The objectives of the present study were: (1) to establish the identity of Cotylaspis insignis in fat mucket, Lampsilis radiata luteola, specimens collected during the summer of 2014 from North Elkhorn Creek, Scott County, Kentucky, U.S.A.; (2) to assess host histopathology; and (3) to determine the prevalence and mean intensity of C. insignis in this mussel based on host sex and size/shell length. Whole mounts and histological sections of this worm revealed 19–20 peripheral alveoli and 9 central alveoli in the ventral sucker, as well as 19 marginal bodies, confirming the identification of this species. Specimens prepared for histological sectioning readily detached from host tissue in fixative, and no host pathology was observed. Eighty-one of 86 L. r. luteola harbored C. insignis infections, resulting in an overall prevalence of 94.2% and a mean intensity of infection of 9.31 ± 6.93. Results of statistical tests showed no significant differences in either the prevalence or mean intensity of infection when compared by host shell length or host sex. These results are compared to prior surveys of this trematode in freshwater mussels within the United States.

Development of the cotylocidium within its egg has only been described for a limited number of trematodes in the Aspidogastridae. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the location of cotylocidium development within the egg for Cotylaspis insignis; and (2) to establish a time line for developmental stages of this larva within the egg. Unembryonated, ectolecithal eggs in the uterus of the adult worm showed a large, centrally located zygote surrounded by vitelline cells. Eggs shed within the host, Lampsilas radiata luteola, and eggs released into surrounding water from the host contained zygotes or embryos undergoing early (i.e., 3 blastomeres) cleavage. This indicated that subsequent cotylocidial development within the egg proceeded outside the host in the external environment. These subsequent developmental stages of the cotylocidium larvae within the egg are described over the next 36 d in vitro at 20°C, culminating with the hatching of a motile larva. Our findings are compared with those previously reported for other aspidogastrean species.

Domestic cats are well known to play an important role in the transmission of infective stages of Toxoplasma gondii to humans and other warm-blooded animals, and it is therefore logical to assume that individuals who own cats would have a higher prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii than would individuals from a normal age-matched population. However, a review of the literature indicates that cat ownership is of variable importance and that it is not always a significant risk factor. The present study was conducted using a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between infection by T. gondii and cat ownership. The related literature was searched in multiple literature databases, regardless of language. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the risks of infection by T. gondii. In total, 46 of the 1,813 detected articles were included in our analysis. The risk of infection by T. gondii had a significant association with cat contact (P < 0.05) in the general population, as well as with immunocompromised people, people with special occupations, and cat owners, with ORs (95% CI) of 1.413 (1.163–1.717), 1.558 (1.173–2.069), 1.493 (1.088–2.049), and 1.421 (1.174–1.721), respectively. Interestingly, the risk of infection by T. gondii had no significant association with neighborhood cat contact versus no contact (P  =  0.104), with an OR of 1.544 (95% CI: 0.914–2.606), and the proportions of cat ownership in individuals infected and uninfected by T. gondii were not significantly different (P  =  0.389), with an OR of 1.375 (95% CI: 0.666–2.840). These data indicate that cat contact can increase the risk of infection by T. gondii in various populations, including the general population, immune-suppressed/pregnant individuals, those with special occupations, and cat(s) owners. Interestingly, the risk of infection by T. gondii has no significant association with neighborhood cat contact versus no contact, and the analysis of the data extracted from a case-control study shows that there is no significant difference in the rate of cat ownership between those infected by T. gondii and those uninfected. Therefore, while significant, cat contact may not be the most important risk factor for infection by T. gondii in cat owners.

The site specificity and developmental morphology of Oligacanthorhynchus microcephalus was studied in its definitive host the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Opossums were infected with cystacanths removed from the hemocoels of the millipede Narceus americanus, the intermediate host of O. microcephalus. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk postinfection (PI), an opossum was killed and the small intestine was removed and divided into 20 equal sections. The locations of all worms were recorded and worms present used to describe morphology at each time interval PI. Collectively, worms occurred in intestinal segments 2–15. No worm occurred in the first intestinal segment or in the last five segments of the intestine. Worms demonstrated a moderate degree of site specificity, with the majority of worms aggregating between intestinal segments 9 and 13, accounting for 69% of the total worm burden. Commencing at 2 wk PI, growth rates of females were almost twice those of males. Although the growth rate of both sexes slowed over time, both sexes continued to grow after achieving sexual maturity. Cement caps were found on females collected at 4 wk PI, 6 wk PI, and in adult worms, indicating that copulation commences between 2 and 4 wk PI. Proboscis length and width did not change throughout development. In males, testes increased in size and became separated by progressively increasing distances throughout development, although they remained within the posterior third of the trunk.

Striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Moronidae), collected from several rivers in South Carolina, U.S.A., were found to be infected with heterophyid metacercariae whose morphology was consistent with Ascocotyle (Phagicola) nana on the basis of descriptions from the literature and via comparison with reference specimens of metacercariae from largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Centrarchidae), a known intermediate host for A. nana. Morphology of metacercariae from both fish species was similar and partial sequencing of their 18S ribosomal DNA gene confirmed that metacercariae from both fish belonged to the same heterophyid species. Young-of-the-year striped bass were not infected and over 65% of the population sampled (N  =  39) age 1 yr and older were infected with up to 49 metacercariae per gram of somatic muscle. Mid-line red muscle (lateralis superficialis) had a significantly higher density of metacercariae than epaxial and hypaxial white muscle. Some metacercariae showed signs of degradation or were dead, but in the majority of specimens little to no host reaction occurred and numerous worms were observed moving within their cysts. Morone saxatilis was thus considered to be a suitable intermediate host for this parasite. This is the first report of a species in the family Moronidae acting as intermediate host for A. nana, which emphasizes the need to examine more Perciforme fishes in known areas of endemicity for this parasite to better assess the complexity of its biology, life cycle, and its potential for human pathogenicity.

The Document, Assess, Monitoring, Act (DAMA) protocol details an approach to integrating information about parasites into large-scale studies of biodiversity, climate change, and emerging diseases. This study represents an effort to put the DAMA protocol into practice. We collected 101 individuals of protected ranid frogs belonging to the Pelophylax esculentus complex during 2012 and 2013 in the Hortobágy National Park (HNP) in eastern Hungary in an area where an inventory of amphibian helminths had been conducted 40 yr previously. Collecting sites included flowing water, a fish pond system, and a wetland marsh system. We found the following helminth species: Digeneans: Diplodiscus subclavatus, Haematoloechus variegatus, Opisthioglyphe ranae, Pleurogenes claviger, Pleurogenoides medians; Nematodes: Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Rhabdias esculentarum; and Acanthocephala: Acanthocephalus ranae. Rhabdais esculentarum is a new species for the Hungarian fauna and P. ridibundus represents a new host record for R. esculentarum while D. subclavatus, P. claviger, and P. medians are new species for the helminthofauna of the HNP. Our findings showed a significant discrepancy from the results of baseline inventories carried out 40 yr ago, although the reasons for this discrepancy are not clear. We suspect that the previously reported helminth species that we did not encounter are restricted to Pelophylax lessonae, a host we have not yet collected at this location, but factors associated with climate change or anthropogenic impacts cannot be ruled out.

Mosesia ovalis n. sp. (Digenea: Phaneropsolidae) is described based on one specimen found in the intestine of a green manakin (Pipridae: Xenopipo holochlora Sclater, 1888) collected in the Cordillera Azul National Park, Peru. Mosesia ovalis n. sp. differs from the morphologically similar species Mosesia mosesi (Travassos, 1921) and Mosesia chordeilesia McMullen, 1936 in its body shape and proportions, the shape of its testes, and the extent of its ceca. The morphological description of the new species, and notes clarifying some morphological features of Mosesia mosesi, the type species of Mosesia, are provided.

Four cercopitheciid primate species at an academic institution research facility within the United States were found infected with an Enterobius species that was morphologically and genetically distinct from all currently known species of pinworms and is herein described as Enterobius shriveri n. sp. Phylogenetic analysis is provided for E. shriveri based on analysis of a partial 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) and a partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (Cox1) gene. Three of the 15 infected hosts were also co-infected with Enterobius macaci Yen, 1973. Electron microscopy and light microscopy images of both male and female E. shriveri and E. macaci specimens are provided, as are additional morphologic and morphometric data for E. macaci, both of which indicate differences between Asiatic mainland and Japanese island isolate forms.

Prosorhynchoides fabulus n. sp. (Trematoda: Bucephalidae) is described from the intestine of white bass Morone chrysops (Moronidae) collected from the Neches River in the Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, U.S.A. The new species is characterized by a relatively large cirrus sac extending anteriorly to the level of the ovary and cecum, a mouth nearly exactly midbody, obliquely arranged testes, a serpentine excretory bladder limited to the hindbody, and small size (<500 μm). The extent of the cirrus sac distinguishes P. fabulus n. sp. from most other species in the genus in North America. The new species displays similarities to Prosorhynchoides carvajali, Prosorhynchoides labiatus, and Prosorhynchoides megacirrus in the extent of the cirrus sac but differs from these species in combinations of the location of the vitellaria, position of the pharynx and mouth, extent of the excretory bladder, arrangement and position of the gonads, and body size.

