Uterine Pore Research Articles

A new species of Grillotia Guiart, 1927 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from the spotted skate, Raja straeleni Poll, in South Africa

A new species of Grillotia Guiart, 1927 was recovered from the spotted skate (Raja straeleni Poll) from the south coast of the Western Cape, South Africa. Grillotia sasciae n. sp. is described based on morphological and molecular data. This species most closely resembles species in the subgenus Grillotia (viz., Grillotia borealis Keeney and Campbell, 2001, Grillotia brayi Beveridge and Campbell, 2007, Grillotia dollfusi Carvajal, 1971, Grillotia erinaceus Dollfus, 1969, Grillotia musculara Hart, 1936 and Grillotia patagonica Menoret and Ivanov, 2012) in having four hooks per principal row and intercalary hook rows in the metabasal region of the tentacular armature, a band of hooks on the external tentacular surface, numerous proglottids, and the presence of an uterine pore, a hermaphroditic sac, and internal and external seminal vesicles. The molecular phylogenetic analysis of the partial 28S rDNA gene, confirms the morphological data as it also groups Grillotia sasciae n. sp. within the G. erinaceus species complex. Grillotia sasciae n. sp. is distinctive among all other valid species in the complex by having two enlarged, uncinate hooks in the basal armature, of a different shape and size from the remaining hooks 1(1') in the metabasal armature. In addition, the retractor muscle of Grillotia sasciae n. sp. attaches at the posterior region of the tentacular bulb rather than the middle portion, continuing posteriorly as seen in most congeners (viz., G. erinaceus, G. borealis, G. brayi, G. musculara and G. pantagonica). The new species is the seventh species within the subgenus Grillotia and the first record of a species of Grillotia from southern African waters.

Morphology of surface ultrastructure of Duthiersia expansa (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) from water lizards (Varanus salvator) from Sidoarjo, Indonesia

Duthiersia expansa (D.expansa) is a cestoda of the family Diphyllobothriidae which is often found in the gut of water lizards (Varanus salvator). D. expansa worm infection is generally chronic and shows no obvious clinical symptoms but can cause weight loss, edema, ulceration of the intestinal mucosa to death. Although there have been no reports of D. expansa worm infections in humans, all types of animals have the potential to transmit diseases to humans both directly and indirectly. The present study being the first to describe morphology of surface ultrastructure of D. expansa using scanning electron microscopy in sidoarjo, indonesia, managed to compliment and verify the taxonomic valid characteristics of D.expansa as Asian Duthiersia form. Samples are collected by making incisions in the duodenum to the ileum. Sample preparation was carried out at the Airlangga University Medical School. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out at the Central Institute of Life Sciences Universitas Brawijaya. The results of scanning electron microscope examination show that fan-shaped worm scoleks, bothria in the lateral scolex, existence of posterior pores in scolecs, crasspedot-shaped strobila with uterine pore and different forms of microtriches in tegument of the skoleks and strobila

Identity of Spirometra theileri from a Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in Tanzania.

In the present study, a Spirometra species of Tanzania origin obtained from an African leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) was identified based on molecular analysis of cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (nad1) as well as by morphological observations of an adult tapeworm. One strobila and several segments of a Spirometra species were obtained from the intestine of an African male leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in the Maswa Game Reserve of Tanzania. The morphological characteristics of S. theileri observed comprised 3 uterine loops on one side and 4 on the other side of the mid-line, a uterine pore situated posterior to the vagina and alternating irregularly either to the right or left of the latter, and vesicular seminis that were much smaller than other Spirometra species. Sequence differences in the cox1 and nad1 genes between S. theileri (Tanzania origin) and S. erinaceieuropaei were 10.1% (cox1) and 12.0% (nad1), while those of S. decipiens and S. ranarum were 9.6%, 9.8% (cox1) and 13.0%, 12.6% (nad1), respectively. The morphological features of the Tanzania-origin Spirometra specimens coincided with those of S. theileri, and the molecular data was also consistent with that of S. theileri, thereby demonstrating the distribution of S. theileri in Tanzania. This places the leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) as new definitive hosts of this spirometrid tapeworm.

First Freshwater Bothriocephalidean (Cestoda) from Tropical South America, Closely Related to African Taxa.

