Larval Forms Research Articles

Neurocisticercosis cerebral gigante. Reporte de un caso

La neurocisticercosis es la enfermedad resultante de la infestación de la forma larvaria del helminto intestinal Taenia solium(cisticercos) en el sistema nervioso central, clínicamente se manifiesta con convulsiones y signos focalización neurológica,alteraciones sensitivas, del lenguaje, la coordinación, cefalea, vómito y papiledema. El diagnóstico se realiza a través decriterios epidemiológicos, clínicos, histológicos y de neuroimagen. Se reporta un caso de paciente de 49 años de edad, conantecedentes de neurocisticercosis hace 14 años, quien presenta sintomatología de focalización neurológica, deterioro delestado de conciencia y del habla, signos característicos de LOE cerebral, cuyo estudio de imagen demostró presencia de quiste intraparenquimatoso parietal izquierdo de 6 cm, con compresión de parénquima cerebral adyacente y edema cerebral perilesional. El quiste fue removido por técnica de hidrodisección y exéresis, con mejoría clínica, cuyo resultado histológico mostró la presencia del cisticerco; observándose en este caso características poco frecuentes que lo hacen importante de conocer.

1542 No Ordinary Colon Polyp: Schistosomiasis

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis, is a common parasitic diseases affecting over 200 million people caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. It is prevalent in tropical areas, particularly in agricultural fishing communities and places with poor water sanitation. Transmission occurs when the cercariae, the infectious form of the parasite, is released from fresh water snails and penetrates human skin. Larvae then mature in the human blood vessels that supply the intestines and genitourinary system. Schistosomiasis commonly involves the intestinal system, it is rare however, for it to present as a large colon polyp. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 31-year-old Ethiopian male presented with diffuse abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea for 5 years. A colonoscopy performed 5 years ago at the onset of symptoms was notable only for mild colitis. Due to the persistence of symptoms, he underwent a repeat exam that revealed a normal terminal ileum, cecum, and transverse colon. Mild colitis was seen in the ascending and sigmoid colon. There was moderately severe colitis in the rectum. These areas were biopsied. In addition, a single 2.1 × 2.1 × 1.1 cm pedunculated polyp was found in the sigmoid colon which was removed by snare polypectomy. The polyp was found to contain calcified Schistosoma eggs and worms. The rectal biopsies also showed Schistosoma and multiple calcified eggs. Examination of both the gross and microscopic specimens confirmed the diagnosis of Schistosomiasis mansoni. DISCUSSION: Schistosomiasis affects 10% of the population worldwide and is endemic in Africa, Asia and South America. Patients with Schistosomiasis may present with abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, anemia, and weight loss as seen in this patient. Endoscopic findings include colitis, mucosal granularity and friability, punctate ulcers, and hemorrhage. Schistosomiasis may also present as an inflammatory polyp. Microscopically, this Th2 cell mediated inflammatory responseis due to the reaction to ova. Worms are known evade the immune response. During the active phase, intense inflammation, granulomas and increased eosinophils can be seen. In the chronic phase, there is less inflammation, however fibrosis, and calcified ova are seen. Calcified eggs, seen in this patient's biopsy, parallels his 5 years of symptoms. Praziquantel is the treatment of choice for schistosomiasis. It is given as a single dose and is most effective four-six weeks after exposure because it does not work on larval forms of Schistosoma. It is curative in 85% of cases.

Ultraviolet sensitivity of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) -related helminths: A systematic review

BackgroundHelminthiases are a group of disabling neglected tropical diseases that affect billions of people worldwide. Current control methods use preventative chemotherapy but reinfection is common and an inter-sectoral approach is required if elimination is to be achieved. Household and community scale water treatment can be used to provide a safe alternative water supply for contact activities, reducing exposure to WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) -related helminths. With the introduction of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-C LEDs), ultraviolet (UV) disinfection could be a realistic option for water treatment in low-income regions in the near future, to provide safe alternative water supplies for drinking and contact activities such as handwashing, bathing, and laundry, but currently there is no guidance for the use of UV or solar disinfection against helminths.MethodologyA qualitative systematic review of existing literature was carried out to establish which WASH-related helminths are more susceptible to UV disinfection and identify gaps in research to inform future studies. The search included all species that can infect humans and can be transmitted through water or wastewater. Five online databases were searched and results were categorized based on the UV source: sunlight and solar simulators, UV-A and UV-B (long wavelength) sources, and UV-C (germicidal) sources.ConclusionsThere has been very little research into the UV sensitivity of helminths; only 47 studies were included in this review and the majority were carried out before the standard protocol for UV disinfection experiments was published. Only 18 species were studied; however all species could be inactivated by UV light. Fluences required to achieve a 1-log inactivation ranged from 5 mJ/cm2 to over 800 mJ/cm2. Larval forms were generally more sensitive to UV light than species which remain as an egg in the environment. This review confirms that further research is required to produce detailed recommendations for household or community scale UV-C LED or solar disinfection (SODIS) of water for preventing helminthiases.

