Occurrence and First Molecular Characterization of Spinitectus notopteri Karve et Naik, 1951, Infected Bronze Featherback (Notopterus notopterus) in India.

PURPOSE: The nematode genus Spinitectus Fourment, 1883, comprises species that are mainly parasitic on freshwater and marine fishes. However, our knowledge of the distribution and molecular identification of Spinitectus spp. in the Indian region is rather limited. This study aims to fill this gap in our knowledge using molecular data as evidence for Spinitectus species characterization. METHODS: Bronze featherback were obtained opportunistically from the fish markets of district Muzaffarnagar (29.4727° N, 77.7085° E), Uttar Pradesh, India. Nematode species collected from the gastrointestinal tract were characterized morphologically and molecularly. Partial sequences of the ribosomal 18S rRNA gene were used for molecular characterization of the present specimens. RESULTS: The current study represented molecular analysis that determined the presence of the species Spinitectus notopteri Karve et Naik, 1951. The sequences obtained were closely related to representatives of the family Rhabdochonidae. CONCLUSION: This first molecular exploration of S. notopteri Karve et Naik, 1951, in the GenBank database and for any species of Spinitectus from India indicates a lack of genetic data for parasitic nematodes.

First molecular description of Neorhadinorhynchus nudus (Acanthocephala: Cavisomidae) from fish in the pacific coast of Vietnam, with notes on biogeography.

Neorhadinorhynchus nudus (Harada, 1938) Yamaguti, 1939 (Cavisomidae) was morphologically described from the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacépède) (Scombridae) in Nha Trang, Pacific south Vietnam. Females of N. nudus were fully described for the first time in the Pacific. Its original inadequate description as Rhadinorhynchus nudus (Harada, 1938) was corrected in material from Fiji Island, the Red Sea and Pacific Vietnam and errors in the text and line drawings of Harada were repeated in subsequent major publications where it underwent considerable nomenclature changes. New descriptive and biogeographical notes are included. We also provided here the molecular characterization of the nuclear gene (18S) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequence data of N. nudus. Furthermore, to elucidate the phylogenetic relationship of N. nudus within the family Cavisomidae and with other isolates were performed incorporating nuclear (18S) and mitochondrial (cox1) sequence data using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI). The phylogenetic results showed that N. nudus has a relationship with other isolates of the same species and the median-joining network showed the pattern of haplotypes that reflected the structure of the populations.

Redescription of Illiosentis cetratus Van Cleave, 1945 (Acanthocephala: Illiosentidae) from Menticirrhus undulatus (Girard) in California, with notes on Illiosentis furcatus from Peru.

Illiosentis Van Cleave et Lincicome, 1939 initially included two species: Illiosentis furcatus Van Cleave et Lincicome, 1939 found in the West Atlantic from Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA to northern Argentina and Illiosentis cetratus Van Cleave, 1945 with restricted distribution in the Pacific coast of southern California. We are reporting I. furcatus from Peru for the first time and describe a population of I. cetratus from the California corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus (Girard), from southern California. The proboscis hook formula was 14 longitudinal rows for I. furcatus of 18-23 hooks each compared to 16 rows of 19-24 hooks each reported by Van Cleave (1945). We complete the inadequate description of I. cetratus with new information on sexual differentiation in the length of the trunk, dorsal vs. ventral hooks, hook roots, trunk spines, two types of anterior recurved rooted hooks vs. posterior rootless straight hooks, measurements of dorsal and ventral hooks and spines, shape of hook roots, terminal position of the female gonopore, and of position of the cephalic ganglion at the anterior margin of the trunk. We also include new details of the reproductive system in both sexes including Saefftigen's pouch and cement gland ducts. We present new SEM and light microscope images. The Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) shows a high level of sulfur in anterior, middle and posterior hooks in various hook sites, as well as spectra of hook tips with a higher relative concentration of sulfur compared to other hook sites. For the placement of I. cetratus, phylogenetic analysis of sequences of three molecular markers, 18S, 28S rRNA and mitochondrial cox 1 genes, was performed with other related available sequences. The resulting analysis illustrated that I. cetratus was nested within a separate clade along with species of two genera, Dentitruncus truttae Sinzar, 1955 and Neotegorhynchus cyprini Lisitsyna, Xi, Orosová, Barcák et Oros, 2022 represented our species of Illiosentis separate from species of Tegorhynchus Van Cleave, 1921 (as also according to the morphology) with which the Illiosentis species were previously synonymised.

