We investigated the endoparasite community in introduced American martens (Martes americana) across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A., in relation to host sex, age, and abundance. Seven parasite species were found, including 2 previously unreported protist parasites (Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium sp.). Marten sex was unrelated to parasite species richness or prevalence. There was a negative relationship between age and parasite prevalence for 2 parasites (Alaria sp. and Capillaria putorii) and also between age and parasite species richness in male martens. There was no relationship between marten abundance and parasite species richness or between marten abundance and each parasite species' prevalence. Physaloptera maxillaris prevalence was higher in the east Upper Peninsula of Michigan, whereas Alaria sp. prevalence was higher in the west. Overall, parasite distribution in marten in the Upper Peninsula appeared influenced more by ecological factors than marten physiology or density.

This study investigated the postcyclic transmission of Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus and Leptorhynchoides thecatus, including gravid female worms, between largemouth bass. Twenty largemouth bass were each given 10 individuals of N. cylindratus taken from the enteric system of largemouth bass, and 10 largemouth bass were each given 10 individuals of L. thecatus taken from the enteric system of largemouth bass. After 2 wk, bass were necropsied and examined for the presence of worms. Six and a half percent of N. cylindratus and 11% of L. thecatus were successfully transferred postcyclically, thus demonstrating that postcyclic transmission of N. cylindratus and L. thecatus, including gravid females, does occur. This provides a potential explanation for the high prevalence of these acanthocephalans often observed in large, exclusively piscivorous largemouth bass.

On St. Lawrence Island, U.S.A. (Bering Sea), following definition of the cycle of Echinococcus multilocularis and its identification as the cause of alveolar echinococcosis, we intensified the investigation of helminths in the northern vole (Microtus oeconomus), the major intermediate host of that cestode. Natural infections of the voles by larvae of Toxascaris leonina were first observed by us on the island in 1956, and subsequently on the mainland of Alaska. The natural final host is the arctic fox; sledge dogs were kept in large numbers by the Yup'ik residents of the island, and voles were most commonly affected where dogs were present. Larvae of the nematode were often macroscopically visible in the walls of the cecum and in skeletal muscle. Results of experimental infection of laboratory-reared voles, with the use of embryonated eggs of nematodes obtained from dogs, indicated that the larvae tended to migrate anteriad in voles, from the cecum to muscles anterior to the diaphragm. Repeated exposure of voles apparently intensified the immune response to the extent that larvae from exposure subsequent to the first were retarded in development and might have been prevented from completing migration to the musculature. The possibility of vole-to-vole transmission of third-stage larvae (determined by feeding of somewhat dried eviscerated bodies of infected animals) was confirmed in 11 of 29 trials. Because the rather high prevalence of eosinophilia in the people was not correlated with cases of alveolar echinococcosis (formerly hyperendemic on the island), we consider that the larva of T. leonina was its probable cause.

The grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, harbors a number of symbionts within its North American range. Here, we document the distribution and seasonality of 4 taxonomic groups that use P. pugio as a host in coastal Alabama. We conducted a regional survey of 4 symbionts of P. pugio over 3 seasons and compared assemblages across space and time. The most common parasite was the metacercarial stage of the microphallid trematode Microphallus turgidus, which remained consistently prevalent over the 3 seasons surveyed. We also monitored the prevalence of M. turgidus at 2 sites monthly. Prevalence fluctuated significantly among seasons at these sites, but spatial heterogeneity appears to have a stronger influence on regional parasite prevalence. Distributions of 3 of 4 symbionts overlapped in a single geographic area (Mon Louis Island, Alabama, U.S.A.); however, multispecies infections of individual hosts were normally distributed within host populations. Sites surrounding Mon Louis Island had substantially higher parasite prevalence, particularly in the summer months. This area had a high quantity of Spartina marsh habitat, which we found influenced parasite prevalence, suggesting a role for wetland habitat in structuring parasite communities for this host.

Gyrodactylus rivularae n. sp. (Monogenoiea: Gyrodactylidae) is described from the fins and body surface of the Chinese false gudgeon, Abbottina rivularis (Basilewsky, 1855) (Pisces: Cyprinidae), in cold-water streams of the Qinling Mountains, central China. The new species morphologically resembles Gyrodactylus gobioninum Gusev, 1955, another species infecting A. rivularis, and Gyrodactylus gobii Shulman, 1953, infecting Gobio albipinnatus Lukasch, 1933, but is distinguished by longer hamuli. Sequence data (874 base pairs ) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) spanning the ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2 regions is unique within GenBank. A BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) search identified species of Fundulotrema to have the highest overall similarity of 95–99%, followed by Gyrodactylus alexanderi Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967, and Gyrodactylus lotae Gusev, 1953, suggesting these species are all part of a clade within Gyrodactylus Nordmann, 1832 sensu lato.

