First report of Spirometra (Eucestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) naturally occurring in a fish host.

Spirometra Faust, Campbell et Kellogg, 1929 is a genus of cestodes belonging to the family Diphyllobothriidae. To date, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals are known second intermediate hosts of these parasites; humans can also be infected (the zoonotic disease is known as sparganosis or spirometrosis). Although the number of phylogenetic studies on Spirometra spp. has increased worldwide in recent years, there are few in South America. Specifically in Uruguay, molecular studies have shown that tapeworms of S. decipiens (Diesing, 1850) complexes 1 and 2 are present in this country. In this study, we characterised the larvae of Spirometra present in the annual fish Austrolebias charrua Costa et Cheffe. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of these larvae showed that they belong to S. decipiens complex 1. This is the first report of teleost fishes serving as a second intermediate host for tapeworms of the genus Spirometra in nature.

OPECHONA CHLOROSCOMBRI AND OPECHONA CORKUMI N. SP. (DIGENEA: LEPOCREADIIDAE) FROM THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO WITH PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS BASED ON 28S RDNA.

This study investigated the identity of 2 lepocreadiid digenean species belonging in the genus Opechona Looss, 1907 that infect littoral fishes of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Opechona chloroscombriNahhas and Cable, 1964, a species previously known only from the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, is reported herein from the Atlantic bumper, Chloroscombrus chrysurus (L.), in the northern Gulf of Mexico. A second species infects the gulf butterfish, Peprilus burti Fowler, and the American harvestfish, Peprilus paru (L.), and it is described as a new species that occurs in coastal waters of the north-central and northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Metacercariae infecting the mesoglea of pelagic jellyfishes (Bougainvillia carolinensis [McCady], Chrysaora quinquecirrha [Desor], and Stomolophus meleagris Agassiz) and pelagic comb jellies (Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz and Beroe ovata Bruguière) were collected that resemble the new species but require further study to identify. Newly generated sequence fragments (28S rDNA) from both species of Opechona plus 2 other lepocreadiids collected during the study were aligned with publicly available sequences from 18 other lepocreadiids, 6 species of Aephnidiogenidae Yamaguti, 1934, and 2 species of Gorgocephalidae Manter, 1966. The alignment was subjected to Bayesian inference analysis rooted using a gorgocephalid. The resulting tree estimated the positions of both Opechona spp. as being unresolved within a group of taxa that included all available species of Opechona plus available species from the morphologically similar genera ProdistomumLinton, 1910, Preptetos Pritchard, 1960, and Clavogalea Bray, 1985. Although relatively similar in morphology, the 2 studied species of Opechona were surprisingly not closely related. Opechona cablei (Stunkard, 1980) Bray and Gibson, 1990 is herein considered to be a junior synonym of Opechona pyriformis (Linton, 1900) Bray and Gibson, 1990.

A strong colonizer rules the trematode guild in an intertidal snail host.

We examined the extent to which supply-side, niche, and competition theories and concepts help explain a trematode community in which one species comprises 87% of the trematode individuals, and the remaining 15 species each have <3%. We collected and dissected the common and wide-ranging snail host Heleobia australis over four seasons from three distinct habitats from the intertidal area of the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. Inside a snail, trematodes interact with each other with outcomes that depend on facilitation, competition, and preemption, suggesting that dominant species should be common. The abundant trematode species, Microphallus simillimus, is a weak competitor, but has life-history traits and strategies associated with higher colonization ability that could increase its probability of invading the host first, allowing it to preempt the rare species. Rather than segregate by habitat, trematode species aggregated in pans during the summer where dominant trematode species often excluded subordinate ones. Despite losses to competition, and a lack of niche partitioning, M. simillimus ruled this species-rich trematode guild through strong recruitment and (potentially) preemption. Therefore, extremely skewed species abundance distributions, like this one, can derive from extremely skewed colonization abilities.

Morphological characterization and molecular phylogeny of zoonotic trematodes in the freshwater snail Asolene platae.