Redescription and Molecular Characterization of Pachysentis canicola Meyer, 1931 (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the Maned Wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) in Texas.

BACKGROUND: The original description of Pachysentis canicola Meyer, 1931 was based on an unknown number of specimens from an undetermined species of Canis in Brazil from the Berlin Museum. It has since been reported from other carnivores in South and North America. Our specimens from the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), in Texas, represent a new host record, and has shed more light on morphometric characteristics missing from the original description, and expanded the range of variations in characters that remained fixed since 1931 and that have been repeated in other taxonomic accounts. We have found additional specimens in striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis Schreber, also in Texas. METHODS: We have performed metal analysis on hooks using EDXA (energy dispersive X-ray analysis). Sequences for the 18S gene and ITS1-5.8-ITS2 region of rDNA were generated to molecularly characterize the species for the first time. RESULTS: Worms with a massive trunk and a globular proboscis with prominent dome-like apical organ and 12 irregular spiral rows of 4-5 hooks deeply embedded in cuticular folds each, totaling 48-60 hooks. We have included line drawings of the male and female reproductive systems, among other structures, also missing from the original and subsequent descriptions. We describe a new population of P. canicola from Texas and report on the metal analysis of its hooks using EDXA. We also assess the phylogenetic position of P. canicola supporting its independent status in the family Oligacanthorhynchidae, inferred from the two molecular markers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the foremost molecular characterization of any species of Pachysentis and will provide significant insights and reference for future molecular study of species of Pachysentis, especially from this newly described Texas population.

Description of the Metacercaria of Cardiocephaloides sp. (Digenea, Diplostomoidea), Newly Recorded from the Brain of Gangetic Leaffish (Nandus nandus) and Its Genetic Characterization in India.

PURPOSE: Cardiocephaloides comprises strigeid trematodes that represent a small genus. In this study, metacercaria identified as Cardiocephaloides sp. was collected from the Gangetic leaffish Nandus nandus from the Ganga River at Bairaj, Bijnor (29º01'N, 77º45'E) in the state of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India. Partial DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and 28S gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA were generated and compared with available sequences of Cardiocephaloides species from Genbank database. METHODS: Encysted metacercariae of Cardiocephaloides sp. were collected from Nandus nandus were processed, identified and documented using morphological methods. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 cluster and 28S gene of ribosomal DNA of metacercariae were also sequenced and used for phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: The infections of brain parasites are poorly understood in India and if studies are available, they are not properly described. During this study, the species collected were found belongs to the genus Cardiocephaloides. Metacercariae of Cardiocephaloides sp. is distinguished morphologically from others that also harbor brain by the presence of having an egg shape cyst and body elongate oval in shape with well-developed anterior part. The metacercariae are identified by matching of molecular sequence data and is compared to other species of Strigeidae. CONCLUSION: This is the first record of metacercaria of Cardiocephaloides sp. from India. This molecular data from the present study will provide future comparative insights into species of Cardiocephaloides and its close affiliation to other congeners from different geographical areas.

IL-13Rα2 gene expression is a biomarker of adverse outcome in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but aggressive endocrine malignancy that usually results in a fatal outcome. To allow the better clinical management and reduce mortality, we searched for clinical and molecular markers that are reliable predictor of disease severity and clinical outcome in ACC patients. We determined a correlation between the overexpression of IL-13Rα2 and the clinical outcome in ACC patients using comprehensive data available in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The dataset of 79 ACC subjects were divided into groups of low, medium, or high expression of IL-13Rα2 as determined by RNA-seq. These patients were also stratified by length of survival, overall survival, incidence of a new tumor event, incidence of metastasis, and production of excess hormones. We report a correlation between IL-13Rα2 expression and survival of subjects with ACC. High expression of IL-13Rα2 in ACC tumors was significantly associated with a lower patient survival rate and period of survival compared to low expression (p = 0.0084). In addition, high IL-13Rα2 expression was significantly associated with a higher incidence of new tumor events and excess hormone production compared to low or medium IL-13Rα2 expression. Within the cohort of patients that produced excess hormone, elevated IL-13Rα2 expression was significantly associated with a lower survival rate. Additionally, IL-13Rα1 had a potential relationship between transcript level and ACC survival. Our results and promising antitumor activity in preclinical models and trials indicate that IL-13Rα2 expression is an important prognostic biomarker of ACC disease outcome and a promising target for therapeutic treatment of ACC.

