Aquaponic growth of basil (Ocimum basilicum) with African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in standard substrate combined with a Humicacid Fiber-Substrate (HFS).

A major challenge in agriculture, horticulture and aquaponics practices is the reduction of mineral fertilisers and peat to reduce CO2 emissions and increase sustainability. This study used a three-phase-natural fertiliser, the Humicacid Fiber-Substrate (HFS), made from natural regenerative organic and mineral-fractions (Humus-Mineral-Complex), to reduce the peat content in plant pots for aquaponics farming. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) growth was compared with i) 100% standard media substrate ("Einheitserde", white peat 80%, clay 20%), and ii) 85% "Einheitserde" and 15% of HFS under irrigation with aquaculture process waters from an extensive and intensive production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under coupled aquaponic conditions. The substitution with 15% HFS and use of intensive fish water resulted in comparable plant growth to a fertiliser solution as control, and in higher leaf width and leaf green weight and lower root dry weight compared with the standard media substrate "Einheitserde". Basil leaf chlorophyll content from the aquaponics was higher compared with local market plants. This suggests the possible substitution of the peat substrate "Einheitserde" with at least 15% HFS to reduce the natural peat fraction. Further studies on crop-specific substrates are needed to reduce peat in aquaponics farming plant cultivation.

Growth and fatty acid composition of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L., 1758) larvae under altered feeding protocol including the copepod Apocyclops panamensis (Marsh, 1913).

Alternative live feeds for small and sensitive fish early life stages such as pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L., 1758) can improve the larval quantity, quality and performance in aquaculture. Therefore, this study evaluated the cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops panamensis (Marsh, 1913) as live feed for pikeperch larviculture from day 11 post hatch (dph) in two independent experiments. In both experiments, pikeperch larvae had the highest specific growth rate (SGR) when they fed on Brachionus plicatilis until dph 11 and A. panamensis until dph 16-18. SGR was related to a decrease in total fatty acids (FAs), saturated FAs and monounsaturated FAs in pikeperch larvae, indicating their use as energy for growth. Within the polyunsaturated FAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased in larvae fed with A. panamensis and coincided with the highest SGR suggesting that DHA is accumulated in larvae as structural FA. Our study demonstrated a suitable pikeperch larval fatty acid composition for growth after feeding A. panamensis compared with Artemia sp. from dph 11 until dph 16 and previously fed with B. plicatilis. Moreover, it highlighted the importance of the dietary PUFAs in pikeperch rearing, specifically of linoleic acid (LA) from dph 4 until dph 11 and of DHA from dph 11 onwards.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as a new tool for morphological characterisation of both newly collected and museum voucher specimens of the Trypanorhyncha Diesing, 1863 (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda).

Taxonomic issues within Trypanorhyncha, e.g., the inaccurate light microscopic visualisation of the hook patterns, are solvable by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We applied CLSM imaging to study Trygonicola macropora (Shipley et Hornell, 1906) and Dollfusiella michiae (Southwell, 1929) from Neotrygon caeruliopunctata Last, White et Séret from Bali, Indonesia. To illustrate the strength and limitations of CLSM, images of Otobothrium cysticum (Mayer, 1842) and Symbothriorhynchus tigaminacantha Palm, 2004, both permanent mounts from a collection, were also processed. The CLSM created image stacks of many layers, and edited with IMARIS Software, these layers resulted in three-dimensional images of the armature patterns and internal organs of both species. BABB (benzylalcohol and benzylbenzuolate) clearing was applied to T. macropora. We conclude that trypanorhynch cestodes stained with Mayer-Schuberg's acetic carmine permanently mounted in Canada balsam are suitable for CLSM, allowing detailed analyses of museum type-material as well as freshly collected and processed worms. BABB resulted in imaging the testes in detail, suggesting other stains to be used for CLSM in trypanorhynch cestode research. Application of CLSM for studies of other cestode groups is highly recommended.