In the context of a broader program dealing with the symbiotic associations of apple snails, we sampled three species that coexist in Lake Regatas (Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina). The population of Asolene platae, (but not those of Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea scalaris) showed trematode larvae (echinocercariae and xiphidiocercariae) in haemocoelic spaces and connective tissue of the digestive gland. The echinocercariae resembled those of the genus Echinochasmus, but lacked sensory hairs on their body and tail; whereas xiphidiocercariae were similar to the xiphidiocercariae armatae belonging to the Opisthoglyphe type. The phylogenetical positions of these trematodes were inferred by the 28S rRNA, ITS1 and mtCOXI gene sequences. The 28S rRNA gene linked the echinocercarial sequences with the polyphyletic genus Echinochasmus (Echinochasmidae), while the xiphidiocercarial sequences were linked with the genus Phaneropsolus (Phaneropsolidae). The molecular markers used were able to distinguish two cryptic molecular entities of the single echinocercarial morphotype. Although ITS1 and mtCOXI did not allow resolving phylogeny beyond the family level because of the scarce number of sequences in the molecular databases, both cercariae (echinocercariae and xiphidiocercariae) could be distinguished by the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 amplicon size. This is the first correlative morphological and molecular study of zoonotic trematodes in Neotropical ampullariids.

Two new species of Syndesmis (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela, Umagillidae) from the sea urchin Pseudechinus magellanicus (Echinodermata, Echinoidea) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

In this paper, we describe two new species of Syndesmis living in Pseudechinus magellanicus in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. The new species have a long stylet in the male reproductive system, which is different from that of the known species of the genus. Specimens of Syndesmis selknami n. sp. have a ∼220-µm-long stylet (∼1/3 of the body length, 0.69 mm). This ratio is unique because only four species (Syndesmis echinorum, Syndesmis rubida, Syndesmis inconspicua and Syndesmis echiniacuti) have similar stylet lengths but are larger in body sizes (3-5 mm). Specimens of Syndesmis aonikenki n. sp. have a ∼148-µm-long stylet (∼1/10 of the body length, 1.11 mm). Syndesmis pallida has a similar ratio but the uterus is located posteriorly, and the filament glands are very small and located in the posterior region of the body. These are the first flatworms reported parasitizing Pseudechinus magellanicus.

A Bayesian analysis of the parasitic ecology in Jenynsia multidentata (Pisces: Anablepidae) / Un análisis bayesiano de la ecologia parasitaria em Jenynsia multidentata (Pisces: Anablepidae)

Jenynsia multidentata Jenyns, 1842 (one-sided livebearers) are euryhaline viviparous fish of small size, used in the laboratory experiment, important as resource for biological control of mosquito’s larva and a key species to recover eutrophic lakes. Works have been published dealing with parasite biodiversity of this host, but little has been studied about the parasite community ecology. From early 2009 to ends of 2010 specimens of J. multidentata were collected from two places, the Salado Relief Channel (S.R.C.) on Samborombón Bay and the Sauce Chico River near to the city of Bahia Blanca (B.B.). All fish were sexed, measured and grouped into sizes/age classes. The fishes from both sites harbored 16 parasitic species: nine digenean, one monogenean, one metacestode, one acanthocephalan, two nematode and two copepods. Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, the metacercariae Hemiuridae gen. sp. indet., metacercariae Thylodelphys sp. (inside the eye), Glossocercus sp. nematode L4 (intestine) and Ergasilus sieboldiiNordmann, 1832 are new records for the host. The high number of larval stages made of this fish a link between micro and macroecosystems. The size 2 had the higher biodiversity in both sites, which could be the most suitable age to store the maximal number of parasite of the environment and have a more equitability in their distribution on the host. In B.B. some parasites had higher prevalence and mean abun dance due to the small size of the waterbody compared with the S.R.C. Despite that, in S.R.C. exist a higher specific richness and biodiversity due the daily flow of saline and freshwater and proximity of the sample site to the mouth of the channel in the bay. This is the first approximation to an analysis of the parasitic ecology on this host.

Jenynsia multidentata Jenyns, 1842 (madrecitas) son peces viviparous, eurihalinos de pequeño tamaño usados en experimientos de laboratorio, como un recurso importante para el control biológico de larvas de mosquito y una especie clave para recuperar lagos eutrofizados. Han sido publicados varios trabajos acerca de la biodiversidad parasitaria de este pez pero poco es conocido acerca de la ecologia de la comunidad parasitaria de este hospedador. pero poco se conoce acerca de su ecología parasitaria. Durante los meses de primavera y verano en el 2009 y 2010, especímenes de J. multidentata se colectaron del Canal Colector del Salado (S.R.C.) en la Bahía de Samborombón y del Rio Sauce Chico cercano a la ciudad de Bahía Blanca (B.B.), fueron sexados, medidos y agrupados en clases según su tamaño/edad. Los peces de los dos sitios albergaron 16 especies de parásitos: nueve digeneos, un monogeneo, un cestodo, un acantocéfalo, dos nematodos y dos copépodos. Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, la metacercaria Hemiuridae gen. sp. indet., metacercaria Thylodelphys sp. (en el ojo), Glossocercus sp. nematode L4 (intestino) y de Ergasilus sieboldii Nordmann, 1832 son nuevas citas para el hospedador. El gran número de estadios larvales hacen de este pez un nexo entre micro y macroecosistemas. La talla 2 tuvo una mayor biodiversidad en ambos sitios, la cual puede ser la edad más apropiada para recolectar el máximo número de parásitos del ambiente y tener una distribución dentro del hospedador de mayor equitabilidad. En B.B. algunos parasitos tuvieron mayor prevalencia y abundancia media debido al menor tamaño del cuerpo de agua comparado con S.R.C. A pesar de esto, en S.R.C. existe una mayor riqueza específica y biodiversidad debido al flujo diario de agua dulce y salina y a la proximidad del sitio de muestreo a la desembocadura del canal en la Bahía. El gran número de parásitos en los machos puede deberse a un cambio en el uso de la energía que se focaliza en la [...]

