Acolpenteron willifordensis n. sp. (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) is described from the ureters and kidney (presumably the renal tubules) of the spotted sucker Minytrema melanops (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) collected from the Econfina Creek in the panhandle of northern Florida. The new species is similar to Acolpenteron catostomi Fischthal and Allison, 1942 in body shape and size, position of the vaginal pore, and the general shape of the posteriorly notched haptor. It differs from A. catostomi by having a broad tubular shaft of the male copulatory organ that lacks a proximal double recurve immediately distal to its base. Possible biogeographic explanations for the occurrences of species of Acolpenteron in primary freshwater fishes of North America, Eurasia and South America are presented.

Forty-eight specimens of cyclocoelids (47 specimens representing Uvitellina iraquensis n. sp. [Haematotrephinae] and 1 specimen representing a second unidentified species of Cyclocoelum [Cyclocoelinae]) collected from the air sacs of 6 of 12 white-tailed lapwings, Vanellus leucurus (Charadriidae), collected from Huwazah marsh in northeastern Basrah Province of Iraq were described. Of the 11 species in the genus, only Uvitellina teesae, Uvitellina indica, and Uvitellina kaniharensis are like U. iraquensis n. sp. by having a rudimentary oral sucker. Uvitellina iraquensis n. sp. differs from these 3 species by having the oral sucker wider than the pharynx (1∶1.0–1∶1.3 compared to 1∶0.9, 1∶1.08–1∶0.9, 1∶0.9, respectively). The new species differs from U. teesae by having a longer oral sucker (210–310 compared to 160) and from U. indica by having longer eggs (193–219 compared to 136–153). The new species further differs from U. teesae and U. indica by having wider eggs (63–88 compared to 49, 50–59), respectively. and a shorter pharynx (310–350 long compared to 410 and 417). It further differs from U. kaniharensis by having a smaller body (7,750–10,450 compared to 13,440–16,128).

A new genus of the family Cryptogonimidae is described from a freshwater fish from the north of Brazil. Annakohniella n. gen. is most closely related to Timoniella Rebeq, 1960 mainly by possessing testes contiguous at the posterior extremity and preovarian seminal receptacle. The new genus differs from Timoniella by having a deeply lobed ovary, a very large seminal receptacle, and the ovary widely separated from the testes by uterine coils. Among the genera with an ovary that is slightly to highly lobed, Annakohniella n. gen. is most closely related to Adlardia Miller, Bray, Goiran, Justine & Cribb, 2009, mainly by the space between ovary and testes filled with uterine loops and by the presence of a well-developed seminal receptacle, immediately anterior to ovary. Annakohniella n. gen. differs from Adlardia by having a tegument strongly armed with spines, a long prepharynx, a smaller oral∶ventral sucker width ratio, ovary in mid hindbody, tandem testes contiguous in the posterior extremity of body, presence of a gonotyl, ceca ending blind in posterior extremity of body, and absence of uterine coils posterior to testes.

Examination of the bycatch from a hake survey off the coast of South Africa in 2010 yielded new diphyllidean tapeworms from 2 species of batoids not previously examined for this cestode order. The spotted skate, Raja straeleni (Rajidae), was found to host Echinobothrium dorothyae n. sp., which differs in hook formula from 37 of its 43 congeners, and can be distinguished from the 6 remaining species in features such as length, number and arrangement of testes, and number of cephalic peduncle spines. The second new species, Echinobothrium dougbermani n. sp., was collected from the lesser guitarfish, Rhinobatos annulatus (Rhinobatidae). This species differs from all but 6 of its congeners in hook formula. With respect to these 6 species, it differs in numbers of cephalic peduncle spines, testes and proglottids, overall size, and ovary shape. Furthermore, it bears lateral hooklets that are more posterior in position relative to the apical hooks than is seen in most of its congeners. Scanning electron microscopy of these 2 species highlights ultrastructural differences that exist among diphyllideans, which, although their complete taxonomic distribution and function(s) are not yet understood, are interesting to consider. These are: the presence or absence of a spinithrix-lacking “V” shaped region on the medial distal bothrial surface, variation in spinithrix form from anterior to posterior on the proximal bothrial surface, and surface elaborations in the form of tiny, ridgelike structures of varying length that may or may not anastomose with one another. The relatively random nature of the selection of the skates and guitarfish hosts sampled here supports the notion that the small percentage of species in these genera that are currently known to host diphyllideans, and likely also their respective families Rajidae and Rhinobatidae, are likely a result of a lack of sampling.