Regobothrium microhamulinum n. gen. and n. sp. (Bothriocephalidea: Bothriocephalidae) is proposed to accommodate a new cestode from flatfish Catathyridium jenynsii (Chabanaud, 1922) (Pleuronectiformes: Acharidae; type host) and another 3 freshwater fishes of the orders Characiformes, Cyprinodontiformes, and Siluriformes in the Neotropical Region. The new genus is placed in the Bothriocephalidae because it possesses medioventral uterine and mediodorsal genital pores and a follicular vitellarium. Regobothrium n. gen. is characterized by possessing a tiny, slightly subovate scolex narrower than the strobila, with an apical disc armed with 2 semicircles of 15-17 tiny hooks in each and an acraspedote strobila. Regobothrium n. gen. differs from all bothriocephalid cestodes that have a scolex armed with hooks by their small size (maximum length less than 20 μm) and a triangular shape with the basal part (handle or basal plate) shorter than the distal coniform part (blade). In the other hooked bothriocephalids, hooks have a longer handle than a blade. Regobothrium microhamulinum n. gen. and n. sp. is the third bothriocephalidean cestode described from freshwater teleosts in South America but the first out of Patagonia. Molecular phylogenetics consider Regobothrium as a member of a lineage consisting of (up to now exclusively) freshwater bothriocephalids from the Ethiopian biogeographic region, thus indicating Gondwanan relationship.

Levisunguis subaequalis n. g., n. sp., a tongue worm (Pentastomida: Porocephalida: Sebekidae) infecting softshell turtles, Apalone spp. (Testudines: Trionychidae) in the southeastern United States

A new tongue worm (Pentastomida) belonging to the Sebekidae Sambon, 1922 (Porocephaloidea Sambon, 1922) is described based on exemplars collected from softshell terrapins Apalone spinifera aspera (Agassiz) and Apalone ferox (Schneider) in the southeastern United States; a new genus is erected to accommodate the new species. The new species belongs in the Sebekidae because adults possess four simple hooks arranged in a trapezoid pattern on the ventral surface of the cephalothorax, a mouth opening between the anterior and posterior pairs of hooks, a terminal anus, an elongated uterus with preanal uterine pore, and a Y-shaped seminal vesicle. Nymphs possess geminate hooks, and the new species has an aquatic life-cycle in which nymphs become encapsulated in the body cavity of a freshwater fish and mature in the lungs of a terrapin. The new genus is distinct from other genera in the Sebekidae primarily by differences in hook morphology and the fact that representatives use a terrapin as a definitive host. Nymphs infecting fish and presumed to be the new species matured as postlarval juveniles conspecific with the new species when they were fed to the eastern mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum (Lacépède). Nymphs of the new species are anatomically similar to but larger than nymphs of Sebekia mississippiensis Overstreet, Self & Vliet, 1985 found in the mesentery of fishes captured in Florida, U.S.A. Adults of the new species differ from those of S. mississippiensis based on hook features, chloride cell pore pattern on annuli, body size, and use of a turtle rather than crocodilian definitive host. The new species is the third North American member of the Sebekidae.

Description of Plerocerci and Adults of a New Species ofGrillotia(Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) in Teleosts and Elasmobranchs From the Patagonian Shelf Off Argentina

