. Ten additional plants were maintained in the greenhouse as uninoculated controls. Inoculated and control mallow plants were grown in the greenhouse for 8 weeks, after which the roots were evaluated for galling, and root-knot nematode J2 were extracted from roots and soil and counted. All inoculated plants produced galled roots and control plants did not. Gravid females were extracted from mallow roots and identified as M. arenaria based on esterase phenotype as previously described. Ten gravid females for each DNA extraction were collected from mallow roots and DNA was isolated with the PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit (MO BIO Laboratories, Inc., Carlsbad, CA). Identification of M. arenaria was confirmed by using species-specific primers F5'-TCGAGGGCATCTAATAAAGG-3' and R5'-GGGCTGAATAATCAAAGGAA-3' (2) and F5'-TCGGCGATAGAGGTAAATGAC-3' and R5'-TCGGCGATAGACACTACAACT-3' (4), which produced single amplicon bands of the expected size of 420 and 950 bp, respectively. This weed species has been reported as a host for M. javanica in Algeria and as an experimental host in Egypt (3), but this report, to our knowledge, constitutes the first documentation of Malva parviflora as a natural host of M. arenaria. The importance of weeds as hosts for plant parasitic nematodes cannot be over emphasized. As growers, particularly in Florida and California, continue to lose tools for broad-spectrum pest control, the ability of nematodes to reproduce on uncontrolled weeds will become increasingly important.

Frequency of Deposition and Location of Baylisascaris Procyonis Eggs in Raccoon Feces

Baylisascaris procyonis is a large ascarid nematode found in the small intestine of raccoons (Procyon lotor). Infection with larvae of B. procyonis can produce visceral, ocular, and neural larval migrans in humans. Infected raccoons can shed millions of eggs a day in their feces. However, it is unknown whether eggs are consistently shed or whether eggs occur at irregular intervals by the population of female nematodes within a host. We trapped, infected, and collected daily fecal samples from 11 raccoons maintained in captivity. Eggs from B. procyonis were obtained from anterior, central, and posterior sections of raccoon feces, isolated by flotation, and quantified under 100× magnification. Naturally infected raccoons were collected and used as a comparison with the experimentally infected group. All raccoons in the experimental group (n=11) became infected with B. procyonis after consuming one infected mouse. Additionally, differential egg deposition rates were observed among individual raccoons from the experimental and naturally infected groups. Mean number of eggs per gram of feces (means±SE) was 16,563±4,321, which was less than previously reported for the species. However, no differences (F(2,30)=0.84, P=0.45) were noted in mean number of eggs per gram of feces among fecal sections. Wildlife biologists, veterinarians, health officials, and researchers of B. procyonis should collect daily fecal samples for a minimum of 3 days before identifying a raccoon as negative for B. procyonis infection. However, it does not matter where within the fecal matter the sample is obtained.

Management of root-knot disease in eggplant through the application of biocontrol fungi and dry neem leaves

The incorporation of dry neem leaves into the soil significantly enhanced the yield of uninoculated eggplant, but aldicarb treatments at 4 kg a.i./ha proved to be phytotoxic. Inoculation with root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (1500 J_2/plant) caused a significant decrease in both the plant growth (12.5%) and the yield (11.9%) of eggplant cv. Pusa Purple Round. Treatments involving neem leaves, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum, or aldicarb reduced the suppressive effect of the nematode, leading to a significant increase in the dry matter production and yield of inoculated plants compared to the inoculated control. Neem leaves induced a 19% increase in the weight of fruits/plant of inoculated plants; similar results were obtained using P. chlamydosporia, P. lilacinus, T. harzianum, and aldicarb treatments, with increases over the inoculated control of 11%, 14%, 6%, and 8%, respectively. Declines in galling, egg mass production, and fecundity were found to be greater with aldicarb and lower with the neem leaf treatment. The incorporation of neem leaves into biocontrol treatments increased the efficiency of the treatment and resulted in a 17%, 21%, and 14% increase in the yield with P. chlamydosporia, P. lilacinus, and T. harzianum treatments, respectively. Decreases in galling and egg mass production were also greater in the presence of neem leaves than in methods using the biocontrol agents alone. The percentages of infection in adult nematode females and egg masses with P. chlamydosporia, P. lilacinus, and T. harzianum applied to plants were considerably greater in the presence of neem leaves (77%-92% and 43%-57%) than in their absence (69%-87% and 33%-47%).

