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Parasitology Mar 2018The acanthocephalan fauna of Australian freshwater fishes was documented from field surveys, a literature survey and examination of specimens registered in Australian... (Review)
Review
The acanthocephalan fauna of Australian freshwater fishes was documented from field surveys, a literature survey and examination of specimens registered in Australian museums. From the 4030 fishes, representing 78 of the 354 Australian freshwater fish species (22%), examined for infection seven species of acanthocephalan were recovered. These species comprised five endemic species, three in endemic genera, two species in cosmopolitan genera, one species not fully identified and 1 putative exotic species recovered from eight species of fish. Of these Edmonsacanthus blairi from Melanotaenia splendida, was the only acanthocephalan found at a relatively high prevalence of 38·6%. These findings are indicative of a highly endemic and possibly depauperate acanthocephalan fauna. Species richness was higher in the tropical regions than the temperate regions of the country. Exotic acanthocephalan species have either not been introduced with their exotic hosts or have been unable to establish their life cycles in Australian conditions. Consequently, acanthocephalans have not yet invaded endemic Australian fish hosts.
Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Australia; Fish Diseases; Fishes; Fresh Water; Helminthiasis, Animal
PubMed: 28942745
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182017001627 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Mar 2024Pollutants and parasites represent stressors for fish at the individual, population, or community levels. The current study outlines the seasonal infestation pattern of...
Protozoan and helminths infestation of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and its correlation with certain water quality variables along river Nile in the area of Greater Cairo.
Pollutants and parasites represent stressors for fish at the individual, population, or community levels. The current study outlines the seasonal infestation pattern of Oreochromis niloticus by protozoan and helminths parasites linked to some physicochemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity), and metals (Cd, Pb, Fe, Zn, and Ca), at nine selected sites in River Nile (Greater Cairo area) from summer 2019 till spring 2020. Most of the studied criteria in Nile water samples showed normal levels during all seasons compared to the recommended limits of EPA. The parasitological examinations recorded three protozoan categories: Myxobolus (8 species), hemoflagellates (Trypanosoma mukasi) and Ciliates (Trichodina compacta), and three helminths; Clinostomum sp., Acanthocephala sp. and Euclinostomum ardeola. The highest incidence of infection was determined for Clinostomum sp., followed in descending order by Myxobolus sp., Acanthocephala sp., T. mukasi, E. ardeolathen, and T. compacta. Notably, this study introduces the novel identification of new species of Myxobolus in the blood of Oreochromis niloticus. The histopathological examination of gills, muscles, and kidneys reveals serious changes and the presence of encysted trematodes, metacercariae, and cysts of protozoan parasites. Additionally, the study employs cluster analysis based on site similarity in water variables and canonical correspondence analysis, explaining 98.7 % of the variables and indicating correlations between parasite infestation and environmental factors. These analytical approaches reveal the impact of land use activities on water variables and the influence of adjacent activities on fish parasite infestation patterns. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive perspective by considering various factors to enhance our understanding of pollutants and parasites affecting fish in the River Nile.
Topics: Animals; Cichlids; Water Quality; Rivers; Parasites; Fish Diseases; Helminths; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 38286257
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123459 -
Ecology Dec 2022Most of the available knowledge in the literature on Mexican fishes and their parasites refers to information within political divisions and/or hydrological basins in...
Most of the available knowledge in the literature on Mexican fishes and their parasites refers to information within political divisions and/or hydrological basins in the country. Indeed, only a few studies have analyzed the helminth fauna of these vertebrates as a biological group distributed nation-wide. This lack of available knowledge prevents the study of several basic and applied aspects involving fish-parasite interactions at different spatial and temporal scales. In this dataset, we compiled all the available geographic information on fish-helminth parasite interactions involving native and exotic fish species recorded in continental waters throughout the Mexican territory. After an exhaustive filtering and the curation of information, our data set contains 5999 records of 361 freshwater fish species (roughly 70% of known freshwater fish species occurring in Mexico) and 483 endo- and ectoparasitic helminths collected over an 85-year period (from 1936-2021) in 1070 localities distributed throughout Mexico. These records are mainly concentrated in only a few states located to the south and east of the country; although all states have been sampled and all major basins in Mexico are represented. The fish order with the highest number of records was Perciformes (n = 2325, 38.75%) while the fish family with the highest number of records was Cichlidae (n = 1741, 29.02%). Native species of fishes corresponded to 92.14% of the records (n = 5528) and fish-associated parasites were found in 41 habitat types in/on their host bodies. Regarding fish parasites, we found that most of the records are from the phylum Platyhelminthes (n = 4495, 74.92%). At the class level, we observed that Trematoda reached the highest number of records (n = 2965, 49.42%). Moreover, we found that Diplostomidae (n = 917, 15.25%) were the family of trematodes with the highest number of records. Most parasites were registered in their adult stage (n = 3730, 62.17%), followed by larval stages (n = 2267, 37.78%). We hope that the fish-parasite interactions data set will encourage researchers worldwide to explore different ecological and coevolutionary aspects of fishes and their helminth parasites, as well as provide useful information for the better implementation of conservation initiatives. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when using its data in publications or teaching events.