A new species of Grillotia was found from teleosts and elasmobranchs along the Patagonian shelf off Argentina. Grillotia patagonica n. sp. is described from plerocerci recovered from gadiform (Moridae) and perciform fish (Cheilodactylidae, Bovichtidae, and Nototheniidae) and adults from the smallthorn sand skate Psammobatis rudis (Rajiformes, Rajidae). Grillotia patagonica most closely resembles species in the Grillotia erinaceus species complex (viz., Grillotia borealis, Grillotia brayi, Grillotia dollfusi, G. erinaceus, and Grillotia musculara) in having 4 hooks per principal row and 2 or more intercalary rows in the metabasal region, a band of hooks on the external surface of the tentacle, numerous proglottids, a hermaphroditic sac, internal and external seminal vesicles, uterine pore, and attachment of the retractor muscle in the mid region of the tentacular bulb. Grillotia patagonica n. sp. is unique among all valid species in the genus by having the hooks on the first row reduced and of a different shape from the rest of the metabasal rows. Despite the diversity of elasmobranchs that are available as definitive hosts for species in Grillotia, most species (10/14) are oioxenous or mesostenoxenous. The specificity for the last intermediate host is variable among species of Grillotia, with most plerocerci being oioxenous (5/15) or euryxenous (8/15). Host specificity is higher for the adult stage in the definitive host (mean HS(S) = 4.07) than for the plerocerci (mean HS(S) = 7.30). All the species with oioxenous specificity (either larvae or adults) have limited geographic distributions. Some previous records of species of Grillotia from fishes caught off Argentina require reconsideration, i.e., G. erinaceus, Grillotia minuta (reported as Grillotia bothridiopunctata) and G. borealis . An updated host-parasite checklist for the valid species of Grillotia is also presented along with new host records for Grillotia carvajalregorum.

Validation of Christianella Guiart, 1931 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) and its taxonomic relationship with Grillotia Guiart, 1927

Christianella Guiart, 1931 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) is redefined as a subgenus of Grillotia Guiart, 1927 based on the type-species, G. (C.) minuta (van Beneden, 1849), from the elasmobranch Squatina squatina (Linnaeus). Grillotia smarisgora (Wagener, 1854) is treated as a synonym of G. (C.) minuta, as are G. angeli Dollfus, 1969 and G. bothridiopunctata Dollfus, 1969. Other species included in the subgenus are G. (C.) carvajalregorum Menoret & Ivanov, 2009 (formerly Progrillotia dollfusi Carvajal & Rego, 1983), G. (C.) australis Beveridge & Campbell, 2001, G. (C.) longispinis (Linton, 1890) n. comb. (formerly Rhynchobothrium longispine Linton, 1890) and G. (C.) yuniariae Palm, 2004. The subgenus is similar to Grillotia Guiart, 1927 (sensu stricto), having two bothria and an atypical heteroacanthous armature, but differs in having a single row of intercalary hooks, fewer, elongate segments with testes often in longitudinal columns, a distinctive basal armature, an internal seminal vesicle which extends beyond the cirrus or hermaphroditic sac and no uterine pore. The adults of three species are known, all parasitising members of Squatina Duméril.

Redescription of Proteocephalus glanduligerus (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea), a Parasite of Clariid Catfishes in Africa with a Unique Glandular Apical Organ

The tapeworm Proteocephalus glanduligerus (Janicki, 1928) Fuhrmann, 1933 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea), a parasite of clariid catfishes (Clarias spp.) in Africa, is redescribed on the basis of an evaluation of voucher material and newly collected specimens from Clarias gariepinus and C. cf. anguillaris from the Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Africa. The most typical characteristic of P. glanduligerus (previously misspelled as P. glanduligera or P. glanduliger) is the presence of an extremely large glandular apical organ, the size of which is 1.6-3.5 times larger than that of the suckers. In addition, other morphological characteristics unreported in previous accounts are provided, such as an unusual position of osmoregulatory canals (situated close to each other, with the dorsal canal latero-ventral to testes), the presence of a vaginal sphincter, several (usually 3-5) uterine pores, and eggs with paired lateral auricular swellings (extensions) of the outer envelope.

Redescription of Testudotaenia testudo (Magath, 1924) (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea), a parasite of Apalone spinifera (Le Sueur) (Reptilia: Trionychidae) and Amia calva L. (Pisces: Amiidae) in North America and erection of the Testudotaeniinae n. subfam.

