Numerous Larvae Research Articles

Description of Jolyelmis spangleri a new species from Churí-tepui (Chimantá Massif, Venezuela), with a description of the larva of J. spangleri and J. reitmaieri (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elmidae)

Four species have been recognized in the genus Jolyelmis Spangler & Faitoute; all collected at isolated table mountains,mostly in cool stenothermal hypocrenal streams. The known distribution of the genus is confined to Venezuela, and eachspecies is here reported as endemic for the respective table mountain where it has been found. Samples from Churí-tepuiand Mount Roraima in south-eastern Venezuela contained numerous adults and larvae of Elmidae among which is a newspecies, Jolyelmis spangleri, which is here described. The new species is illustrated and keyed with all other Jolyelmis,and new distributional data for J. reitmaieriČiampor, Jr. & Kodada are included. Molecular analysis of partial cytochromeoxidase subunit I (cox1) confirmed conspecific life stages for two species: J. spangleri and J. reitmaieri. The larva of eachspecies is described and illustrated, and the generic diagnosis for Jolyelmis larvae is provided. Among the known larvaeof South American Elmidae, larvae of the genus Xenelmis Hinton appear to be the most similar. Morphological similarities are discussed. Habitats of adults and larvae are briefly described and illustrated by photographs.

Invasive intestinal myiasis in a young male presenting as fungating rectal mass: An unusual presentation

Intestinal myiasis is usually an accidental phenomenon which is transient and asymptomatic. It occurs due to intake of contaminated food or water containing fly larvae or eggs. We report a case of invasive intestinal myiasis presenting with complaint of pain, blood-mixed mucous discharge per rectum along with passage of maggots in stool. On proctoscopy an irregular fungating rectal growth with maggots was detected in rectum and anal canal. Excision of growth with diversion colostomy was done. On histopathology numerous variable-sized larvae in different stages of development were detected throughout the inflamed and necrosed bowel wall. No tumor was seen. With maintenance of proper hygiene, vermicide anti inflammatory and purgatives were given. Patient became alright after colostomy closure. The symptomatic presentation as a mass lesion and necessity for surgical intervention prompted us to report this rare case.

Pulmonary strongyloidiasis associated CD3+ large granular lymphocytosis

We report a case of pulmonary strongyloidiasis in a patient with large granular lymphocytosis. He was on short-term high dose immunosuppressant therapy. A 77-year-old white male presented to the emergency room with fever and shortness of breath for 10 days. The patient had been diagnosed about 3 months prior to this presentation with “large granular lymphocytosis” (LGL) after a workup for pancytopenia. Methotrexate and prednisone had been started 1 month ago for the treatment of LGL. Five days prior to the current presentation, he had been started on moxifloxacin as an outpatient but got progressively worse and came to an emergency room. Bronchial washings (bronchoalveolar lavage) demonstrated numerous filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. The patient was treated with ivermectin and improved. Pulmonary strongyloidiasis should be considered in the differential if X-ray findings show a interstitial or alveolar pattern and if the patient has visited the endemic areas, even in the remote past.

First report of a North American invasive mosquito species Ochlerotatus atropalpus (Coquillett) in the Netherlands, 2009

In late August and early September 2009, numerous larvae, pupae, and actively flying adult specimens of Ochlerotatus atropalpus were discovered in the Province of Brabant, southern Netherlands, during surveillance activities for Aedes albopictus at two trading companies that import used tires. No Ae. albopictus were found. Both companies mainly import used tires from countries in Europe, but also from North America. Oc. atropalpus is endemic to North America and has so far only been found outside of its endemic range in Europe, namely France and Italy, where it was subsequently eradicated. A preliminary modelling study shows that the weather conditions in the Netherlands are unlikely to prevent establishment of Oc. atropalpus. This species has so far only been shown to serve as a vector for virus transmission under laboratory conditions. Studies on potential human and veterinary health risks, as well as possible control strategies are currently ongoing.

Miasis ótica. A propósito de un caso

Otic myiasis is rare in developed countries and is related to environmental conditions and poor hygiene. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with pain and tinnitus in the left ear lasting for one week. Physical examination in the emergency room showed numerous dipteran larvae totally occupying the external auditory canal. After the diagnosis of otic myiasis, the larvae were removed and the patient was discharged after 24hours of medical observation. The diagnosis of otic myiasis is by means of direct visualization of the larvae in the ear cavities and treatment includes the removal of larvae from the ear. Prognosis is generally good.

Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis: Three-dimensional structure of a female imago and crusted scabies lesions by X-ray micro-CT

The three-dimensional structure of scabies mites ( Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and keratin layers affected by crusted scabies lesions were obtained using X-ray computed tomography at sub-micrometer and micrometer resolution, respectively (X-ray micro-CT). Clear three-dimensional images including internal structure of scabies mites were obtained. Utilizing reconstructed micro-CT data, the sections of the capitulum (head part), digestive organs, and legs are shown. The reconstructed capitulum shows a jaw-like structure capable of penetrating the keratin layer of the skin. The tip of the forelegs of female scabies mites has a flat disk structure that may be used to grasp the skin surface. The keratin layer of a crusted scabies lesion spontaneously exfoliated from a patient was also reconstructed by the X-ray micro-CT technique. Extracted sections from CT data revealed a network structure of tunnels made by scabies mites with numerous larvae and eggs inside the tunnels.

Wound Myiasis in a Patient with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A 60-year-old, otherwise healthy, male farmer presented to our Dermatology Department with a large ulcer on his lower right leg. The lesion had started as a small papule 6 months before, which became eroded and transformed into a rather rapidly progressive ulcer. On careful inspection, numerous larvae were found moving within the wound. The larvae were analyzed and found to be Lucilia sericata (the green bottle blowfly). The lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as squamous cell carcinoma. The myiasis was treated by submerging the wound in a dilute permanganate potassium solution.

Otic myiasis. Case report

Otic myiasis is rare in developed countries and is related to environmental conditions and poor hygiene. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with pain and tinnitus in the left ear lasting for 1 week. Physical examination in the emergency room showed numerous dipteran larvae totally occupying the external auditory canal. Following diagnosis of otic myiasis, the larvae were removed and the patient was discharged after 24 hours of medical observation. The diagnosis of otic myiasis is by means of direct visualization of the larvae in the ear cavities and treatment includes the removal of larvae from the ear. Prognosis is generally good.

The influence of desiccation and UV radiation on the development and survival of free-living stages of cyathostomins under field and laboratory conditions

Abstract The present work describing both laboratory and field experiments was performed to assess the effects of desiccation and UV radiation on the development and survival of free-living stages of equine cyathostomins. Cyathostomin larvae in horse faeces did not develop to the infective stage when faecal humidity levels dropped below 23 %, nonetheless solitary preinfective larvae were still recovered after 151 days (humidity 19.5 %). The development to infective stage after remoistening occurred for the last time after 54 days following desiccation. Preinfective stages are susceptible to the effects of the direct desiccation stage. The preinfective larvae were rapidly killed within one minute, the cyathostomin eggs within 5 hours. The numerous normal mobile infective larvae were encountered after 35 days of the desiccated period. The preinfective stage of cyathostomins also showed very little tolerance to direct sun radiation: most eggs were killed by the exposure within 3 hours and the preinfective larvae within 1 hour. The survival of infective larvae was, on the other hand, unaffected by sun radiation after 7 days (P < 0.05). However, desiccated infective larvae were then found to be susceptible to UV radiation, resulting in total mortalities after 5 days.

FIRST RECORD OF AEDES JAPONICUS JAPONICUS IN ILLINOIS: DEFINING ITS SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ASSOCIATED MOSQUITO SPECIES

Since the initial discovery of Aedes japonicus japonicus in 1998 from sites in the northeastern United States (New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey), this invasive mosquito species now permeates local faunas throughout eastern North America and continues to expand its distribution westward. In July and August of 2006, the 1st reported specimens of Ae. japonicus were detected in east central Illinois at 2 woodlots in southern Urbana. Sampling efforts were concentrated around the site of the original detection. Dry ice-baited light traps and gravid traps caught 26,421 mosquitoes, with 5 and 6 Ae. japonicus recovered from each trap type, respectively. Although numerous larvae were found in 1 woodlot, they were restricted to a single container, a child's plastic swimming pool. Routine weekly mosquito sampling for West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance in Urbana and the adjacent city of Champaign (gravid and dry ice-baited traps placed in agricultural, industrial, residential, and urban parks) failed to detect Ae. japonicus outside of the 2 woodlots. Despite previous reports of Ae. japonicus from the adjacent states of Indiana and Missouri in 2004 and 2005, the extremely localized spatial distribution and low abundance of this species strongly suggests a recent introduction. If Ae. japonicus follows previous trends in the United States and Canada, within 1-3 years after it becomes established, its abundance, frequency of detection, and spatial distribution will significantly expand. Aedes japonicus has some characteristics of a bridge vector for West Nile virus because of its vector competency, ability to feed on mammals and birds, and potential abundance near sites of known WNV transmission in Illinois.

