Vulval Flap Research Articles

Re-establishment of Hemicriconemoides promissus (Nematoda: Criconematoidea) as a valid species, with additional data for H. ortonwilliamsi from Spain and H. wessoni from Florida

AbstractSystematic nematode surveys for criconematids in the coastal sand dunes of southern Spain and on the Atlantic coast of Florida, USA, revealed the presence of three populations of sheathoid nematodes identified as Hemicriconemoides promissus, H. ortonwilliamsi and H. wessoni. All of them belong to the fourth group proposed by Decraemer and Geraert (1992) as they are characterised by wide body annuli ca ≥ 5 μm wide and a stylet ca 50 μm long, although all have a distinctly different female tail shape. Comparative SEM studies on H. cocophillus, H. mangiferae, H. brachyurus and H. promissus were done. SEM studies from paratype material and female specimens of a newly discovered population from Spain, confirmed the absence of lateral vulval flaps for both H. promissus populations, justifying the rejection of the synonymy proposed by Germani and Anderson (1991), and the re-establishment of H. promissus as a species distinct from H. brachyurus. The present records of H. promissus and H. ortonwilliamsi extend their geographical distribution from Italy to an additional Mediterranean country and constitute the first reports of both species in Spain. Additional morphometric data and illustrations of a Pensacola, FL, USA, population of H. wessoni, the type species of the genus, are also presented.

Bursaphelenchus antoniae sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) associated with Hylobius sp. from Pinus pinaster in Portugal

Abstract Bursaphelenchus antoniae sp. n. is described and illustrated. Dauer juveniles were isolated from the body of the large pine weevil, Hylobius sp., collected from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) stumps, in Portugal. Bursaphelenchus antoniae sp. n. was reared and maintained in P. pinaster wood segments and on Petri dish cultures of the fungi Botrytis cinerea and Monilinia fructicola. The new species is characterised by a relatively small body length of ca 583 μ m (females) and 578 μ m (males), a lateral field with two incisures, presence of a small vulval flap and a conoid female tail with a rounded or pointed terminus. Males have stout spicules with a disc-like cucullus and seven caudal papillae arranged as a single midventral precloacal papilla, one precloacal pair and two postcloacal pairs. In the character of the lateral field, B. antoniae sp. n. comes close to B. abietinus, B. rainulfi and B. hylobianum, whilst spicule characters place it within the piniperdae-group sensu Ryss et al. Morphologically, B. antoniae sp. n. is closest to B. hylobianum; the spicules of these two species having flattened, wing-like, alae on the distal third of the lamina. Bursaphelenchus antoniae sp. n. is distinguished from B. hylobianum on the arrangement of the caudal papillae (two vs three pairs). ITS-RFLP profiles and the failure to hybridise support the separation of the two species. Phylogenetic analysis of the new species, based on the 18S rDNA sequence, supports the inclusion of this new species in the B. hylobianum-group sensu Braasch. Sequence analysis of the 28S rDNA D2/D3 domain did not place the new species in a definite group.

Proposal of Parasitaphelenchus dongguanensis (Fang, Zhao & Zhuo, 2002) n. comb. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae)

Parasitaphelenchus dongguanensis (Fang, Zhao & Zhuo, 2002) n. comb. is proposed for Bursaphelenchus dongguanensis Fang, Zhao & Zhuo, 2002. Females are long (880–1720 µm) and slender (a=64–104), and have a short, conoid, mucronate tail. The vulva is located towards the posterior (V=86–92), and a vulval flap is absent. Oocytes are arranged in several rows and in a single row posteriorly. A long postuterine sac is present (34–119 µm). Males are 880 to 1230 µm long, and slender (a=84–134). The tail is short (c=48–102), straight, and bears three pairs of post-cloacal papillae. A small bursa envelops the distal portion of the tail. Spicules are small (8–13 µm), with a narrow, pointed rostrum and a well-developed, rounded apex. Spermatocytes are arranged in several rows. The stylet is 11 to 13 µm long and has small basal knobs. The cuticle bears fine, transverse striae, and there are four incisures in the lateral field.