Marine fish parasites of Vietnam: a comprehensive review and updated list of species, hosts, and zoogeographical distribution.

With a long coastline stretching from tropical to subtropical climate zones, and an immense exclusive economic zone with over 4000 islands, the Vietnamese marine waters support a rich and biodiverse parasite fauna. Although the first parasitological record was in 1898, systematic studies of the parasite fauna have increased during the last 50 years. This comprehensive review covers the current state of knowledge of marine fish parasites in Vietnam and lists 498 species found in 225 fish species, and their geographical distribution. In addition, 251 marine parasite species have newly been added to the already known fauna of 247 species since 2006 (more than two-fold increase). The most speciose group was the Digenea, which accounted for 43% of the total parasite species biodiversity, followed by Monogenea (23.5%), Crustacea (11.6%), Nematoda, and Acanthocephala (8.0% each). The shallow and muddy Gulf of Tonkin showed a rich parasite fauna, accounting for 66.3% of the whole marine parasite fauna of Vietnam, with Digenea accounting for 51% of the regional total parasite richness, followed by Monogenea (27%), Acanthocephala (8.8%), and Nematoda (5.8%). Only a few species belonged to Hirudinea, Myxozoa, and Cestoda, suggesting that these taxa may be understudied. Despite significant progress in studies of marine fish parasites in Vietnam since 2006, only about 12% and 13% of the total fish species have been examined for parasites in the whole country and the Gulf of Tonkin, respectively.

Title: Parasites des poissons marins du Vietnam : synthèse complète et mise à jour des listes d'espèces, des hôtes et de la distribution zoogéographique. Abstract: Avec un long littoral s'étendant des zones climatiques tropicales à subtropicales et une immense zone économique exclusive incluant plus de 4 000 îles, les eaux marines vietnamiennes abritent une faune parasitaire abondante et riche en biodiversité. Le premier signalement parasitologique remonte à 1898 et les études systématiques de la faune parasitaire se sont multipliées au cours des 50 dernières années. Cette synthèse complète couvre l'état actuel des connaissances sur les parasites des poissons marins au Vietnam et répertorie 498 espèces trouvées dans 225 espèces de poissons et leur répartition géographique. De plus, 251 espèces de parasites marins ont été nouvellement ajoutées à la faune déjà connue de 247 espèces depuis 2006 (soit une augmentation de plus du double). Le groupe le plus riche en espèces était les Digenea, qui représentaient 43% de la biodiversité totale des espèces de parasites, suivis des Monogenea (23,5 %), des Crustacea (11,6 %), des Nematoda et des Acanthocephala (8,0 % chacun). Le golfe peu profond et boueux du Tonkin a montré une riche faune parasitaire, représentant 66,3 % de l'ensemble de la faune parasitaire marine du Vietnam, avec les Digenea représentant 51 % de la richesse parasitaire totale régionale, suivi des Monogenea (27 %), Acanthocephala (8,8 %) et Nematoda (5,8 %). Seules quelques espèces appartenaient aux Hirudinea, Myxozoa et Cestoda, ce qui suggère que ces taxons pourraient être sous-étudiés. Malgré des progrès significatifs dans les études sur les parasites des poissons marins au Vietnam depuis 2006, seulement 12 % et 13 % des espèces de poissons ont été examinées, respectivement pour les parasites de l'ensemble du pays et du golfe du Tonkin.

Echinocephalus caniculus n. sp. (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae Railliet, 1895) from the lesser spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula (L.) (Elasmobranchii: Scyliorhinidae Gill, 1862) off Tunisia, with a key to species of the genus Echinocephalus.

