Neoechinorhynchus schmidti n. sp. is described from the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, from the state of Tabasco, Mexico. A large, prominent process at the posterior end of females distinguishes the new species from all others of the genus except Neoechinorhynchus chelonos, Neoechinorhynchus lingulatus, and Neoechinorhynchus magnapapillatus, also parasites of turtles. Neoechinorhynchus schmidti n. sp. can be distinguished from these taxa by the structure of the eggs. The eggs of N. schmidti have numerous small, nearly spherical inclusions not found in N. chelonos, N. lingulatus, and N. magnapapillatus.

A dichotomous key to the species of Neoechinorhynchus (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) occurring in turtles is presented based on characters of the posterior extremity of fully gravid females and the egg. The 9 recognized species of Neoechinorhynchus in turtles can be identified reliably based on these characters alone. Identification requires fully gravid females that have been properly killed and fixed. Immature females and males cannot be identified using the key presented herein.

Heterophyopsis hawaiiensis n. sp. (Digenea: Heterophidae) is described from the ileum and colon of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi. An 11-mo-old juvenile female M. schauinslandi found dead on Eastern Island of Midway Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, U.S.A., contained approximately 7,000 specimens of this species. The new species differs from existing Heterophyopsis species in having a trilobed ovary, testes slightly oblique, and vitellaria reaching posterior of the body. This is the first report of the genus Heterophyopsis found in both a marine mammal and in the central Pacific region.

An electronic survey of 728 members of the American Society of Parasitologists (ASP) was conducted to determine perceptions about parasitology education and to gain insight into the current state of academic parasitology. Two hundred and seventy-five ASP members responded for a return rate of 37.7%. Most respondents perceived that fewer parasitology courses were being offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. When asked about their perceptions concerning changes in the overall quality of instruction in parasitology, 27.4% indicated a decrease, 19.9% indicated an increase, and 25.5% indicated no change. There has been an apparent steady increase in the number of female parasitologists. In the >60 age group, women comprised 8.2% of respondents, whereas in the 30 yr or younger age group, women comprised 54.5%. Thirty-eight and 16 ASP members actively involved in undergraduate and graduate teaching, respectively, requested specific surveys addressing parasitology education. These surveys revealed no significant differences in the number of parasitology courses taught in 1980, 1990, and 2001 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Survey responses of 12 of the 20 veterinary schools in the United States and Canada revealed that 61.4 contact hours in parasitology are required of veterinary students. This reflects no significant change from 1990. Of 41 medical schools responding to a survey, 51.3% do not require a course in parasitology and 35.6% offer no parasitology course. The average 12.3 contact hours in parasitology required for graduation from medical school is significantly lower than the average 14.5 hr required in 1990.

The infestation dynamics and histopathology of the freshwater leeches (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) Myzobdella platensis and Myzobdella uruguayensis on teleost fish from eastern Uruguay, Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes, Erythrinidae) and Rhamdia quelen (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae), respectively, were examined over a 2-yr period. Myzobdella uruguayensis infested the gill filaments with 100% prevalence and a mean intensity of 12.5. There was an aggregated distribution, infestation was most intense on the first 2 gill pairs, and leeches were usually attached to the ventral gill sector. The preference for internal or external gill filaments was independent of leech abundance. Hemorrhage with clot formation and fibrin deposition were observed at the attachment sites. Gill filaments also exhibited an inflammatory reaction with edema and infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes. Some gill lamellae showed telangiectasic changes. Myzobdella platensis was variably prevalent over years (1987, 71.4%; 1989, 37.5%) but with similar mean intensities (1987, 3.2; 1989, 3.5). Leeches were found mainly on the caudal fin rays; none was found on the dorsal fin. Skin at the site of attachment exhibited complete erosion of the epidermis and a massive cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells. The epidermis close to the attachment site exhibited basal hyperplasia and spongiosis. The dermis showed edema, and the presence of scarce inflammatory cells was verified.

Thirty-three species of helminths (22 trematodes, 3 cestodes, 7 nematodes, and 1 acanthocephalan) were recovered from 29 American white pelicans, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, collected in Florida, U.S.A., between 1982 and 2001. The number of helminth species per infected bird ranged from 3 to 17 (x̄ = 11). Three species of Contracaecum (Contracaecum rudolphii, Contracaecum multipapillatum, and Contracaecum micropapillatum) were the most prevalent and abundant helminths. One cestode species (Paradilepis longivaginosus) was considered a specialist in white pelicans, 9 species were considered generalists in pelicaniform birds, and the remainder of the species were considered true bird generalists. White pelicans shared 14 species of helminths with brown pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, and the most prevalent helminths appear to have been acquired in marine habitats.