Phylogeny, genetics, and the partial life cycle of Oncomegas wageneri in the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite the diversity and ecological importance of cestodes, there is a paucity of studies on their life stages (i.e., complete lists of intermediate, paratenic, and definitive hosts) and genetic variation. For example, in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) 98 species of cestodes have been reported to date; however, data on their intraspecific genetic variation and population genetic studies are lacking. The trypanorhynch cestode, Oncomegas wageneri, is found (among other places) off the American Western Atlantic Coast, including the GoM, and has been reported as an adult from stingrays and from several teleost species in its larval form (as plerocerci). This study represents the first report of 2 previously unregistered definitive hosts for O. wageneri, namely the Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae and the southern stingray Hypanus americanus. In this work, partial sequences of the 28S (region D1–D2) ribosomal DNA were analyzed to include O. wageneri within an eutetrarhynchoid phylogenetic framework. All O. wageneri individuals (which included plerocerci and adults) were recovered as monophyletic and Oncomegas celatus was identified as the sister species of O. wageneri. Furthermore, population genetic analyses of O. wageneri from the southern GoM were carried out using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, which reflected high genetic variation and a lack of genetic structure among the 9 oceanographic sampling sites. Based on these results, O. wageneri is panmictic in the southern GoM. More extensive sampling along the species entire distribution is necessary to make more accurate inferences of population genetics of O. wageneri.

The amphibamiformNanobamus macrorhinusfrom the early Permian of Texas

AbstractNanobamus macrorhinusSchoch and Milner, 2014 is a small amphibamiform temnospondyl from the early Permian Arroyo Formation of Texas. It is most readily characterized by an elongate and partially subdivided naris. This condition is superficially reminiscent of that seen in the coeval trematopids, the group to whichN. macrorhinuswas originally referred to under an interpretation of the holotype as a larval form. This was discounted by later workers, but the amphibamiform affinities of the specimen were not formalized until recently. The specimen has never been described in the context of its amphibamiform affinities and remains poorly characterized, never having been sampled in a phylogenetic analysis. Here we present a complete, updated osteological description ofN. macrorhinus, including an improved characterization of its unique mosaic of plesiomorphic and apomorphic features and clarification of the taxon's autapomorphies. Our analysis of the taxon's phylogenetic position within Amphibamiformes shows thatN. macrorhinuswas recovered as diverging after basal amphibamiforms, e.g., the micropholids, and before derived amphibamiforms, e.g., the amphibamids. This is supported by the unique mixture of retained plesiomorphies, e.g., nonforeshortened postparietals and an oval choana, and apomorphies, e.g., a narrow interorbital region and slender palatal rami of the pterygoid. These results reflect the complexity of terrestrial amphibamiform diversity and provide further insight into the evolutionary history of the lissamphibian stem in terrestrial environments.

Inquérito Malacológico em Localidades Endêmicas para Esquistossomose em Pernambuco, Brasil

Objetivo: Realizar inquérito malacológico para detectar a presença do Schistosoma mansoni (SM) em caramujos Biomphalaria em locais com e sem ações do SANAR para verificar a circulação ambiental do parasita. Métodos: As coletas ocorreram entre 2017 e 2018 em 61 localidades com intervenção SANAR e em 60 localidades contiguas, sem SANAR. Os exemplares de B. glabrata (BG) e B. straminea (BS) coletados foram examinados pela técnica de exposição à luz e esmagamento para identificação de formas larvais do SM. Os BS negativos foram examinados também pela Nested PCR para detecção de DNA do parasita. Resultados: Foram coletados 5.459 moluscos nesse estudo. Nas 61 localidades com atuação SANAR foram coletados 204 BG e 2.056 BS, com 10 locais (16,4%) apresentando caramujos positivos para infecção pelo SM contra 51 locais (83,6%) com caramujos sadios. Nas 60 localidades sem intervenção SANAR foram coletados 19 BG e 3.180 BS, onde 33 locais (55%) com caramujos positivos para SM e 27 locais (45%) com caramujos sadios. Conclusão: A presença do DNA do SM em moluscos de localidades onde o SANAR não medicou as pessoas garante que o parasito circula localmente, representando risco biológico e alerta para o início do ciclo de transmissão da parasitose.