Echinocephalus caniculus n. sp. (Nematoda, Gnathostomatidae Railliet, 1895) was isolated from the spiral valve of the lesser spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula (L.) from the waters off Kalaat El Andalous, North East Tunisia. This new species is mainly characterized by a cephalic bulb armed with 31-39 transverse rows of uncinated hooks, a comparatively long oesophagus, short spicules and the presence of a gubernaculum. The new species differs from its congeners by having four cervical sacs of almost equal length, a higher oesophagus/body length ratio, the arrangement of the caudal papillae, the absence of a medioventral preanal organ and numerous scattered `pores´ limited to the lateral side of the posterior part of the body. This is the first report of a member of the genus Echinocephalus Molin, 1858 from the Tunisian coast, and a new host and locality record for the Gnathostomatidae. A key to the species of Echinocephalus is provided.

Metazoan endoparasite fauna and feeding ecology of commercial fishes from Java, Indonesia.

Despite being an important component of the marine ecosystem and posing health risks to human seafood consumers, fish parasites in Indonesia have yet to be adequately described. Here, we analyzed the diet and metazoan parasite fauna of seven commercial fish species (Alectis indica, Carangoides chrysophrys, Johnius borneensis, Mene maculata, Trichiurus lepturus, Upeneus asymmetricus, U. moluccensis) landed in Java, Indonesia. We isolated 11 endoparasite species, established 22 new host and 14 new locality records, and extended parasitological records of A. indica by 24%, C. chrysophrys by 25%, J. borneensis by 40%, M. maculata by 44%, U. asymmetricus by 100%, and U. moluccensis by 17%. We genetically identified the trematode Stephanostomum cf. uku (of Bray et al. 2005) from Alecta indica for the first time in Indonesia and provided the sequence of its 28S marker. Stomach content analysis revealed seven different prey items, and the examined fish species were grouped into four feeding categories, which differed significantly in their respective endoparasite fauna. All but two examined fish species hosted potentially zoonotic nematodes, which reveal a risk for parasite-borne diseases in Indonesian food fishes and call for more consequent monitoring with regard to seafood safety in this region. With this study, we were able to establish an association between the feeding ecology and the endoparasite fauna of marine fishes which will help to better understand the transmission pathways of (potentially zoonotic) parasites in food fishes in tropical waters.

Fish Parasite Community of Three Lakes with Different Trophic Status in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.

PURPOSE: The present study investigates the fish parasite fauna from Lake Tollense, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. METHODS: A total of 117 perch (Perca fluviatilis), bream (Abramis brama) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) were sampled for parasites during 2018 and 2019 from Lake Tollense and compared with earlier data from Lake Malchin and Lake Hohen Sprenz in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Parasites were identified based on morphological and molecular characters. RESULTS: A total of 32 parasite species were isolated from fishes of Lake Tollense, predominated by digeneans. Diplostomum baeri was found only in perch while D. spathacaeum was isolated from bream and roach. Parasite comparison of similar hosts between lakes revealed highly abundant Ichthyocotylurus spp. in perch and bream of Lake Malchin while Aspidogaster limacoides was most common in roach from Lake Tollense. Diversity indices of roach showed significant variation between localities. However, NMDS graph revealed separation of the three freshwater habitats based on the parasite fauna of perch, bream and roach. CONCLUSION: Based on the multivariate statistical analysis, the three natural inland water bodies could be distinguished based on the parasite communities of perch, bream and roach. The potential to utilise fish parasites as biological indicators in freshwater ecosystem is discussed.

Redescription of Aspidogaster limacoides Diesing, 1834 (Aspidogastrea: Aspidogastridae) from freshwater fishes of northern Germany.

Aspidogaster limacoides Diesing, 1834 (Aspidogastridae) is redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopy of specimens from the stomach and intestine of Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus and Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae). The fishes were sampled during 2018 and 2019 at Lake Tollense in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. The prevalence of A. limacoides was highest in R. rutilus (61.7%) followed by Scardinius erythrophthalmus (7.7%) and A. brama (2.9%), while it was absent in Perca fluviatilis from the same lake. The following structures of A. limacoides are described for the first time: a depression on the ventral side of the neck, variations in the number and the arrangement of alveoli, numerous pits scattered all over the body surface, the presence of a few papillae-like structures posterior lateral to the mouth, the number of marginal organs represented by openings of exocrine multicellular glands as shown in histology and the subterminal position of the excretory pore. These characters can be used to distinguish three species of Aspidogaster, namely, A. ijimai, A. conchicola and A. limacoides, suggesting that SEM is a useful and promising tool in differentiating Aspidogaster species. Comparison of molecular data of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions showed a 94% similarity to A. limacoides from the European part of Russia. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the present specimens clustered in the same clade with A. limacoides sensu stricto, forming a distinct group to the exclusion of congeners.

