-
Acta Parasitologica Mar 2024The goal of this work was to increase the knowledge of the parasitic helminths of the Crane hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens.
Helminth Parasites of the Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens (Vieillot) (Aves: Accipitridae) from Argentina, with the Description of a New Species of Parastrigea (Digenea: Strigeidae).
PURPOSE
The goal of this work was to increase the knowledge of the parasitic helminths of the Crane hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens.
METHODS
Two specimens of the Crane hawk were captured in Formosa province, Argentina, their viscera were preserved in 10% formalin and examined in the laboratory.
RESULTS
Helminthological analysis revealed the presence of six helminth taxa (one Trematoda, four Nematoda, and one Acanthocephala). The morphometric study of these helminths and its comparison with previous reports, allowed us to describe a new species of Parastrigea (Digenea: Strigeidae) and report new host-parasite associations and geographical records. Parastrigea labiata n. sp. is mainly characterized by having forebody not divided and two long trumpet-shaped projections of dorsal lip, which emerge through the opening. Five taxa, previously known, Synhimantus (Dispharynx) resticula, Synhimantus (Synhimantus) rectus, Microtetrameres sp., Porrocaecum sp. and Centrorhynchus sp. are briefly described.
CONCLUSIONS
Previous parasitological studies on G. caerulescens were carried out on material collected between 1817 and 1955, and seven species of helminths were reported. In this study, the six taxa of helminths found constitute new host records, which shows the importance of contemporary studies about this host. All helminths found have heteroxenous life cycles and birds are infected by trophic transmission. Crane hawk's diet includes small vertebrates and to a lesser extent large arthropods. The finding of five helminth species that use invertebrates as intermediate hosts could indicate an important consumption of invertebrates. This research expands the helminthological inventory of Argentinean birds and the knowledge of the helminths of G. caerulescens.
Topics: Animals; Argentina; Bird Diseases; Helminthiasis, Animal; Trematoda; Birds; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Trematode Infections; Nematoda; Male
PubMed: 37971666
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00731-9 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2023The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a species of great economic importance for fish farming in the Brazilian Amazon, and acanthocephaliasis caused by...
In vitro culture and morphology of Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Eoacanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) collected from the intestine of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) farmed in the Brazilian Amazon.
The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a species of great economic importance for fish farming in the Brazilian Amazon, and acanthocephaliasis caused by Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Golvan 1956) represents an obstacle to its production due to it causing severe morphological damage to the intestinal mucosa, thus impairing the absorption of nutrients and causing weight loss in the fish. Therefore, the establishment of in vitro protocols for evaluation of anthelmintic drugs is the first step to development of effective measures for in vivo control of this endoparasite. The present study evaluated the in vitro survival of N. buttnerae maintained in Eagle's minimum essential medium under different culture conditions. Three assays were carried out to evaluate whether temperature, supplementation with the antibiotics penicillin and streptomycin, and culture medium replacement or no replacement would influence the motility and morphology of the acanthocephalans. The results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the use of culture in minimum essential medium together with penicillin and streptomycin prolonged the parasite's survival when kept at temperatures of 24 °C or 28 °C. We describe herein for first time an alternative protocol that is ideal for the in vitro culture of N. buttnerae. As such, this protocol ensures greater reliability in further in vitro studies with N. buttnerae.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Reproducibility of Results; Aquaculture; Acanthocephala; Characiformes; Intestines; Penicillins; Streptomycin
PubMed: 37970905
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.275748 -
Journal of Helminthology Nov 2023The phylum Acanthocephala is an important group of parasites with more than 1,300 species parasitizing intestine of all major vertebrate groups. However, our present...
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of () Chowhan, Gupta & Khera, 1987 (Eoacanthocephala: Quadrigyridae), the smallest mitochondrial genome in Acanthocephala, and its phylogenetic implications.
The phylum Acanthocephala is an important group of parasites with more than 1,300 species parasitizing intestine of all major vertebrate groups. However, our present knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of Acanthocephala remains very limited. In the present study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of () (Gyracanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) for the first time based on the specimens recovered from the intestine of common carp Linnaeus (Cyprinidae) in Pakistan. The mitochondrial genome of is 13,360 bp in size and contains 36 genes, representing the smallest mitogenome of acanthocephalans reported so far. The mitogenome of also has the lowest level of overall A+T contents (59.3%) in the mitogenomes of Eoacanthocephala, and the non-coding region 3 (NCR3) lies between S2 and I, which is different from all of the other acanthocephalan species. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenating the amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed that the family Pseudoacanthocephalidae is a sister to the Arhythmacanthidae rather than the Cavisomatidae, and the families Rhadinorhynchidae and Cavisomatidae showed sister relationships.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Acanthocephala; Phylogeny; Genome, Mitochondrial; Carps; Bayes Theorem
PubMed: 37969070
DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X23000561 -
Parasitology Jan 2024Acanthocephalans of the order Polymorphida mainly parasitic in birds and mammals, are of veterinary, medical and economic importance. However, the evolutionary...
