Genital Complex Research Articles

Caligid sea lice (Copepoda: Caligidae) from golden snapper Lutjanus johnii (Bloch) in Australian waters, with the recognition of Sinocaligus Shen, 1957 as a junior synonym of Caligus Müller, 1785.

Two species of sea lice are reported from the golden snapper Lutjanus johnii (Bloch) in Australian waters. One was represented by chalimus larvae, adult males and extremely slender females in which the genital complex is scarcely wider than the fourth pedigerous somite. These females are adult as they carry paired spermatophores and are identified as Caligus dussumieri Rangnekar, 1957 on the details of their appendages. Caligus dussumieri was formerly placed in the genus Sinocaligus Shen, 1957 but the characters supporting the validity of this genus are not robust, so it is here proposed to treat it as a junior subjective synonym of Caligus and transfer its species as: Caligus formicoides Redkar, Rangnekar & Murti, 1949, Caligus dussumieri Shen, 1957, Caligus caudatus (Gnanamuthu, 1950) new combination and Caligus timorensis (Izawa, 1995) new combination. All these species can be placed in the C. bonito-species group within Caligus. Caligus rivulatus Pilla, Vankara & Chikkam, 2012 is recognized as a junior subjective synonym of C. dussumieri. A new species, C. auriolus n. sp. is also described and this is placed in the C. diaphanus species-group. A key to species of this species-group is provided which indicates that C. auriolus n. sp. is most closely related to C. stromatei Krøyer, 1863 but the latter can be distinguished by the slender abdomen of the female and by the more complex myxal process on the maxilliped in the male.

Feabatrus gen. nov., a conspicuous new genus of Batrisitae from Myanmar and China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

A highly distinctive genus of pselaphine tribe Batrisini, Feabatrus gen. nov., is described based on Leonardo Fea’s historical collection housed in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria” di Genova, Italy. The genus includes two new species from Myanmar, F. myanmarensis sp. nov. and F. leonardoi sp. nov. Feabatrus gen. nov. is characterized and can be separated from related genera by large-sized body with long, suberect setae on the dorsal surface and antennae, pronotum with large marginal, discal and antebasal spines, elytra with a smooth disc and shallow discal striae, inner two basal foveae close, and lacking subhumeral fovea, distinct constriction between the elytra and the abdomen, and the female possessing an asymmetric genital complex as well as a flat, sub-trapezoidal tergite 5 (VIII) that has a small nodule in the middle of the posterior margin. A single female from Yunnan, southwestern China, representing a third species, is briefly described but left unnamed.

A new parasitic copepod species of Tautochondria (Siphonostomatoida: Hyponeoidae), found in the narrowmouthed catshark Schroederichthys bivius from the Strait of Magellan

Hyponeoidae is a copepod family that is rare around the world, with only three species described until now. Recently, a hyponeoid copepod was found in the narrowmouthed catshark, Schroederichthys bivius, from Chile, which has not been formally described. The objective of this study is to describe morphologically a new species of Hyponeoidae, from samples of the Strait of Magellan, Southern Chile. Also, a genetic analysis, based on the COI gene, was used to determine the relatedness of the new hyponeoid species to other copepods from Siphonostomatoida, which were available in the GenBank platform. The new species belongs to the genus Tautochondria and is here described as T. magellanica n. sp. This species differs from T. dolichoura mainly in the presence of long process at each side of the buccal cone, the absence of lobes on the head and short processes on the genital complex. According to the genetic sequences, T. magellanica n. sp. was not closely related to any other species. Therefore, this result confirms that Hyponeoidae is a separate family. However, the relatedness to other genera in Siphonostomatoida is still unknown.

018 Functional results and long term follow up of Neovagina in gender patients, including plastic techniques from European perspective

The aim of a vaginoplasty is to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional genital complex, vulva and neo-vagina, with adequate depth.