Gurltia paralysans ( ): Description of adults and additional case reports of neurological diseases in three domestic cats from southern Chile

Adults of Gurltia paralysans were obtained from veins of the spinal cord subarachnoid space from three domestic cats presenting with chronic paraparesis/paraplegia from rural areas of southern Chile. Four adult nematodes were collected (2 males and 2 females) were recovered from cat 1, 14 adult nematodes (12 females and 2 males) from cat 2, and 12 nematodes (10 females and 2 males) were collected from cat 3. Parasite induced lesions that compromised subarachnoid vein microvasculature at the thoracic, lumbar, sacral spinal cord segments extending to conus medularis. Female nematodes measured 25mm long (range=25–30mm) and 0.1mm wide. Male measured a mean of 16mm length (range=13–18mm) with a body diameter of 0.1mm (range=0.08–0.15mm). The present study described structural features of G. paralysans, a rare parasite first reported in the 1930s, and provides additional reports on associated clinical and pathological findings in naturally infected domestic cats.

Seasonal development and pathological changes associated with the parasitic nematodePhilometroides sanguineusin wild crucian carpCarassius carassius(L.) in England

Pathological changes associated with the parasitic nematode Philometroides sanguineus (Rudolphi, 1819) are described for the first time from observations of infections in wild crucian carp Carassius carassius (L.) in England. The damage caused by P. sanguineus was influenced strongly by host size, parasite development and the seasonal migrations of female nematodes within host tissues. Male and unfertilized female nematodes located on the swim-bladder wall caused only minor, localized changes. In contrast, the migration of gravid female nematodes into the fins during autumn provoked an acute inflammatory response comprising neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes. This was accompanied by fin distortion, swelling of the dorsal and caudal tissues, degenerative changes and localized oedema. The encapsulation of female nematodes in connective tissue throughout winter limited additional tissue damage. The emergence of gravid nematodes from the fins in spring to facilitate larval dispersal caused necrosis, hyperplasia and loss of skin integrity. This activity was again accompanied by acute inflammatory reactions. Pathological changes were more severe in crucian carp measuring less than 60 mm in length, with no signs of debilitation in larger fish. These observations suggest that any impact of P. sanguineus is strictly seasonal and may be limited to fry. Lesions caused by this parasite, only recently recorded in Britain, may represent an additional pressure upon wild crucian carp populations already threatened by hybridization, competition and habitat loss.

Dexamethasone Effects in the Strongyloides venezuelensis Infection in A Murine Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of glucocorticoids on the immune response to Strongyloides venezuelensis in mice. Balb/c mice were infected with S. venezuelensis and treated with Dexamethasone (Dexa) or vehicle. Dexa treatment increased circulating blood neutrophil numbers and inhibited eosinophil and mononuclear cell accumulation in the blood, bronchoalveolar, and peritoneal fluid compared with control animals. Moreover, Dexa decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-12 production in the lungs and circulating immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), IgG2a, and IgE antibody levels while increasing the overall parasite burden in the feces and intestine. Dexa treatment enhanced the fertility of female nematodes relative to untreated and infected mice. In summary, the alterations in the immune response induced by Dexa resulted in a blunted, aberrant immune response associated with increased parasite burden. This phenomenon is similar to that observed in S. stercoralis-infected humans who are taking immunosuppressive or antiinflammatory drugs, including corticosteroids.