Testudotaenia testudo (Magath, 1924) is redescribed from the intestine of the softshell turtle Apalone spinifera (Le Sueur) (Trionychidae) and the bowfin Amia calva Linnaeus (Amiidae) from Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, United States. A new subfamily, the Testudotaeniinae, is erected. The new taxon differs from all proteocephalidean subfamilies in the position of the genital organs in relation to the longitudinal internal musculature, i.e. the testes are cortical, rarely medullary; the ovary is partly medullary, with cortical lobes; the vitelline follicles are mainly medullary, with some follicles in the cortex; and the uterus is cortical. A key to the subfamilies of the order Proteocephalidea Mola, 1928 is provided. The most characteristic features of T. testudo are the precocious uterine aperture, the presence of internal uterine pores (as previously described for Proteocephalus paraguayensis (Rudin, 1917)), the eggs laid unripe, the very long strobila (up to 970 mm), and the presence of an anterior circular musculature in the suckers, which is considered as a good differential character. Three other species were found in Amia calva: Proteocephalus perplexus La Rue, 1911, P. ambloplitis (Leidy, 1887) and a new, undescribed form. Sequences of the partial nuclear 28S rRNA gene of specimens of T. testudo from Apalone spinulifera and Amia calva confirm the conspecificity of samples from these two very distinct hosts, which may represent a capture phenomenon. As the subfamily Adenobrechmoinae Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006 and the genus Adenobrechmos Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006 are based on the presence of an apical organ, a character which reflects a rather common convergence, we consider the Adenobrechmoinae to be a junior synonym of the Proteocephalinae La Rue, 1911 and Adenobrechmos a junior synonym of Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911. Adenobrechmos greeri Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006 thus becomes Ophiotaenia greeri (Bursey, Goldberg & Kraus, 2006) n. comb.

A Neonate with Worms

Diagnosis: Dipylidium caninum infection. The sample tapeworm was M cm in length and was longer than it was wide (figure 1). On examination in the microbiology laboratory, it was determined that the segment was most consistent with D. caninum. Both the patient and his brother were treated with single doses of oral praziquantel (10 mg/kg). Shortly after receiving treatment, the patient passed what was described as a ball of by his father. These worms were collected by the father and submitted to the microbiology laboratory (figures 2 and 3). On examination, there were 3-4 tapeworms that were identified as D. caninum. The patient is currently doing well and has no evidence of residual infection. D. caninum is an intestinal tapeworm, typically found in dogs and cats, that occasionally infects humans. Dipylidium species are also known as the dog tapeworm, cat tapeworm, cucumber tapeworm, or double-pore tapeworm. Humans become accidental hosts on ingesting an infected flea. This zoonotic disease should be suspected on observation of motile proglottids the size of rice grains in a stool specimen. Onethird of recognized infections occur in children <6 months of age, but such infections may still be underrecognized in children [1, 2]. D. caninum infection is often suspected on the basis of the description of proglottids in the child's stool. The usual description is that they resemble grains of rice or cucumber seeds in size and shape [3, 4]. Because of their ability to migrate from the anus independent of defecation, proglottids are often noticed actively moving in the child's stool. Patients are classically asymptomatic, although diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anal pruritis have been described in association with this infection [5]. This case demonstrates the benign presentation of D. caninum infection in an infant. Figure 2. A close-up of a Dipylidium caninum proglottid demonstrating the bilateral uterine pores (arrows) (original magnification, x4).

Redescriptions of species of Tetrarhynchobothrium Diesing, 1850 and Didymorhynchus Beveridge &amp; Campbell, 1988 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with the description of Zygorhynchus borneensis n. sp.

Tetrarhynchobothrium tenuicolle Diesing, 1850 is redescribed from the type-specimens collected from Raja clavata Linnaeus in the Adriatic Sea. T. striatum (Wagener, 1854) is redescribed from voucher specimens from the type host, Myliobatis aquila Linnaeus, from the type-locality, off Naples, Italy. The two species are very similar in tentacular armature, but are provisionally maintained as independent species, since the armature of T. tenuicolle cannot be fully described and because all available specimens of T. striatum are immature, limiting comparisons of potential differences in segment anatomy. T. setiense Dollfus, 1969 is treated as a synonym of T. striatum. Zygorhynchus borneensis n. sp. is described from Himantura uarnacoides (Bleeker) and H. pastinacoides (Bleeker) off Sabah, Malaysia. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the very small hooks present in the basal region and by the presence of a uterine pore. The metabasal tentacular armature of Didymorhynchus southwelli Beveridge & Campbell, 1988, described for the first time, is homeoacanthous and homeomorphous in form. However, it has a basal swelling with hook rows originating on the bothrial surface and terminating on the antibothrial surface of the tentacle.