A Bayesian analysis of the parasitic ecology in Jenynsia multidentata(Pisces: Anablepidae)

RESUMEN Jenynsia multidentata Jenyns, 1842 (madrecitas) son peces viviparous, eurihalinos de pequeño tamaño usados en experimientos de laboratorio, como un recurso importante para el control biológico de larvas de mosquito y una especie clave para recuperar lagos eutrofizados. Han sido publicados varios trabajos acerca de la biodiversidad parasitaria de este pez pero poco es conocido acerca de la ecologia de la comunidad parasitaria de este hospedador. pero poco se conoce acerca de su ecología parasitaria. Durante los meses de primavera y verano en el 2009 y 2010, especímenes de J. multidentata se colectaron del Canal Colector del Salado (S.R.C.) en la Bahía de Samborombón y del Rio Sauce Chico cercano a la ciudad de Bahía Blanca (B.B.), fueron sexados, medidos y agrupados en clases según su tamaño/edad. Los peces de los dos sitios albergaron 16 especies de parásitos: nueve digeneos, un monogeneo, un cestodo, un acantocéfalo, dos nematodos y dos copépodos. Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, la metacercaria Hemiuridae gen. sp. indet., metacercaria Thylodelphys sp. (en el ojo), Glossocercus sp. nematode L4 (intestino) y de Ergasilus sieboldii Nordmann, 1832 son nuevas citas para el hospedador. El gran número de estadios larvales hacen de este pez un nexo entre micro y macroecosistemas. La talla 2 tuvo una mayor biodiversidad en ambos sitios, la cual puede ser la edad más apropiada para recolectar el máximo número de parásitos del ambiente y tener una distribución dentro del hospedador de mayor equitabilidad. En B.B. algunos parasitos tuvieron mayor prevalencia y abundancia media debido al menor tamaño del cuerpo de agua comparado con S.R.C. A pesar de esto, en S.R.C. existe una mayor riqueza específica y biodiversidad debido al flujo diario de agua dulce y salina y a la proximidad del sitio de muestreo a la desembocadura del canal en la Bahía. El gran número de parásitos en los machos puede deberse a un cambio en el uso de la energía que se focaliza en la reproducción. Esta es la primera aproximación a un análisis de la ecología parasitaria de este hospedador y, como resultado, podemos ver algún tipo de influencia del mismo que no debe ser ignorado y debería ser estudiado en el futuro considerando cada parasito como la interrelación entre ellos y el hospedador.

ABSTRACT Jenynsia multidentata Jenyns, 1842 (one-sided livebearers) are euryhaline viviparous fish of small size, used in the laboratory experiment, important as resource for biological control of mosquitos larva and a key species to recover eutrophic lakes. Works have been published dealing with parasite biodiversity of this host, but little has been studied about the parasite community ecology. From early 2009 to ends of 2010 specimens of J. multidentata were collected from two places, the Salado Relief Channel (S.R.C.) on Samborombón Bay and the Sauce Chico River near to the city of Bahia Blanca (B.B.). All fish were sexed, measured and grouped into sizes/age classes. The fishes from both sites harbored 16 parasitic species: nine digenean, one monogenean, one metacestode, one acanthocephalan, two nematode and two copepods. Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, the metacercariae Hemiuridae gen. sp. indet., metacercariae Thylodelphys sp. (inside the eye), Glossocercus sp. nematode L4 (intestine) and Ergasilus sieboldii Nordmann, 1832 are new records for the host. The high number of larval stages made of this fish a link between micro and macroecosystems. The size 2 had the higher biodiversity in both sites, which could be the most suitable age to store the maximal number of parasite of the environment and have a more equitability in their distribution on the host. In B.B. some parasites had higher prevalence and mean abun dance due to the small size of the waterbody compared with the S.R.C. Despite that, in S.R.C. exist a higher specific richness and biodiversity due the daily flow of saline and freshwater and proximity of the sample site to the mouth of the channel in the bay. This is the first approximation to an analysis of the parasitic ecology on this host.