Biomass and production of the euphausiid Euphausia pacifica along the coastal waters off north-eastern Japan

Biomass and production of Euphausia pacifica off south-eastern Hokkaido (41–43°N), Sanriku (38–41°N), and Joban (36–38°N) were investigated every two months from March 1997 to February 1998. High biomass was found in summer-autumn off south-eastern Hokkaido, and in the late winter-early summer off Sanriku and Joban. Annual mean biomass was 381, 314 and 258 mg C/m2 off south-eastern Hokkaido, Sanriku, and Joban, respectively. The total production (sum of flesh, moults and eggs) during the survey period off south-eastern Hokkaido (3829 mg C/m2) was comparable with that off Sanriku (3872 mg C/m2); both were much higher than that off Joban (2243 mg C/m2). Somatic production during the survey period contributed the highest proportion (51.5–70.9%) to the total production in each coastal area. The somatic production-biomass ratio in each coastal area (5.2–6.9) was an intermediate value among 25 populations of 16 euphausiid species previously reported. This effect resulted from the negative factor of stagnated growth of adults during summer-winter, coupled with positive factors including continuous occurrence of larvae which show high growth rate throughout the year off Sanriku and Joban, and the numerous larvae occurring in October off south-eastern Hokkaido.

DEVELOPMENT AND PATHOGENESIS OF PARELAPHOSTRONGYLUS ODOCOILEI (NEMATODA: PROTOSTRONGYLIDAE) IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED THINHORN SHEEP (OVIS DALLI)

Recently, the protostrongylid nematode Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei has been reported in a new host species, thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli). For the first time, we completed the life cycle of P. odocoilei in three Stone's sheep (O. dalli stonei) and two thinhorn hybrids (O. dalli stonei x O. dalli dalli), each infected with 200 third-stage larvae from slugs (Deroceras laeve). The prepatent period ranged from 68 days to 74 days, and shedding of first-stage larvae (L1) peaked at >10,000 L1 per gram of feces between 90 and 110 days postinfection. A total of 75, 27, and 14 adult P. odocoilei were recovered from skeletal muscles of three Stone's sheep. Starting in the prepatent period, all infected sheep lost weight and developed peripheral eosinophilia. At 2 wk before patency, two thinhorn hybrids developed neurologic signs (hind end ataxia, loss of conscious proprioception, and hyperesthesia) that resolved at patency. Eosinophilic pleocytosis and antibody to Parelaphostrongylus spp. were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of the affected sheep, suggesting that the migration route of the "muscleworm" P. odocoilei may involve the central nervous system. Twenty days after treatment with ivermectin, neurologic signs recurred and larval shedding ceased in one infected thinhorn hybrid, whereas multiple treatments transiently suppressed but did not eliminate larval shedding in the other. During patency, two Stone's sheep with numerous eggs and larvae of P. odocoilei in the lungs died of respiratory failure following anesthesia or exertion. Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei has widespread geographic distribution, high prevalence, the possibility of causing neurologic and respiratory disease, resistance to treatment, and may constitute a significant emerging disease risk for thinhorn sheep.

Surto de dictiocaulose em bovinos no município de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

Uma doença respiratória com morbidade de 7,1% e letalidade de 13,3% foi diagnosticada em terneiros de corte de 5 a 7 meses de idade na região central do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Clinicamente, os bovinos apresentavam anorexia, perda de peso, tosse, taquipnéia, dispnéia, respiração abdominal e secreção nasal serosa. Lesões de necropsia observadas em dois terneiros incluíam acentuado edema pulmonar, enfisema e atelectasia pulmonares associados a nematódeos filiformes intra-bronquiais, com 8 a 10 cm de comprimento, morfologicamente compatíveis com Dictyocaulus viviparus. Histologicamente havia broncopneumonia fibrinosupurativa, peribronquite e peribronquiolite linfo-histioplasmocitária, hiperplasia do epitélio brônquico, bronquiolite obliterante e hiperplasia de pneumócitos tipo II. No interior dos brônquios e bronquíolos, observaram-se muitos exemplares adultos de D. viviparus. Nos alvéolos, ovos e larvas cercados por numerosos eosinófilos e poucas células gigantes multinucleadas também foram encontrados.

