A new order of fishes as hosts of blood flukes (Aporocotylidae); description of a new genus and three new species infecting squirrelfishes (Holocentriformes, Holocentridae) on the Great Barrier Reef

A new genus and three new species of blood flukes (Aporocotylidae) are described from squirrelfishes (Holocentridae) from the Great Barrier Reef. Holocentricola rufus n. gen., n. sp. is described from Sargocentron rubrum (Forsskål), from off Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef, and Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Holocentricola exilis n. sp. and Holocentricola coronatus n. sp. are described from off Lizard Island, H. exilis from Neoniphon sammara (Forsskål) and H. coronatus from Sargocentron diadema (Lacepède). Species of the new genus are distinct from those of all other aporocotylid genera in having a retort-shaped cirrus-sac with a distinct thickening at a marginal male genital pore. The new genus is further distinct in the combination of a lanceolate body, X-shaped caeca, posterior caeca that are longer than anterior caeca, a single, post-caecal testis that is not deeply lobed, a post-caecal, post-testis ovary that is not distinctly bi-lobed, and a post-ovarian uterus. The three new species can be morphologically delineated based on the size and row structure of the marginal spines, as well by total length, oesophagus and caecal lengths, and the position of the male genital pore, testes and ovary relative to the posterior extremity. The three species of Holocentricola are genetically distinct from each other based on cox1 mtDNA and ITS2 rDNA data, and in phylogenetic analyses of 28S rDNA form a well-supported clade sister to species of Neoparacardicola Yamaguti, 1970. This is the first report of aporocotylids from fishes of the family Holocentridae and the order Holocentriformes.

Memecylon afroschismaticum sp. nov. (Melastomataceae–Olisbeoideae) endemic to the East African Rift region of Rwanda, Burundi and western Tanzania

Background – A new species of Memecylon (Melastomataceae–Olisbeoideae) from Rwanda, Burundi and western Tanzania is described in connection with preparing the family treatment for the Flore d’Afrique centrale. Methods – Standard herbarium practices were applied.Key results – Memecylon afroschismaticum R.D.Stone is described and illustrated. This new species is remarkable for being endemic to forests of the East African Rift region avoided by all but a few other species of African Memecylon. A close relationship with M. flavovirens Baker (type of M. sect. Obtusifolia Engl.) is suggested by its corolla being narrowly conical-acute in bud and anther connectives with dorsal oil-gland and acute posterior extremity. However, its elliptic-ovate and distinctly acuminate leaves resemble those of M. myrianthum Gilg (of M. sect. Polyanthema Engl.) and M. verruculosum Brenan (of M. sect. Buxifolia R.D.Stone). The known location in western Tanzania is formally protected within the Mahale Mountains National Park, but the subpopulations in Rwanda and Burundi are unprotected and presumably threatened by high human population density and subsistence agriculture. The estimated area of occupancy is also quite small (12 km2). Memecylon afroschismaticum is thus provisionally assessed as Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii)] in accordance with IUCN criteria.

Analisis Struktur Skeleton Embrio Kadal (Mabouya multifasciata) dengan Pewarnaan Alizarin Red

The bone growth on any organisms have different patterns and equity. In the embryo of ossification lizards happened it during the eggs in the body of the parent before was born. The research aim is to find a bone structure of the embryo that was 48 days old. The method used qualitative with the technique of purposive sampling and alizarin red staining. Using the six embryos of lizards (mabouya multifasciata) and it was taken directly from the mother. The analysis used is counting the long of vertebrae and extremitie. The obtained results were the red colur on limb and vertebrae. Sections of the anterior extremity which undergoes ossification is the humerus, radius, the ulna, phalanges and claws. The posterior extremity which ossification is the femur, the fibula, the tibia, phalanges and claws. The vertebrae bone that it hapened ossification was cervical vertebrae , vertebrae thoracic, lumbar vertebrae , sacralis vertebrae and caudalis vertebrae. Whereas a bone in the part of the limb posterior ones which are not hapened ossification is the carpal and metacarpal. Keywords : lizard, alizarin red, bone structure ABSTRAK Struktur pertumbuhan tulang pada setiap masing-masing organisme mempunyai pola berbeda dan persamaan. Pada embrio kadal osifikasi terjadi semasa fase telur dalam tubuh induk sebelum dilahirkan. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui struktur tulang embrio berumur 48 hari. Metode penelitian menggunakan kualitatif dengan teknik pengambilan sampel purposive sampling dan pewarnaan alizarin red. Menggunakan embrio kadal (Mabouya multifasciata) sebanyak enam ekor diambil langsung dari perut induknya. Analisis adalah menghitung panjang tulang vertebrae dan ekstremitas. Hasil yang telah didapat adalah tulang ekstremitas dan vertebrae yang telah berwarna merah. Bagian tulang ekstremitas anterior yang telah terosifikasi adalah humerus, radius, ulna, falang dan cakar. Pada tulang ekstremitas posterior yang sudah mengalami osifikasi adalah femur, fibula, tibia, falang dan cakar. Tulang vertebrae yang sudah mengalami osifikasi adalah vertebrae servikalis, vertebrae torakalis, vertebrae lumbalis, vertebrae sacralis dan vertebrae caudalis. Sedangkan tulang di bagian ekstremitas posterior yang belum mengalami osifikasi yaitu carpal dan metacarpal. Kata Kunci : kadal, alizarin red, struktur tulang