A Bayesian analysis of the parasitic ecology in Jenynsia multidentata (Pisces: Anablepidae) / Un análisis bayesiano de la ecologia parasitaria em Jenynsia multidentata (Pisces: Anablepidae)

Jenynsia multidentata Jenyns, 1842 (one-sided livebearers) are euryhaline viviparous fish of small size, used in the laboratory experiment, important as resource for biological control of mosquitos larva and a key species to recover eutrophic lakes. Works have been published dealing with parasite biodiversity of this host, but little has been studied about the parasite community ecology. From early 2009 to ends of 2010 specimens of J. multidentata were collected from two places, the Salado Relief Channel (S.R.C.) on Samborombón Bay and the Sauce Chico River near to the city of Bahia Blanca (B.B.). All fish were sexed, measured and grouped into sizes/age classes. The fishes from both sites harbored 16 parasitic species: nine digenean, one monogenean, one metacestode, one acanthocephalan, two nematode and two copepods. Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, the metacercariae Hemiuridae gen. sp. indet., metacercariae Thylodelphys sp. (inside the eye), Glossocercus sp. nematode L4 (intestine) and Ergasilus sieboldiiNordmann, 1832 are new records for the host. The high number of larval stages made of this fish a link between micro and macroecosystems. The size 2 had the higher biodiversity in both sites, which could be the most suitable age to store the maximal number of parasite of the environment and have a more equitability in their distribution on the host. In B.B. some parasites had higher prevalence and mean abun dance due to the small size of the waterbody compared with the S.R.C. Despite that, in S.R.C. exist a higher specific richness and biodiversity due the daily flow of saline and freshwater and proximity of the sample site to the mouth of the channel in the bay. This is the first approximation to an analysis of the parasitic ecology on this host.(AU)

Jenynsia multidentata Jenyns, 1842 (madrecitas) son peces viviparous, eurihalinos de pequeño tamaño usados en experimientos de laboratorio, como un recurso importante para el control biológico de larvas de mosquito y una especie clave para recuperar lagos eutrofizados. Han sido publicados varios trabajos acerca de la biodiversidad parasitaria de este pez pero poco es conocido acerca de la ecologia de la comunidad parasitaria de este hospedador. pero poco se conoce acerca de su ecología parasitaria. Durante los meses de primavera y verano en el 2009 y 2010, especímenes de J. multidentata se colectaron del Canal Colector del Salado (S.R.C.) en la Bahía de Samborombón y del Rio Sauce Chico cercano a la ciudad de Bahía Blanca (B.B.), fueron sexados, medidos y agrupados en clases según su tamaño/edad. Los peces de los dos sitios albergaron 16 especies de parásitos: nueve digeneos, un monogeneo, un cestodo, un acantocéfalo, dos nematodos y dos copépodos. Lecithaster confusus Odhner, 1905, la metacercaria Hemiuridae gen. sp. indet., metacercaria Thylodelphys sp. (en el ojo), Glossocercus sp. nematode L4 (intestino) y de Ergasilus sieboldii Nordmann, 1832 son nuevas citas para el hospedador. El gran número de estadios larvales hacen de este pez un nexo entre micro y macroecosistemas. La talla 2 tuvo una mayor biodiversidad en ambos sitios, la cual puede ser la edad más apropiada para recolectar el máximo número de parásitos del ambiente y tener una distribución dentro del hospedador de mayor equitabilidad. En B.B. algunos parasitos tuvieron mayor prevalencia y abundancia media debido al menor tamaño del cuerpo de agua comparado con S.R.C. A pesar de esto, en S.R.C. existe una mayor riqueza específica y biodiversidad debido al flujo diario de agua dulce y salina y a la proximidad del sitio de muestreo a la desembocadura del canal en la Bahía. El gran número de parásitos en los machos puede deberse a un cambio en el uso de la energía que se focaliza en la [...](AU)

Effect of temperature changes on the cercarial-shedding rate of two trematodes / Efecto de cambios en la temperatura sobre la emergencia de cercarías de dos trematodes