We describe a new species of acanthocephalan from the reef fish Kyphosus bigibbus Lacepède, Kyphosus sydneyanus (Günther), and Kyphosus vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimardi) from Heron Island, Queensland; Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia; and Moorea, French Polynesia, respectively. Filisoma filiformis n. sp. is differentiated primarily from other species by its long, slender proboscis, with 16–18 longitudinal rows of 42–48 hooks. The wide distribution and multiple host species of F. filiformis suggest that it could be found in other localities around the Indo-Pacific region where kyphosid fish occur. The differing patterns of host range and geographic distribution within the genus Filisoma are discussed.

The original description of Mediorhynchus gallinarum (Bhalerao, 1937) and subsequent descriptions by other observers were riddled with errors and misinterpretations. The present collection of many specimens of M. gallinarum from chickens, Gallus gallus L., in Indonesia provided the opportunity to describe the Indonesian population, report the full range of variation in morphometric characteristics, especially proboscis armature, correct a few misconceptions, and obtain scanning electron microscopy documentation of previously unreported structures including features of the proboscis and hooks, the epidermis, sensory pores, bursa, and egg topography. Additionally, Indonesia is a new locality record for M. gallinarum.

Two new species of Skrjabinodon, Skrjabinodon barrinae n. sp. and Skrjabinodon swainii n. sp., are described from Australian leaf-tailed geckos (Gekkonidae: Saltuarius), and Skrjabinodon oedurae is redescribed from the Australian gecko Oedura robusta. They are distinguished from one another, and from Skrjabinodon poicilandri from a New Zealand gecko, Hoplodactylus maculatus, by length and proportions of the terminal tail filament and the number of spines thereon, the form of the male somatic alae, disposition of papillae at the base of the male tail, and the large excretory vesicle in S. oedurae. These 4 species of nematode possess 3 large distinctive pointed structures at the end of the female tail. Each is only known from a single host species, and they are all either geographically or ecologically isolated from one another. Hedruris saltuarii is the second species in this genus to be described from an Australian reptile; it differs from Hedruris longispicula, and from 5 other species of Hedruris infecting reptiles, principally by a combination of its large size, the number and disposition of tubercles on the male tail, and the form of the spicules.

Twenty-six spotted dusky salamanders (Desmognathus conanti) were collected from 2 counties of south-central Arkansas and examined for endoparasites. Only 3 (12%) were infected; 1 with the digene Brachycoelium salamandrae, 1 with a tetrathyridium of the cestode Mesocestoides sp., and 1 with a larval nematode, Porrocaecum sp., and an acanthocephalan cystacanth. The prevalence of infection for each helminth species was 4%. We document new host records for Mesocestoides sp., Porrocaecum sp., and an echinorhynchid acanthocephalan cystacanth. This is also the first time that Porrocaecum sp. has been reported from a salamander, and only the fourth time Mesocestoides sp. has been reported from salamanders.

Fifty-one Ozark zig-zag salamanders (Plethodon angusticlavius) were collected from 6 counties of northern Arkansas and examined for parasites. Eighteen (35%) were infected with 1 or more helminth or ectoparasite, including 6 (12%) with the cestode Cylindrotaenia americana, 1 (2%) with the capillarid nematode Amphibiocapillaria tritonispunctati, 12 (24%) with the oxyurid nematode Batracholandros magnavulvaris, and 1 (2%) with chiggers, Hannemania dunni. Three (6%) were multiply infected with C. americana and B. magnavulvaris or C. americana and H. dunni. We document new host records for C. americana, B. magnavulvaris, A. tritonispunctati, and H. dunni.

Six species of African anurans, Amietophrynus garmani, Amietophrynus gutturalis, Amietophrynus maculatus, Schismaderma carens (Bufonidae), Amietia angolensis, and Strongylopus grayii (Pyxicephalidae), were examined for helminths. Found were 1 species of Cestoda, Cylindrotaenia jaegerskioeldi, 7 species of Nematoda, Amphibiophilus natalensis, Aplectana chamaeleonis, Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca ornata, Entomelas sylvestris, Rhabdias africanus, and Angiostoma sp. Twelve new host records and 1 new location record are reported. Twenty-five (21%) of the 117 South African anurans have now been reported to harbor helminths.