Seasonal Dynamics of Skrjabinoptera phrynosoma (Nematoda) Infection in Horned Lizards From the Alvord Basin: Temporal Components of a Unique Life Cycle

The nematode Skrjabinoptera phrynosoma is a stomach parasite of horned lizards in the genus Phrynosoma. This nematode demonstrates a distinctive life cycle wherein entire gravid females harboring infective eggs exit with lizard feces. Pogonomyrmex spp. harvester ants collect these females and feed them to their larvae, which are the only stages of the intermediate host that can become infected. We hypothesized that the seasonal dynamics of nematode abundance within lizard hosts would be correlated with the seasonal availability of suitable intermediate hosts. To describe seasonal variation of nematode population variables and elucidate the timing of critical events in the parasite life cycle, nematodes were collected from both hosts across three collection periods in the ant-and-lizard activity season of 2008 in the Alvord Basin of southeastern Oregon. Among 3 collection periods, and across the activity season, nematodes were harvested from individual Phrynosoma platyrhinos , and the distribution of developmental categories and body lengths of nematodes was analyzed to determine the seasonal change in nematode population composition. Pogonomyrmex spp. ants were collected in pit-fall traps and dissected to determine infection prevalence. The abundance of non-gravid female and juvenile nematodes collected from lizards' stomachs decreased significantly between the early and late collection period, which was likely a consequence of the sequential conversion of these developmental categories to gravid females. The presence of gravid female nematodes peaked in cloacal and fecal collections during mid-season. The body lengths of male nematodes increased as the activity season progressed, perhaps due to growth, but their abundance remained the same. Smaller juvenile nematodes were present in late-season collections from lizards, possibly indicating new acquisitions from infected ants. We propose that once a set population of male nematodes establishes in lizards' stomachs, newly acquired juvenile nematodes develop into non-gravid females that mate, become gravid females, and exit the lizard mid-season. We additionally suggest that the exit of females may be timed with the peak foraging activity of ant intermediate hosts and access to larval ants in the nests. Infection prevalence in the intermediate host was low, with only 1 of 6,000 dissected harvester ants containing a single larval nematode. The temporal dynamics of S. phrynosoma populations within P. platyrhinos at this northern locale is most likely driven by the seasonal availability of harvester ant intermediate hosts.

Distribution and Reproductive Strategies of Gyrinicola batrachiensis (Oxyuroidea: Pharyngodonidae) in Larvae of Eight Species of Amphibians From Nebraska

In total, 462 tadpoles and salamander larvae of 8 species were examined for the presence of Gyrinicola batrachiensis from 5 locations in Nebraska. Infection by G. batrachiensis occurred in tadpoles of Rana blairi , Rana catesbeiana, Rana pipiens, and Bufo woodhousii. Tadpoles of Hyla chrysoscelis , Spea bombifrons, and Pseudacris maculata and larvae of Ambystoma mavortium were not infected with G. batrachiensis. Population structure, defined as prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of G. batrachiensis, varied among tadpoles of different amphibian species and was determined by collection locality, developmental period of tadpole hosts, amphibian species co-occurrence, and different reproductive strategies of G. batrachiensis , or a combination. Gyrinicola batrachiensis observed in all ranid tadpoles and B. woodhousii tadpoles from where bufonids were the only anuran species present, confirmed to the didelphic haplodiploidy and monodelphic parthenogenetic reproductive strategies, respectively. However, tadpoles of B. woodhousii that co-occurred with tadpoles of R. pipiens at Cedar Creek were inconsistent with these predictions and contained both male and didelphic female nematodes, but at a low mean intensity (1.61 ± 0.70). Didelphic female nematodes from B. woodhousii tadpoles at Cedar Creek only produced thick-shelled eggs, whereas nematodes in R. pipiens tadpoles had a high mean intensity (14.88 ± 23.83) from this location and contained both thick-shelled and thin-shelled eggs in their respective uteri. More importantly, adult female nematodes from tadpoles of R. pipiens and B. woodhousii from Cedar Creek were morphologically more similar to each other than to female nematodes recovered from tadpoles of other anuran species, other locations, or both. These data suggest that when strains of G. batrachiensis are shared by tadpoles of different amphibian species that differ in developmental period, the nematodes have an intermediate reproductive strategy in amphibian species, with tadpoles having short development.