A short note on predicted motifs in the Thaparocleidus wallagonius genome.

Thaparocleidus wallagonius is a monogenean parasite and a fish-borne pathogen with a worldwide distribution. The genome for Thaparocleidus wallagonius is known. Therefore, it is of interest to report the DNA motif analysis data in the 18S rDNA of Thaparocleidus wallagonius collected from the fish Wallago attu in India. This data forms a framework for an in-depth analysis of the parasite biology and development, immune evasion strategies, virulence and long-term survival within the definitive host.

The Molecular Profile of Rhadinorhynchus dorsoventrospinosus Amin, Heckmann, and Ha 2011 (Acanthocephala: Rhadinorhynchidae) from Vietnam.

Of the 46 known species of Rhadinorhynchus Lühe, 1911, only 6 species, including Rhadinorhynchus dorsoventrospinosus Amin, Heckmann, and Ha, 2011, have dorsal and ventral, as well as lateral, trunk spines in the posterior field of trunk spines. The other 5 species are Rhadinorhynchus erumei Gupta and Fatima, 1981, Rhadinorhynchus adenati (Golvan and Houin, 1964) Golvan, 1969, Rhadinorhynchus lintoni Cable and Linderoth, 1963, Rhadinorhynchus pacificus Amin, Rubtsova, and Ha, 2019, and Rhadinorhynchus multispinosus Amin, Rubtsova, and Ha, 2019. These 5 species are distinguished from R. dorsoventrospinosus by differences in proboscis hook armature, trunk spine organization, and egg size. The distinction of R. dorsoventrospinosus is further demonstrated by its molecular description. We amplified the 18S and ITS1+5.8S+ITS2 rDNA region and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene for this study. Unfortunately, no ITS1+5.8S+ITS2 gene sequences are available for comparison with other species of the genus Rhadinorhynchus. Therefore, phylogenetic trees generated from sequences of the 18S nuclear region and COI gene were analyzed for the phylogenetic position of isolates of R. dorsoventrospinosus. Rhadinorhynchus dorsoventrospinosus has been validated as a species based on comparisons of morphological (original description) and molecular features (this paper). The additional genetic data will be useful as more species are described and as more genetic material becomes available to improve taxon sampling in the genetic analysis.

The Molecular Phylogeny of Pararhadinorhynchus magnus Ha, Amin, Ngo, Heckmann, 2018 (Acanthocephala: Rhadinorhynchidae) from Scatophagus argus (Linn.) (Scatophagidae) in Vietnam.

PURPOSE: The molecular profile of Pararhadinorhynchus magnus Ha, Amin, Ngo, Heckmann, 2018 described from Scatophagus argus (Linn.) off Haiphong in the Gulf of Tonkin, Pacific Ocean, Vietnam is provided for the first time. It was morphologically distinguished from the South Australian species, Pararhadinorhynchus mugilis Johnston and Edmonds, 1947 and Pararhadinorhynchus coorongensis Edmonds, 1973 from mullets. Two other species of Pararhadinorhynchus are also recognized: Pararhadinorhynchus upenei Wang, Wang, Wu, 1993 from China and Pararhadinorhynchus sodwanensis Lisitsyna, Kudlai, Cribb and Smit, 2019 from South Africa. The assignment of Diplosentis manteri Gupta and Fatma, 1980 to Pararhadinorhynchus is not recognized. METHODS: Sequences of the 18S, small internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and 28S from nuclear DNA were generated to molecularly characterize P. magnus. The phylogenetic analyses were achieved by comparison of the 18S and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region only as the 28S amplified a short region (425-428 bp) that was not sufficient for the present study. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analyses showed that P. magnus and the other species of Pararhadinorhynchus sequenced were nested within separate clades in the case of 18S gene and suggesting that these species do not share a common ancestor. In contrast, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region shows a close arrangement of species of Pararhadinorhynchus with molecular affinities to the family Diplosentidae, suggesting that final placement of these species in Transvenidae needs further study and revision. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular data from the present study will provide further comparative insights into species of Pararhadinorhynchus and its close affiliation to other acanthocephalan species and genera from different geographical areas.