Caracterização morfológica e morfométrica dos tripanossomas de anuros do Centro-Oeste brasileiro

The objective of this study was to evaluate parasitism caused by trypanosomes in naturally infected anurans from Brazilian Midwest and characterize trypanosomes by morphology and morphometry. Anurans were captured from margins of the Guaporé River in transition areas between Cerrado and Rain Forest. Blood samples of 16 anurans species were obtained by cardiac puncture and analyzed for the presence of hemoparasites. Trypanosomes were found infecting two anuran species, Leptodactylus lineatus (Leptodactylidae) and Osteocephalus sp. (Hylidae). It was observed high prevalence of trypanosomes (100%; N = 3) in L. lineatus, with intensity of infection of 9.9 × 102 parasites/ml. In Osteocephalus sp. the prevalence of trypanosomes was comparatively lower (36%; N = 4 from 11), however, the intensity of infection was higher 2.16 × 103 parasites/ml. Morphological variation related to body length and width of bloodstream trypomastigotes were observed in different host species and between individual hosts of the same species. Polymorphic trypanosomes were separated into morphotypes and classified as elongated or short trypanosomes. Trypanosomes infecting L. lineatus are elongated with slender or broad body and trypanosomes infecting Osteocephalus sp. presented a short body with broad posterior extremity. The parasitological analyses and morphological characterizations presented in this study contribute to the knowledge of diversity of trypanosomes from neotropical anurans.

New host and locality record of Parapharyngodon japonicus (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea) from the Egyptian changeable lizard Agama mutabilis (Agamidae): A light and scanning electron microscopy

SummaryParapharyngodon (Oxyurida) is a lizard gastrointestinal nematode parasite with a life cycle including lizards as main hosts. However, some species are known to parasitize anurans. In the present study, P. japonicus isolated from the large intestine of the Egyptian changeable lizard, Agama mutabilis was described and illustrated. Forty five specimens of these animals were collected from south Sinai desert, Egypt during the period from May to September 2017. After necropsy, the body was opened by a longitudinal incision from vent to throat, and the gastrointestinal tract was removed. The esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines were examined separately for helminthes. The recovered nematodes were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Thirty six specimens (80.0 %) were found to be naturally infected. The parasite was robust with prominent cuticular transverse annulations. Mouth surrounded by three bilobed lips, each with tiny labial papillae. Three pairs of caudal papillae were observed in male worms; 1 pair precloacal, 1 pair sublateral in cloacal opening line, 1 pair in proximal region of caudal appendage on its narrowed point. The posterior extremity beard dorsally directed caudal appendages. Females were with a conical posterior end terminated at a terminal spike. Ovaries reached esophageal isthmus but not wrapped around corpus. The parasite recorded was compared morphologically and morphometrically with the most similar species, it was found that it was most similar to P. japonicus with new host and locality records.

Exostoma tibetana, a new glyptosternine catfish from the lower Yarlung Tsangpo River drainage in southeastern Tibet, China (Siluriformes: Sisoridae)

Exostoma tibetana, new species, is described from the lower Yarlung Tsangpo River drainage in southeastern Tibet, China. It is distinguished from congeners by having an adipose fin separate from the upper procurrent caudal-fin rays and incised at the posterior extremity of its base; the tip of the pelvic fin not reaching to the anus when adpressed; 10 branched pectoral-fin rays; and morphometric features associated with the body depth, adipose-fin base length, caudal-peduncle depth, snout length, and eye diameter. The validity of this new species was also supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis based on Cyt b gene sequences.