Mating behavior and reproductive morphology predict macroevolution of sex allocation in hermaphroditic flatworms

BackgroundSex allocation is the distribution of resources to male or female reproduction. In hermaphrodites, this concerns an individual’s resource allocation to, for example, the production of male or female gametes. Macroevolutionary studies across hermaphroditic plants have revealed that the self-pollination rate and the pollination mode are strong predictors of sex allocation. Consequently, we expect similar factors such as the selfing rate and aspects of the reproductive biology, like the mating behaviour and the intensity of postcopulatory sexual selection, to predict sex allocation in hermaphroditic animals. However, comparative work on hermaphroditic animals is limited. Here, we study sex allocation in 120 species of the hermaphroditic free-living flatworm genus Macrostomum. We ask how hypodermic insemination, a convergently evolved mating behaviour where sperm are traumatically injected through the partner’s epidermis, affects the evolution of sex allocation. We also test the commonly-made assumption that investment into male and female reproduction should trade-off. Finally, we ask if morphological indicators of the intensity of postcopulatory sexual selection (female genital complexity, male copulatory organ length, and sperm length) can predict sex allocation.ResultsWe find that the repeated evolution of hypodermic insemination predicts a more female-biased sex allocation (i.e., a relative shift towards female allocation). Moreover, transcriptome-based estimates of heterozygosity reveal reduced heterozygosity in hypodermically mating species, indicating that this mating behavior is linked to increased selfing or biparental inbreeding. Therefore, hypodermic insemination could represent a selfing syndrome. Furthermore, across the genus, allocation to male and female gametes is negatively related, and larger species have a more female-biased sex allocation. Finally, increased female genital complexity, longer sperm, and a longer male copulatory organ predict a more male-biased sex allocation.ConclusionsSelfing syndromes have repeatedly originated in plants. Remarkably, this macroevolutionary pattern is replicated in Macrostomum flatworms and linked to repeated shifts in reproductive behavior. We also find a trade-off between male and female reproduction, a fundamental assumption of most theories of sex allocation. Beyond that, no theory predicts a more female-biased allocation in larger species, suggesting avenues for future work. Finally, morphological indicators of more intense postcopulatory sexual selection appear to predict more intense sperm competition.

Metacercariae in the brain of Erythrinus cf. erythrinus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae) from Iguazú National Park (Argentina): do they belong to Dolichorchis lacombeensis (Digenea, Diplostomidae)?

In Argentina, the family Diplostomidae is composed of eight genera: Austrodiplostomum Szidat & Nani; Diplostomum von Nordmann; Dolichorchis Dubois; Hysteromorpha Lutz; Neodiplostomum Railliet; Posthodiplostomum Dubois; Sphincterodiplostomum Dubois; and Tylodelphys Diesing. During a parasitological survey of fishes from the Iguazú National Park we detected diplostomid metacercariae in the brain of Erythrinus cf. erythrinus. Fish were caught using crab traps, transported alive to the field laboratory, cold-anaesthetized and euthanized by cervical dissection. Some metacercariae were heat-killed in water and fixed in 10% formalin and others were preserved in alcohol 96% for DNA extraction. They were sequenced for the partial segment of the 28S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction was carried out using Bayesian inference and the proportion (p) of absolute nucleotide sites (p-distance) was obtained. In the 28S rDNA tree, the metacercaria sequenced grouped as Dolichorchis sp. The COI mtDNA p-distance between the metacercariae with Dolichorchis lacombeensis was 0.01. There is a small number of ITS sequences for the Diplostomidae family deposited in the GenBank. The oral sucker, ventral sucker, holdfast organ and the distance between oral and ventral suckers are larger in the adult compared with the metacercariae. Additionally, hind-body length and width are larger in the adult due to the development of the genital complex. Further studies using an integrative approach will help confirm the affiliation of other species to the genus Dolichorchis.

