Dentirumai philippinensis n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Philometridae), a new tissue-infecting philometrid nematode from the loach goby Rhyacichthys aspro (Valenciennes) (Rhyacichthyidae) in the Philippines.

A new genus and species of the philometrid nematode Dentirumai philippinensis n. gen., n. sp. Philometrinae, Philometridae, are described on the basis of the female specimens found in the loach goby, Rhyacichthys aspro (Valenciennes), from the upper Bianuan River, Municipality of Casiguran, Aurora Province, in the Philippine Archipelago. Dentirumai philippinensis was collected from the body cavity, subcutaneous tissues near the bases of the pectoral and pelvic fins, and surrounding body tissues in the hypaxial musculature of R. aspro. Based on light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination, the new nematode species is morphologically close to the genus Rumai Travassos, 1960 except for one major difference, i.e. the presence of a sclerotized ring in the oral aperture armed with distinct numerous minute teeth on its inner surface. This important taxonomic feature makes it possible to erect a new genus, Dentirumai n. gen. to accommodate the newly discovered philometrid species. A key to genera of the Philometrinae is provided.

Identification of larval Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in northern Japan using morphological and molecular markers.

The Alaska pollock, Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas), is an important raw source for surimi and other food products in Japan. However, Alaska pollock caught in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions has been reported to harbor Anisakis species that pose considerable food safety problems. Here, we identified the third-stage (L3) Anisakis spp. sampled from Alaska pollock caught in northern Japan using a combination of morphological and molecular analyses which included PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the ITS (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2) region and mtDNA cox2 gene markers. Four Anisakis spp. were confirmed, namely Anisakis simplex (sensu stricto [s.s.]), A. pegreffii, A. brevispiculata, and an Anisakis sp. belonging to the Anisakis Type II group. The identification of 4 different Anisakis spp. occurring in Alaska Pollock, and the identification of A. brevispiculata and an Anisakis sp. (Anisakis Type II) in the northwest Pacific region, are first reports. Anisakis simplex (s.s.) composed the majority of Anisakis spp. in Alaska pollock at 91.0%, followed by A. pegreffii (5.2%), Anisakis sp. (Anisakis Type II) (2.4%), and A. brevispiculata (1.4%).