Considerando que la temperatura es un factor clave en la emergencia de cercarias, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de ésta variable sobre la emergencia de dos tipos morfológicos de cercarias. Los bioensayos se realizaron con caracoles naturalmente infectados con cercarias de los tipos monostoma o pleurolofocerca, debido a que estos dos tipos fueron los más prevalentes en el ambiente en estudio. Los caracoles fueron ubicados en cápsulas plásticas de 6 ml conteniendo 3 ml de agua reconstituida, y entonces fueron secuencialmente expuestos por 24 h con un ciclo 14:10 h luz:oscuridad a 20, 25 y 30 °C. Los datos fueron analizados a un nivel de significación de p<0.05 con el programa InfoStat. Los resultados mostraron que la temperatura óptima de la emergencia de cercarias estuvo en el rango de 25 °C, y disminuyó significativamente a 30 °C. Se observó también que no existía diferencia significativa en el número de cercarias emergentes entre los dos tipos morfológicos.

Since temperature is a key condition in the initiation of cercarial emergence, the objective of the work reported here was to evaluate the effect of that variable on the shedding of two morphologic and taxonomic types of cercariae. Bioassays were accordingly performed with snails naturally infected with either monostome or pleurolophocercous cercariae because those two cercarial types were found to be the most prevalent in the environment under study. The snails were placed in 6-ml circular plastic dishes with soft plastic stoppers containing 3 ml of reconstituted water and then sequentially exposed for 24 h to a 14:10-h light:dark cycle at 20, 25, or 30 °C. The data were analyzed at a significance level of p <0.05 by means of the InfoStat program. The optimum temperature for cercarial emergence was typically in the range of 25 °C and decreased significantly at 30 °C. We observed no significant difference in the number of cercariae emerging between the two morphologic types.

Effect of temperature changes on the cercarial-shedding rate of two trematodes

RESUMEN Considerando que la temperatura es un factor clave en la emergencia de cercarias, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de ésta variable sobre la emergencia de dos tipos morfológicos de cercarias. Los bioensayos se realizaron con caracoles naturalmente infectados con cercarias de los tipos monostoma o pleurolofocerca, debido a que estos dos tipos fueron los más prevalentes en el ambiente en estudio. Los caracoles fueron ubicados en cápsulas plásticas de 6 ml conteniendo 3 ml de agua reconstituida, y entonces fueron secuencialmente expuestos por 24 h con un ciclo 14:10 h luz:oscuridad a 20, 25 y 30 °C. Los datos fueron analizados a un nivel de significación de p 0.05 con el programa InfoStat. Los resultados mostraron que la temperatura óptima de la emergencia de cercarias estuvo en el rango de 25 °C, y disminuyó significativamente a 30 °C. Se observó también que no existía diferencia significativa en el número de cercarias emergentes entre los dos tipos morfológicos.

ABSTRACT Since temperature is a key condition in the initiation of cercarial emergence, the objective of the work reported here was to evaluate the effect of that variable on the shedding of two morphologic and taxonomic types of cercariae. Bioassays were accordingly performed with snails naturally infected with either monostome or pleurolophocercous cercariae because those two cercarial types were found to be the most prevalent in the environment under study. The snails were placed in 6-ml circular plastic dishes with soft plastic stoppers containing 3 ml of reconstituted water and then sequentially exposed for 24 h to a 14:10-h light:dark cycle at 20, 25, or 30 °C. The data were analyzed at a significance level of p 0.05 by means of the InfoStat program. The optimum temperature for cercarial emergence was typically in the range of 25 °C and decreased significantly at 30 °C. We observed no significant difference in the number of cercariae emerging between the two morphologic types.

Effect of temperature changes on the cercarial-shedding rate of two trematodes / Efecto de cambios en la temperatura sobre la emergencia de cercarías de dos trematodes

Considerando que la temperatura es un factor clave en la emergencia de cercarias, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de ésta variable sobre la emergencia de dos tipos morfológicos de cercarias. Los bioensayos se realizaron con caracoles naturalmente infectados con cercarias de los tipos monostoma o pleurolofocerca, debido a que estos dos tipos fueron los más prevalentes en el ambiente en estudio. Los caracoles fueron ubicados en cápsulas plásticas de 6 ml conteniendo 3 ml de agua reconstituida, y entonces fueron secuencialmente expuestos por 24 h con un ciclo 14:10 h luz:oscuridad a 20, 25 y 30 °C. Los datos fueron analizados a un nivel de significación de p<0.05 con el programa InfoStat. Los resultados mostraron que la temperatura óptima de la emergencia de cercarias estuvo en el rango de 25 °C, y disminuyó significativamente a 30 °C. Se observó también que no existía diferencia significativa en el número de cercarias emergentes entre los dos tipos morfológicos.(AU)