A new species of Monstrilla (Crustacea: Copepoda: Monstrilloida: Monstrillidae) collected by the R/V Albatross (1908) from the Sulu Sea, Philippines

ABSTRACT Monstrilloid copepods are protelean parasites of various groups of benthic invertebrates. The taxonomy of some monstrilloid genera is still in development. The re-examination of museum collections and redescription of the earliest described species have proven to be useful tools to unravel some of these problems. An examination of monstrilloid specimens collected from the Philippines area by the US Steamer Albatross in 1908 and deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, revealed the presence of a male specimen representing an undescribed species of the genus Monstrilla. The new species is described and illustrated following current standards in monstrilloid copepod taxonomy. It can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the unique cuticular ornamentation pattern on its cephalothorax, the number of caudal setae, and details of its geniculate antennules and genital complex. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1FAF5CD7-6EF9-4405-8572-22E46F32A359

A Redescription of Lepeophtheirus longipes Wilson, 1905 (Copepoda; Caligidae) Parasitic on Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas Ayres, 1859 (Polyprionidae), off California

The giant sea bass (GSB), Stereolepis gigas Ayres, 1859, is the largest teleost (exceeding 2 m in length and 200 kg in weight) and megacarnivore found in California kelp forest communities. Overfishing of GSB in the late 1920s crashed the population off California and in 1996 it was classified as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) critically endangered species. Recently, three GSB were collected off San Onofre, California and held at the Southern California Marine Institute in San Pedro. Two of the three GSB were infected with Lepeophtheirus longipes Wilson, 1905 (Siphonostomatoida; Caligidae), a poorly described species of parasitic copepod previously recorded from the GSB and purportedly on other fish hosts. In this study, a detailed redescription of the female and the first description of the male of L. longipes are provided and all records of Lepeophtheirus longipes are reviewed. The latter revealed that L. longipes is host specific to GSB. Lepeophtheirus longipes is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of female characters that includes: (1) genital complex with prominent posterolateral lobes and is about half the length of the cephalothorax and just over two times longer than the cylindrical, indistinctly 2-segmented abdomen; (2) an antennule with a small conical process on the proximal segment; (3) maxillule with an outer conical process at the base of the dentiform process; (4) sternal furca with pointed and slightly splayed tines; (5) first exopodal segment of leg 3 with a terminal spine; and (6) third exopodal segment of leg 4 with three unequal apical spines.

Pseudanuretes anfoozi n. sp. (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) from the yellowbar angelfish Pomacanthus maculosus (Forsskål) in coral reefs off Iraq.

A new species of Pseudanuretes Yamaguti, 1936 (Copepoda: Caligidae) parasitic on the gills of the yellowbar angelfish Pomacanthus maculosus (Forsskål) from a coral reef off Iraq, north-western Arabian Gulf, is described. Pseudanuretes anfoozi n. sp. belongs within a group of species characterised by the spear-like structure of leg 4. Morphologically P. anfoozi n. sp. is similar to P. papernai Kabata & Deets, 1988 in possessing an armature of I,6 on the third exopodal segment of leg 2 rather than I,7 in the other species of this group. However, P. anfoozi n. sp. can be distinguished from P. papernai by the possession of only 5 caudal setae instead of 6, and in the shape of the caudal rami, which are shorter and wider in new species. In addition, these two species differ in the shape of the genital complex of the adult female.

Light and scanning electron microscopic studies of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) infecting the rosy goatfish Parupeneus rubescens

Parasites, particularly crustaceans, are considered as an important limiting factor in the development of intensified fish culture. The parasitic copepod of the Arabian Gulf fish is poorly known. So, the current investigation aimed to record the caligid species infecting the rosy goatfish Parupeneus rubescens in the Arabian Gulf. One copepod species was identified belonged to family Caligidae and labeled as Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer 1837 depends mainly on its morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural characteristics. It is characterized by lacking lunules, the anterior margin of the cephalothorax is not folded, three-segmented exopod of the fourth leg and longer than the protopod, leg 4 with the middle terminal claw as long as the inner one, accessory processes on terminal elements II and III of the exopod of the first leg, a genital complex distinctly wider than being long, and a relatively short abdomen. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that the rosy goatfish represents a new host for Lepeophtheirus species and added locality records for this infection.