A new species of Choricotyle parasitizing the marine fish Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) from Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (23°00′24″S; 44°19′05″W) is proposed. Choricotyle rohdei n.sp. differs from all other species of the genus mainly by the number of genital spines, which varies from 28 to 30, whereas others present 7 to 12 spines.

Examination of the gills of 10 crevalle jack, Caranx hippos (Linnaeus) (Carangidae), from the northeastern portion of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, Florida revealed 3 species of Heteronchoinea (Monogenoidea): Protomicrocotyle mirabilis (MacCallum, 1918) Johnston & Tiegs, 1922 (Gastrocotylinea, Protomicrocotylidae) (prevalence  =  80%; intensity  =  2–16 parasites/host; mean intensity  =  7 parasites/host); Allopyragraphorus hippos (Hargis, 1956) Yamaguti, 1963 (Microcotylinea, Allopyragraphoridae) (80%; 1–8; 3.5); and Cemocotyle noveboracensis Price, 1962 (Microcotylinea, Cemocotylidae) (80%; 1–100; 35.3). Two crevalle jack (standard length 139–140 mm) were uninfected; 3 (standard length 154–183 mm) had mean intensities (all parasite species) of 14.3 (intensity  =  5–20) parasites per host; 5 larger hosts (standard length  =  312–395 mm) were more heavily infected with the 3 parasite species (mean intensity  =  63.8 [intensity  =  16–109] parasites per host). Protomicrocotyle mirabilis is redescribed and figured; A. hippos is considered a valid species and distinct from Allopyragraphorus incomparabilis (MacCallum, 1917) Yamaguti, 1963 (previously considered synonyms); and C. noveboracensis is distinguished from congenerics in part by lacking a haptoral lappet.

Parspina papernai n. sp. is described from the intestine of Iheringichthys labrosus from the reservoir of the Itaipu Binational Hydroelectric Power Station, State of Paraná, Brazil. The new species is characterized by and easily distinguished from the other 2 species in the genus by having the distribution of vitellaria restricted to the hindbody, with follicles extending in a transverse band from the anterior margin of the testes to the posterior portion of seminal vesicle. The new species differs in egg size from Parspina bagre and from Parspina argentinensis by having a ventral sucker smaller than oral sucker and in egg size.

Aptorchis kuchlingi n. sp. is described from the rectum of the oblong turtle, Chelodina oblonga (Pleurodira: Chelidae), in southwest Western Australia. This digenean is morphologically most similar to Aptorchis pearsoni but can be differentiated from the latter species by: a relatively longer cirrus sac in relation to overall body length, a cirrus sac that reaches the ovary, testes that are situated much closer to the cirrus sac and separated from it only by the seminal receptacle, vitellarium that extends anteriorly beyond the ventral sucker, a relatively wider ventral sucker in relation to oral sucker width, and a pharynx equal in size or larger than the oral sucker. Comparison of approximately 2,400 bases of ribosomal DNA (complete internal transcribed spacer [ITS]1 5.8S ITS2, partial 28S) obtained from all 5 known Aptorchis species also suggests a close relationship of the new species with A. pearsoni and strongly supports the status of A. kuchlingi n. sp. as a new species. This is the fourth species of Aptorchis reported from long-necked turtles (Chelodina) and the first species of the genus reported in C. oblonga.

Neopolystoma liewi Du Preez and Lim, 2000, is redescribed on the basis of specimens collected from the type host, Cuora amboinensis, in Malaysia during 2008. Morphometric comparison of the new specimens with the original description revealed significant differences because of differences in specimen preparation. The current material was killed in hot formalin without coverglass pressure, whereas the specimens from the original description were killed and fixed with coverglass pressure. Coverglass pressure resulted in increases of 30%–70% in most measurements of body organs. Sclerotized structures (genital and haptoral hooks and eggs) or structures with sclerotized supports (haptoral suckers) were not affected by coverglass pressure. The coefficient of variation of measurements from worms killed with hot formalin was low (<10%) for most structures. The authors recommend discontinuing the use of flattening in the preparation of monogenetic trematodes, with the exception of a small number of specimens necessary to accurately view structures not easily seen in unflattened material. Measurements from flattened specimens should not be used in species descriptions.