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genomes of the zoonotic parasites and (Acanthocephala: Polymorphida) and the molecular phylogeny of the order Polymorphida.
Acanthocephalans of the order Polymorphida mainly parasitic in birds and mammals, are of veterinary, medical and economic importance. However, the evolutionary relationships of its 3 families (Centrorhynchidae, Polymorphidae and Plagiorhynchidae) remain under debate. Additionally, some species of Polymorphida (i.e. spp. and spp.) are recognized as zoonotic parasites, associated with human acanthocephaliasis, but the mitochondrial genomes for representatives of and have not been reported so far. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genomes and (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) are reported for the first time, which are 14 296 and 14 241 bp in length, respectively, and both contain 36 genes [including 12 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes] and 2 non-coding regions ( and ). The gene arrangement of some tRNAs in the mitogenomes of and differs from that found in all other acanthocephalans, except . Phylogenetic results based on concatenated amino acid (AA) sequences of the 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) strongly supported that the family Polymorphidae is a sister to the Centrorhynchidae rather than the Plagiorhynchidae, and also confirmed the sister relationship of the genera and in the Polymorphidae based on the mitogenomic data for the first time. Our present findings further clarified the phylogenetic relationships of the 3 families Plagiorhynchidae, Centrorhynchidae and Polymorphidae, enriched the mitogenome data of the phylum Acanthocephala (especially the order Polymorphida), and provided the resource of genetic data for diagnosing these 2 pathogenic parasites of human acanthocephaliasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Acanthocephala; Phylogeny; Genome, Mitochondrial; Parasites; Birds; Mammals
PubMed: 37955106
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023001099 -
Folia Parasitologica Sep 2023Illiosentis 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...
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, Barčák 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.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Acanthocephala; Peru; Phylogeny; Helminthiasis, Animal; Fish Diseases; Perciformes; Sulfur
PubMed: 37933180
DOI: 10.14411/fp.2023.018 -
Systematic Parasitology Dec 2023Species of genus Polymorphus Lühe, 1911 (Polymorphidae) are acanthocephalans found in fish-eating birds and waterfowl. Although found in many parts of the world,...
Description and molecular data for a new acanthocephalan parasite, Polymorphus circi n. sp. (Polymorphidae) from the Australasian harrier (Circus approximans Peale) in New Zealand.
Species of genus Polymorphus Lühe, 1911 (Polymorphidae) are acanthocephalans found in fish-eating birds and waterfowl. Although found in many parts of the world, including Australia, no records exist from New Zealand. Because of the largely aquatic intermediate host, Polymorphus species are rarely found in terrestrial birds of prey. During a study of the helminths of the Australasian harrier Circus approximans Peale specimens of Polymorphus were recovered that were found to be new to science. Polymorphus circi n. sp. is formally described and genetic sequence data presented. Specimens were distinguished from all other species by a combination of characters, including their proboscis hook arrangement (20-22 rows of 11-13 hooks), as well as absence of sexual dimorphism, trunk size, proboscis shape and egg size. These acanthocephalans were found in birds from areas with the potential to support freshwater, brackish or marine amphipods, but as yet the actual intermediate hosts are unknown.
Topics: Animals; Parasites; New Zealand; Species Specificity; Acanthocephala; Birds
PubMed: 37874424
DOI: 10.1007/s11230-023-10120-5 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2023The cytogenetics of Acanthocephala is a neglected area in the study of this group of endoparasites. Chromosome number and/or karyotypes are known for only 12 of the...
The cytogenetics of Acanthocephala is a neglected area in the study of this group of endoparasites. Chromosome number and/or karyotypes are known for only 12 of the 1,270 described species, and molecular cytogenetic data are limited to rDNA mapping in two species. The standard karyological technique and mapping of 18S rRNA and H3 histone genes on the chromosomes of Acanthocephalus anguillae individuals from three populations, one of which originated from the unfavorable environmental conditions of the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir in eastern Slovakia, were applied for the first time. All specimens had 2n = 7/8 (male/female); n = 1m + 1m-sm + 1a + 1a (X). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed three loci of 18S rDNA on two autosomes and dispersion of H3 histone genes on all autosomes and the X chromosome. In addition to the standard A chromosome set, 34% of specimens from Zemplínska Šírava possessed a small acrocentric B chromosome, which was always found to be univalent, with no pairing observed between the B chromosome and the A complement. The B chromosome had a small amount of heterochromatin in the centromeric and telomeric regions of the chromosomal arms and showed two clusters of H3 genes. It is well known that an environment permanently polluted with chemicals leads to an increased incidence of chromosomal rearrangements. As a possible scenario for the B chromosome origin, we propose chromosomal breaks due to the mutagenic effect of pollutants in the aquatic environment. The results are discussed in comparison with previous chromosome data from Echinorhynchida species.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Male; Parasites; Histones; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Chromosome Mapping; Karyotype; Acanthocephala; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 37870409
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023045 -
Ecology and Evolution Oct 2023Studies on host-parasite systems that have experienced distributional shifts, range fragmentation, and population declines in the past can provide information regarding...