First Report of Parascaris equorum in a White-Tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, from Mansfield, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Abstract A gravid adult female nematode recovered from the rumen of a white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, was identified as Parascaris equorum, a common and cosmopolitan ascaridoid nematode parasite of horses and other equids. The cervine host was a 2-yr-old female that was presented to the Large Animal Soft Tissue Surgery service of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (Ithaca, New York), with a 3-mo history of right-sided, unilateral, mucopurulent nasal discharge and weight loss. The doe was placed under general anesthesia, and radiographs of the head and thorax were taken. Rhinoscopy of both nasal passages was performed, during which time the rumen became distended, necessitating deflation. An orogastric tube was placed in the rumen and gas was successfully removed. Upon withdrawal of the tube, a 22.9-cm pinkish white ascarid worm was recovered from its lumen. Closer examination of the specimen revealed 3 large prominent ascarid-type lips consistent with P. equorum. The location of the vu...

Gastric perforation caused by Strongyloides stercoralis: a case report

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitosis caused by the female nematode of the Strongyloides stercoralis. S. stercoralis causes a chronic infection that is asymptomatic in 50% of chronically infected patients, and it can also affect the stomach. Gastric involvement causes symptoms mostly mimicking gastritis. We report herein a case of gastric perforation in a 37-year-old woman, which was thought to be caused by S. stercoralis.

Re-evaluation of the life-cycle of the nematode-parasitic bacterium Pasteuria penetrans in root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp.

Abstract Comparisons of the growth of Pasteuria penetrans in adult root-knot nematode females infected with P. penetrans dissected from the roots of tomato plants were undertaken using bright-field and scanning electron microscopy. Samples of infected females were nutritionally compromised by maintaining them in sterile saline at 30°C for different periods of time following their removal from the root system. Observations of these females maintained in saline revealed a series of growth stages of Pasteuria hitherto not documented, consisting of rhizoids, rod-like bacilli and granular masses. A new life-cycle for Pasteuria is described consisting of three phases: Phase I: attachment and germination; Phase II: rhizoid production and exponential growth; and Phase III: sporogenesis. These newly observed stages of the life cycle show a high degree of similarity to the developmental stages seen in other Bacillus spp.

First Record of the Cereal Cyst Nematode Heterodera filipjevi in China.