Nineteen adult Cajun chorus frogs, Pseudacris fouquettei, were collected in Union County, Arkansas, U.S.A. (n  =  14), and Bowie County, Texas, U.S.A. (n  =  5), and examined for parasites and symbiotic protozoa. All 19 frogs were infected with 1 or more species, including 18 (95%) with Opalina sp., 15 (79%) with Nyctotherus cordiformis, 6 (32%) with Myxidium melleni, 1 (5%) with Mesocoelium monas, 1 (5%) with an unidentified acuariid larva, 1 (5%) with Physaloptera sp. (third stage larva), 3 (16%) with Oswaldocruzia leidyi, and 2 (11%) with Cosmocercoides variabilis. Multiple infections with both protists and helminths were observed in 5 (26%) of the P. fouquettei. We document new host records for Opalina sp., N. cordiformis, Me. monas, Acuariidae gen. sp., Physaloptera sp., and O. leidyi; new distributional records are reported for My. melleni (Arkansas) and O. leidyi (Arkansas and Texas).

Marine turtle leeches (Ozobranchus spp.) are ectoparasites of sea turtles. Only 2 species were identified on turtles examined from near Taiwan: Ozobranchus branchiatus, with 7 pairs of external gills on each side of its abdomen and only found on the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas); and Ozobranchus margoi, with 5 pairs of external gills on each side of its abdomen. We report the first records of both leech species from Taiwan. We observed approximately 400 O. margoi on a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) taken as by-catch in the pond-net fishery on December 14, 2009.

The flea fauna of Patagonia in Argentina comprises about 50% of the total species and subspecies known for Argentina. Given the high diversity of environments and the rich assemblage of sigmodontine rodents of the Patagonian region, flea richness is probably underestimated. In the present study, 16 species and subspecies of fleas parasitizing sigmodontines from Northern Patagonia are reported. Fifteen new parasite–host associations and new records of geographical distribution are reported. The results suggest the coexistence of an endemic flea fauna (Tetrapsyllus (Tetrapsyllus) tantillus; Tetrapsyllus (Tetrapsyllus) rhombus; Ectinorus (Ectinorus) spiculatus; Agastopsylla boxi boxi; and Sphinctopsylla ares) with other species and genera that occur mainly at lower latitudes than those of Patagonia (Tetrapsyllus (Phylliver) bleptus; Ectinorus (Ectinorus) hapalus and Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus). Considering that the same situation occurs with some species and genera of their sigmodontine hosts, future studies will allow us to determine the distributional limits of each flea taxon and analyze the influence of host geographical distribution.

This study investigated the effects of artificial spring water (ASW), conditioned tap water (CTW), and deionized (DI) water on Biomphalaria glabrata snails infected with the trematode parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Biomphalaria glabrata snails infected with S. mansoni were placed in cultures containing ASW, CTW, or DI for 3 wk during which snail survival and the number of egg masses were recorded. Snails in ASW and DI showed similar survival, whereas all snails in CTW cultures died within 2 d. However, snails in ASW showed better fecundity then did those in DI and had a significantly greater number of egg masses. Despite decreased fecundity, we noted that DI may serve as an adequate cost- and labor-effective replacement for ASW in the laboratory maintenance of B. glabrata infected with S. mansoni.

Sixteen of 22 (73%) Roemer's snails, Mesodon roemeri, collected in June 1989 from Johnson County, Texas were found to be passing oocysts of Pfeifferinella gugleri (Wacha, 1980) in their feces. Oocysts had no sporocysts but each contained 8 free sporozoites and a distinct oocyst residuum and micropyle. This coccidian was originally described from the white-lipped land snail, Neohelix ( = Triodopsis) albolabris from Iowa, and also has been reported from the land snail Oxyloma retusa from Minnesota. Six additional species of snails (n  =  31) were surveyed and were not found to be passing coccidian oocysts.