Between May 2014 and September 2014, 50 Northern Studfish, Fundulus catenatus, were collected from sites in the interior highlands of the Ouachita Mountains (n  =  25) and Ozark Mountains (n  =  25) of Arkansas and examined for helminths. Twenty-three (46%) of the northern studfish, including 7 (28%) from the Ouachitas and 23 (92%) from the Ozarks were infected with helminths. These included 8 (16%) with Neascus-type metacercariae (black grub), 4 (8%) with metacercaria of Clinostomum marginatum, 8 (16%) with Creptotrema sp., 1 (2%) with Posthodiplostomum minimum, 3 (6%) with immature Proteocephalus sp., 9 (18%) with larval Eustrongylides sp., 1 (2%) with Rhabdochona cascadilla, 2 (4%) with larval Spinitectus sp., and 17 (34%) with acanthocephalan cystacanths. In addition, 6 of 8 individuals (75%) from one site in the Ouachitas harbored the monogenean, Salsuginus fundulus. We document new host records for most of these helminths and new distributional records for Creptotrema sp., Eustrongylides sp., and S. fundulus.

Galatheabdella epshteini is described from depths of 900 to 2,400 m off the northwest coast of the United States. Leeches are elongate, up to 50 mm total length. Body is smooth, lacking papillae, tubercles, or pigmentation. Oral sucker is well developed; caudal sucker is small and subterminal. Leeches have pulsatile vesicles, 6 pairs of testisacs, accessory gland cells on atrial cornu, conducting tissue, mycetomes, and fused postceca with fenestrae. No host is recorded.

We examined the anurans Dendropsophus nanus, Hypsiboas raniceps, Phyllomedusa azurea, Pseudis limellum, Pseudis paradoxa, Scinax nasicus, Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus podicipinus, and Physalaemus albonotatus from southeastern Pantanal, Brazil, for helminth parasites. These 11 anuran species were associated with 35 helminth taxa: 1 undetermined acanthocephalan, 28 nematodes, and 6 digenetic trematodes. Helminth species richness varied from 2 in the hylids D. nanus and P. limellum to 18 species in L. chaquensis. Cosmocercids, such as Aplectana hylambatis, C. podicipinus, and Parapharygodon were the most prevalent and abundant nematodes. Trematodes only reached high prevalence and abundance in the aquatic frog P. paradoxa, where Catadiscus sp. and Glypthelmins palmipens were considered central species. Most helminth species were common among different host species. We report a total of 48 new host records and provide remarks on the life cycle of most of the these helminth parasites.

The aspidogastrid Cotylaspis insignis is normally found as an ectoparasite at the junction of the gills and visceral mass in freshwater mussels from a variety of species. It is not known if the osmotic environment at this site more closely approximates that found in stream/pond water or mollusk blood/hemolymph. The objectives of this study were to assess the in vitro effect of osmolality on adult C. insignis egg production and survivorship over 3 and 14 d, respectively, at 20°C. Worms recovered from the fat mucket, Lampsilas radiata luteola, and maintained in artificial snail water/hemolymph (ASW; 102 mOsm) showed a trend for greater survivorship than in artificial pond water (APW; 15 mOsm), though a significant difference was only noted on day 2 postexposure (PE). The mean ± SE eggs shed from adult worms in the controlled osmotic conditions over days 1–3 PE exceeded the number of eggs initially present within adults on day 0, indicating that egg production continued by adult worms in vitro. Egg production was much reduced after day 1 PE, but worms released significantly more eggs in ASW than in APW on days 2 and 3 PE. These results suggest that the osmolality at the gill visceral mass junction more closely approximates that of ASW rather than APW.

Infections of Gyrodactylus are reported at a Minnesota baitfish farm producing golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) in earthen ponds. Intensities reached approximately 100 parasites per fish, with no apparent sign of disease. Two species were present: Gyrodactylus crysoleucas Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967, was common (90% of the Gyrodactylus population), while an unidentified Gyrodactylus sp., morphologically resembling Gyrodactylus wellborni Nowlin, 1968, but not confirmed as such, was less so (10% of the Gyrodactylus population). We provide supplemental morphological and molecular diagnostic information on these understudied parasites. The 2 species of parasites are easily confused diagnostically with Gyrodactylus salmonis Yin and Sproston, 1948, and Gyrodactylus colemanensis Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967, from salmonid fishes in North America, but can be differentiated on the basis of differences in shape and size of the haptoral hard parts and provided 18S and ITS sequences. The case history is puzzling in that the farm has been self-contained for 25 years, operating through in-house production of brood stock, with no opportunity of acquiring parasites from local wild golden shiner. The study concludes that both G. crysoleucas and the Gyrodactylus sp. arrived with the original wild brood stock and have persisted unnoticed until now.