A new species of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 based on molecular and morphological analysis of metacercariae from African siluriform fishes

In the Afrotropic region, the genus Clinostomum is represented by four accepted and four unnamed species distinguished using molecular data. Here, we describe one of the four unnamed species as Clinostomum ukolii n. sp. based on metacercariae from siluriform fishes (Synodontis batensoda, Schilbe intermedius) collected in Nigeria and South Africa. The new species is distinguished by molecular data (39 new sequences of partial cytochrome c oxidase I≥ 6.7% divergent from those of other species) and morphological differences from named and unnamed species in the same region. Metacercariae of C. ukolii n. sp. can be distinguished based on size, tegumental spines, and various aspects of the genital complex, including its position, lobation of the anterior testis, and the disposition and shape of the cirrus pouch. Although descriptions of new species of digeneans are typically based on the morphology of adults, we argue that in cases where data are available from metacercariae from regionally known species, new species can be described based on metacercariae, particularly when supported by molecular data, as here. Moreover, sub-adult reproductive structures can be clearly visualized in metacercaria of Clinostomum. Considering metacercariae as potential types for new species could advance clinostome systematics more rapidly, because metacercariae are encountered much more often than adults in avian definitive hosts.

Two new species of the genus Caligus (Crustacea, Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) from the Sea of Japan, with a note on the establishment of a new species group.

Two new species of Caligus are described from the Japanese coast of the Sea of Japan. Caligus chinglonglinisp. nov. is based on a male specimen found in a plankton sample, whereas C. kajiisp. nov. was collected from the body surface of the host flathead Platycephalus sp. These two new species can be assigned to a distinct species group, the pseudorhombi group newly named and defined by the morphology of the genital complex in both sexes, and by the structure and armature of legs 2 and 4. The species group so far accommodates 19 species including these two new species. The morphology, host specificity and zoogeography of the species group are discussed herein and keys to species groups of Caligus and to species of the C. pseudorhombi species group are provided.

A new species of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 in East Asia based on genomic and morphological data.

Metacercariae of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 are frequently encountered in freshwater fish. In 2015, a provisional species of Clinostomum in People's Republic of China (PRC) was distinguished from C. complanatum (Rudolphi, 1819) in Europe based on divergent cytochrome c oxidase I (CO1). However, in subsequent studies in East Asia, the same divergent CO1 genotype was identified as C. complanatum. These matching sequences suggest that either the provisional East Asian species was incorrectly distinguished from C. complanatum in 2015 or that C. complanatum in East Asia was misidentified in later studies. We tested these alternatives by sequencing the mitochondrial genome of C. complanatum in Italy, which was 5.7% divergent from a previously published sequence from Clinostomum in PRC, including differences in 80 of 3390 (2.4%) translated amino acids. Partial CO1 sequences of specimens from PRC and those from Italy, Romania, and Turkey also each formed reciprocally monophyletic clades. Partial CO1 from the East Asian clade varied by mean 3.6% (range 2.4-4.8%) from C. complanatum from Italy, Romania, and Turkey; mean intra-clade CO1 variation was 0.3% (range 0-1.9%). Metacercariae from Europe and East Asia display significant morphometric variation, and data from the literature suggest morphological differences in the genital complex of adults. Although sequences of nuclear rDNA did not differ between isolates from the west and East Asia, taken together, these results lead us to describe a new species of Clinostomum.

Description of Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Copepoda: Pandaridae) parasitic on a torpedo ray from the central Pacific Ocean utilising a morphological and molecular approach.