Redescription of Bursaphelenchus talonus (Thorne, 1935) Massey, 1956 (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) and designation of lectotypes

Bursaphelenchus talonus is redescribed and a hololectotype and paralectotypes are designated. The species is characterized by three incisures in the lateral field at midbody, an offset head, two rows of cells in the gonad, and a stylet without knobs (11-14 μm). The male body is 654 to 946 μm long with an arcuate tail. A round-ovoid bursa envelops the tail. Three pairs of papillae are present: one pre-cloacal and the other two post-cloacal, near tail terminus. Spicules are 14 to 16 μm long, mitten- shaped, and have a well-developed condylus and rostrum. Distal tips of spicules are pointed and lack a cucullus. The female body is 760 to 836 μm long and tapers posteriorly to a conoid, amucronate tail. The tail terminus is rounded or sub acute. A postuterine sac is present (102-124 μm), and a vulval flap is absent.

Description and phylogeny of Bursaphelenchus luxuriosae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Acalolepta luxuriosa (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

AbstractBursaphelenchus luxuriosae n. sp. is described and figured. Specimens were collected from a 2-week-old culture on Botrytis cinerea. The new species is characterised by a body length of 897 (710-1159) μm in the female and 745 (621-887) μm in the male, relatively robust body (a = 33-39 in the female and 27-30 in the male), stylet ca 14 (11-16) μm long, four lines in the lateral field, the large (27-30 μm) arcuate spicule with a terminal cucullus, seven (2 + 1 + 2 + 2) male caudal papillae, the long, well developed vulval flap and the shape of the female tail which is long, tapered, and ventrally bent when killed by heat with an irregular or roughened dorsal contour near the tip and an irregular terminus. The new species is considered to belong to the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus group of the genus Bursaphelenchus and is most closely related to B. conicaudatus and B. fraudulentus in spicule shape, vulval flap and 'a' values of males and females. It is easily distinguished from these two species by the morphology of female tail. The RFLP profile confirms the distinctness of the new species within the B. xylophilus group. The phylogenetic status of B. luxuriosae n. sp. within the B. xylophilus group is indicated by molecular phylogenetic analysis. Bursaphelenchus luxuriosae n. sp. is assumed to be close to B. conicaudatus and to have diverged from the ancestor of the B. xylophilus group early in the speciation of the group.

The African Rhigonematoidea (Nematoda: Rhigonematida). 2. Six new species of Rhigonema Cobb, 1898 (Rhigonematidae)

AbstractSix new species of Rhigonema are described from the gut of various African diplopods. Rhigonema fecundum sp. n., from South Africa, is characterised by medium to fairly long body length, finely pilose anterior region, posterior margin of cephalic collar smoothly fused to body contour, Type 2 genital tract with a long ovejector, presence of a long, closely adpressed, vulval flap, tail shape in both sexes, broad spicules of medium length and complement of 23 copulatory papillae of which three pairs are subdorsal or sublateral in position. Rhigonema oxydesmi sp. n., from Oxydesmus platycercus concolor, Zaire, is characterised by medium body length, slightly projecting cephalic collar, finely pilose anterior region, Type 2 female genital tract with a long ovejector, presence of a short, adpressed, vulval flap, tail shape in both sexes, medium length spicules with a hamate capitulum and complement of 23 copulatory papillae, three pairs of which are subdorsal or sublateral in position. Rhigonema peziphorum sp. n., from Sphaerotherium selindum, Zimbabwe, is characterised by medium body length, prominently projecting cephalic collar, finely pilose anterior region, Type 1 female genital tract with a medium length ovejector, rather large eggs, absence of a prominent vulval flap, presence of a spermatophore, tail shape in both sexes, unusually short spicules with a weakly hamate capitulum and complement of 23 copulatory papillae. It is the only known Rhigonema species to form a spermatophore. Rhigonema rostrellum sp. n., from Ivory Coast, is characterised by medium body length, finely pilose anterior region, Type 2 genital tract with a very long ovejector, presence of a closely adpressed vulval flap, tail shape in both sexes, broad spicules of medium length and complement of 23 copulatory papillae of which three pairs are subdorsal or sublateral in position. Rhigonema spicatum sp. n., from Congoromus flabellatus, Zaire, is characterised by medium body length, slightly projecting cephalic collar, densely pilose anterior region, Type 2 female genital tract with a long ovejector, presence of an adpressed vulval flap, tail shape in both sexes, relatively short spicules with a hamate capitulum and complement of 23 copulatory papillae. Rhigonema xiphiurus sp. n., from Oxydesmus sicarius, Zaire, is characterised by medium body length, projecting cephalic collar, coarsely pilose anterior region with bristly microtrichs, microtrichs extending down body to beyond vulval level in female and a similar relative position in the male, Type 2 female genital tract with a long ovejector, elongate female tail, convex conoid male tail with an exceptionally well developed subulate projection, very short spicules and disposition of the 23 copulatory papillae, three pairs of which are dorsal or sublateral in position. A synopsis of the other eight nominal species of African Rhigonema is appended.