Sponge Coating Decreases Predation On The Bivalve Arca Noae

Mediterranean populations of the bivalve Arca noae were found to be specifically fouled by the demosponge Crambe crambe. The surface of the shells forms spines which favour settlement of the sponge larvae. The reproductive strategy of this symbiotic sponge contrasts with other Mediterranean sponges, which produce numerous small larvae, while Crambe crambe produces relatively small numbers of quite large larvae containing secondary metabolites. The selective shell fouling of Arca noae suggests that this is behavioural farming of a chemically defended sponge by a bivalve which does not sequester or synthesize de novo metabolites. Some of the observed benefits of this symbiosis are the enhanced survival of the bivalve, and the sponge being able to live in a site free of competitors. This mutual symbiosis is optional for the sponge but essential for the bivalve, since the fouled bivalves can use the secondary metabolites produced by the sponge to deter predators. We tested the effects of sponge epibiosis on predator preferences. Feeding trials were carried out on the starfish Marthasterias glacialis and the snail Hexaplex trunculus in Hornillo Bay, SE Spain. When A. noae fouled by the sponge Crambe crambe were offered to starfish and snails, they survived significantly more than unfouled bivalves. Field studies in the Mar Menor lagoon indicate that the aposymbiotic populations of A. noae have disappeared from this hypersaline lagoon due to the biological invasion by the non-native snail Hexaplex trunculus. This symbiotic relationship was also effective against octopus. Aposymbiotic bivalves were rapidly eaten when presented to octopuses, while fouled bivalves were consistently rejected.

Trichoptera (Insecta) collected in Mediterranean river basins of the Iberian Peninsula: taxonomic remarks and notes on ecology

As a result of the GUADALMED project, undertaken in Iberian Mediterranean basins, to which were added samples taken by the junior author in the area, we collected numerous caddisfly larvae, pupae and adults. Some larvae were also reared in the lab to obtain adults and allow proper identification. A total of 90 species were identified, which accounts for more than a fourth of the species known in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands. Here we confirm the presence of doubtful species in the Iberian Peninsula (Glyphotaelius pellucidus) and we expand the distribution range of others (Lype reducta, Micrasema minimum, Limnephilus guadarramicus, Sericostoma pyrenaicum). Moreover, because of the unconformity of morphological larval characteristics with present taxonomical keys (Mesophylax aspersus) or lack of larvae descriptions (Allogamus mortoni, Stenophylax espanioli), here we include some relevant taxonomical aspects that are useful to identify larvae. A brief description of the larva of a possible new species of Hydropsyche (from now on H. gr. instabilis) is also given.

Morphological and biological study of Rhabdias spp. (Nematoda) from African chameleons with description of a new species.

Lung-dwelling females of Rhabdias (Rhabdiasidae), and possible migrating ceolomic young females were searched for in 46 chameleons, belonging to seven species. Rhabdias chamaeleonis, the single species identified to date in Africa, was found in Chamaeleo (Trioceros) johnstoni and C. (T.) hoehnelii, and redescribed; the sizes of the buccal capsule and oesophagus were stable compared to the length of the female parasiles, which varied from 6 mm to 22 mm in length. A second species, R. jarki n. sp., was identified from one C. (T.) johnstoni; it differed from R. chamaeleonis in the shape of anterior region, the longer and slender oesophagus (ratio bulb diameter-body diameter at that level about 1/5 instead of 1/2), the arrangement of the head papillae, the shape of the buccal capsule, and the anatomy of the genital apparatus: one of the ovaries (the anterior or posterior one according to the specimen) had a band of small cells, among larger ovocytes of the synapsis zone, which were likely to generate the spermatozoa present in the oviducts, whereas these two elements were absent from R. chamaeleonis. The parasitic females of R. jarki thus appeared to be hermaphroditic, whereas those of R. chamaeleonis appeared to be parthenogenetic. The free living phase of these Rhabdias species was heterogonic. The infective larva of R. chamaeleonis was 360-590 microns long, unmolile and at third stage inside the maternal cuticle. The free-living male of R. jarki was described. The numerous infective larvae recovered from cultures of unidentified Rhabdias were all in maternal cuticle (one larva/female instead of two as in R. gemellipara from Calumma parsonii, from Madagascar) and two kinds of larvae were identified, R. chamaeleonis and larvae 700-900 microns long provisionally identified to R. jarki. The behaviour of infective larvae and a few successful infections of insects suggest that, in the field, insect transport hosts are involved in transmission and in preventing infective larvae from drying out.