Otobothrium muscatense n. sp. (Trypanorhyncha: Otobothriidae) from Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål) (Sparidae), with new locality records of larval trypanorhynchs off the Sultanate of Oman.

In the evaluation of the larval trypanorhynch fauna off the Sultanate of Oman, a total of 188 bony fishes belonging to 16 species were studied, which led to the description of a new species with the establishment of new host and locality records. A new otobothriid species, Otobothrium muscatense n. sp., is described from Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål). Based on scolex morphology and tentacular armature, the new species closely resembles the small-sized Otobothrium Linton, 1890 species described as Otobothrium cysticum (Mayer, 1842) and O. crenacolle Linton, 1890. However, it differs from them in the basal armature by a more robust shape of the first principal and the triangular shape of the billhooks as well as by the retractor muscle originating in the posterior part of the tentacle sheath, attaching to a thickening of the tentacle sheath wall, with a muscular branch continuing and attaching at front part of the bulb. It differs from the other species of Otobothrium by size, the combination of six principal hooks and a single intercalary hook in the metabasal armature, and the plane of reflection through the tentacle surfaces. New locality records of the tentaculariids Nybelinia indica Chandra, 1986, Heteronybelinia yamagutii (Dollfus, 1960), Tentacularia coryphaenae Bosc, 1797, and Mixonybelinia lepturi Palm, 2004, together with the lacistorhynchids Pseudogrillotia multiminacantha Palm, 2004 and Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819), and the pseudotobothriid Parotobothrium balli (Southwell, 1929) off the Muscat region are established. Of the reported species, especially P. multiminacantha and M. lepturi occurring in Trichiurus lepturus L. further demonstrate the relatedness between the Indonesian and the northwestern Indian Ocean fauna, increasing the number of joint records between Indonesia and Omani waters to 14 species.

Glyphidohaptor safiensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from the white-spotted rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus (Park) (Perciformes: Siganidae) off Oman, with notes on its phylogenetic position within the Ancyrocephalidae Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1968 (sensu lato).

A new ancyrocephalid monogenean is described from the gills of wild White-spottedrabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus (Park) based on morphological and molecular analyses. Glyphidohaptor safiensis n. sp. can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the shape of the accessory piece of the male copulatory organ (MCO). Unlike its congeners, the rod-shaped accessory piece of G. safiensis n. sp. is distally broad and flattened. The MCO of G. safiensis n. sp. is curved, enclosed in a heavy sheath with a terminal flap. Partial large subunit (LSU), partial small subunit (SSU) and the partial SSU, entire internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1) and partial 5.8S rDNA of the new species and two species of Tetrancistrum Goto & Kikuchi, 1917 from the same host and locality were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The LSU rDNA analysis grouped G. safiensis n. sp. with Tetrancistrum sp. from the gills of Siganus fuscescens Houttuyn from Australia, indicating a possible misidentification of the latter. Sequences of the SSU rDNA of the new species were most similar to those for Pseudohaliotrema sphincteroporus Yamaguti, 1953, demonstrating the close relatedness of the genera Pseudohaliotrema Yamaguti, 1953 and Glyphidohaptor Kritsky, Galli & Yang, 2007 within the Ancyrocephalidae. The comparison of the partial SSU (424 bp) and entire ITS1 and partial 5.8S rDNA (246 bp) sequences obtained for G. safiensis n. sp. with the only available sequence of another member of Glyphidohaptor Kritsky, Galli & Yang, 2007, G. pletocirra Paperna, 1972 (HE601931-HE601933) yielded on average 1.08% dissimilarity (a difference of 7 bases), with a p-distance of 0.010 ± 0.004%. This is the first record of a species of Glyphidohaptor from S. canaliculatus and from the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

A new species of Alexandercestus Ruhnke and Workman, 2013 (Cestoda: Phyllobothriidea) from the sicklefin lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae), in the Gulf of Oman.