The African Rhigonematoidea (Nematoda: Rhigonematida). 1. Trachyglossus quintus gen. n., sp. n. (Xustrostomatidae fam. n.) with redescription of Rhigonema multipapillatum (Skrjabin, 1916) and designation of a neotype

AbstractTrachyglossus quintus gen. n., sp. n. is described from Charactopygus frequens from Zaire. The new genus is characterised by having a dorsoventrally elongate oral aperture with the dorsal jawplate developed into a tongue-like rasp extending over halfway down the corpus lumen; a hypertrophied corpus and isthmus; well developed, lobate caudal alae in the male; hypertrophied, lobiform, vulval flap and by the form of the spicules and disposition of the copulatory papillae. It is closest to Xustrostoma, a genus with which it shares the development of a tongue-like rasp, but differs principally in the hypertrophy of the pharyngeal components: in Trachyglossus gen. n. it is the corpus and isthmus which are enlarged whereas in Xustrostoma it is the basal bulb. Trachyglossus gen. n. also differs in having strongly developed, lobate, caudal alae in the male (vs absent) and in possessing a lobiform anterior vulval lip. It differs from Obainia in having the dorsal jaw plate modified to form a tongue-like rasp, corpus and isthmus region of pharynx hypertrophied (vs basal bulb in African species of Obainia), hypertrophied vulval flap, form of spicules, distribution of copulatory papillae and presence of caudal alae in the male. From Zalophora it differs in the form of the pharynx, development of a tongue-like dorsal rasp instead of numerous teeth on the dorsal jawplate, presence of a hypertrophied vulval lobe and in being amphimictic instead of parthenogenetic. Xustrostomatidae fam. n. is proposed for all those genera (formerly included in the Rhigonematidae) with the cephalic capsule laterally compressed to form a dorsoventrally orientated oral aperture. Rhigonema multipapillatum (Skrjabin, 1916), previously known only from the original description, is redescribed and established as a valid species on the basis of material from Uganda. A neotype is proposed. The species is characterised by medium body size; posterior margin of cephalic collar fused to body; presence of fine microtrichs in the cervical region; cuticularised mouth plates clothed in minute spine-like structures; Type 1 female genital tract; conoid spicate tail shape in both sexes; form of the long, slender spicules and disposition of the 31 copulatory papillae, three postcloacal pairs of which being subdorsal or sublateral in position.

Bursaphelenchus rainulfi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), first record of the genus Bursaphelenchus Fuchs, 1937 from Malaysia

AbstractWood samples were taken from pine tree plantations in different regions of Malaysia and investigated for the occurrence of Bursaphelenchus species. Among 13 samples collected from damaged or dead pines in West Malaysia (near Kuala Lumpur) and Sabah (Kinabalu National Park and Sepilok), only one sample of a dead Pinus caribaea tree with bark beetle attack from a plantation near Kuala Lumpur revealed the presence of a new species of Bursaphelenchus. Bursaphelenchus rainulfi sp. n. is characterised by a relatively small stylet lacking distinct basal knobs but with slight basal swellings, lateral field with two lines, female with a small vulval flap, postuterine branch occupying about 33-50% of vulva-anus distance, female tail slim, conoid, with a finely rounded, ventrally bent terminus, male spicules relatively small with high condylus, distinct rostrum but no cucullus, and a small terminal 'bursa' on the male tail. It is similar to B. hellenicus, B. hylobianum and B.abietinus in the shape of the spicules and the female tail as well as in the presence of only two lines in the lateral field. It is distinguished by a number of characters including spicule size, shape of the 'bursa', female tail shape and excretory pore position. Bursaphelenchus rainulfi sp. n. is further distinguished from these morphologically similar species by molecular studies using the ITS-RFLP technique.