The heart and gill of 125 spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier, 1830), (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) from 5 Gulf of Mexico localities (Mississippi Sound [n  =  18] [30°23′21″N; 88°51′44″W], Apalachicola Bay [n  =  17] [29°40′18″N; 85°00′09″W], Suwannee Sound and Wacasassa Bay [n  =  22] [29°7′55″N; 83°2′24″W], Tampa Bay [n  =  58] [27°41′58″N; 82°37′49″W], and Charlotte Harbor [n  =  10] [26°43′07″N; 82°11′27″W]); 40 spotted seatrout from 2 northwestern Atlantic Ocean localities (St. John's River Estuary [n  =  28] [30°22′29″N; 81°34′08″W] and Indian River Lagoon [n  =  12] [28°5′31″N; 80°36′08″W]); and 103 sand seatrout, Cynoscion arenarius Ginsburg, 1930, from 2 Gulf of Mexico localities (Mississippi Sound [n  =  102] and Tampa Bay [n  =  1]) were examined for the presence of fish blood flukes (Digenea: Aporocotylidae). One adult aporocotylid was collected from the heart of each infected spotted seatrout captured in Tampa Bay (6 of 58 infected, 10%) and St. John's River Estuary (1 of 28 infected, 4%) as well as from the heart of the single sand seatrout from Tampa Bay. We identified these aporocotylids as Cardicola laruei Short, 1953, based on light and scanning electron microscopy that matched them to the original species description of C. laruei, the type specimens in the United States National Parasite Collection (holotype USNPC 37377; paratypes USNPC 37378–9), and other of Short's original specimens now in our own collection. The present study is the first reported collection of this aporocotylid (i) from Tampa Bay, (ii) from the Atlantic Ocean, (iii) from the heart of spotted seatrout, and (iv) since its original description in 1953. Among other significant morphological features previously not ascribed to C. laruei, these specimens have a spheroid anterior sucker with concentric rows of minute spines anterior to the mouth. The fully developed, spindle-shaped egg of C. laruei embeds in the gill epithelium of its fish host proximal to the afferent branchial arterioles and encloses a ciliated miracidium. This report significantly contributes to our knowledge of C. laruei by (i) extending its known geographic distribution to a new ocean basin (Atlantic Ocean), (ii) adding supplemental morphological data derived from light and scanning electron microscopy, (iii) providing the first published observations of nonadult life history stages (egg and miracidium), and (iv) confirming that sympatric, congeneric seatrouts are infected by C. laruei.

A new species of diphyllidean cestode is described from Cruriraja hulleyi, a recently described species of skate collected off the coast of South Africa. Echinobothrium joshuai n. sp. differs from all 39 of its valid congeners in its possession of “B” hooks, each with a knob-like tubercle on its posterior proximal face. The uterus of this species is also unique in consisting of a meandering tube in mature proglottids rather than a median sac. This species most closely resembles E. clavatum in hook formula (3–4 8/7 3–4), but differs in possessing fewer cephalic peduncle spines (7–10 vs. 11–16) and a greater number of testes (23–27 vs. 11–14). This is the first report of a diphyllidean from this genus of skate and also from South African waters. This is also one of the few diphyllideans known to parasitize deeper-water elasmobranchs.

Oochoristica bivitellobatoides n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae: Linstowiinae) from a four-toed tegu, Teius teyou, collected in Argentina is described. The new species is most similar to Oochoristica bivitellobata in that, in both species, the ovary and vitellarium are bilobed. Major differences between the 2 species involve ovary and vitellarium structure: 8–12 lobules in each lobe of ovary and vitellarium in O. bivitellobatoides; scalloped margin of ovary and compact vitellarial lobes in O. bivitellobata.