Since temperature is a key condition in the initiation of cercarial emergence, the objective of the work reported here was to evaluate the effect of that variable on the shedding of two morphologic and taxonomic types of cercariae. Bioassays were accordingly performed with snails naturally infected with either monostome or pleurolophocercous cercariae because those two cercarial types were found to be the most prevalent in the environment under study. The snails were placed in 6-ml circular plastic dishes with soft plastic stoppers containing 3 ml of reconstituted water and then sequentially exposed for 24 h to a 14:10-h light:dark cycle at 20, 25, or 30 °C. The data were analyzed at a significance level of p <0.05 by means of the InfoStat program. The optimum temperature for cercarial emergence was typically in the range of 25 °C and decreased significantly at 30 °C. We observed no significant difference in the number of cercariae emerging between the two morphologic types.(AU)

An ecological and comparative analysis of parasites in juvenile Mugil liza (Pisces, Mugilidae) from two sites in Samborombón bay, Argentina / Análisis ecológica y comparativa de parásitos en juveniles de Mugil liza (Pisces, Mugilidae) de dos sitios en la baía Samborombón, Argentina

Mugil liza, Valenciennes, 1836 es un pez de importancia comercial y ha sido recomendado en Sudamerica para la acuicultura. Los peces se distribuyeron en grupos de acuerdo con la talla. Usamos estadística Bayesiana e intervalos de credibilidad del 95% para cada parámetro calculado. Los peces alojaron un total de 15 especies parasitarias. La diversidad de las especies parasitas de M. liza fue mayor en el sitio de colecta S.R.C., pero evidencio una menor riqueza especifica que en A.R. La 1er talla de los peces de ambos sitios evidencio una mayor diversidad parasitaria que la 2da o 3er talla. Las diferencias observadas se pueden explicar por un uso diferente del hábitat en los dos sitios o a una susceptibilidad diferente a la infección por los parasitos. La influencia de la dominancia de D. fastigata resulta en el menor índice de diversidad de la comunidad. Nuevos trabajos que diluciden los diferentes ciclos de vida de los parásitos en los juveniles y adultos de M. liza en Argentina, prometen ser importantes para determinar el riesgo del parasitismo de la metacercaria zoonotica A. (P.) longa y el uso de este pez como alimento, una fuente económica y el posible uso de los parásitos de la lisa en otros promisorios campos como indicadores de biodiversidad y/o contaminación acuática.

Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 is an economically important food fish and has been recommended for aquaculture in South America. A total of 278 fishes were collected in the spring and summer of 2009 and 2010. These fish were sorted into sample groups according to their size class. We used Bayesian statistics and 95% credible intervals for each parameter tested were calculated. Fish studied harbored a total of 15 different species of parasites. Diversity of parasite species found on Mugil liza was greatest at the S.R.C. collection site, but evidenced a lower species richness than at A.R. site. The 1st size fishes of both sites evidenced greater parasite diversity than either 2nd or 3rd size fish. Differences observed could be explained by the different use of habitat types at the two sites or differential susceptibility to infection by parasites. The dominance of D. fastigata influenced observed results of lower community diversity indexes. New works elucidating different parasite life cycles within juvenile and adults ofM. liza in Argentina, promise to be important for determining the risk of the parasitism by zoonotic metacercariae A. (P.) longa and use of this fish as food and an economic resource, and the possible use of mullet parasites in other promising fields as indicators of biodiversity, and/or water contamination.

An ecological and comparative analysis of parasites in juvenile Mugil liza (Pisces, Mugilidae) from two sites in Samborombón bay, Argentina / Análisis ecológica y comparativa de parásitos en juveniles de Mugil liza (Pisces, Mugilidae) de dos sitios en la baía Samborombón, Argentina