A new species, Alexandercestus masoumehae n. sp., is described from the sicklefin lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens (Rüppell), from the Iranian coast of the Gulf of Oman. The new species is the third in this genus, all parasitizing species of Negaprion Whitley. Based on morphological characters and scanning electron microscopy the new species is different from its congeners of in a combination of characters including total length, terminal proglottid length, cirrus sac length, and genital pore position. Compared to Alexandercestus gibsoni Ruhnke & Workman, 2013 and A. manteri Ruhnke & Workman, 2013 the specimens of the new species are smaller (7.08-8.5 mm), with a smaller terminal proglottid length to width ratio (1:0.7-1.3 vs. 1.4-3.2:1 and 1.2-3.1:1, respectively), and have a more anterior genital pore (70-73% of proglottid length vs. 42-66% and 41-65%, respectively). In addition, A. masoumehae possesses less foliose bothridia compared with A. gibsoni, and more densely packed vitelline follicles in comparison with A. manteri. The SEM examination of the scolex in the new species reveals a specific pattern of microtriches adding new details in our understanding of the surface morphology of members of Alexandercestus. Finally, the new species increases the total number of described tapeworm species from N. acutidens to five and the described tapeworms in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman region to 65.

A new genus and two new species of trypanorhynch cestodes (Tentaculariidae) from the sharksCarcharhinus sorrah(Müller & Henle) andSphyrna lewini(Griffith & Smith) from off the coasts of Malaysia and Mexico.

Two new tentaculariid species were found infecting carcharhiniform sharks from off the coasts of Malaysian Borneo and the southwestern coast of the Baja California Sur, Mexico. Both new species exhibit a homeoacanthous heteromorphous basal and a homeoacanthous homeomorphous metabasal armature. Since this hook arrangement is unique within the tentaculariids and the taxonomy in this group deeply depends on the tentacular armature, Reimeriella n. g. is erected to accommodate R. varioacantha n. sp. ex Carcharhinus sorrah (Müller & Henle) and R. mexicoensis n. sp. ex Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith). Unlike R. mexicoensis n. sp., R. varioacantha n. sp. has a pars bothrialis not overlapping the pars bulbosa and the number of testes is higher. Reimeriella mexicoensis n. sp. possesses very large uncinate to falcate hooks in the basal armature, while in R. varioacantha n. sp. these hooks are almost the same in size as the remaining hooks in both the basal and metabasal armature. The latter species is the first tentaculariid species where the metabasal armature very closely resembles an eutetrarhynchid with a heteroacanthous typical homeomorphous metabasal armature and a high number of spiniform hooks per half spiral row (10-11 vs 6-7 in R. mexicoensis n. sp.) in the metabasal and apical armature. This pattern provides further morphological evidence for the close relationship of the Eutetrarhynchoidea and the Tentacularioidea. Reimeriella varioacantha n. sp. enriches the trypanorhynch fauna from off the coast of Malaysian Borneo while R. mexicoensis n. sp. is a novel record of a tentaculariid trypanorhynch from the Mexican Pacific.