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is now recognized as a widespread and often damaging parasite of wheat in China. Only Heterodera avenae has been reported in China (4). However, molecular analysis of four samples from Beijing and one from Shanxi Province indicated genetic differences from H. avenae and other named species (3). Here we report the detection of H. filipjevi at a site in Henan Province that was not included in any previous study or report. The infested crop was rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Wenmai 19 in a field near Banpopu Village in Xuchang County (34.0447°N, 113.7415°E) with a long-established maize-wheat semiannual crop rotation. During the winter growing season, the crop was patchy with uneven growth and cyst nematode females were observed on the roots. In June 2009, soil was collected and mature cysts were extracted for morphological and molecular identification. Cysts were also kept at 4°C for 2 months and then incubated in shallow water at 15°C for a month to obtain second-stage juveniles (J2). Measurements (range; mean ± sd) of 10 cysts were body length including neck (569 to 786 μm; 699 ± 56), body width (403 to 600 μm; 523 ± 55), length:width ratio (1.3 to 1.5; 1.3 ± 0.1), neck length (61 to 125 μm; 106 ± 19) and width (49 to 83 μm; 69 ± 13), fenestra length (52 to 59 μm; 57 ± 2.9) and width (24.5 to 34.4; 27.9 ± 3.5), underbridge (64 to 101 μm; 85 ± 10), and vulval slit (7.4 to 10.0 μm; 9.6 ± 1.0). Lemon-shaped cysts were brown with a surface zigzag pattern. The vulval cone was bifenestrate with horseshoe-shaped semifenestra, with heavy underbridge and many bullae. The J2 (n = 22) measurements were body length (496 to 590 μm; 552 ± 24), body width (20.0 to 23.8; 21.5 ± 0.9), stylet (22.8 to 25.3; 24.0 ± 1.0) with anchor-shaped basal knobs, tail (47 to 64; 61.6 ± 4.4), and hyaline tail terminus (32 to 43; 40.2 ± 3.0). The J2 had up to four lateral lines, but the inner two were often the only lines clearly visible, and the shape of the stylet knobs, tail, and tail terminus were consistent with H. filipjevi. All morphological data and characters were consistent with H. filipjevi (1). Specimens have been lodged with the Australian National Insect Collection. DNA from single cysts was extracted to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA by PCR with forward primer TW81 (5'-GTTTCCGTAGGTGAACCTGC-3') and reverse primer AB28 (5'-ATATGCTTAAGTTCAGCGGGT-3') (2). The PCR product was sequenced (Genbank Accession No. HM027892) and digested by restriction enzymes (AluI, CfoI, HaeI, HinfI, PstI, RsaI, TaqI, and Tru9I) to obtain restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles (2). Profiles for the Xuchang population consistently matched those published for H. filipjevi and were distinct from those of H. avenae and other species (3). Phylogenic analysis of the sequence further indicated conspecificity with H. filipjevi. These morphological and molecular data confirmed that the specimens from Xuchang were H. filipjevi, which represents the first detection of H. filipjevi in China, and extends the known distribution of the species from Europe, North America, South Asia, and West Asia to East Asia. This finding adds complexity to the management of CCN in China, especially for control by host resistance, which now must consider both species and pathotype diversity.

Deep-sea parasitic nematodes of the genus Trophomera Rubtsov et Platonova, 1974 (Benthimermithidae) from the Equatorial Atlantic, with the descriptions of two new species

Nematode females of the genus Trophomera (Benthimermithidae) from the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (Washington, DC, USA) were examined. Nematodes were collected in different parts of the Western Atlantic (Hatteras Abyssal Plain, Brazil Basin, and Argentina Basin) from depths of 467–5,223 m. Two new species are described. Body length of T. americana sp. n. is 3,250–4,470 μm; posterior end conical with rounded tip; cephalic setae about 3–4 μm long; trophosome consisting of several longitudinal rows of large cells; ovaries reflected; mature eggs 35 μm in diameter. Body length of T. longiovaris sp. n. is 7,870–15,400 μm; posterior end conical with rounded tip; cephalic sensilla 7 μm long; mouth opening vestigial, present as very narrow apical pore; pharynx devoid of internal lumen and muscular envelope; midgut represents a trophosome without internal lumen; trophosomal cells arranged in 3–4 longitudinal rows; rectum and anus vestigial; female reproductive system didelphic, amphidelphic, very long, occupying about 0.8 total body length; ovaries telogonic, outstretched; oviducts very long, repeatedly folded across body axis; proximal parts of oviducts being than distal ones, uterus distinctly formed. New finds of two known species, T. arnauidi and T. marionensis, are also recorded and described.

Ultrastructure of the buccal capsule in the adult female Anguillicoloides crassus (Nematoda: Anguillicolidae)

Abstract The fine structure of the buccal capsule of the adult female nematode Anguillicoloides crassus (Spirurina) was studied for the first time. Results are based on serial section (longitudinal and transverse) light and transmission electron microscopy. The buccal capsule of A. crassus is a cuticular-lined structure. It can be divided into three main parts: cheilostom, gymnostom and stegostom. The cheilostom is the anterior region of the buccal capsule with the cuticular lining continuous with the body wall cuticle and underlain by epidermal syncytia. The gymnostom is a cuticular region with portions of it very electron dense and underlain by arcade syncytia. A dense circumoral cylinder together with the circumpharyngeal ring represent the prominent characters of the gymnostom. The stegostom is formed by anterior pharyngeal cuticle underlain by muscular radial cells and epithelial marginal cells. The cephalic cuticle of A. crassus makes a direct contact with the pharyngeal cuticle at the base of the circumoral cylinder, within a circumpharyngeal ring containing projections of pharyngeal muscular and marginal cells. The circumoral cylinder, circumpharyngeal ring and pharynx are connected to the body epidermis by junctional complexes. The buccal capsule includes occasionally 3 projections of the pharynx evidently observed in serial cross sections. These ultrastructural characters may provide useful data for comparative, functional as well as evolutionary studies within the Chromadorea.