Learedius learedi Price, 1934, is redescribed using specimens obtained from the hearts of 3 black turtles, Chelonia mydas agassizii, from Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The redescription is consistent with the original description but provides an unreported range of variation in testes shape and position and adds new information about the reproductive systems, such as the presence of a papilla in the pore of Laurer's Canal and the presence of an external seminal vesicle instead of a preovarian seminal receptacle. Of 4 turtle hearts examined, only 1 was free of parasites (75% prevalence). In all, 128 parasites were found, a mean intensity of 43 worms per heart. This is the first record of the occurrence of L. learedi in C. m. agassizii in Mexico, expanding the known range of the parasite to the Baja California Peninsula.

The antigenic properties of somatic (SoP) and excretory–secretory products (ESP) of Echinostoma caproni were studied in experimentally infected rats. Sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated a total of 15 and 9 major polypeptides, in the molecular weight range 10–165 kDa, in SoP and ESP products, respectively. Further analysis revealed some common as well as several unique polypeptides for each type of extract. A total of 2 polypeptides, weighing 58 and 115 kDa, were found in both types of antigen. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis using both types of antigens showed that rats developed a weak and slow response in infections with E. caproni. However, the response seems to be mainly directed against excretory–secretory antigens. We have also defined by Western blot 11 and 7 major antigenic polypeptides in SoP and ESP, respectively, that were recognized by sera from experimentally infected rats. Only 2 of these polypeptides were common to both types of antigens. A total of 9 antigenic polypeptides, ranging from 24 to 137 kDa, were found to be characteristic of SoP, whereas 5 polypeptides, weighing from 28 to 117 kDa, were characteristic of ESP. The kinetics of antibody production against discrete polypeptides composing both types of antigens were determined during the course of the infection.

Eighty-seven snakes representing 6 species in 2 families (Colubridae: Amphiesma vibakari, Elaphe climacophora, Elaphe conspicillata, Elaphe quadrivirgata, and Rhabdophis tigrinus; Viperidae: Gloydius blomhoffii) were collected on Honshu Island, Japan, between 1965 and 1998 and examined for helminths. Gravid individuals of 1 species of Trematoda, Encyclometra japonica, 1 species of Cestoda, Mesocestoides sp. (tetrathyridia), 8 species of Nematoda, Cosmocercoides pulcher, Hexametra quadricornis, Kalicephalus brachycephalus, Kalicephalus costatus, Kalicephalus sinensis, Oswaldocruzia socialis, Paracapillaria kuntzi, and Rhabdias horigutii, and 2 species of Acanthocephala, gravid individuals of Acanthocephalus lucidus and cystacanths of Polymorphidae gen. sp., were found. Fourteen new host records and 1 new locality record are reported.

Four new host records for endoparasites of the dark-sided salamander, Eurycea longicauda melanopleura, and 2 new host records for the cave salamander, Eurycea lucifuga, from 2 cave systems in Independence County, Arkansas, U.S.A., are reported. Ten of 13 (77%) dark-sided salamanders harbored 1 or more of 4 parasite species, including 5 (38%) with Cepedietta michiganensis, 2 (15%) with Bothriocephalus rarus, 5 (38%) with Oswaldocruzia euryceae, and 1 (8%) with Cosmocercoides variabilis. All represent new host records. Two of 5 (40%) cave salamanders were infected, including 1 (20%) with C. michiganensis (new host record) and 1 (20%) with a dual infection of C. variabilis (new host record) and O. euryceae.

This study presents results from the first survey of the helminth parasites of fishes in the Ayuquila River, Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, in the states of Jalisco and Colima, west central Mexico. Twenty-eight helminth species were collected from 14 freshwater fish species in July 2000 and February 2001. No helminth species collected is exclusive to the Ayuquila River: 11 are allogenic species, mostly Nearctic in origin, and 17 are autogenics. Three introduced species were recovered. Saccocoelioides sogandaresi (Trematoda) was the most prevalent and widespread helminth recovered. The fish helminth fauna of the Ayuquila River is dominated by trematode and nematode species with only a few monogenean and acanthocephalan species. The fauna exhibits considerable overlap with that reported for other freshwater basins in Mexico, and all helminths recovered have been reported previously from Mexico.