A NEW SPECIES OF MACROBOTHRIIDAE (CESTODA: DIPHYLLIDEA) FROM THORNBACK RAY PLATYRHINA SINENSIS IN CHINA

A new cestode, Macrobothridium sinensis n. sp., is described from the spiral intestine of Platyrhina sinensis from coast of Xiamen, China. It is the first record of the order Diphyllidea in China. The new species can be distinguished from the 3 previously described species of Macrobothridium by the testes number (16-24 vs. 29-37, 27-46, and 5-6, in M. rhynchobati, M. euterpes, and M. syrtensis, respectively) and a single-row arrangement of testes; M. sinensis is most similar to M. euterpes in strobila length (1.77-6.23 vs. 2-4.5 mm) and number of segments (6-8 vs. 5-9). In addition, M. sinensis differs from M. rhynchobati and M. syrtensis in the strobila length, ovary shape, and number of apical hooks. The uterine pore is the first described in the Diphyllidea; thus, the present uterine pore can now be used to distinguish Macrobothridium from Echinobothrium and Ditrachybothridium in the Diphyllidae.

Revision of the Grillotia erinaceus (van Beneden, 1858) species complex (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with the description of G. brayi n. sp.

Members of the trypanorhynch cestode genus Grillotia Guiart, 1927 belonging to the Grillotia erinaceus (van Beneden, 1858) species complex are redescribed. The type-species of the genus, G. erinaceus, is redescribed from Raja spp. in the eastern and western north Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The redescription establishes the presence of: an hermaphroditic sac; internal and external seminal vesicles (but absence of an accessory seminal vesicle); a uterine pore; and the attachment of the retractor muscle in the mid-region of the tentacular bulb. G. pseuderinaceus Dollfus, 1969 and G. recurvispinis Dollfus, 1969 from Raja spp. in the Mediterranean are considered to be synonyms of G. erinaceus, following Palm (2004). G. dollfusi Carvajal, 1971 from R. chilensis Guichenot off Chile is redescribed from the paratypes and features of the terminal genitalia, consistent with those of G. erinaceus, are described for the first time. G. musculara (Hart, 1936) is redescribed from new material collected from the type-host, R. rhina (Jordan & Gilbert), off Nanaimo on the western coast of Canada. The features of the terminal genitalia of G. musculara are similar to those of the G. erinaceus group. The morphological features of G. borealis Keeney & Campbell, 2001 from Bathyraja spp. in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk are summarised and illustrations of this species provided. G. brayi n. sp. is described from Amblyraja radiata from the coasts of Iceland and Britain. The new species differs from other members of the complex in lacking modified hooks 1 and 1' at the base of the tentacle (differentiating it from G. erinaceus), a long pars vaginalis (differentiating it from G. dollfusi) and uncinate hooks in the band on the external surface of the tentacle (differentiating it from G. musculara). Brief descriptions are provided of two apparently new species of Grillotia currently represented in collections by single specimens.

Ailinella mirabilis gen. n., sp. n. (Eucestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from Galaxias maculatus (Pisces: Galaxiidae) in the Andean-Patagonian region of Argentina

Ailinella gen. n. (Pseudophyllidea: Triaenophoridae) is proposed to accommodate Ailinella mirabilis sp. n. from Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842), a freshwater fish inhabiting the Andean lakes in Argentinean Patagonia. Ailinella belongs to the Triaenophoridae because it has a marginal genital pore, a follicular vitelline gland, and a ventral uterine pore. The new genus can be distinguished from other triaenophorids by the following combination of characters: a small body size, a low number of proglottides, which are longer than wide, a truncated pyramidal to globular scolex, a rectangular apical disc, presence of the neck, lack of internal longitudinal musculature separating the cortex from the medulla, testes distributed in one central field surrounding the ovary laterally and posteriorly, the vagina predominantly anterior to the cirrus sac, vitelline follicles circum-medullary, the genital pores post-equatorial, a saccate uterus, and operculate eggs. Blade-like spiniform microtriches were present on all tegument surfaces, and tumuli on all surfaces of the scolex and the anterior surface of the neck. Microtriches were characterized according to their size and density, and tumuli according to their size, inter-tumulus distance and density. Ailinella mirabilis is the first cestode described from G. maculatus and the second triaenophorid species recorded from a South American freshwater fish.