Bursaphelenchus species in conifers in Europe: distribution and morphological relationships

The morphological relationship between European Bursaphelenchus species living in conifers was studied in order to provide key characters for their taxonomic identification. Several species have been newly described or recorded in Europe during the past few years and were morphologically investigated. Among the 28 conifer‐inhabiting European species, four groups can be distinguished from each other by the number of lateral incisures, number and position of anal papillae of males and presence and size of a vulval flap of females. Two groups, each containing just one species show two and six lateral lines, respectively, whereas most Bursaphelenchus species belong to two groups, possessing either three or four incisures. Each of the last two groups can be divided into three subgroups, which can be differentiated by spicule shape, number and position of caudal papillae, presence and size of a vulval flap and some other features. A fifth group includes species with unclear group affiliation due to insufficient knowledge of their morphology. The B. xylophilus group (B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus, B. fraudulentus) with four lateral lines, unique spicule shape and characteristic position of the caudal papillae can clearly be differentiated from all other groups by morphology, also using only light microscopy. Within this group, B. xylophilus can clearly be differentiated morphologically from the other species, provided that adult specimens of both sexes are found and also provided that the round‐tailed form of the species remains the only form present, as in Europe. Figures showing the important identification features of spicule shape and female tail shape are given for 28 species. A table shows the complete range of the most important morphometric measurements of these species. Data on the occurrence, host range and, as far as known, the vectors of these species were collected throughout Europe and references are given for each record.

Utriculimermis microcaudata n. gen., n. sp., a new genus and species of Mermithidae (Nematoda) of the rivers Lafnitz and Teigitsch in the southeastern Austrian Alps

AbstractUtriculimermis microcaudata n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) is described from the hyporheic biotope of two running waters in southeastern Austria. The mermithids were sampled by pumping and with a modified 'Hess'-sampler. The characteristics of this new genus are: long body length, a very long pharynx which attains about 95% of the body length, six head papillae, mouth opening terminal, six hypodermal chords at midbody level, excretory pore present near the nerve ring, small cupshaped amphids, cuticula lacking cross fibres under light microscope, males with long slightly curved spiculum, very large number of genital papillae, vulva slightly curved to barrel-shaped with vulval flap, postparasitic juveniles with very short tail appendage often only present as a button-like nipple.

SEM observations and morphometrics of Hemicycliophora belemnis Germani & Luc, 1973 and Paratylenchus bukowinensis Micoletzky, 1922 (Nematoda: Criconematoidea) from Iran

AbstractThe natural occurrence of a rare species, Hemicycliophora belemnis, and a more common Paratylenchus bukowinensis, in the Dez forest near Ahwaz, Iran, is reported. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology and morphometry of populations of the two nematode species are detailed and compared with those of earlier reports. The population of Hemicycliophora belemnis was distinguished by a progression in variation in pattern of the lateral field present in individual females as opposed to only one type of variation in individual females according to earlier reports. Other differences included a lower number of tail annules, two to four vs two head annules in females, and in males, two longitudinal lateral incisures, a shorter tail and ratio of bursa annule width to corresponding body annule width. New information is given on the amphid apertures and head annules. The population of Paratylenchus bukowinensis was distinguished from earlier reported descriptions of the same species by greater mean values for body length, stylet length, distance of excretory pore from anterior end, as well as annulations extending to tail terminus, details of the vulval flaps, and absence of males. These differences were attributed to geographical influences and not deemed significant to warrant the creation of new species. Furthermore, the differences are indicative of the degree of variation and reliability of certain morphological and morphometrical values used in the differential diagnoses of the species.