A collection of acanthocephalans from 16 species of birds from the Côte d'Ivoire Africa included, from the Gigantorhynchidae, Mediorhynchus taeniatus, from Tockus fasciatus semifasciatus, a new locality record, a first report from this host, and 3 new species. Mediorhynchus cisticolae n. sp. is described from Cisticola erythrops erythrops (type host), Acrocephalus arudinaceus arudinaceus, Hirundo lucida lucida, Parus leucomelas guineensis, and Turdus pelios chiganoides. Mediorhynchus turdi n. sp. is described from T. p. chiganoides (type host), Cisticola anonymus, and C. e. erythrops. Mediorhynchus spinaepaucitas is described from Macronyx c. croceus (type host), A. a. arudinaceus, Laniarius aethiopicus, Merops albicollis, Ploceus nigricillis, Pogoniulus scolopaceus, Prinea subflava melanorhyncha, Ptilopachus petrosus, and T. p. chiganoides.

Four species, all heligmonellid nematodes, were collected from the digestive tracts of 30 Chiruromys vates from a single location in Papua, New Guinea. Hassanuddinia chiruromyos n. sp. differs from its congener in having 2 hypertrophied ventral ridges in a synlophe of 10–12 midbody ridges. A putative new species of Paraheligmonellnoides had 27 midbody ridges in the female synlophe, more ridges than in any other congener. The regionally distributed Odilia mackerrasae, and an unidentifiable female with 9 synlophe ridges midbody, completed the apparently depauperate helminth assemblage. The composition of this assemblage indicated links between the Sahul, Sunda, and Oriental Regions

Seventy-eight snakes collected in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica were necropsied: Boidae (1 species), boa constrictor, Boa constrictor; Colubridae (21 species), Ecuador sipo, Chironius grandisquamis; road guarder, Conophis lineatus; South American forest racer, Dendrophidion percarinatus; speckled racer, Drymobius margaritiferus; mimic false coral snake, Erythrolamprus mimus; blunthead tree snake, Imantodes cenchoa; western tree snake, Imantodes inornatus; banded cat-eyed snake, Leptodeira annulata; striped lowland snake, Leptodrymus pulcherrimus; Cope's parrot snake, Leptophis depressirostris; yellow-bellied racer, Liophis epinephelus; neotropical whip snake, Masticophis mentovarius; brown vinesnake, Oxybelis aeneus; Cope's vine snake, Oxybelis brevirostris; green vine snake, Oxybelis fulgidus; Cope's false coral snake, Pliocercus euryzonus; cloudy snail-eating snake, Sibon nebulata; chicken snake, Spilotes pullatus; western lyre snake, Trimorphodon biscutatus; orange-bellied littersnake, Urotheca guentheri; false fer-de-lance, Xenodon rabdocephalus; Viperidae (6 species), cantil, Agkistrodon bilineatus; jumping pit viper, Atropoides nummifer; terciopelo, Bothrops asper; cascabel, Crotalus durissus; hognosed pit viper, Porthidium nasutum; and slender hognose viper, Porthidium ophryomegas. Gravid nematodes representing 16 known species, Aplectana incerta, Aplectana itzocanensis, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Cruzia rudolphi, Hastospiculum onchocercum, Hexametra boddaertii, Kalicephalus costatus, Kalicephalus inermis, Kalicephalus sublatus, Macdonaldius oscheri, Ophidascaris arndti, Ophidascaris sicki, Physaloptera retusa, Skrjabinelazia intermedia, Terranova caballeroi, Travassosascaris araujoi, 1 new species, Abbreviata costaricae, and larvae of a species of Porrocaecum were found. Twenty-six new host records and 4 new locality records are reported. The nematode species found in this study are generalist parasites, i.e., infect more than one host species, and a comprehensive review of the hosts of these species is presented.

Nine species of geckos from Sri Lanka were examined for helminths: Calodactylodes illingworthorum, Cnemaspis kandiana, Cnemaspis scalpensis, Cnemaspis tropidogaster, Gehyra mutilata, Hemidactylus parvimaculatus, Hemidactylus depressus, Hemidactylus frenatus, and Hemidactylus leschenaultii. Species found include 1 species of Digenea, Mesocoelium monas; 2 species of Cestoda, Cylindrotaenia philauti and Oochoristica paurensis; 8 species of Nematoda, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Pharyngodon gekko, Pharyngodon oceanicus, Physaloperoides dactyluris, Skrjabinelazia hemidactyli, Spauligodon hemidactylus, Thamugadia hemidactyla, and Acuariidae gen sp. (larva in cysts); and 1 species of Acanthocephala, Acanthocephalus serendibensis. Mean number of helminth species per infected gecko was 1.3 ± 0.5 (range 1–3). Nineteen new hosts and 7 new locality records are reported.