Industrial insect production as an alternative source of animal protein

Industrial insect production as an alternative source of animal protein

Detecção de parasitos em filés de polaca do Alasca (Gadus chalcogrammus, Pallas, 1814) comercializados em São Paulo, Brasil

Introduction: Walleye pollock is the most caught fish worldwide and has been imported by Brazil as frozen fillets. This fish has its own parasitic fauna; however, the presence of parasites in the musculature may cause implications for food safety and repulsiveness. Objective: This work aimed to investigate and report the presence of parasite groups in commercial samples of frozen fillets of walleye pollock concerning the potential risk to human health and control methods. Method: A total of 44 samples of frozen fillets of walleye pollock collected from the retail trade of the metropolitan area of São Paulo were analyzed and the larval forms were isolated by dissection and observed under a stereoscopic and optical microscope. Results: One hundred thirty-three dead parasites were found from 68% of the samples. Trypanorhyncha cestodes were detected more frequently (88%), followed by nematodes from the anisakid group (Anisakidae/Raphidascaididae) (11%) and acanthocephalan (1%). Among them, anisakid has zoonotic potential, if ingested alive, and allergenic potential even after thermal processing. Conclusions: This is the first report of the presence of parasitic forms in commercial samples of walleye pollock fillets and the results alert to the need for improvements in relation to Good Practices in the production chain and the need for greater attention on the allergenic potential related to the consumption of these parasites on frozen fish fillets.

A 100-million-year old predator: a fossil neuropteran larva with unusually elongated mouthparts

BackgroundBiological diversity is a hot topic in current research, especially its observed decrease in modern times. Investigations of past ecosystems offer additional insights to help better understand the processes underlying biodiversity. The Cretaceous period is of special interest in this context, especially with respect to arthropods. During that period, representatives of many modern lineages appeared for the first time, while representatives of more ancient groups also co-occurred. At the same time, side branches of radiating groups with ‘experimental morphologies’ emerged that seemed to go extinct shortly afterwards. However, larval forms, with their morphological diversity, are largely neglected in such studies, but may provide important insights into morphological and ecological diversity and its changes in the past.ResultsWe present here a new fossil insectan larva, a larval lacewing, in Cretaceous amber, exhibiting a rather unusual, ‘experimental’ morphology. The specimen possesses extremely large (in relation to body size) mandibulo-maxillary piercing stylets. Additionally, the labial palps are very long and are subdivided into numerous elements, overall appearing antenniform. In other aspects, the larva resembles many other neuropteran-type larvae.ConclusionsWe provide a comparison that includes quantitative aspects of different types of neuropteran larvae to emphasise the exceptionality of the new larva, and discuss its possible relationships to known lineages of Neuroptera; possible interpretations are closer relationships to Dilaridae or Osmylidae. In any case, several of the observed characters must have evolved convergently. With this new find, we expand the known morphological diversity of neuropterans in the Cretaceous fauna.

Complete metamorphosis of insects.

The majority of described hexapod species are holometabolous insects, undergoing an extreme form of metamorphosis with an intercalated pupal stage between the larva and adult, in which organs and tissues are extensively remodelled and in some cases completely rebuilt. Here, we review how and why this developmental strategy has evolved. While there are many theories explaining the evolution of metamorphosis, many of which fit under the hypothesis of decoupling of life stages, there are few clear adaptive hypotheses on why complete metamorphosis evolved. We propose that the main adaptive benefit of complete metamorphosis is decoupling between growth and differentiation. This facilitates the exploitation of ephemeral resources and enhances the probability of the metamorphic transition escaping developmental size thresholds. The evolution of complete metamorphosis comes at the cost of exposure to predators, parasites and pathogens during pupal life and requires specific adaptations of the immune system at this time. Moreover, metamorphosis poses a challenge for the maintenance of symbionts and the gut microbiota, although it may also offer the benefit of allowing an extensive change in microbiota between the larval and adult stages. The regulation of metamorphosis by two main players, ecdysone and juvenile hormone, and the related signalling cascades are now relatively well understood. The mechanics of metamorphosis have recently been studied in detail because of the advent of micro-CT and research into the role of cell death in remodelling tissues and organs. We support the argument that the adult stage must necessarily have preceded the larval form of the insect. We do not resolve the still contentious question of whether the larva of insects in general originated through the modification of existing preadult forms or through heterochrony as a modified embryonic stage (pronymph), nor whether the holometabolous pupa arose as a modified hemimetabolous final stage larva. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolution of complete metamorphosis'.