Mugil liza, Valenciennes, 1836 es un pez de importancia comercial y ha sido recomendado en Sudamerica para la acuicultura. Los peces se distribuyeron en grupos de acuerdo con la talla. Usamos estadística Bayesiana e intervalos de credibilidad del 95% para cada parámetro calculado. Los peces alojaron un total de 15 especies parasitarias. La diversidad de las especies parasitas de M. liza fue mayor en el sitio de colecta S.R.C., pero evidencio una menor riqueza especifica que en A.R. La 1er talla de los peces de ambos sitios evidencio una mayor diversidad parasitaria que la 2da o 3er talla. Las diferencias observadas se pueden explicar por un uso diferente del hábitat en los dos sitios o a una susceptibilidad diferente a la infección por los parasitos. La influencia de la dominancia de D. fastigata resulta en el menor índice de diversidad de la comunidad. Nuevos trabajos que diluciden los diferentes ciclos de vida de los parásitos en los juveniles y adultos de M. liza en Argentina, prometen ser importantes para determinar el riesgo del parasitismo de la metacercaria zoonotica A. (P.) longa y el uso de este pez como alimento, una fuente económica y el posible uso de los parásitos de la lisa en otros promisorios campos como indicadores de biodiversidad y/o contaminación acuática.(AU)

Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 is an economically important food fish and has been recommended for aquaculture in South America. A total of 278 fishes were collected in the spring and summer of 2009 and 2010. These fish were sorted into sample groups according to their size class. We used Bayesian statistics and 95% credible intervals for each parameter tested were calculated. Fish studied harbored a total of 15 different species of parasites. Diversity of parasite species found on Mugil liza was greatest at the S.R.C. collection site, but evidenced a lower species richness than at A.R. site. The 1st size fishes of both sites evidenced greater parasite diversity than either 2nd or 3rd size fish. Differences observed could be explained by the different use of habitat types at the two sites or differential susceptibility to infection by parasites. The dominance of D. fastigata influenced observed results of lower community diversity indexes. New works elucidating different parasite life cycles within juvenile and adults ofM. liza in Argentina, promise to be important for determining the risk of the parasitism by zoonotic metacercariae A. (P.) longa and use of this fish as food and an economic resource, and the possible use of mullet parasites in other promising fields as indicators of biodiversity, and/or water contamination.(AU)

First molecular identification of Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa in its first intermediate host the mud snail Heleobia australis.

This is the first study that used species-specific DNA primers to confirm the presence of the heterophyid Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa Ransom, 1920 in its first intermediate host. The larval stages (rediae and cercariae) of this parasite were morphologically and genetically identified in the gonad of the intertidal mud snail Heleobia australis (d'Orbigny, 1835) (Cochliopidae) in the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. In addition, we asked whether the prevalence in H. australis varied between seasons. Mullets - the second intermediate host of this heterophyid - migrate in estuaries during the warmer seasons and it is expected that piscivorous birds and mammals - the definitive hosts - prey more intensively on this species at those times. Thus, the number of parasite eggs released into the tidal flat within their feces should be higher, thereby increasing the ingestion of the parasite by H. australis.We therefore expected a higher prevalence of A. (P.) longa in H. australis in the Bahía Blanca estuary during spring and summer than autumn and winter. We found that 16 out of 2,744 specimens of H. australis had been infected with A. (P.) longa (total prevalence of 0.58%). Nonetheless, the prevalence showed no significant variation between seasons. Hence, we discuss an alternative scenario where the lack of seasonal changes might be mostly related to the permanent residence of definitive hosts in the estuary and not to the seasonal recruitment of mullets. Finally, we highlight the need for more experimental and comparative approaches in order to understand the diagnosis and geographical distribution of this worldwide heterophyid.

Larval trematodes infecting the South-American intertidal mud snail Heleobia australis (Rissooidea: Cochliopidae).

Larval trematodes infecting the snail Heleobia australis (Cochliopidae) from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina were surveyed for two years. A total of 7,504 snail specimens was dissected and the larval stages of 15 different trematodes were recovered and examined morphologically. These larvae included four species that had previously been reported from H. australis in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina: the heterophyid Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa and the microphallids, Maritrema bonaerense, Maritrema orensense, and Microphallus simillimus. Three other species, the echinostomatid Stephanoprora uruguayensis, the microphallid Levinseniella cruzi, and the psilostomid Psilochasmus oxyurus are reported here for the first time as parasites of H. australis. Eight other trematodes found in H. australis are described and placed in the appropriate superfamilies, families or genera (Cryptogonimidae, Apocreadiidae, Aporocotylidae, Notocotylidae, Haploporidae, Renicolidae, Himasthla, and Renicola). The prevalence of the trematode taxa infecting H. australis in the Bahía Blanca estuary was low (<3%) with a single exception (M. simillimus; >20%). Microphallidae were the richest and the most prevalent family, probably because of the high abundance of crabs - the second-intermediate hosts of certain microphallid species - and the considerable diversity of gulls. Here we compare the parasite assemblage found in the H. australis from Bahía Blanca estuary with other parasite assemblages infecting Heleobia spp. and other rissooids from the rest of the world.