Five new species of Acanthobothrium (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) from the long-tailed butterfly ray, Gymnura cf. poecilura (Elasmobranchii: Gymnuridae), from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Five new species of Acanthobothrium Blanchard, 1848 are described from Gymnura cf. poecilura from the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. They all belong to the Category 1 and can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of characters, including marginal lappets on the bothridial rim, the lack of spinitrich microtriches on the proximal bothridial surfaces, the position of the genital pore in the posterior one fifth of the proglottid, the direction of the cirrus sac parallel and clinging to the ovarian lobe, the lack of post-vaginal testes, and the interruption of the vitelline follicles by the ovary. The five new species are morphologically similar to each other but differ among each other in their cephalic peduncle length, proglottid and testes number, and the apolysis status. The most similar species to this new group is Acanthobothrium fogeli Gloldstein, 1964 from the Gulf of Mexico. The new species differ from A. fogeli by the muscular pad size, cephalic peduncle length and having marginal lappets on the bothridial rim. the species of Acanthobothrium occurs in three families of elasmobranchs in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf (Dasyatidae, Rhynchobatidae and Gymnuridae). The true identity of many hosts in the region is ambiguous. Therefore, we designated the sampled elasmobranch as G cf. poecilura in accordance to the previously molecular study on a few individuals from the region.

Tentaculariid trypanorhynchs (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) from Mobula japanica (Müller & Henle) from Indonesia, with the description of two new species.

This study presents new information on tentaculariid trypanorhynchs from the Indo-Pacific region around Bali, Indonesia. Two new tentaculariid species, Nybelinia balinensis n. sp. and N. mobulicola n. sp., are described from the stomach of their myliobatid host Mobula japanica (Müller & Henle). Nybelinia balinensis n. sp. is a large-sized tentaculariid (scolex length, 6766-10,991). It can be distinguished from its congeners by a falcate metabasal armature, a unique basal armature of four rows of triangular shaped hooks, craspedote proglottids, and testes arranged in multiple layers in two separate lateral fields. N. mobulicola n. sp. can be characterized by short tentacles of 25 rows of hooks and 60 testes not reaching posterior to the ovary. A combination of a shorter basal armature of uncinate hooks without anterior extension of the base and fewer metabasal uncinate hooks with anterior extension of the base distinguishes it from N. lingualis (Cuvier, 1817). It differs from N. balinensis n. sp. in the possession of uncinate rather triangular shaped basal hooks. The Nybelinia Poche, 1926 fauna of M. japanica is highly specific, in line with a unique trypanorhynch fauna earlier described for the devil rays. This reflects their unique position as oceanic plankton feeders within the marine food web.

Phylogenetic placement and microthrix pattern of Paranybelinia otobothrioides Dollfus, 1966 (Trypanorhyncha) from krill Nyctiphanes simplex Hansen, 1911.

Plerocerci of the monotypic Paranybelinia otobothrioides were found parasitizing the subtropical neritic krill Nyctiphanes simplex in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The plerocerci were recovered from two microhabitats of the intermediate host, typically embedded inside the digestive gland (hepatopancreas) or rarely in the hemocoel. The morphology of the simple, single-layered blastocyst surrounding the entire scolex is unique within the Trypanorhyncha by having four large funnel-like pori or openings possibly with feeding and/or excretory function. One of the openings is located anteriorly and three at the posterior end. Scolex surface ultrastructure shows hamulate and lineate spinitriches covering the bothrial surface, capilliform filitriches at the anterior scolex end and on the scolex peduncle, and short papilliform filitriches on the long appendix. This pattern resembles that of species of the Tentaculariidae; but differs in that the hamulate spinitriches, which appear lineate at the bothrial margins, densely cover the entire distal bothrial surface. Tegumental grooves are present on the posterior bothrial margin, lacking spinitriches. Paranybelinia otobothrioides and Pseudonybelinia odontacantha share the following unique combination of characters: two bothria with free lateral and posterior bothrial margins, homeoacanthous homeomorphous armature, tegumental grooves, the distribution of the hamulate spinitriches, and the absence of prebulbar organs. Both genera infect euphausiids as intermediate hosts. Sequence data of the partial ssrDNA gene place Pa. otobothrioides sister to the family Tentaculariidae, and the Kimura two-parameters (K2P) distance between Pa. otobothrioides and species of the family Tentaculariidae ranged from 0.027 to 0.039 (44-62 nucleotide differences). These data suggest both species be recognized in a family, the Paranybeliniidae, distinct from, albeit as sister taxon to, the Tentaculariidae. High prevalence of infection (<14%) and ontogenetic changes of Pa. otobothrioides support N. simplex as a required intermediate host and suggest a zooplanktophagous elasmobranch as final host in the Gulf of California.