A longitudinal analysis of albendazole treatment effect on neurocysticercosis cyst evolution using multistate models.

In neurocysticercosis, the larval form of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium appears to evolve through three phases-active, degenerative and sometimes calcification-before disappearance. The antihelmintic drug, albendazole, has been shown to hasten the resolution of active cysts in neurocysticercosis. Little is known about the time cysts take to progress through each phase, with or without treatment. We reconfigured brain imaging data from patient level to cyst level for 117 patients in a randomized clinical trial of albendazole in which images were taken at baseline, 1, 6, 12 and 24 mo. Applying a multistate model, we modelled the hazard of a cyst evolving to subsequent cyst phases before the next imaging (vs no change). We examined the impact of albendazole treatment overall and by patient and cyst characteristics on the hazard. Albendazole accelerated the evolution from the active to degenerative phase (HR=2.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.5) and from the degenerative phase to disappearance (HR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.9). Albendazole's impact was stronger for patients who were male, did not have calcified cysts at baseline and who had multiple cysts in different locations. This research provides a better understanding of where in the cyst trajectory albendazole has the greatest impact.

Identification of antigen B (AgB) Gene polymorphism in cattle and sheep isolates of Echinococcus granulosus and investigation of effects on serological diagnosis

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide common helminth disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus. The aim of this study is to determine the genetic differences between distinct isolates of E. granulosus obtained from cattle and sheep and determine the polymorphism of the AgB1 gene by DNA sequence analysis, as well as investigating its relationship with serological response using ELISA and Western Blot tests. For this aim, germinal membranes of hydatid cysts of 30 cattle and 30 sheep from the provinces of Elazig and Erzincan in Turkey and serum samples of these animals were collected. Following isolation of the total genomic DNA, the 12S rRNA gene of all isolates was amplified by PCR for genetic characterization, and the mt−CO1 gene region was examined by DNA sequence analysis. The gDNAs were then amplified by PCR using AgB1-specific primers, and genetic variation was investigated by DNA sequence analysis. At the final stage, all serum samples were analyzed by ELISA and Western Blot tests using a partially purified hydatid cyst fluid antigen. As a result, 114 (95%) of the 120 isolates were determined to be E. granulosus sensu stricto by using 12S rRNA-PCR. Subsequently, the DNA sequence analysis of the remaining 6 samples of the mt−CO1 gene revealed that all samples were E. granulosus sensu stricto. According to the DNA sequence analysis that followed, nucleotide changes in the AgB1 gene were observed in 13 (10.8%) of 120 samples. With this study, 9 (69.2%) out of 13 hydatid cysts in which polymorphism was detected by DNA sequence analysis in their AgB1 gene were found to be positive with ELISA, and 6 (46.1%) were found positive by WB. While 80 (74.7%) of 107 non-polymorphic samples in the AgB1 gene were found to be positive with ELISA, and 75 (70.9%) were positive with WB. As a result, variation in different ratios was determined in the AgB1 gene of E. granulosus sensu stricto, and it was determined that this had a partial effect on serological response.