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Mexico; Helminths; Fishes; Fresh Water; Fish Diseases
PubMed: 35841181
DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3815 -
Acta Parasitologica Jun 2017A comprehensive literature review shows that 12 types of pathogens, micropredators and parasites are reported to interact with chaetognaths, mostly digenean trematodes,...
A comprehensive literature review shows that 12 types of pathogens, micropredators and parasites are reported to interact with chaetognaths, mostly digenean trematodes, cestodes and nematodes larval stages. Through analysis of 78,152 chaetognaths from a monthly zooplankton time series (Jan 1996-Dec 1998) collected in the Mexican Central Pacific twelve acanthocephalan larvae parasitizing chaetognaths were discovered. This is the first record of an acanthocephalan parasitizing chaetognaths, raising to 13 the types of symbionts known to interact with them (excluding predators). Cystacanth larval specimens of Corynosoma sp. (Polymorphidae) were observed parasitizing the head, trunk and caudal cavities of three of the eight chaetognath species inhabiting this tropical coastal region (Flaccisagitta enflata, Flaccisagitta hexaptera and Zonosagitta bedoti). Because Corynosoma sp. parasitized chaetognaths during different months and years (Jan-Feb 1996, Mar and Jul 1997, Jan, Jun, Aug-Sep 1998) and because the total length of these cystacanths varied between 165-480 µm, suggesting growth inside the hosts, we conclude that chaetognaths are intermediate hosts of Corynosoma sp. The twelve parasitized chaetognaths were juveniles (without gonads) or immature adults (none in reproductively mature stage IV); therefore Corynosoma may have a negative influence on host reproduction. Marine crustaceans (amphipods, decapods, copepods, mysids and euphausiids) and fishes are common intermediate or paratenic hosts of acanthocephalans. Fish, sea birds and marine mammals are definitive hosts for marine Corynosoma species. The present discovery implies that acanthocephalans are transmitted trophically through different intermediate hosts (crustaceans, chaetognaths and/or fish); thus chaetognaths can also be part of the marine acanthocephalan life cycle.
Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Invertebrates; Larva; Time Factors; Zooplankton
PubMed: 28426423
DOI: 10.1515/ap-2017-0048 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2022The objective of this study was to investigate the parasites occurrences and to determine the rates of infestation/parasitic infection in juvenile Arapaima gigas from...
The objective of this study was to investigate the parasites occurrences and to determine the rates of infestation/parasitic infection in juvenile Arapaima gigas from seven fish farms in the state of Amazonas, relating to the characteristics of these fish farms. Of the 70 A. gigas evaluated, 43 were infested/infected, with a total of 133 parasites collected. Three fish farms (2, 4, 6) showed the highest levels of prevalence of parasites (100%, 70%, 70%), mean intensity (4.1±2.6, 8.1±9.2, and 2.1±1.3), and mean abundance (4.1±2.6, 5.7±8.1, and 1.5±1.5), respectively. Prevalence ranged from 30% to 100%, mean intensity from 1.0 to 8.1 and mean abundance from 0.3 to 5.7. Monogenea, Digenea, Nematoda (Hysterothylacium sp. and Spirocamallanus sp.) and Acanthocephala (Neoechinorhynchus sp. and Polyacanthorhynchus sp.) were identified. The parasites Hysterothylacium sp. and Neoechinorhynchus sp. were the most prevalent parasites with 31.43% and 15.71%, respectively. The fish presented negative allometry in growth and constant condition factor. Measures to prevent and control the parasitic diseases diagnosed are discussed as well prophylactic practices that contribute to the biosecurity of the farms.