Studies on host-parasite systems that have experienced distributional shifts, range fragmentation, and population declines in the past can provide information regarding how parasite community richness and genetic diversity will change as a result of anthropogenic environmental changes in the future. Here, we studied how sequential postglacial colonization, shifts in habitat, and reduced host population sizes have influenced species richness and genetic diversity of (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) parasites in northern European marine, brackish, and freshwater seal populations. We collected population samples from Arctic, Baltic, Ladoga, and Saimaa ringed seal subspecies and Baltic gray seals, and then applied COI barcoding and triple-enzyme restriction-site associated DNA (3RAD) sequencing to delimit species, clarify their distributions and community structures, and elucidate patterns of intraspecific gene flow and genetic diversity. Our results showed that species diversity reflected host colonization histories and population sizes, with four species being present in the Arctic, three in the Baltic Sea, two in Lake Ladoga, and only one in Lake Saimaa. We found statistically significant population-genetic differentiation within all three species that occur in more than one seal (sub)species. Genetic diversity tended to be high in populations originating from Arctic ringed seals and low in the landlocked populations. Our results indicate that acanthocephalan communities in landlocked seal populations are impoverished with respect to both species and intraspecific genetic diversity. Interestingly, the loss of genetic diversity within species seems to have been less drastic than in their seal hosts, possibly due to their large local effective population sizes resulting from high infection intensities and effective intra-host population mixing. Our study highlights the utility of genomic methods in investigations of community composition and genetic diversity of understudied parasites.
PubMed: 37869427
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10608 -
Systematic Parasitology Dec 2023A new species of marine-fish-parasitizing echinorhynchid palaeacanthocephalan, Echinorhynchus sasakiae sp. nov., is described based on material from the intestine of the...
Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of the genus Echinorhynchus Zoega in Müller, 1776 (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) parasitizing the rock greenling Hexagrammos lagocephalus (Pallas) (Scorpaeniformes: Hexagrammidae) from eastern Hokkaido, Japan.
A new species of marine-fish-parasitizing echinorhynchid palaeacanthocephalan, Echinorhynchus sasakiae sp. nov., is described based on material from the intestine of the rock greenling Hexagrammos lagocephalus (Pallas) obtained in two localities (Akkeshi and Nemuro) in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Echinorhynchus sasakiae sp. nov. can be distinguished from other congeners by having an oval-shaped proboscis covered with hooks arranged in 14-15 rows, each consisting of 7-10 hooks that are anteriorly short and curved, but posteriorly long and weakly curved. The phylogenetic position of Echinorhynchus sasakiae sp. nov. is inferred based on three gene markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA) along with relevant sequences from ten congeners available in public databases. Echinorhynchus sasakiae sp. nov. represents the 54th member of the genus and the ninth marine congener known from Japan.
Topics: Animals; Acanthocephala; Japan; Phylogeny; Species Specificity; Perciformes
PubMed: 37856043
DOI: 10.1007/s11230-023-10121-4 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2023Profilicollis rancoensis n. sp. is the tenth species of Profilicollis Meyer, 1931 which includes 9 other species mostly known from marine decapod crabs and shore birds....
Review of the concept of Profilicollis Meyer, 1931 with a description of Profilicollis rancoensis n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from the freshwater crab, Aegla abtao Schmitt, 1942 (Decapoda: Anomura) in Chile, with a key to congeneric species.
Profilicollis rancoensis n. sp. is the tenth species of Profilicollis Meyer, 1931 which includes 9 other species mostly known from marine decapod crabs and shore birds. Cystacanths of P. rancoensis are described from the dominant freshwater crab Aegla abtao in Ranco Lake, Chile and are morphologically distinguished from cystacanths of the 9 other species based on a combination of 4 characters. These are body size, number of proboscis hook rows, number of hooks per row, and length of the largest anterior 2-4 hooks. Male and female cystacanths of P. rancoensis are 2.10-3.33 mm long having an ovoid proboscis with 14 rows of 6-7 hooks per row, with the largest anterior 2-4 hooks being 105-110 micrometers long; the anterior trunk has many small spines in 70-80 concentric rings, each with 50-60 spines around them; hook roots are simple, directed posteriorly, about as long as the blades anteriorly with unremarkable anterior manubria; the cephalic ganglion are in mid-receptacle just anterior to the level of the anterior trunk; the lemnisci are long and slender; the testes are in the anterior trunk, posterior trunk, or one in each; the primordia of 2 tubular cement glands are evident; strong bundles of fibers link the anterior and posterior trunk; and the posterior trunk has a corrugated surface cuticula. Molecular analysis (COI and 18S) sequences coincided with the morphology and support its taxonomy. The phylogenetic profile revealed that P. rancoensis n. sp. fell into the Profilicollis clade. Both sequences showed low genetic variation, and three different haplotypes were found. The new species was more closely related to P. botulus (Van Cleave, 1916) Witenberg, 1932 than to other Profilicollis species.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Acanthocephala; Anomura; Phylogeny; Chile; Lakes; Helminthiasis, Animal
PubMed: 37855712
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023042