The Morphological and Molecular Description of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) fusiformis n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) from the Catfish Arius sp. (Ariidae) in the Pacific Ocean off Vietnam, with Notes on Zoogeography.

BACKGROUND: Most (82%) of the 46 recognized species of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) Verma and Datta, 1929 are known from Asian freshwater fishes. Only three species of Acanthosentis are known from marine or brackish water fishes from India and Pakistan. We have discovered another marine species of Acanthosentis in the Pacific Ocean, off Vietnam. PURPOSE: The purpose is to describe the new species morphologically and molecularly and provide new information of its evolutionally relationships with other species of the subgenus. METHODS: Standard methods of collection and examination of marine hosts, processing and illustrating of specimens, and taxonomic identification of parasites using the extensive collection of the lead author were used. Specimens were further studied using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and ion sectioning of hooks, SEM analysis, and molecular sequencing. Type specimens were deposited at the Harold W. Manter Lab. collection, Lincoln, Nebraska. RESULTS: Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) fusiformis n. sp. is described from the catfish, Arius sp. (Ariidae: Siluriformes) off the Pacific Coast of Vietnam at Bac Lieu in the Gulf of Thailand. The three other marine Indian species include A. (A.) arii Bilqees, 1971 which is also described from a similar catfish, Arius serratus Day off the Karachi coast in the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean. Our new species from Vietnam is distinguished from the other 46 species by a combination of characters including a small fusiform trunk, complete circles of small hollow spines covering the entire trunk, prominent double apical organs often extending posteriorly past posterior hooks, middle and posterior hooks of equal size slightly smaller than anterior hooks, large neck continuous with the outline of the proboscis without distinct separation, big drop-shaped cephalic ganglion, extension of the proboscis receptacle anteriorly past the base of the proboscis up to the insertion point of the posterior hooks, presence of two para-receptacle structures (PRSs), free unattached thick lemnisci, short female reproductive system with filamentous attachment of the distal end of the uterine bell to the ventral body wall, and small narrowly ellipsoid eggs with thickened polar ends. Partial sequences of the 18S and internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of ribosomal RNA were generated and used for phylogenetic analyses to confirm the taxonomic identity of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) fusiformis n. sp. CONCLUSIONS: We describe unique morphological features of A. fusiformis never before known in the subgenus Acanthosentis. The uniqueness of A. fusiformis is further demonstrated by its EDXA fingerprint characterized by high levels of calcium and phosphorous in hooks. The zoogeography of species of Acanthosentis is elucidated in the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, China, and Africa. Molecular data have been available only in few species of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) to date on GenBank database. For 18S, only two sequences from unknown Acanthosentis sp. from India are available, while for the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, only sequences of A. cheni from China and of two unidentified species from Malaysia are available. Additional studies of species of Acanthosentis based on morphological and molecular genetic data will be needed to reconstruct the evolutionary history and phylogenetic affinities of this group of acanthocephalans.

Redescription and molecular analysis of Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) johnii Yamaguti, 1939 (Acanthocephala, Neoechinorhynchidae) from the Pacific Ocean off Vietnam.

Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) johnii Yamaguti, 1939 is redescribed from Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Polynemidae), Johnius carouna (Sciaenidae), Johnius sp., and Otolithes ruber (Sciaenidae) along the north and south coasts of Vietnam. Our description completes missing and inadequate information in the original descriptions and line drawings from Johnius goma in Japan and from Pseudosciaena diacanthus in the Indian Ocean. We add new information documented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photomicroscopy, and explore the wide morphological diversity attributed to host species. The redescription includes: worms cylindrical with round proboscis with prominent apical organ, and large anterior hooks distant from small middle and posterior hooks; neck longer than the proboscis, nucleated lemnisci subequal, and receptacle with large basal triangulate cephalic ganglion and attached para-receptacle structure (PRS); male reproductive system in posterior half of trunk; adult females with introvert genital vestibule; and eggs spherical or rectangular. Gallium cuts and X-ray scans of hooks show high concentrations of sulfur on edge layer aiding in forming hardened calcium phosphate apatite of that layer with calcium and phosphorus in higher concentration in central part of hook. Molecular results consistently yielded a strongly supported distinct clade for the Neoechinorhynchus species from Vietnam for both 18S gene and the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal RNA. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that N. johnii occupies a separate position in the trees, probably indicating an Asian origin of this species.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationships of Pallisentis ( Brevitritospinus) Indica (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae), A Parasite of the Spotted Snakehead ( Channa punctatus).