First Case of Heterochthonous Subconjunctival Dirofilariasis Described in Poland

A 55-year-old Polish male presented with discomfort, redness, itching, and swelling in the left eye that had begun three days before seeking medical help. Slit-lamp examination revealed an actively moving subconjunctival worm located inferotemporally (Figure 1). A complete, live, moving nematode was removed under local anesthesia, and it was first stored in physiological saline for microscopic examination and then, put into 70% alcohol with glycerin and submitted for parasitological identification. The diagnosis was based on the following morphological features of the parasite: body length = 85.1 mm; maximum body width = 0.545 mm; esophagus = 0.895 mm long; vulva a little behind the esophagus; tail = 0.10 mm long, almost terminal; and cuticle with longitudinal combs on the surface (Figure 2). The worm was identified as an immature female nematode of the species Dirofilaria repens (Onchocercidae). The patient's blood tests were within the normal limits. Neither eosinophilia nor microfilaremia were detected.

Prevalence and species identification of Pratylenchus spp. in Manitoba potato fields and host suitability of ‘Russet Burbank’

The objectives of this study were to determine the occurence and identity of Pratylenchus species in Manitoba potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields with a history of Potato Early Dying disease using both morphometric and molecular techniques. In addition, suitability of the most widely used potato cultivar in Manitoba, ‘Russet Burbank’, as a host for Pratylenchus spp. was determined. During the summer of 2004 and 2005, 283 soil samples were collected from 31 potato fields with a history of occurrence of Potato Early Dying encompassing the major potato growing areas in Manitoba. Pratylenchus spp. were detected in 39% of the fields and densities in soil samples ranged from 45 to 631 nematodes kg−1 fresh soil with a median density of 125 nematodes kg−1 fresh soil. Morphometrics of female nematodes and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing and comparison of sequence data to the GenBank BLAST database) showed that the species of Pratylenchus in potato fields was P. neglectus. Further, the near absence of male Pratylenchus in the soil samples is consistent with the parthenogenic nature of P. neglectus. Potato 'Russet Burbank' was a poor host to populations of Pratylenchus sp. present in two fields. We suggest that the presence of suitable host plants, cereals and canola, in rotation with potato in Manitoba and soil texture have favoured P. neglectus rather than P. penetrans, the most widespread Pratylenchus species found in soil regularly cropped to potato in the Eastern United States and Canada. More studies are warranted to determine whether Pratylenchus spp. such as P. neglectus in Manitoba are causing damage to crops in rotation with potato and if they play a role in the Potato Early Dying disease complex.

Macroparasites of Pallas's squirrels ( Callosciurus erythraeus) introduced into Europe