A new genus of Carnoyidae (Nematoda: Rhigonematida) with descriptions of Cattiena trachelomegali gen. n., sp. n. and C. trigoniuli gen. n., sp. n., parasites of Spirobolida (Diplopoda) from Vietnam

AbstractCattiena gen. n., a new genus from the Carnoyidae, is described from the posterior gut of two genera of spirobolid diplopods from Vietnam. The new genus is characterised by: presence of eight somatic spine rows in the cervical region of both male and female, the four sublateral spine rows being better developed; presence of six cuticularised plates around the female oral opening; extremely posterior vulva; two anteriorly directed ovaries; isomorphic and isometric spicules; boat-shaped gubernaculum of similar form to the spicules; gubernaculum with a dorsal hole; well developed, smooth cephalic cap in the male and 15 copulatory papillae with three pairs located lateral, sublateral or subdorsal. The new genus has morphological affinities with Raonema Kloss, 1965, a poorly known genus from India, but is easily differentiated by the extremely posterior vulva and the presence of spine rows in the male. Two new species are described in the genus: the type, C. trachelomegali gen. n., sp. n. from Trachelomegalus sp. and C. trigoniuli gen. n., sp. n. from Trigoniulus sp. The two species differ primarily in the position of the vulva (consistently more anterior in the latter species), degree of development of the vulval flap, body length, tail length and in the relative development of the somatic spine rows.

Experimental cross-infections of Haemonchus placei (Place, 1893) in sheep and cattle

To examine effects on biology and morphology, Haemonchus placei infections were propagated in cattle or sheep and infective larvae were introduced into the same or opposite host. Ovine source larvae had a geometric mean (GM) prepatent period of 26.5 days regardless of host species, compared to 30.6 days for bovine source larvae regardless of host species. Similarly, ovine source H. placei had a higher GM percentage establishment versus bovine source larvae (9.6% versus 3.4%) regardless of host species. The patent daily egg count for ovine source versus bovine source H. placei was 109.1 versus 50.0 FEC regardless of host species. Mean spicule length for ovine source H. placei was 492.5 μm while bovine source measured 496.5 μm. Mean female tail length for ovine source H. placei was 586.5 and 589.5 μm for bovine source H. placei. Using synlophe morphology, all worms that were measured were identified as H. placei. Sixty-three percent of females examined for vulvar flap morphology had knob-like vulvar flaps while the remaining 37% had linguiform vulvar flaps.

Bursaphelenchus Hofmanni Sp. N. (Nematoda, Aphelenchoididae) From Spruce Wood in Germany

Investigations on the occurrence of Bursaphelenchus nematodes were carried out in damaged coniferous forests in Germany during the summer and autumn, 1996. The survey was part of a joint research project supported by the Commission of the European Communities (FAIR programme) aiming at the evaluation of the importance of Bursaphelenchus nematodes in South East and Central Europe. During this survey a new species, Bursaphelenchus hofmanni, was found in spruce wood in Thuringia, Germany. The species is characterized by a relatively small body length, females and males averaging 578 and 530 μm, respectively, the a-value in females and males 28 (23-31) and 25 (22-31), respectively, with a stylet length of 12 (11-14) μm. The males have relatively small and slightly curved spicules (length 13 [11-17] μm) with a prominent rostrum and a small cucullus.The female tail is conoid and curved with a finely rounded terminus. The females have a small vulval flap.

Local and distant skin flaps in the reconstruction of vulvar deformities

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of skin flaps in vulvar reconstructive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was performed on 207 consecutive flaps on 191 assessable women referred between 1992 and 1996. Outcome measures were wound closure, healing, restoration of coital function, and final result after any secondary revision. RESULTS: Primary closure without tension was possible in all but one instance, and 186 (89.9%) wounds healed by primary intention. Of 146 contractures, 95.8% were reparable by simple sliding flaps (YV advancement or “maple leaf”). Conversely, all the 99 tissue deficits required a pivoting design (random transposition, Martius, pudendal thigh, and gracilis or gluteus myocutaneous flaps). Primary success rates decreased sharply with worsening deformity, underlying disease, and complexity of flap design. There were 65 complications among 42 individuals, and 21 women required subsequent Z plasty or a second flap. Nonetheless, disease was cured and function restored in 178 (93.2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sliding or pivoting vulvar flaps are generally reliable. Complex flaps are more difficult, but there are seldom any simpler surgical options.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:1372-84)

