[New evidence for the spread of Thelazia callipaeda in the Far East].

Thelazia callipaeda nematodes parasitize in the eyes of domestic and wild carnivorous mammals (more often in Canidae). Numerous cases of human infestation are also known. The nematode spreads in South and East Asia although in the last decade this has been reported from dogs, cats and wolves in South and Central Europe as well. In the Russian Federation, T. callipaeda was earlier observed in dogs, cats, foxes and raccoon dogs in some regions of the Russian Far East. Two cases of human infestation were also reported. There has been no evidence of T. callipaeda in Russia in the past 50 years. Postmortem parasitological surveys of various wild carnivores were performed in the Primorsky Territory of Russia in the winter of 2012 to the summer of 2014. Conjunctival sac including the space under the nictitating membrane was sought for nematodes. T. callipaeda was detected in 28 sables of the 492 examined ones, in 5 out of the 11 raccoon dogs, in 2 out of the 3 foxes, and in one lynx. The examination of 25 kolinskies, 4 American minks, 3 Amur leopard cats, 2 yellow-throated martens and one badger provided negative results. The sable and the wild lynx are firstly reported as hosts of T. callipaeda. The findings suggest that there is a persisting natural reservoir of zoonotic thelaziosis in the Russian Far East. The epidemiological importance of this fact should not be underestimated.

[Use of computer technologies for studying the morphological characteristics of the iris color in anthropology].

Digital images of the iris were received for study peculiarities of the iris color during the anthropological examination of 578 students aged 16-24 years. Simultaneously with the registration of the digital images, the visual assessment of the eye color was carried out using the traditional scale of Bunak, based on 12 ocular prostheses. Original software for automatic determination of the iris color based on 12 classes scale of Bunak was designed, and computer version of that scale was developed. The software proposed allows to conduct the determination of the iris color with high validity based on numerical evaluation; its application may reduce the bias due to subjective assessment and methodological divergences of the different researchers. The software designed for automatic determination of the iris color may help develop both theoretical and applied anthropology, it may be used in forensic and emergency medicine, sports medicine, medico-genetic counseling and professional selection.

Re-evaluation of Mazamastrongylus dagestanica (Trichostrongylidae) with descriptions of the synlophe, genital cone, and other structural characters.

The synlophe of specimens of Mazamastrongylus dagestanica was characterized laterally and ventrally by a strongly tapering system of ridges in the cervical zone. This pattern, including the prominent system of "hood" ridges adjacent to the excretory pore and the absence of continuous subdorsal and subventral ridges is considered typical for the genus Mazamastrongylus. The synlophe of males and females was largely identical, with 37-41 ridges at the midbody. The lateral synlophe, where 2 pairs of ridges converge and terminate on the lateralmost ridge anterior to the cervical papillae appears unique for M. dagestanica and indicates that species-specific patterns may be recognized for Mazamastrongylus spp. Among male specimens, a bilobed ventral membrane, distinct from the simple and unpaired membrane, which envelops the "O" papillae, extends posterolaterally from the genital cone. It had not been described in detail previously and was also found in M. odocoilei and M. pursglovei. Characters of the bursa, genital cone, and spicules are consistent with placement of M. dagestanica in Mazamastrongylus; referral of this species to Spiculopteragia cannot be supported.

Carmine-propionic acid stain for elucidation of fine cellular structure in nematodes.

Carmine-propionic acid staining was found to enhance the elucidation of cellular membranes in the esophagus and genital tract and the structure of sperm in strongylate nematodes. This regressive staining technique may also have general utility for differentiation of cellular membranes and nuclear structure in other taxa of parasitic helminths.

Silver staining for elucidation of the synlophe in trichostrongyle nematodes.

Staining techniques are relatively rare in the study of parasitic nematodes. A novel silver-staining method is described for elucidation of the synlophe (a system of longitudinal cuticular ridges), a character of great systematic importance among the trichostrongyloid nematodes. Ridges are stained optically black and appear in great contrast to the body of the nematode. This method augments current use of interference contrast for examination of the synlophe. Detailed studies of the configuration of the synlophe in entire specimens are possible with standard light microscopy for the first time.

[Structure and nutritional characteristics of the female Simondsia paradoxa (Nematoda, Spirurata)--a gastric parasite of swine]. / Stroenie i osobennosti pitaniia samki Simondsia paradoxa (Nematoda, Spirurata)--parazita zheludka svinei.

Distinct dimorphism is inherent in the nematode Simondsia paradoxa. The male is small in size, its body is cylindrical which is typical of nematodes. The female is large with a very large spherical expansion in the middle part of the body. This difference in the female and male structure is due to their different localization. Male lives in the lumen of the stomach, female--in the thick stomach wall. The present paper gives the original morphological description of a female, besides some characteristics in the structure of this parasite have been revealed allowing the authors to outline the probable types of the parasite nutrition. The authors believe that along with digestive organs the covering tissues through which important substances enter the female body also take part in nutrition of the female.