ARCHITECTURE, POPULATION SIZE, MYRMECOPHILES, AND MITES IN AN EXCAVATED NEST OF THE HONEY POT ANT, MYRMECOCYSTUS MENDAX WHEELER, IN ARIZONA

Abstract A nest of the honey ant (Myrmecocystus mendax), excavated in October 2000 at an elevation of 5,500 ft near Portal, Arizona, contained 2,797 ants: 1,991 workers, 18 callows, 29 winged queens, 169 winged males, and 590 swollen ants. The swollen ants varied in weight from 0.017 to 0.608 g and had gasters ranging in color from light to dark amber. The nest also contained numerous larvae, 6 pupae, the ant-loving cricket (Myrmecophilia), a staphylinid larva, collembolans, and mites (Gymnolaelaps). The 36 chambers of the nest radiated 10 to 55 cm from the entrance and ranged in depth from 11 to 105 cm.

Food habits of wolves in central Italy based on stomach and intestine analyses

We investigated wolfCanis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 food habits in central Italy by examining stomach and/or intestine contents of 59 individuals. Road accident and illegal kills were main causes of the wolves’ death. Ungulates represented the bulk of the diet (55% in frequency), and among them wild boar was the most important prey, followed by domestic Caprinae. Food items of domestic origin accounted for about 1/3 of all the diet. Diet composition did not vary between stomachs and intestines in spite of the higher degree of digestion of the intestines’ contents. The frequent detection of numerous larvae of Diptera and/or necrophagous Coleoptera, let suppose the consumption of already dead animals, and suggests a general underestimate of the wolf’s scavenging behaviour in previous studies based on scat analyses.

Hypolimnetic anoxia hampers top–down food‐web manipulation in a eutrophic lake

SUMMARY 1. A biomanipulation experiment was carried out in a small (10 ha), but relatively deep (17 m) and highly eutrophic lake in northern Poland. The lake had been stocked in 1996, 1997 and 1998 with a variety of piscivorous fish (pike, catfish, trout and pikeperch), in order to reduce numbers of cyprinid planktivores.2. Piscivore stocking was associated with a threefold decrease in the offshore fish density (night echosounding). Despite this reduction, the large planktonic cladoceran, Daphnia hyalina, remained scarce, whereas the density of small‐sized zooplankton increased greatly.3. The lack of demographic response in D. hyalina was probably due to the anoxia in the hypolimnetic refuge of this vertically migrating species. The anoxic hypolimnion, below 3–4 m depth, was inhabited day and night by numerous Chaoborus flavicans larvae.4. Changes in zooplankton were associated with shifts in the taxonomic composition (from single‐cell green algae to filamentous cyanobacteria), size structure (from nano‐ to net phytoplankton) and seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton, but not in the average biomass of planktonic algae. A clear‐water phase, which was absent in the prestocking years, developed in spring, with Secchi depth reaching 2.5 m, a value which had never been recorded in the 20 years preceding the biomanipulation. In general, the lake's status was switched from hypertrophic to eutrophic.5. Deteriorating food conditions, resulting from qualitative changes in the phytoplankton community, combined with predation pressure by the remaining fish and Chaoborus larvae were associated with the ultimate elimination of D. hyalina from the lake.

Foraging Behavior of Rhabdophis tigrinus (Serpentes: Colubridae) in a Gutter with a Dense Aggregation of Tadpoles.

Field observations were made on the foraging behavior of Rhabdophis tigrinus in a gutter where numerous Hyla japonica larvae aggregated. It seemed that not only chemical cues but also visual cues play important roles in the foraging behavior in this snake. Rhabdophis tigrinus performed predatory behaviors characteristic of generalists, not of aquatic specialists. Examinations of stomach contents revealed that froglets were the dominant prey item although tadpoles were seemingly more abundant in the gutter. It is likely that this biased predation on froglets is attributable to the differential vulnerability to predation among the developmental stages of the frog. The present observations support the idea that R. tigrinus is not well adapted to an aquatic life. Possible significance of success ratio of predatory attempt as an index is discussed.