Maritrema orensense and Maritrema bonaerense (Digenea: Microphallidae): descriptions, life cycles, and comparative morphometric analyses.

We elucidate the life cycle of Maritrema orensense for the first time and experimentally confirm that of the sympatric Maritrema bonaerense. In Argentinean estuaries, both species parasitize the cochliopid snail Heleobia australis as first intermediate host, the grapsid crabs Neohelice granulata and Cyrtograpsus angulatus as second intermediate hosts, and gulls as definitive hosts. Here, we describe the daughter sporocysts and cercariae of M. orensense and redescribe these stages for M. bonaerense. Sporocysts of M. orensense are shorter, with fewer developed cercariae than M. bonaerense. The cercariae of M. orensense have longer, larger, and more undulating cephalic glands than M. bonaerense. We redescribe metacercariae and adults of both species and compare them with the previous descriptions. Intestinal ceca length, vitellaria shape and extension, and egg size are the most relevant characteristics in metacercariae and adults for differentiating the species. Hence, the detailed morphological description and comparative analyses of morphometrics obtained from natural and experimental infections permit clear differentiation of M. orensense and M. bonaerense at each life stage.

Enteric infections by trematodes and nematodes in Olrog's gull, Larus atlanticus.

Trematodes and nematodes can be pathogenic helminths of birds. Every year during the breeding season, there is variable mortality among chicks from the largest Olrog's gull (Larus atlanticus) colony in Argentina. During two consecutive breeding seasons of Olrog's gull, we studied epidemiological and pathological aspects of infections by digeneans (Microphallidae) and nematodes (Acuariidae) in Olrog's gull chicks. Prevalence of nematode infection was 80.3% in 2005 and 89.2% in 2006, and mean intensity was 23.7 in 2005 and 50.8 in 2006. The risk for infection rose 34.3% and the intensity of infection 6.7% for every increase of 1 mm in head-beak length. The nematodes occupied the proventricular glands and caused disruption of their structure and mild inflammatory proventriculitis. Prevalence of digenean infection was 97.0% in 2005 and 97.3% in 2006. In 10-day-old live chicks, prevalence was 98.0% in 2006 and 95.3% in 2007. Infection was associated with severe catarrhal enteritis, lymphocyte/eosinophil-rich inflammatory responses, extensive fibroblast proliferation around the parasites, and disruption of the architecture of the adjacent crypts.

Trichodinids (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of Mugil platanus (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) and Micropogonias furnieri (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) from Samborombón Bay, Argentina, with the description of a new species.

During surveys of parasites of the whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest) and the mullet Mugil platanus Günther from Samborombón Bay, Argentina, Trichodina puytoraci, T. lepsii, T. jadranica, T. murmanica, Diparitella simplex and Trichodina scalensis sp. n. were morphologically studied. Taxonomic and morphometric data for these trichodinids based on dry silver nitrate-impregnated specimens are presented. This study is the first formal report of these trichodinids from the southwest Atlantic Ocean, and the description of a new species from M. platanus.

Ligophorus saladensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from Mugil platanus Günther in Samborombón Bay, Argentina.

Ligophorus saladensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) is described from the gills of the grey mullet Mugil platanus Günther collected in Samborombón Bay, Argentina. The new species differs from L. mugilinus Euzet & Suriano, 1977, L. mediterraneus Sarabeev, Balbuena & Euzet, 2005 and L. huitermpe Fernandez, 1987 by the morphology of the accessory piece of the male copulatory organ and mean values derived from measurements of the sclerotised hard-parts. This is the second report of monogeneans on M. platanus in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean region and the first description of a species of Ligophorus Euzet & Suriano, 1977 from M. platanus. Some aspects of the speciation and host-specificity of Ligophorus spp. are discussed.

Intestinal Acanthocephaladiosis in Olrog's gulls (Larus atlanticus): Profilicollis chasmagnathi as possible cause of death.

In 2003 and 2005, mortality events were observed among hatch-year Olrog's gulls (Larus atlanticus) in a breeding colony in the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. Freshly dead chicks were collected for parasitologic and parasite-associated pathologic studies. Profilicollis chasmagnathi was found at various intensities in all of the birds examined (n=28). On gross and histopathologic examinations, severe lesions ranging from intestinal obstruction to complete perforation were present in small and large intestines of the birds. Larval forms of P. chasmagnathi were being found in prey items of L. atlanticus in the study area, which suggests that diet may play a central role in the epidemiology of disease and mortality events in this species.