Bucephalus damriyasai n. sp. (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from the blacktip trevally Caranx heberi (Bennett) (Perciformes: Carangidae) off Bali, Indonesia.

The new species Bucephalus damriyasai n. sp. is described from Caranx heberi (Bennett) from off Bali, Indonesia. It can be distinguished from other Bucephalus spp. recorded from carangid hosts by its narrow elongate body shape and the relatively long distance between the rhynchus and the vitellarium, as well as other features distinguishing it from individual species. The most similar species are differentiated from B. damriyasai n. sp. as follows: B. carangis Yamaguti, 1970 has a much greater length, the rhynchus is smaller and the cirrus-sac is small, not always reaching to the posterior testis; B. fragilis Velasquez, 1959 is a tiny species, the pre-vitelline distance is short and the caecum is saccular; B. gorgon (Linton, 1905) is much longer and relatively broader, the uterus reaches distinctly anterior to the vitellarium and the rhyncheal tentacles appear more complex; B. labracis Paggi & Orecchia, 1965 is distinctly longer, slightly broader, with a slightly larger rhynchus, and has shorter pre-uterine and pre-mouth distances; B. paraheterotentaculatus Velasquez, 1959 is much longer, relatively rather broad, the rhynchus is said to bear 21 tentacles, the post-testicular region and cirrus-sac reach are longer and the caecum is described as saccular; B. sphyraenae Yamaguti, 1952 is longer, slightly broader, the uterus reaches anteriorly to the vitellarium and the caecum is claviform and oriented anteriorly; B. margaritae Ozaki & Ishibashi, 1934 (syn. B. varicus Manter, 1940) is relatively squat, has shorter pre-vitelline and pre-mouth distances and a longer post-testicular distance and cirrus-sac reach; B. yamagutii Gupta & Singh, 1985 is broader, with a relatively short pre-vitelline distance, the caecum extends anteriorly to the pharynx, but not posteriorly and the rhynchus is said to carry five tentacles. The distinctive features of B. damriyasai n. sp. are compared with those of all other marine Bucephalus spp. in a table. The number of bucephalid trematodes known from Indonesian waters is now 13, two of them await further identification. They have been described from the fish families Carangidae, Platycephalidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae and Sphyraenidae.

Practical measures for sustainable shark fisheries: Lessons learned from an Indonesian targeted shark fishery.

Overfishing is a major threat to the survival of shark species, primarily driven by international trade in high-value fins, as well as meat, liver oil, skin and cartilage. The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that commercial trade does not threaten wild species, and several shark species have recently been listed on CITES as part of international efforts to ensure that trade does not threaten their survival. However, as international trade regulations alone will be insufficient to reduce overexploitation of sharks, they must be accompanied by practical fisheries management measures to reduce fishing mortality. To examine which management measures might be practical in the context of a targeted shark fishery, we collected data from 52 vessels across 595 fishing trips from January 2014 to December 2015 at Tanjung Luar fishing port in East Lombok, Indonesia. We recorded 11,920 landed individuals across 42 species, a high proportion of which were threatened and regulated species. Catch per unit effort depended primarily on the number of hooks and type of fishing gear used, and to a lesser degree on month, boat engine power, number of sets and fishing ground. The most significant factors influencing the likelihood of catching threatened and regulated species were month, fishing ground, engine power and hook number. We observed significant negative relationships between standardised catch per unit effort and several indicators of fishing effort, suggesting diminishing returns above relatively low levels of fishing effort. Our results suggest that management measures focusing on fishing effort controls, gear restrictions and modifications and spatiotemporal closures could have significant benefits for the conservation of shark species, and may help to improve the overall sustainability of the Tanjung Luar shark fishery. These management measures may also be applicable to shark fisheries in other parts of Indonesia and beyond, as sharks increasingly become the focus of global conservation efforts.