AUSTRALICOLA PECTINATUS N. GEN. AND N. SP. (CESTODA: PSEUDOPHYLLIDEA) FROM THE DEEP-SEA FISH BERYX SPLENDENS FROM TASMANIA

Australicola pectinatus n. gen., n. sp. (Pseudophyllidea: Triaenophoridae) is proposed to accommodate a new cestode from a deep-sea fish, the splendid alfonsino, Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834 (Beryciformes: Berycidae), from the Pacific coast of Tasmania. The new genus is placed in the Triaenophoridae, because it possesses a ventral uterine pore, marginal genital pore, and follicular vitellarium. Australicola is characterized by possessing a massive strobila with very short and wide, markedly craspedote proglottids; vitelline follicles forming a transverse equatorial band; a very deep and narrow genital atrium; a wide, convoluted vaginal canal; and unoperculate eggs. Australicola most closely resembles Eubothrium Nybelin, 1922 and Probothriocephalus Campbell, 1979 in having an unarmed scolex, an unarmed cirrus, the vagina anterior to the cirrus-sac, and cortical vitellaria. It differs from these 2 genera, in addition to the characteristics listed above, in possessing a dendritic rather than an entire ovary. Australicola pectinatus n. sp. is the third cestode described from B. splendens.

GALAXITAENIA TOLOI N. GEN., N. SP. (EUCESTODA: PSEUDOPHYLLIDEA) FROM GALAXIAS PLATEI (PISCES: OSMERIFORMES, GALAXIIDAE), IN THE PATAGONIAN REGION OF ARGENTINA

Galaxitaenia n. gen. (Eucestoda: Pseudophyllidea) is proposed to accommodate Galaxitaenia toloi n. gen., n. sp. from Galaxias platei, a freshwater fish inhabiting Andean lakes in Argentine Patagonia. Galaxitaenia belongs to the Triaenophoridae because it possesses a marginal genital pore, a ventral uterine pore, and a follicular vitelline gland. The new genus can be distinguished from other triaenophorids by the following combination of characters: a scolex with a prominent rectangular apical disc without hooks, grooves, or indentations; neck present; segments wider than long to quadrangular; testes in 2 lateral fields, often connected anteriorly; cirrus unarmed; an ovary situated posteriorly; a vagina posterior to the cirrus sac; vitelline follicles medullary, in 2 ventral fields forming 2 wings interrupted medially; a uterus saccate to branched; and eggs without operculum. The types, distribution, and density of microtriches were analyzed on the surface of the tegument of scolex, neck, and immature segments. The presence of tumuli were observed on the apical disc of the scolex. Galaxitaenia toloi n. sp. is the first triaenophorid species recorded in a South American freshwater fish and the fourth helminth parasitizing the intestine of G. platei.

Bathycestus brayi n. gen. and n. sp. (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from the deep-sea fish Notacanthus bonaparte in the northeastern Atlantic.

Bathycestus brayi n. gen., n. sp. (Pseudophyllidea: Triaenophoridae) is proposed to accommodate a new cestode from a deep-sea fish, the shortfin spine eel Notacanthus bonaparte (Notacanthiformes: Notacanthidae), from the northeastern Atlantic. The new genus is placed in the Triaenophoridae because it possesses a uterine pore on the ventral surface, a marginal genital pore, and a follicular vitellaria. Bathycestus most closely resembles Eubothrioides, Fistulicola, Probothriocephalus, and Pseudeubothrioides, which have also an unarmed scolex, a single set of genital organs per proglottid, an unarmed cirrus, cortical vitellaria, and a compact rather dendritic ovary. It differs from these genera by combination of the following features: a sagittate scolex with a weakly developed apical disc and free posterior margins of bothria, no neck, a long cirrus sac, reaching to the median third of proglottids and angled anteromedially in its proximal part, the posterior position of the vagina in relation to the cirrus sac, the testes in 2 lateral fields confluent postovarially, circumcortical vitellaria continuous longitudinally, and unoperculate eggs. Bathycestus brayi n. sp. is the first cestode to be described from a deep-sea fish of the genus Notacanthus.