Pallisentis ( Brevitritospinus) indica Mittal and Lal, 1976 was found infecting the spotted snakehead Channa punctatus Bloch and Schneider (Channidae) from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India. The species was identified on the basis of proboscis hooks, trunk spines, and other structures that separate it from all described species. Molecular analysis based on 18S rDNA placed the P. indica isolates within a clade of Pallisentis spp. but distinct from other representatives of the same genus. This study documents the first molecular characterization of P. indica from India.

First molecular evidence of Thelohanellus wallagoi Sarkar, 1985 (Myxozoa) from economically important food fish, freshwater shark Wallago attu (Siluridae) in India.

The freshwater shark Wallago attu (Bl. and Schn.) is a frequent silurid in the River Ganga and one of the most commercially exploit fish in India. In a survey on its infection with myxosporeans, spore type belongs to Thelohanellus species was found in the gills, kidney and intestine respectively. Through morphological and molecular investigations, we identified the spore as Thelohanellus wallagoi Sarkar, 1985. They were pyriform in valvular view and slim in sutural view, and had one pyriform polar capsule with four to five turns. The spores measured 8.0 × 4.0 × 2.3 µm. T. wallagoi developed in small cysts in the gill lamellae, whereas cyst and scattered spores of T. wallagoi were also found in the kidney and intestine respectively. The 18S rDNA sequence of T. wallagoi isolates recovered from gills, kidney and intestine were found similar to each other and differed from any other Thelohanellus species available in GenBank and validated its status after 32 years of original description. Phylogenetic analysis signified that T. wallagoi was placed sister to Myxobolus species in the clade that indicated the polyphyletic nature of the genus Thelohanellus.

Morphological, histological, and molecular description of Myxobolus ompok n. sp. (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae), a kidney myxozoan from Pabdah catfish Ompok pabda (Hamilton, 1822) (Siluriformes: Siluridae) in India.

In a parasitological survey of freshwater fishes near Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, myxozoan infections in Pabdah catfish Ompok pabda Ham. (Siluriformes: Siluridae) were found. Round plasmodia and scattered spores of Myxobolus ompok n. sp. were found in the kidney of the host. Plasmodia measuring 150-200 µm were located in the renal interstitium. Spores of Myxobolus ompok n. sp. were elongated pyriform, 13.6-14.4 (14.8 ± 0.42) µm long, 5.6-6.4 (6.5 ± 0.33) µm wide, and 5.2-6.4 (5.9 ± 0.43) µm thick with two equal polar capsules measuring 8.0-8.5 (8.2 ± 0.2) µm in length and 1.5-2.4 (1.8 ± 0.33) in width having six filamental turns. Both the morphology and DNA analysis of the 18S rRNA gene revealed that Myxobolus ompok n. sp. is distinct from previously described species of Myxobolus and shares no significant similarity with any other Myxobolus deposited in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis inferred that this species showed the closest similarity to Myxobolus miyarii (KT001495). This is the first record of any Myxobolus sp. from O. pabda in India.

Morphological and molecular analyses of Tylodelphys spp. metacercaria (Trematoda: Diplostomidae) from the vitreous humour of two freshwater fish species, Channa gachua (Ham.) and Puntius sophore (Ham.).

Trematodes of family Diplostomatidae consists of a large and diverse group of parasites which have larval stages that are very important pathogens of wild and cultured freshwater fishes worldwide, can cause serious impacts. Our understanding of the diplostomids diversity, though, remains deficient and limited especially in India. In the present study, the morphology and molecular characterization of Tylodelphys spp. from the vitreous humour of eye, collected from two economically important food fish, dwarf snakehead Channa gachua (Perciformes: Channidae) and pool barb Puntius sophore (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) were described from Bijnor and Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India respectively. Tylodelphys spp. were characterized morphologically by light microscopy and SEM observations. Partial sequences of the ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 gene cluster were also used for molecular identification of the species. Combined morphological and molecular analyses revealed the presence of three species of Tylodelphys: Tylodelphys sp. CG from C. gachua and Tylodelphys sp. PS 1, Tylodelphys sp. PS 2 from P. sophore respectively. This study demonstrated that molecular diversity of Tylodelphys spp. in Meerut, UP, India that may contribute to our knowledge of the diagnosis and taxonomy of diplostomids in fish.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Metacercaria of Tylodelphys (Digenea: Diplostomidae) from the Piscine Host, Mystus tengara from India.