The fourth-stage larva of Tridentoinfundibulum gobi, one of the rare species of Cyathostominae, is identified and described. The larva was identified as T. gobi as a result of finding molting forms showing characteristics of both larvae and adults. The buccal capsule is large and spherical; its width exceeds its depth. The buccal capsule walls are thick, gradually narrowed to the apical edge and abruptly narrowed to the posterior edge. The esophageal funnel has 3 large, triangular teeth projecting into the buccal cavity similar to those of Triodontophorus spp. and Gyalocephalus capitatus. The fourth-stage larva of T. gobi can be distinguished by its buccal capsule having a smaller diameter than the esophagus. In addition, the buccal capsule of T. gobi fourth-stage larvae is wider than deep but is as deep or deeper than wide in the fourth-stage larvae of Triodontophorus spp., and the buccal teeth of T. gobi fourth-stage larvae are much more steeply pointed and have smoother anterior edges than those of G. capitatus.

We report Dermophthirius carcharhini (Monogenea: Microbothriidae) from the skin of a dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus (Carcharhinidae), in the southwest Indian Ocean off Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa, and Dermophthirius maccallumi from the skin of 2 bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Cat Island, Mississippi, U.S.A. No previous report exists of a microbothriid from the western Indian Ocean or from off southern Africa or of D. maccallumi from beyond the vicinity of the Lake Nicaragua–San Juan River system. We also provide a list of hosts and localities for members of Dermophthirius.

We examined 115 hunter-killed mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) from 4 states (Arizona, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee, U.S.A.) in 1998 and 1999 to investigate geographical variation in the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections. Four intestinal helminth species were identified: Killigrewia delafondi, Ornithostrongylus crami, Ascaridia columbae, and Capillaria obsignata. The number of worms (all helminth species combined) per infected bird ranged from 1 to 166 (mean ± SE = 12.7 ± 7.45, median = 2.0). Filarids, Aproctella stoddardi, were found in 2 birds but were probably adhering to the outside of the intestine. Overall, 18% of the doves were infected with 1 or more species of helminths. The percentage of doves infected with at least 1 helminth species varied from 4% in Arizona to 27% in South Carolina. Mixed infections occurred in only 3 individuals (14% of infected birds). We found no significant differences in prevalence of infection among any of the 4 helminths by host age or sex, and prevalences were too low to test for differences among states. The intensity of O. crami was higher in males than in females but did not differ significantly among states. Intensities of the other 3 helminths did not differ by sex or state, and we found no differences in helminth intensity by age. Intestinal length was significantly greater in infected than in uninfected birds.

Twenty specimens of the bay goby, Lepidogobius lepidus, from Campbell Cove of Bodega Bay, California, U.S.A., were examined for intestinal helminths. Thirty-three cestode pleroceroids (Phyllobothrium sp.) were distributed randomly among 20 hosts (prevalence, 55%; mean intensity, 3.0; range, 1–13; confidence interval [CI], 1.18–5.09). There was no correlation between the standard length of the fish host and the number of cestode parasites. Three digeneans identified as Podocotyle enophrysi were found singly among the 20 hosts (prevalence, 15%; CI, 0.03–0.38). These helminth taxa are widely distributed among other fish hosts, but L. lepidus represents a new host record for Phyllobothrium sp. and P. enophrysi.

Lung tissue from 52 bobcats, Lynx rufus, from Alabama, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Virginia were examined for the presence of lung-inhabiting parasites by gross inspection and histological examination. Parasites identified included Metathelazia californica, Troglostrongylus wilsoni, Vogeloides felis, and Paragonimus kellicotti. No parasite was discovered in bobcat lungs from New Mexico or Virginia. Distributions of M. californica and V. felis infections have been extended to include bobcats from Alabama, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The distribution of P. kellicotti has been extended to include bobcats from Alabama and Oklahoma, whereas that of T. wilsoni now includes bobcats from Alabama.

Terrestrial isopod populations were examined from 5 different sites on the Penn State–Altoona campus in Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Length and sex of each isopod were recorded before it was examined for acanthocephalan parasites. Three isopod species were found: Armadillidium vulgare, Porcellio scaber, and Oniscus asellus. The acanthocephalan parasite Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus was found in P. scaber from a single site (site prevalence, 2.5%). This is the first report of natural infection of P. scaber by P. cylindraceus.