Metazoan parasite fauna of migrating common garfish, Belone belone (L.), in the Baltic Sea.

A total of 35 common garfish, Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761), were studied for metazoan parasites on their spawning grounds in the western Baltic Sea. Nine parasite species were found, and six new locality records could be established for German coastal waters (Axine belones, Monogenea; Proteocephalus sp., Cestoda; Anisakis simplex (s.s.), Contracaecum rudolphii A and Hysterothylacium aduncum, Nematoda; Echinorhynchus gadi, Acanthocephala). For the first time, the marine ectoparasite A. belones was recorded from the gills of garfish inside the Baltic Sea, indicating its ability to survive the spawning migration as well as the brackish water conditions at its reproduction grounds. This is alike the endohelminth A. simplex (s.s.), that was identified by molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2) region. Almost all isolated metazoans were parasites commonly recorded from the northeast Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. The lower number of typical generalist Baltic Sea parasites indicates the rapid migration of common garfish onto the spawning grounds, reducing the access and uptake of these species.

Philometrid nematodes (Philometridae) of marine teleosts from Balinese waters, Indonesia, including the description of Philometra damriyasai sp. nov.

Based on light and scanning electron microscopy, one new species of philometrid nematodes, Philometra damriyasai sp. nov. (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea: Philometridae) from the body cavity of Tylerius spinosissimus (Regan, 1908) (Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae), and five known species are reported in different marine teleosts from South Bali, Indonesia. The new species can be distinguished from the most closely related P. javensis Moravec, Walter & Juniar, 2012 by the absence of sclerotized denticles on the cuticle of the anterior oesophageal lobes of the mouth and smaller larvae. Philometra nemipteri Luo, 2001 of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791), P. otolithi Moravec & Manoharan, 2013 of Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (both from gonads) and Philometroides marinus Moravec & Buron, 2009 from the body cavity of Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) are reported for the first time from Indonesian waters, thus extending their range of distribution into the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. Philometra lobotidis Moravec, Walter & Yuniar, 2012 from the body cavity of Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) and P. ocularis Moravec, Ogawa, Suzuki, Miyaki & Donai, 2002 from the eye cavity of Variola louti (Forsskål, 1775) represent new geographical records, and Philometra sp. was recorded for the first time from Cephalopholis sexmaculata (Rüppell, 1830). A total of 14 philometrids have been so far identified from marine fishes in Indonesia.

Pseudempleurosoma haywardi sp. nov. (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae (sensu lato) Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1968): An endoparasite of croakers (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) from Indonesia.

An endoparasitic monogenean was identified for the first time from Indonesia. The oesophagus and anterior stomach of the croakers Nibea soldado (Lacépède) and Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider) (n = 35 each) sampled from the South Java coast in May 2011 and Johnius amblycephalus (Bleeker) (n = 2) (all Sciaenidae) from Kedonganan fish market, South Bali coast, in November 2016, were infected with Pseudempleurosoma haywardi sp. nov. Prevalences in the first two croakers were 63% and 46%, respectively, and the two J. amblycephalus harboured three and five individuals. All three croakers represent new hosts for this monogenean genus. We provide infection rates, light microscopical observations, 3D confocal microscopical illustrations, and a morphometric comparison with all congeners. The new species differs in body size, the position and shape of the ovary and testes, and especially in the composition of the dorsal anchor complex, with the dorsal bar being anteriorly concave rather than planar or convex as in its congeners. The dorsal and ventral anchors of this new species are the longest in the genus, whereas the male copulatory organ is the smallest. The first DNA sequences for a member of this genus demonstrate the greatest similarity with endoparasitic freshwater monogeneans from African cichlid fishes. This suggests a freshwater origin for these marine endoparasitic monogeneans.