A rare case of the simultaneous location of Echinococcus multilocularis in the liver and the head of the pancreas: case report analysis and review of literature

BackgroundEchinococcosis multilocularis (Hydatid Disease - HD) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus multilocularis (EM). The main sites for this zoonosis are the Middle East, China, India, Alaska, and Siberia. It is rather rare in Europe. In Poland, the Warmian-Masurian Province is the endemic region for Echinococcus multilocularis. The clinical manifestation of the disease is dependent on the location, the size of the cyst and the development stage of the parasite. Considering the uncommon character of echinococcosis in Central Europe, especially such located in the areas outside the liver and lungs, the authors would like to present a case of coexistence in one patient of two EM foci in the liver and the head of the pancreas.Case presentationWe present a clinical case of a 32-year-old man who was diagnosed with a cystic lesion with septa and calcification in the sixth segment of the liver and a suspicious change in the head of the pancreas. ELISA Em 2 plus test was positive, Western Blot method - the P-5 pattern showed an image that is characteristic of an EM infection. The sixth liver segment with a tumour and a tumour from the head of pancreas were excised by means of laparotomy. On the 6th day after the surgery the patient was discharged from hospital without complications and in good condition. Currently, he is under the control of a parasitic and zoonotic clinic. He takes an 800 mg daily dosage of Albendazole.ConclusionsThe presented clinical case shows that if we have a patient with cystic / tumour change in the pancreas and positive immunological tests, CT and MRI of the abdominal cavity are usually sufficient in order to fully diagnose and to qualify such a person for surgery. The most effective treatment is surgical treatment supplemented with pre- and postsurgical treatment with Albendazole.

Distribution of larval and juvenile pelagic squids in the Kerguelen Axis region: Oceanographic influence on size structure and evidence of spawning locations

Pelagic squids are a key component in Southern Ocean ecosystems. Most species have a circumpolar distribution that is patchy in relation to major oceanographic features. However, little is known regarding where and when they spawn, or subsequently, what environmental predictors drive the size distribution particularly during early life stages. Here, we relate the size distribution of larval and juvenile squids to the oceanographic conditions around the southern Kerguelen Plateau. This is an important foraging area for many predators of squid, but there has been very little sampling effort for squids to date in that area. Seven squid species from six families were captured using depth-stratified mid-water trawls. The squids had a mantle length (ML) ranging from 7.3 to 680.1 mm, and were at their larval and juvenile form with the exception of two larger mature Galiteuthis glacialis (431.4 mm and 680.1 mm ML). Squids at stages 0 to I were predominant (ML < 100 mm), with a single size mode for each species, suggesting that these species may use the plateau as a spawning and/or nursery ground. Larger individuals (>100 mm ML, above maturity stage I) were generally observed more in the southeast of the study domain. Squid size was positively associated with lower minimal water column temperature, higher surface chlorophyll-a concentration, and both the deepest and shallowest layers of the water column. The spatial distribution may be adaptive, helping to reduce inter- and intra-species competition and increase survivorship during early life stages. The reported relationships provide important new insights into the biophysical drivers of pelagic squid habitats around the Southern Ocean. These data significantly increase the known range of several Southern Ocean species and present implications for spawning habitat that warrant further investigation.

The Role of Flexible Neuroendoscopy in Spinal Neurocysticercosis: Technical Note and Report of 3 Cases

Neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Taenia solium, is the most common parasitic disease affecting the human central nervous system. The incidence of spinal neurocysticercosis in endemic regions ranges from 0.25% to 5.85%. Surgery is preferred when medical treatment fails to achieve control of the symptoms or when multiple cysts are present. We describe the use of spinal flexible endoscopy for patients with spinal neurocysticercosis who failed to achieve control with standard treatment. Three patients with limb weakness and pain underwent a midline interspinous approach at the L5-S1 level to access the lumbar cistern. The flexible endoscope was introduced, the subarachnoid space was inspected, and the cysticerci were extracted. In 1 patient with cervical subarachnoid blockage, a 3-cm suboccipital craniotomy and removal of the posterior arch of C1 were performed to place a subarachnoid-to-subarachnoid catheter going from the craniocervical junction to the thoracic region. Removal of the cysticerci was possible in all cases. No complications related to the surgery were observed. All patients received medical treatment for 2-3 months, and all symptoms were solved. Flexible spinal endoscopy is a feasible and valuable tool in patients with spinal neurocysticercosis that do not respond adequately to standard treatment. It helps restore cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and can be used to place shunt catheters under guided vision. Longer endoscopes are needed to explore the entire spinal subarachnoid space with a single approach, and more research in this area is needed.