A new species of parasitic copepod, Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Pandaridae), is described from the torpedo ray Tetronarce tokionis (Tanaka) (Torpedinidae) captured in pelagic Hawaiian waters. The new species has pediger 4 bearing large dorsal plates with denticles on posterior margin, genital complex with posterolateral lobes widely curved medially and overlapping, leg 4 exopod incompletely 3-segmented, and the largest body size (maximum length 16 mm from anterior rim of frontal plates to tip of caudal rami, excluding setae). This morphology does not match any of the seven valid species of Echthrogaleus Steenstrup & Lütken, 1861. Analysis of 28S rDNA sequences separated the new material from the Central Pacific from samples of E. coleoptratus in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans. However, due to the lack of DNA sequences in the databases, the new 28S rDNA sequence cannot used to confirm the species identity. The unique morphological characteristics of the Central Pacific female copepods combined with 28S rDNA sequencing was used as a basis to validate the new species.

Redescription and First Nucleotide Sequences of Rhinobatonchocotyle pacifica Oliva & Luque, 1995 (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae), a Parasite of Pseudobatos planiceps (Garman, 1880) (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinobatidae) from Peru.

Specimens of Rhinobatonchocotyle pacifica Oliva & Luque, 1995 (Hexabothriidae) were collected from the gill filaments of Pacific guitarfish, Pseudobatos planiceps (Garman, 1880) (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinobatidae), from off the coast of Chorrillos, Lima, Peru. Since the original description of R. pacifica was incomplete, we herein redescribe R. pacifica based on re-examination of the holotype, paratypes, and newly collected voucher specimens. Nucleotide sequences (18S, 28S) for R. pacifica are presented for the first time, and a phylogenetic analysis conducted. Monogeneans were examined with light microscopy and partial sequences of 18S and 28S rDNA genes were obtained. The following taxonomically important morphological features are described: presence of seminal receptacle, spiniform papillae within oral cavity, haptoral sucker sclerites and anchors, hook surface striations, muscular pad associated with each haptoral sucker sclerite (except sclerite 1), muscular bulbs in appendix suckers, and oötype lacking longitudinal rows of large cells (oötype not côtelé). The genital complex is detailed. The diagnosis of Rhinobatonchocotyle is emended to include species with or without seminal receptacle. Representative nucleotide sequences of partial 18S and 28S rDNA genes of R. pacifica were obtained for the first time and used for reconstructing the phylogeny of Hexabothriidae. The phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the species within the Hexabothriidae.

Four species of Mazocraeoides Price, 1936 (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae), including two new species from clupeiform fishes off Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal.

Four species of Mazocraeoides Price, 1936 including two new species are recorded from clupeiform fishes collected from Visakhapatnam Coast, Bay of Bengal: M. rotundus n. sp. from Ilisha filigera, M. fusiformes n. sp. from Stolephorus indicus, M. prashadi Chauhan, 1950 from Sardinella longiceps and M. dussumieri Mamaev, 1975 from Dussumieria hasselti. Mazocraeoides rotundus n. sp. is differentiated from the previously described species of Mazocraeoides by possessing the following combination of characters: the small pot-like body, the distribution of clamps in the posterior half of body and the genital complex consisting of five pairs of hooks arranged in two vertical rows. It differs from M. prashadi in the body shape and the much smaller size of the genital complex. Mazocraeoides fusiformes n. sp. differs from all the other species of the genus in the distribution of the clamps embracing only the posterior part of the testis and the genital complex consisting of one pair of needle-like lateral hooks and five pairs of median hooks. Mazocraeoides prashadi is redescribed to fill the gaps existing in the earlier description. Mazocraeoides dussumieri recorded earlier from South China Sea is reported for the first time from the Bay of Bengal. The validity of various species of Mazocraeoides is discussed and a key for the separation of valid species is provided. A host-parasite list is presented which gives details of the hosts, the geographic distribution and the validity status for each species. A partial 28S rDNA sequence was generated for M. dussumieri and deposited in GenBank.