In total, 248 sympatric anurans belonging to 4 species—Leptodactylus latrans, Rhinella icterica, Physalaemus cuvieri, and Scinax fuscovarius—were captured in Campo Belo do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from May 2009 to January 2011, and examined for helminth parasites. Four helminth species of cosmocercid nematodes were found: Cosmocerca brasiliense, Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca rara, and Cosmocerca cruzi. Cosmocerca parva was found in 3 of the host species and had a higher prevalence than the other cosmocercid species. Species of Cosmocerca were reported in R. icterica and P. cuvieri for the first time, and this was the first record of Cosmocerca in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Twenty-one adult rough green snakes Opheodrys aestivus (Ophidia: Colubridae) were collected during 2010 and 2012 from Montgomery (n  =  1) and White (n  =  20) counties, Arkansas, U.S.A., and examined for helminths. A single O. aestivus (5%) harbored a massive infection of Mesocestoides sp. This represents a new host record for Mesocestoides sp., and 1 of the rare instances that O. aestivus has been reported to harbor any parasite.

We present the first record of Parabdella quadrioculata (Annelida: Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) from Japan. Leeches were collected from the Japanese pond turtle Mauremys japonica and a Japanese man. Mauremys japonica is a new host for this leech. This report is the first case of human infestation by the glossiphoniid leech.

The branchiuran parasite Argulus japonicus (Crustacea: Branchiura: Argulidae) was collected from the body surface of the Rosy bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus from Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. The present study represents the first record of A. japonicus obtained from Kyushu. Rhodeus ocellatus is a new host for A. japonicus.

Eight Fejervarya limnocharis from southwestern Taiwan were examined for helminths. Two species of Nematoda, Cosmocerca ornata and Oswaldocruzia hoepplii, and 1 species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis, were found. A survey of helminths infecting other populations of F. limnocharis indicates that this frog is infected by generalist helminths that also infect a variety of other anurans. Taiwan is a new locality record for P. bufonis.

Microhyla fissipes and Microhyla heymonsi are common anurans in lowland plains to low montane regions in most parts of Taiwan. Five Microhyla fissipes and 7 Microhyla heymonsi from southwestern Taiwan were examined for helminths. A nematode, Cosmocerca ornata, was the only helminth species found. This report is the first record of this nematode species from Taiwan and also confirms infection of M. fissipes by C. ornata and documents M. heymonsi as a new host record for C. ornata. Herein, updated helminth lists for M. fissipes and M. heymonsi are provided.

Four species of Gonatodes, Gonatodes albogularis, Gonatodes antillensis, Gonatodes concinnatus, and Gonatodes humeralis, were examined for helminths. Found were 8 species of Nematoda: gravid specimens of Cosmocerca parva, Parapharyngodon scleratus, Physaloptera retusa, Skrjabinelazia galliardi, Spauligodon bonairensis, and Spauligodon oxkutzcabiensis and larvae of Physaloptera sp. and Acuariidae gen. sp. It appears that species of Gonatodes are parasitized by generalist helminths. A list for currently known helminths infecting species of Gonatodes and 4 new host records are provided.

Six helminth species (1 digenetic trematode, Conspicuum icteridorum; 2 cestodes, Choanotaenia sp., and 1 tentatively identified as Paricterotaenia sp.; 3 nematodes, Capillaria ovopunctatum, Chandlerella quiscali, Porrocaecum ensicaudatum) were found in 35 common grackles, Quiscalus quiscula, Linnaeus, 1758, examined from a fish hatchery near London, Ohio, U.S.A., in late May through July 2009 and 2010. Porrocaecum ensicaudatum had the highest prevalence (77%) followed by C. ovopunctatum (66%). Chandlerella quiscali had the highest mean intensity (8.0) followed by C. ovopunctatum (6.4), which also had the highest mean abundance (4.2). Gravid worms of all helminth species were found except for Choanotaenia sp. The mean helminth species richness for all examined birds was 2.5 ± 1.0. This survey herein is consistent with previous parasitological studies conducted on the helminths of common grackles. Although 74% of the examined common grackles had fish bones in their gizzards, helminths known to utilize fish as intermediate hosts at this hatchery were not found.

One European glass lizard, Pseudopus apodus, and 3 European grass snakes, Natrix natrix, were examined for helminths. Pseudopus apodus harbored 1 species of Nematoda, Entomelas entomelas; N. natrix harbored 1 species of Digenea, Telorchis assula, 1 species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia europaea, and 1 species of Nematoda, Rhabdias fuscovenosa. Iran is a new locality record for T. assula, E. entomelas, and R. fuscovenosa. This is the first report of helminths for P. apodus from Iran.