The diversity and taxonomy of diplostomids infecting freshwater fishes of the Indian region are predominantly poorly known. Yet compared to other trematodes, identification and discrimination of diplostomid metacercaria are difficult using morphology and site of infection. The present study provides the first molecular study of a Tylodelphys sp. from India. Specimens of Tylodelphys were collected from the vitreous humor of the eyes and from the brains of siluriform fish, Mystus tengara (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from Hastinapur, Meerut (U.P.), India. Taxonomic studies were performed on the basis of morphological, morphometrical, and molecular analysis. The dissimilarities in morphological and sites of infection between 2 forms of Tylodelphys, designated as Tylodelphys sp. 1 and Tylodelphys sp. 2, suggested that the forms were different species but, after performing molecular analysis, we conclude that despite morphological differences both morphotypes are conspecific.

Molecular identification of Thelandros scleratus and Thelastoma icemi (Nematoda: Oxyruida) using mitochondrial cox 1 sequences.

Two species of parasitic nematodes collected from the intestine of Brook's House Gecko, Hemidactylus brooki and American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L. The parasites were identified as Thelandros scleratus and Thelastoma icemi by PCR amplification method. Subsequently, sequence analysis of mt cox1 (504 and 540 bp) for T. scleratus and T. icemi respectively revealed that these sequences showed maximum similarity of 90% (in case of T. scleratus), 77% (in case of T. icemi), to nematode sequences available on GenBank. To our knowledge, no cox1 sequence is available for both the species of family Pharyngodonidae and Thelastomatidae. This study represents the first mitochondrial DNA characterization of both species.

Redescription of Henneguya chaudhuryi (Bajpai & Haldar, 1982) (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae), infecting the gills of the freshwater fish Channa punctata (Bloch) (Perciformes: Channidae) in India.

During a survey of myxosporean parasites of freshwater fishes in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, spores of Henneguya chaudhuryi (Bajpai & Haldar, 1982) were found in the gill lamellae of the spotted snakehead fish Channa punctata (Bloch) (Perciformes: Channidae). This species was described lacking several characteristics in the original description, which makes challenging the accurate diagnosis. Here, we supplemented its description based on morphological, histological and molecular data. Plasmodia of H. chaudhuryi are oval, measuring 60-100 × 40-68 µm, located intralamellarly. Mature spores are elongate, measuring 10.5-13.2 × 3.6-4.2 µm, with two slightly unequal polar capsules with 6-7 filamental turns and two straight, equal caudal appendages, 10-17 µm long. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a flat surface. The 18S rDNA sequence for H. chaudhuryi did not show a close relationship with those of any other Henneguya spp., represented in the GenBank.

Erratum to: Molecular identification of Thelandros scleratus and Thelastoma icemi (Nematoda: Oxyruida) using mitochondrial cox 1 sequences.

should be corrected as follows:DOI: 10.1515/ap-2017-0045© W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, PASActa Parasitologica, 2017, 62(2), 382-385; ISSN 1230-2821.

Myxozoan infections of the three Indian major carps in fish ponds around Meerut, UP, India, with descriptions of three new species, Myxobolus basuhaldari sp. n., M. kalavatiae sp. n. and M. meerutensis sp. n., and the redescription of M. catlae and M. bhadrensis.

New myxosporean species are described from Indian fishes cultured in pond farms of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (UP) state. Based upon plasmodia found in the Indian major carps (Catla catla, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Labeo rohita and their hybrids), three new Myxobolus spp., Myxobolus basuhaldari sp. n., Myxobolus kalavatiae sp. n. and Myxobolus meerutensis sp. n., are described, and two species, Myxobolus catlae and Myxobolus bhadrensis, are redescribed. Plasmodia of M. basuhaldari sp. n., M. kalavatiae sp. n., M. meerutensis sp. n. and M. catlae developed in small cysts in the gill lamellae, while plasmodia and scattered spores of M. bhadrensis were found in the muscles and kidney, respectively. Plasmodia and spores found in these fishes differed from each other with respect to their morphology, tissue tropism and 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) sequence. No major pathological changes were found, but severe infections were observed.