Introduced pets released in natura can lead to sanitary risks for native fauna and humans. We analysed the macroparasite fauna of a total of 49 Pallas's squirrels, Callosciurus erythraeus, from two populations introduced into urbanised areas in Europe ( n = 16 ♀ and 13 ♂ from Antibes, France, 43°33′N–7°7′E; n = 11 ♀ and 9 ♂ in from Dadizele, Belgium, 50°52′N–3°5′E). Of the 185 identified ectoparasites from Antibes, 183 were sucking lice Enderleinellus kumadai, with male squirrels 10 times more intensely infested than females. The flea Nosopsyllus fasciatus was found on two hosts. No hard ticks were recovered. Of the 131 arthropods specimens from Dadizele, 45 belonged to E. kumadai, with male squirrels three times more intensely infested than females. Eighty-six arthropods belonged to another sucking louse, Hoplopleura erismata, with males infested twice as intensely as females. No fleas or hard ticks were found. We only found 12 immature Hymenolepis sp. cestodes in the small intestine of three squirrels from Antibes and two immature Mastophorus sp. female nematodes in the stomach of a squirrel from Dadizele. We found no other helminths in the body cavity, heart, lung, liver, kidney or bladder. The macroparasite fauna of these two squirrel populations is consistent with what is expected from an introduced host, i.e., a few species dominated by specialist taxa imported with founders. The scarcity of other rodent species in the urbanised areas where Pallas's squirrels were sampled may explain the low variety of newly acquired macroparasites. The discrepancy in sucking lice infestations between males and females could be due to differences in either behaviour or physiology in this non-sexually dimorphic host. Based on the macroparasites found in this study, we expect minimal sanitary risks for both native fauna and humans in urbanised habitats such as those in our study.

First report on Parafilaria bovicola (Nematoda: Filaroidea) in Germany

From September 2008 to April 2009 several cases of spontaneous bleeding and nodules from the back and withers area of cattle otherwise considered as healthy have been reported from several farms in south-western and southern Germany. Successive investigation of these cases gave strong evidence of Parafilaria ( P.) bovicola infections due to their seasonal occurrence and specific pathological lesions. There was no history of animal import from endemic countries for the affected cattle herds. In one case, a nodule containing nematode fragments and an intact female nematode were recovered from a slaughtered White Galloway bull. This sample was identified as P. bovicola and is the first report of bovine parafilariosis in Germany.

Heterologous expression of taro cystatin protects transgenic tomato against Meloidogyne incognita infection by means of interfering sex determination and suppressing gall formation

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major pest of many plant species and cause global economic loss. A phytocystatin gene, Colocasia esculenta cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CeCPI), isolated from a local taro Kaosiang No. 1, and driven by a CaMV35S promoter was delivered into CLN2468D, a heat-tolerant cultivar of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). When infected with Meloidogyne incognita, one of root-knot nematode (RKN) species, transgenic T1 lines overexpressing CeCPI suppressed gall formation as evidenced by a pronounced reduction in gall numbers. In comparison with wild-type plants, a much lower proportion of female nematodes without growth retardation was observed in transgenic plants. A decrease of RKN egg mass in transgenic plants indicated seriously impaired fecundity. Overexpression of CeCPI in transgenic tomato has inhibitory functions not only in the early RKN infection stage but also in the production of offspring, which may result from intervention in sex determination.

Helminth Parasites of Sculpins, Cottus spp. (Teleostei, Cottidae) from Three Maryland Creeks, U.S.A

A total of 5 helminth species (3 Nematoda: Rhabdochona cotti, Freitascapillaria laticauda, Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum; 2 Trematoda: Phyllodistomum undulans, Crepidostomum sp.) infected sculpins, Cottus spp., from 3 Maryland creeks in November 2005 and May 2006. Gravid individuals of R. cotti and P. undulans occurred in blue-ridge sculpin, Cottus caeruleomentum, from Little Fishing Creek; gravid individuals of F. laticauda and R. cotti occurred in C. caeruleomentum and in Potomac sculpin, Cottus girardi, from Blue Lick Run, respectively; and gravid R. cotti occurred in mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdii, from Little Bear Creek. One immature female capillariid-like nematode occurred in C. girardi from Blue Lick Run. Rhabdochona cotti in C. caeruleomentum from Little Fishing Creek and in C. bairdii from Little Bear Creek had the highest prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance, followed by P. undulans in C. caeruleomentum from Little Fishing Creek. The mean parasite species richness values were low and ranged from 0.39 to 1.27 in the Cottus spp. This is the first report of parasites from C. girardi, and the second report of parasites from C. caeruleomentum in North America.