Paratylenchinae: Morphology of Some Known Species and Descriptions of Gracilacus Bilineata Sp. N. and G. Vera Sp. N. (Nematoda: Tylenchulidae)

Ten species of Paratylenchus and six of Gracilacus are discussed. P. italiensis, P. tateae and P. labiosus are synonymized with P. similis. Measurements of specimens from various populations are presented, and previously published morphometric data compiled in tables to characterise known limits of species variation. The significance of morphology of males and juveniles in identification of these nematodes is shown in descriptions of various species. It is demonstrated that in G. macrodora the third stage juvenile lacks a stylet, while the fourth stage juvenile has a well developed stylet and oesophagus and apparently feeds. G. bilineata sp. n. from Taiwan has only two incisures, lips not protruding, stylet 46 (43-50) μm, V = 73-78, no vulval flaps, and males with very thin stylet. G. vera sp. n. from Mexico is characterized by having sublateral lips projected anteriorly, four incisures, stylet 78 (66-86) μm, V = 76-79, small vulval flaps, and males without stylets.

Interactions of Ostertagia species with their bovine and ovine hosts

Ostertagia spp. affect their hosts in several complex interactions involving structural, biochemical, hormonal, nutritional and immunological mechanisms. Following infection with Ostertagia spp. the specialised secretory function and junctional integrity of gastric epithelial cells is lost. The pH of the abomasal contents is elevated and pepsinogen concentration in the plasma increases. There is a concurrent elevation in the concentration of blood gastrin. The effects may be a response to the physical interaction of parasite with epithelial cells, may be mediated through parasite excretory/secretory products, or by neural mechanisms. There may also be interactions between the responses since elevated abomasal pH stimulates secretion of gastrin. Hormonal changes may also have a role in the increased susceptibility of host to parasite during the periparturient period. Prolactin was considered the most likely hormone candidate although there is now a body of evidence to suggest that elevated prolactin concentrations are not solely responsible. Infection with Ostertagia spp. causes a marked inappetance, negative nitrogen balance and reduction in apparent gross energy digestion. The level of nutrition may also affect the response of the host to the parasites and establishment of O. circumcincta is lower in animals on a low plane of nutrition than those on a high plane. Immunity of Ostertagia spp. develops slowly and once established is manifest following challenge by an initial hypersensitivity response, followed by a cell mediated response and then an antibody response. Parasites may fail to establish or may be expelled from immune animals and if they do establish may be stunted with small vulval flaps and lower biotic potential and may become inhibited at the early fourth stage of development.

Host-dependent variation in the morphology of female Ostertagia circumcincta (Stadelmann, 1894) Ransom, 1907, a nematode parasite of sheep

Populations of Ostertagia circumcincta from three lambs with different experiences of infection are described. The female worm length, development of the vulval flap and number of eggs in the uterus are recorded and correlated with the immune status of the host. Because of the large morphological variation encountered in normal infections it is suggested that, wherever possible, a short grazing history (or details of infection) accompany any description of specimens.

Resurfacing the vulva and vagina

Thirteen patients are described where split thickness skin grafts, cutaneous or myocutaneous flaps were used to cover large defects on the vulva and vagina. For defects over the pubic groin areas, the tensor fascia lata flaps are most suitable. Defects of the vulva are best covered by split thickness skin grafts or gracilis flaps, and vaginal defects by split thickness skin grafts or vulvar flaps.

Experimental infections of Ostertagia ostertagi in goats

In order to determine the usefulness of the goat as a model host for Ostertagia ostertagi, a series of experiments was conducted in which young goats and calves were experimentally infected with L 3 of calf-source and goat-source isolates. The goat-source isolate was derived from a continuous passage of the bovine parasite in goats. Patent infections resulted in 73 out of 86 inoculated goats (85%). The largest number of patent infections was observed when inoculation consisted of a single dose of goat-source larvae. Percentage establishment of infection was generally low in goats inoculated with either larval source. Time taken to achieve patency in goats was frequently within the range normal for cattle infections, but was often extended (21–67 days). With the exception of the generally higher level of establishment of goat- or calf-source isolates in calves and the low frequency of the vulval flap in adult female worms established in goats, little difference was observed in percentage establishment or worm population characteristics of the two isolates in goats.