We report a new host record for Protechinostoma mucronisertulatum. These small trematode parasites were found in a debilitated, immature, male sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) during autumn migration from the Canadian prairies. Necropsy examination identified fibrinonecrotizing and ulcerative jejunitis with a focal perforation and associated local fibrinous coelomitis. Cross sections of P. mucronisertulatum were present within lesions, although their role in the pathogenesis of these lesions is undetermined. Prior reports of natural infections attributed to these flukes are rare and have been limited primarily to sora rails (Porzana carolina) from the central North American flyway. Specimens in the sandhill crane were morphologically consistent with the original description; we provide the first complete series of measurements from flukes derived from a natural infection.

Two species of leptodactylid frogs, the marbled white-lipped frog, Leptodactylus elenae, and the pointed belly frog, Leptodactylus podicipinus, collected in Corrientes Province, Argentina, were examined for nematode parasites. Four adult species of nematodes belonging to 2 families (Cosmocercidae and Rhabdiasidae) were found parasitizing lungs and intestines: Aplectana delirae and Cosmocerca podicipinus in L. elenae; and Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca podicipinus, and Rhabdias sp. in L. podicipinus. This is the first report of nematode parasites for L. elenae and the second for L. podicipinus in Argentina. Aplectana delirae and Rhabdias sp. represent new host records.

Eimeria callospermophili is reported for the first time from the round-tailed ground squirrel, Xerospermophilus tereticaudus, and for the first time in Arizona, U.S.A. This coccidian was found in 4 of 10 (40%) round-tailed ground squirrels. Sporulated oocysts were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 20.4 × 17.8 µm (18–25 × 14–22 µm), with a length/width ratio of 1.1 (1.0–1.3), an oocyst residuum, and 0–2 polar granules. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 9.2 × 6.8 µm (7–10 × 6–8 µm), with a length/width ratio of 1.2 (1.1–1.4), a Stieda body, and a sporocyst residuum. The measurements and structural features of these oocysts were similar to those reported for E. callospermophili from other marmotine rodents.

A total of 1,270 cyprinids consisting of emerald shiners, Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque, 1818; spottail shiners, Notropis hudsonius (Clinton, 1824); mimic shiners, Notropis volucellus (Cope, 1865); and sand shiners, Notropis stramineus (Cope, 1865) (Cyprinidae) collected in 2009–2013 from Saginaw Bay and Port Sanilac, Lake Huron, and Lake St. Clair, Michigan, U.S.A., were examined for the nonnative Asian fish tapeworm, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi. The prevalences, mean intensities, and mean abundances of this cestode in the cyprinid species varied from 0 to 28%, 0.0 to 5.8, and 0.00 to 1.11, respectively. The infection values of B. acheilognathi were higher in Notropis spp. from Saginaw Bay than in Lake St. Clair. The proportions of infected and uninfected emerald shiners increased significantly from 2009 through 2011 and 2013 in Saginaw Bay. Emerald and mimic shiners are new host records for B. acheilognathi. Saginaw Bay and Port Sanilac, Lake Huron, and Lake St. Clair are new locality records for B. acheilognathi. The distribution of B. acheilognathi now extends north into Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron since its original detection in the Detroit River. Further, since Saginaw Bay and Lake St. Clair are important sources of wild-caught baitfish for the retail baitfish industry, this range extension of the Asian fish tapeworm raises fish management concerns for its spread into other waters of the state through bait bucket transfers.

Twenty-six gekkonid lizards from the Philippines consisting of Cyrtodactylus philippinicus (n  =  12) and Gekko mindorensis (n  =  14) were examined for helminths. One species of Cestoda as cycticercoids and 6 species of Nematoda: Bakeria schadi, Meteterakis longispiculata, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physalopteroides sp., Pharyngodonidae gen. sp., and Physalopteridae larva, were found. Both gekkonid species harbored Parapharyngodon maplestoni and Physalopteroides sp. Parapharyngodon maplestoni had the highest prevalence (50%) in C. philippinicus. The 2 gekkonid species were parasitized by a helminth community composed of Oriental helminths. Nine new host records are reported.