Exostoma ericinum, a new glyptosternine catfish from southwestern China (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Sisoridae)

A new species of glyptosternine catfish in the genus Exostoma is described in this study. The new species, E. ericinum, is known from the upper Dayingjiang (=Taping River) drainage in southwestern China and is distinguished from congeners in having an unique combination of the following characters: 42–44 vertebrae; parallel striae on anterolateral surfaces of lips and lower surface of maxillary barbel; interorbital distance 26–31% HL; preanal length 67.7–70.5% SL; body depth at anus 10.4–12.0% SL (1.4–1.9 times in caudal peduncle depth); length of adipose-fin base 39.5–43.0% SL; lacking an incision at posterior extremity of adipose-fin base; caudal peduncle length 23.2–26.2% SL; caudal peduncle depth 5.7–7.9% SL; and caudal-fin lobes with slightly concave posterior margin.

Ultrastructure of mature spermatozoa of three Bucephalidae (Prosorhynchus longisaccatus, Rhipidocotyle khalili and Bucephalus margaritae) and phylogenetic implications

We describe here the mature spermatozoa of three species of bucephalids, namely Bucephalus margaritae, Rhipidocotyle khalili and Prosorhynchus longisaccatus. This study provides the first ultrastructural data on the genera Bucephalus and Rhipidocotyle and enabled us to confirm the model of the mature spermatozoon in the Bucephalinae. The spermatozoon exhibits two axonemes with the 9 + “1” pattern of the Trepaxonemata, one of which is very short, lateral expansion, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane located in the anterior extremity of the spermatozoon and associated with cortical microtubules, spine-like bodies, a mitochondrion, and a nucleus. The maximum number of cortical microtubules is located in the anterior part of the spermatozoon. However, more studies are needed to elucidate if spine-like bodies are present in all the Bucephalinae or not. In the Prosorhynchinae, the mature spermatozoon exhibits a similar ultrastructural pattern. Some differences are observed, particularly the axoneme lengths and the arrangement of the spine-like bodies. The posterior extremity of the spermatozoon in the Bucephalinae exhibits only the nucleus, but prosorhynchines have microtubules.

Gobio baliki, a new gudgeon from Turkey (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Gobio baliki, new species, is described from the stream Büyük Melen in the northwestern Anatolian Black Sea basin. The new species is distinguished from other gudgeons in Anatolia by the breast being completely covered by scales, scales extending slightly behind the isthmus; 5–6 scales between the posterior extremity of the pelvic-fin base and the anus; the distance between the anus and the anal-fin origin 7–10% SL; the postorbital distance equal to or greater than the snout length; the depth of the anal-fin approximately equal to the length of the pelvic-fin; 8–9 midlateral black blotches, usually separated from each-other

Chondrenchelys problematica (Traquair, 1888) redescribed: a Lower Carboniferous, eel-like holocephalan from Scotland

ABSTRACTChondrenchelys problematica, from the Viséan (Holkerian) of Scotland, is the earliest holocephalan known from extensive cranial and postcranial material. Here, we provide a comprehensive new description of this taxon using three new specimens, in which we observe many morphological features for the first time. Much of the cranial morphology is closer to that of living chimaeroid holocephalans than was previously appreciated. For this reason, we provide original figures illustrating the chondrocranium of a hatchling Callorhinchus milii demonstrating these similarities. In Chondrenchelys, although the jaw articulation is positioned at the posterior margin of the orbit, the high-walled lamina orbitonasalis and densely-mineralised antorbital crest provide evidence for forward rotation of the jaw adductor musculature. Preserved foramina for the efferent superficial ophthalmic nerves show that the sensory organs on the rostrum were enervated in a manner similar to modern sharks, with the ophthalmic nerves not enclosed in an ethmoid canal, as in modern holocephalans. The conjunction of numerous distinctly holocephalan features with those that are otherwise general to Chondrichthyes demonstrates a decoupling of several of the structural conditions that characterise the distinctive morphological complex of the extant holocephalan skull. The anguiliform postcranium is more elongate than previously reconstructed, and it is now clear that the axial skeleton extended beyond the posterior extremity of the elongate dorsal fin. Morphological characters are reviewed with a view to further phylogenetic analyses. We recommend using the appearance of Chondrenchelys at 336.5 Ma as a hard minimum age for the last common ancestor of elasmobranchs and chimaeroids, because of its secure association with other holocephalans, and current uncertainties concerning elasmobranch stem lineage membership.