Topics: Animals; Fisheries; Brazil; Fishes; Acanthocephala; Trematoda; Ascaridoidea; Parasites; Fish Diseases
PubMed: 36515319
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612022064 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2023Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are resistant to breakdown and are now considered ubiquitous and concerning contaminants. Although scientific and legislative...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are resistant to breakdown and are now considered ubiquitous and concerning contaminants. Although scientific and legislative interest in these compounds has greatly increased in recent decades, our knowledge about their environmental fate and their effects on organisms is still incomplete, especially those of the new generation PFAS. In this study, we analysed the level of PFAS contamination in the fish fauna of the Po River, the most important waterway in Italy, to evaluate the influence of different factors (such as fish ecological traits and parasitism) on the accumulation of 17 PFAS. After solvent extraction and purification, hepatic or intestinal tissues from forty specimens of bleak, channel catfish, and barbel were analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LOQ = 2.5 ng/g w.w.). The prevalent PFAS were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), present in all samples at the highest concentration (reaching a maximum of 126.4 ng/g and 114.4 ng/g in bleak and channel catfish, respectively), and long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFDA and PFUnDA). Perfluorooctanoic acid and new generation PFAS (Gen X and C6O4) were not detected. Comparison of the hepatic contamination between the benthic channel catfish and the pelagic bleak showed similar concentrations of PFOS (p > 0.05) but significantly higher concentrations of other individual PFAS and of the sum of all measured PFAS (p < 0.05) in bleak. No correlation was found between the hepatic level of PFAS and fish size in channel catfish. For the first time, PFAS partitioning in a parasite-fish system was studied: intestinal acanthocephalans accumulated PFOS at lower levels than the intestinal tissue of their host (barbel), in contrast to what has been reported for other pollutants (e.g., metals). The infection state did not significantly alter the level of PFAS accumulation in fish, and acanthocephalans do not appear to be a good bioindicator of PFAS pollution.
Topics: Animals; Rivers; Environmental Monitoring; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Acanthocephala; Fluorocarbons; Ictaluridae; Alkanesulfonic Acids; Italy
PubMed: 36924966
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162828 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2023Prosthenorchis elegans is a worm of the family Archiacanthocephala that infects non-human primates in the Americas, producing an intestinal pathology that may compromise...
Prosthenorchis elegans is a worm of the family Archiacanthocephala that infects non-human primates in the Americas, producing an intestinal pathology that may compromise the life of its hosts. Squirrel monkeys, Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus, were found with P. elegans in Costa Rica. Histopathological analysis revealed a severe pyogranulomatous response composed by macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Morphological worm analyses revealed 36 hooks in the proboscis distributed in six rows; and total body, hook and lemnisci length were compatible to the original descriptions of P. elegans. In addition, phylogenetic, haplotype network and genetic distance analyses were done on cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, cox1, sequences obtained from the collected specimens. Sequences obtained herein clustered separately with high posterior probabilities in a Bayesian Inference tree and showed 8.12% nucleotide differences when compared to P. elegans from Colombia. This high divergence was confirmed in the TCS network that separated Colombian and Costa Rican sequences by 32 mutational steps, a genetic distance PCA which separated sequences from both geographical locations by 89.5% and an F value of 0.655, indicating the presence of cryptic diversity in P. elegans. Additional studies from specimens collected from other definitive hosts and geographical locations are required to better understand the biodiversity of this species.
Topics: Animals; Costa Rica; Phylogeny; Bayes Theorem; Acanthocephala; Primates
PubMed: 36765145
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28585-1 -
Acta Parasitologica Mar 2022The 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...
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.
Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Canidae; Female; Helminthiasis, Animal; Male; Phylogeny; Texas
PubMed: 34345996
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00458-5 -
Parasitology Research Oct 2020Members of the genus Lueheia Travassos, 1919, are endoparasites of birds, particularly passerines, throughout the Americas. Adults of Lueheia sp., (Plagiorhynchidae...
Morphological and molecular data reveal a new species of Lueheia (Acanthocephala: Plagiorhynchidae) from Turdus migratorius (Turdidae) in central Mexico and its phylogenetic implications within the family.