First report of Echinococcus multilocularis in cats in Poland: a monitoring study in cats and dogs from a rural area and animal shelter in a highly endemic region

BackgroundAlveolar echinococcosis is a dangerous zoonotic disease caused by larval forms of Echinococcus multilocularis. In its life-cycle, the principal definitive host is the red fox; however, domesticated carnivorous animals (dogs and cats) can also act as definitive hosts. Until now, there were no data concerning this infection in cats in Poland. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of E. multilocularis in cats and dogs originating from rural areas and animal shelters in a region characterised by a high prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes.MethodsSamples of faeces were collected from 67 cats and 268 dogs from a rural area (villages and animal shelters) of a highly endemic region in southeastern Poland. Samples were examined using nested PCR (E. multilocularis), multiplex PCR (E. multilocularis, Taenia spp.) and PCR [E. granulosus (s.l.)]. Additionally, faeces were examined microscopically (flotation). Moreover, intestines from 110 red foxes shot in the investigated area were examined (sedimentation and counting technique).ResultsPositive PCR results for E. multilocularis were obtained in 4 cats (6.0%) and 4 dogs (1.5%). There were no significant differences between groups of animals (from a shelter and with an owner) concerning the prevalence of E. multilocularis in both cats and dogs. Taenia spp. were found in 10 cats (14.9%) (Taenia taeniaeformis and T. hydatigena) and 26 dogs (9.7%) (T. hydatigena, T. serialis, T. taeniaeformis, T. crassiceps, T. pisiformis and T. ovis) and Mesocestoides litteratus was found in 4 cats (6.0%) and 3 dogs (1.1%). All samples were negative for E. granulosus by PCR. Taking into consideration PCR and flotation results, 29 cats (43.3%) and 73 dogs (27.2%) were infected with helminths (26.9 and 11.9%, respectively, were infected with tapeworms). The highly endemic status of the investigated area was confirmed by examination of red foxes: 48.2% of examined red foxes were infected with E. multilocularis.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this study reports the presence of E. multilocularis in cats for the first time in Poland and confirms the role of dogs in this infection in highly endemic areas.

Modeling Quantitative Value of Habitats for Marine and Estuarine Populations

Coastal habitats (e.g., seagrass beds, shallow mud, and sand flats) strongly influence survival, growth, and reproduction of marine fish and invertebrate species. Many of these species have declined over the past decades, coincident with widespread degradation of coastal habitats, such that an urgent need exists to model the quantitative value of coastal habitats to their population dynamics. For exploited species, demand for habitat considerations will increase as fisheries management contends with habitat issues in stock assessments andmanagement in generalmoves toward amore ecosystem-based approach. The modeling of habitat function has, to date, been done on a case-by-case basis involving diverse approaches and types of population models, which has made it difficult to generalize about methods for incorporating habitat into population models. In this review, we offer guiding concepts for how habitat effects can be incorporated in population models commonly used to simulate the population dynamics of fish and invertebrate species. Many marine species share a similar life-history strategy as long-lived adults with indeterminate growth, high fecundity, a planktonic larval form, and benthic juveniles and adults using coastal habitats. This suite of life-history traits unites the marine species across the case studies, such that the population models can be adapted for other marine species. We categorize population models based on whether they are static or dynamic representations of population status, and for dynamic, further into unstructured, age/size class structured, and individual-based. We then use examples, with an emphasis on exploited species, to illustrate how habitat has been incorporated, implicitly (correlative) and explicitly(mechanistically), into each of these categories. We describe the methods used and provide details on their implementation and utility to facilitate adaptation of the approaches for other species and systems. We anticipate that our review can serve as a stimulus for more widespread use of population models to quantify the value of coastal habitats, so that their importance can be accurately realized and to facilitate cross-species and cross-system comparisons. Quantitative evaluation of habitat effects in population dynamics will increasingly be needed for traditional stock assessments, ecosystem-based management, conservation of at-risk habitats, and recovery of overexploited stocks that rely on critical coastal habitats during their life cycle.