A taxonomic study of species of Bothriocephalus Rudolphi, 1808 (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from eels in Japan: morphological and molecular evidence for the occurrence of B. claviceps (Goeze, 1782) and confirmation of the validity of B. Japonicus Yamaguti, 1934.

A taxonomic study of specimens of Bothriocephalus from eels ( Anguilla spp.) in Japan has demonstrated the occurrence of two species, B. claviceps (Goeze, 1782) and B. japonicus Yamaguti, 1934. The former species is a parasite of eels ( A. anguilla and A. rostrata ) in the Holarctic Region and was recently reported from A. marmorata in Japan. The conspecificity of tapeworms newly found in an eel ( A. ? japonica ) from Lake Biwa, central Japan, with B. claviceps has been confirmed by the great similarity of their ITS-2 gene sequences (similarity 95.3% and 95.2%). However, the sequences of worms identified as B. claviceps from A. marmorata differed considerably from those of B. claviceps from two populations of A. anguilla from Europe and the above-mentioned one from Japan (similarity 66.3%, 67.1% and 65.1 %, respectively), thus indicating that the former cestodes may have been misidentified. This assumption was confirmed by morphological evaluation of a voucher specimen from A. marmorata. The morphology of this cestode, as well as those from A. japonica from two localities in Japan (Lakes Biwa and Suwa), indicates their conspecificity with B. japonicus. The validity of this taxon has been confirmed on the basis of a re-examination of the type-specimens. The two taxa, B. japonicus and B. claviceps, differ from each other in the shape and length of the scolex (619-730 microm in B. japonicus versus 1,180-2,100 microm in B. claviceps ), the relative position of the cirro-vaginal and uterine pores (opposite each other in relation to the median line of the body in B. japonicus versus tandem or slightly offset along the median line in the latter species), and the size of the eggs (41-52 x 28-35 microm in B. japonicus versus 50-70 x 31-43 microm in B. claviceps ).

Review of the Rhopalothylacidae Guiart, 1935 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with a description of the adult of Pintneriella musculicola Yamaguti, 1934 and a redescription of P. gymnorhynchoides (Guiart, 1935) comb. n.

The family Rhopalothylacidae (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) is reviewed. The type species, Rhopalothylax gymnorhynchoides Guiart, 1935, is redescribed from the type specimens and belongs within the genus Pintneriella Yamaguti, 1934, previously described only from the plerocercus. Rhopalothylax therefore becomes a junior synonym of Pintneriella. The adult of Pintneriella musculicola Yamaguti, 1934 is described for the first time, from the shark Carcharias taurus Rafinesque from Australia. Pintneriella is characterised by two bothridia, a typical heteroacanthous armature, a unique, bipartite external seminal vesicle and a uterus deviated porally, terminating at a uterine pore. It belongs within the Heteracanthoidea but is distinguishable both from the Eutetrarhynchidae and the Gilquiniidae, the two families which it most closely resembles. Cladistic analyses align Pintneriella within the clade containing the families Gilquiniidae, Gymnorhynchidae and Molicolidae rather than with the Eutetrarhynchidae. The family Rhopalothylacidae is therefore retained provisionally to accommodate Pintneriella within the Heteracanthoidea. The second genus of the Rhopalothylacidae, Clujia Guiart, 1935, is unrecognisable from its description and cannot be redescribed from its holotype. It is therefore considered a genus inquirendum.

Hapalotrema (Digenea: Spirorchidae) in the Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) in Australia

Hapalotrema mehrai Rao, 1976 and Hapalotrema postorchis Rao, 1976 (Digenea: Spirorchidae) are redescribed from the heart and pulmonary arteries of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, from Moreton Bay in south-eastern Queensland. Hapalotrema pambanensis Gupta and Mehrotra, 1981 from C. mydas in India is made a synonym of H. mehrai. Hapalotrema dorsopora Dailey, Fast and Balazs, 1993 from C. mydas from Hawaii was described with a dorsally opening uterine pore, but this is found to be the opening of Laurer's canal; therefore H. dorsopora is also made a synonym of H. mehrai. In addition to differences in the numbers of testes and general dimensions, H. mehrai and H. postorchis differ in the development of Laurer's canal and in the absence of a canalicular seminal receptacle in H. postorchis.