Members of the genus Lueheia Travassos, 1919, are endoparasites of birds, particularly passerines, throughout the Americas. Adults of Lueheia sp., (Plagiorhynchidae Golvan, 1960; Porrorchinae Golvan, 1956) were recovered from the intestine of the American robin (Turdus migratorius phillipsi Bangs) in Mexico City, and two other species of acanthocephalans identified as Porrorchis nickoli, (Plagiorhynchidae: Porrorchinae) Salgado-Maldonado and Cruz-Reyes, 2002 and Centrorhynchus microcephalus (Bravo-Hollis, 1947) Golvan, 1956 (Centrorhynchidae Van Cleave, 1916), were recovered from the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana Allen) and groove-billed ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris Swainson), respectively in southeastern Mexico. Specimens of three species were sequenced at two molecular markers, the small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear rDNA and compared with other sequences available in GenBank. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the combined (LSU + SSU) dataset and each individual dataset revealed that the specimens of Lueheia sp. formed an independent lineage, which is recognized herein as a new species, Lueheia aztecae n. sp., representing the fifth species of the genus in the Americas, and the second in the Nearctic region. The new species can be morphologically distinguished from the other five species in the genus by having a cylindrical proboscis, armed with 24-26 longitudinal rows with 9-10 hooks each. Phylogenetic inference performed with the combined dataset consisting of two genes (LSU + SSU) revealed that Lueheia aztecae n. sp. and P. nickoli belonging to subfamily Porrorchinae, formed two independent lineages, indicating that the subfamily is paraphyletic. Porrorchis nickoli and C. microcephalus formed a clade with other species of the genus Centrorhynchus, suggesting that P. nickoli should be transferred to genus Centrorhynchus, to form C. nickoli n. comb. In addition, we briefly discuss the ecological associations between the members of the families Plagiorhynchidae and Centrorhynchidae.
Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Base Sequence; Bayes Theorem; DNA, Ribosomal; Genetic Markers; Helminthiasis, Animal; Intestines; Mexico; Phylogeny; Songbirds
PubMed: 32671541
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06748-7 -
The genome, transcriptome, and proteome of the fish parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala).PloS One 2020Thorny-headed worms (Acanthocephala) are endoparasites exploiting Mandibulata (Arthropoda) and Gnathostomata (Vertebrata). Despite their world-wide occurrence and...
Thorny-headed worms (Acanthocephala) are endoparasites exploiting Mandibulata (Arthropoda) and Gnathostomata (Vertebrata). Despite their world-wide occurrence and economic relevance as a pest, genome and transcriptome assemblies have not been published before. However, such data might hold clues for a sustainable control of acanthocephalans in animal production. For this reason, we present the first draft of an acanthocephalan nuclear genome, besides the mitochondrial one, using the fish parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis (Palaeacanthocephala) as a model. Additionally, we have assembled and annotated the transcriptome of this species and the proteins encoded. A hybrid assembly of long and short reads resulted in a near-complete P. laevis draft genome of ca. 260 Mb, comprising a large repetitive portion of ca. 63%. Numbers of transcripts and translated proteins (35,683) were within the range of other members of the Rotifera-Acanthocephala clade. Our data additionally demonstrate a significant reorganization of the acanthocephalan gene repertoire. Thus, more than 20% of the usually conserved metazoan genes were lacking in P. laevis. Ontology analysis of the retained genes revealed many connections to the incorporation of carotinoids. These are probably taken up via the surface together with lipids, thus accounting for the orange coloration of P. laevis. Furthermore, we found transcripts and protein sequences to be more derived in P. laevis than in rotifers from Monogononta and Bdelloidea. This was especially the case in genes involved in energy metabolism, which might reflect the acanthocephalan ability to use the scarce oxygen in the host intestine for respiration and simultaneously carry out fermentation. Increased plasticity of the gene repertoire through the integration of foreign DNA into the nuclear genome seems to be another underpinning factor of the evolutionary success of acanthocephalans. In any case, energy-related genes and their proteins may be considered as candidate targets for the acanthocephalan control.
Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Biological Evolution; Computational Biology; Fishes; Genome, Helminth; Genome, Mitochondrial; Phylogeny; Proteome; Transcriptome
PubMed: 32574180
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232973