In total, 9 helminth species (6 digenetic trematodes: Cathaemasia reticulata, Crassiphiala bulboglossa, Philophthalmus gralli, Uvulifer ambloplitis, Uvulifer semicircumcisus, unidentified strigeid trematode; 3 nematodes: Aviculariella alcyona, Contracaecum sp., Monopetalonema alcedinis) were found in 11 Megaceryle alcyon specimens examined from a fish hatchery near London, Ohio, in 2008 and 2009. Crassiphiala bulboglossa and U. ambloplitis each had a prevalence of 100%. Crassiphiala bulboglossa has the highest mean intensity and mean abundance. Uvulifer ambloplitis had the next highest mean intensity and mean abundance, followed by U. semicircumcisus. Of the nematodes, A. alcyona had the highest prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance. Gravid worms of all helminth species were found, except for Contracaecum sp. The mean helminth species richness for the birds was 4.8. Kingfishers become infected with C. reticulata, C. bulboglossa, P. gralli, U. ambloplitis, U. semicircumcisus, unidentified strigeid trematode (?), and Contracaecum sp. when they eat infected aquatic organisms. At least 23 studies performed in North America have reported on some aspect of the helminth species found in the present study infecting kingfishers from North America.

The initial helminth list for Hylarana maosonensis is established: 1 species of Digenea, Pleurogenoides sphaericus; 3 species of Nematoda, Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca ornata, and Seuratascaris nimidica; and 1 species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus nguyenthileae. Vietnam is a new locality record for C. ornata and S. numidica.

Fifteen Lyciasalamandra antalyana and 25 Lyciasalamandra luschani specimens from Antalya Province, Turkey, were examined for helminths. Three species of nematodes, Angiostoma aspersae, Aplectana acuminata, and Cosmocerca longicauda, were found in L. antalyana, and 1 species, A. aspersae, was found in L. luschani. Lyciasalamandra antalyana represents a new host record for each of the 3 species of nematodes; L. luschani had previously been identified as a host for A. aspersae and C. longicauda.

Examples of nematodes parasitizing the ventral scales of Crocodylus acutus and Crocodylus moreletii in southern Belize were observed via health assessments performed on crocodiles at the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary in Punta Gorda, Belize, in August 2009. Indirect identification was based on physical imprints of the parasite on the epidermis, and zigzag scars caused by movement and egg discharge from the skin into the surrounding environment. These observations in Belize are similar to those of documented cases of Paratrichosoma Ashford and Muller 1978 (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) found on the ventral scales of crocodiles in Mexico, Asia, and Australia.

In total, 80 crayfishes, including 25 Orconectes acares, 8 Orconectes palmeri longimanus, 13 Orconectes meeki meeki, 2 Orconectes neglectus neglectus, 21 Orconectes ozarkae, 4 Orconectes williamsi, 4 Procambarus liberorum, and 3 Procambarus tenuis, were collected from several counties in Arkansas and LeFlore County, Oklahoma (P. tenuis only), and specimens were examined for antennal gland parasites. Three (3.8%) were found to harbor metacercariae of Alloglossidium corti (Lamont, 1921) Van Cleave and Mueller, 1932, including 1 (4%) O. acares, 1 (12.5%) O. p. longimanus, and 1 (67%) P. tenuis. We report 3 new host records for A. corti and the first report of any helminth in these crustacean hosts.

Philobdella gracilis Moore, 1901 (Macrobdellidae: Hirudinida) is reported from Arkansas and Oklahoma for the first time. Specimens were collected in creeks and ponds. The Mississippi drainage distribution of P. gracilis and eastern distribution Philobdella floridana were confirmed by reexamination of museum specimens.

One of 4 (25%) white crappie, Pomoxis annularis, specimens from the Ouachita River, Dallas County, Arkansas, was found to be infested with 8 glossiphoniid leeches, Actinobdella inequiannulata Moore, 1901. Leeches were removed from within the operculum on gills and gill arches. This leech is generally thought to be uncommon but has been reported previously, mainly on members of the family Catostomidae from 21 states of the United States and 5 provinces of Canada. We report a new host record and the first report of A. inequiannulata from Arkansas.

The digestive tracts of 6 silver-haired bats, Lasionycteris noctivagans, from Virginia were examined. Four of the 6 contained the digenetic trematode Urotrematulum attenuatum. Additional collections of this fluke from Ohio and Minnesota are reported. This is the third report of U. attenuatum and the first record of this species from Virginia.