Two new species of Mazocraes Hermann (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae) from clupeoid fishes off Visakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal.

Two new species of Mazocraes Hermann (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae) are described infecting clupeoid fishes of Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal: Mazocraes bengalensis n. sp. from Opisthopterus tardoore Cuvier and M. stolephorusi n. sp. from Stolephorus indicus van Hasselt and S. commersoni Lacepede. L. bengalensis n.sp. is distinguished from the most closely related species (M. gussevi, M. australis, M. alosae, M. mamaevi) by the combination of following characters: Body size, extent of caeca, number and arrangement of testes, size and structure of the clamps and the armature of genital complex. M. stolephorusi n. sp. differs from all the other species of Mazocraes in the pedunculate nature and the sizes of the haptoral clamps and the structure of the genital complex. A detailed analysis of the species of the genus Mazocraes is presented. The partial 28SrDNa sequences of M. bengalensis was generated and deposited in the GenBank.

Primer registro del copépodo Cymbasoma chelemense (Copepoda: Monstrilloida) en el mar Caribe colombiano

As part of monitoring in the estuarine inner Bay of Cartagena, Colombia during the year 2016, a female adult specimen ofCymbasoma chelemense was collected and identified. Originally described for the Gulf of Mexico and sharing the followingmorphological and morphometric characteristics: Cephalothorax of at least 68% of the total length of the body. Oral papilla located at least 20% of the total length of the cephalothorax; Ocelli present; genital complex with ovigerous spines located at the base and with one single post genital somites, the ovigerous spines at least 14% longer than the total length of the body and about 10 times the length of urosome. This is the first record of a copepod of the genus Cymbasoma in Colombia estuarine waters, increasing the range of distribution of this species in the Caribbean Sea.

Resurrection of Alebion difficile (van Beneden, 1892) (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) with notes on other species of Alebion Krøyer, 1863 collected from elasmobranchs off South Africa and an updated key of the adult females.

Alebion Krøyer, 1863 is one of the genera of the Caligidae Burmeister, 1835 and can easily be distinguished from other genera by the presence of modified exopodal spines on legs 1-3. Currently there are eight recognised species infecting a variety of elasmobranch hosts. Alebion difficile (van Beneden, 1892) is resurrected based on the difference in the structure of the spermatophores on the genital complex of the female but also the difference in the relative lengths of the posterior processes of the genital complex, the lateral processes on the first abdominal somite and the caudal rami. Additionally, the adult male of A. difficile is described and illustrated and notes provided about the morphology of the sub-adult females and males. Other Alebion species and their hosts collected off South Africa are reported and an updated key to the adult females of the species of Alebion is provided.

The discovery of Clinostomum complanatum metacercariae in farmed Chinese sucker, Myxocyprinus asiaticus

Yellow grub disease is a common fish parasitosis caused by Clinostomum species. Clinostomum complanatum is a cosmopolitan trematode with a complex life-cycle and low host specificity. Due to their infectivity to humans, the metacercariae of C. complanatum are considered zoonotic trematodes. In the current study, morphological and molecular (COI and ITS) analysis of metacercariae revealed that the genital complex might be a more reliable diagnostic feature than other morphological characteristics in identifying species of Clinostomum. Phylogenetic analysis using the two gene regions confirmed the identity of the species as C. complanatum. In this study, the cultured Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) was found to be a new fish host for C. complanatum. Ninety-six specimens (i.e. 64.9% of the 148 specimens examined) were infected by the parasite with the number of metacercariae ranging from 1 to 7 (mean: 2.33 ± 1.38) per host. The body weight and condition factor of infected fish was lower when compared to those of uninfected conspecifics (p < 0.001). The presence of two snails, Radix swinhoei and Galba pervia, which serve as intermediate hosts, were found breeding within the canals and waterways feeding the farm and were the source of infection.