DNA barcoding reveals underestimated species diversity of mantis shrimp larvae (stomatopods) in Banten Bay, Indonesia

Abstract. Abinawanto, Intan MDB, Wardhana W, Bowolaksono A. 2019. DNA barcoding reveals species diversity of mantis shrimp larvae (stomatopods) from Banten Bay, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1758-1763. Larvae of stomatopods can be morphologically identified by linking between larval and adult form, but it's difficult applied in the laboratory because of requirement of condition to rearing larvae collected either from plankton, or spawning adults in the laboratory. Molecular methods are the alternative approach to gather accurate taxonomic identification. One of molecular methods is DNA barcoding based upon sequence diversity in cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Research on stomatopod larvae diversity and distribution at six stations in Banten Bay has been studied from October 2013 to March 2014. This study was conducted to identify the diversity of stomatopod larvae through DNA barcoding and also to examine the distribution of stomatopod larvae in Banten Bay. DNA barcoding was used to identify mantis shrimp larvae in Banten Bay, Indonesia. Partial mitochondrial COI were obtained for 37 larvae, revealing five distinct molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). All MOTUs distinctively fell into Squillidea clade. Two Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units, MOTUs were successfully identified to species level (i.e. Anchisquilla fasciata), while three others remained identified to genus level (i.e. Stomatopoda spp). The intraspecific variation of COI ranged from 0% to 3.1% (Kimura 2-parameter distance), whereas interspecific divergence ranged from 5.9% to 20.4%. These results imply that COI genes are suitable for species identification of stomatopod larvae in this area, though the number of unidentified species was higher than the identified ones. This is likely because of the limited database in GenBank. In addition, the two identified species represents new records for this area, suggesting that the mantis shrimp in the area have been underestimated based on traditional biodiversity measures. We recommend to develop a taxonomically-comprehensive DNA barcoding database to improve the accuracy and feasibility of using DNA barcoding for species identification of Indonesia mantis shrimps.

HELMINTH FAUNA OF MUSTELIDS (NEOVISON VISON, LUTRA LUTRA, MARTES MARTES, MUSTELA PUTORIUS, MELES MELES) AT CENTER OF EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA (Preliminary results)

Helminthological autopsies of Mustelids from various districts of Pskov, Тver and Smolensk region were carried out. To determine the prevalence rates of the infestation, an extensive invasion index was used. According to the results of helminthological autopsies, a list of detected helminthes is given. For the first time on the study area, 14 species of helminthes were recorded in studied Mustelids. Two of the found species of helminthes parasitize in Mustelids in larval form. The maximum variety of species is observed among the Nematoda class. The data on the number of detected helminth species in Mustelids in certain districts of the Tver, Pskov and Smolensk regions, as well as indicators of the frequency of helminthes were given. The maximum number of helminth species is recorded in Mustelids in the Novosokolnichesky district of the Pskov region. Extensiveness of invasion of all studied species of Mustelids, excluding otter, is 100%. According to the indicators of extensiveness of invasion in the studied Mustelids, Isthmiophora melis, Capillaria mucronata, Capillaria putorii, Filaroides martis are prevalent. The maximum number of species of parasitic worms is recorded in pine marten. The research results indicate the dominant influence of the trophic factor in the formation of the helminth fauna of martens that inhabit the study areas.

Massive infection of a song thrush by Mesocestoides sp. (Cestoda) tetrathyridia that genetically match acephalic metacestodes causing lethal peritoneal larval cestodiasis in domesticated mammals

BackgroundPeritoneal larval cestodiasis induced by Mesocestoides Vaillant, 1863 (Cyclophyllidea: Mesocestoididae) is a common cause of severe infections in domestic dogs and cats, reported also from other mammals and less frequently from birds. However, there is a limited knowledge on the taxonomy of causative agents of this disease.ResultsIn the present study, we investigated a massive, likely lethal, infection of a song thrush Turdus philomelos (Passeriformes: Turdidae) by Mesocestoides sp. tetrathyridia. We performed combined morphological and phylogenetic analysis of the tetrathyridia and compared them with the materials obtained previously from other birds and mammals. The metrical data fitted within the wide range reported by previous authors but confirmed the limited value of morphological data for species identification of tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides spp. The molecular analyses suggested that the isolates represented an unidentified Mesocestoides sp. that was previously repeatedly isolated and sequenced in larval and adult forms from domestic dogs and cats in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In contrast to the present study, which found encysted tetrathyridia, four of the five previous studies that identified the same species described infections by acephalic metacestodes only.ConclusionsThe tetrathyridia of the examined Mesocestoides sp. are described in the present study for the first time. However, the possible match with the species that were previously reported to infect birds remains uncertain. The phylogenetic analyses also suggested the rejection of two cases that were previously identified as Mesocestoides corti as they were likely caused by the same species as in the presently reported infection case. The newly provided DNA sequences should allow the assignment to species in the future, when adults of the genus Mesocestoides are more thoroughly sequenced.