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Forticulcita gibsoni n. sp. ex Mugil cephalus. 5. Holotype, lateral view. 6. Paratype, hermaphroditic sac with inverted ejaculatory organ. Scale-bars: 5, 200 lm; 6, 100 lm
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The status of the nominal species of Dicrogaster is re-assessed by means of a comparative morphological study based on newly collected material from the western Mediterranean and a critical evaluation of the published data. D. perpusilla Looss, 1902 (type-species) and D. contracta Looss, 1902 are redescribed on the basis of new material from Liza s...
Citations
... Both molecular markers are considered the backbone of phylogenetic studies within Forticulcitinae. Later, other species of Forticulcita were described across the world following the previously proposed phylogenetic framework (Andres et al., 2015;Blasco-Costa et al., 2009b). More recently, Andres et al. (2015) erected the genus Xiha with two species from the Americas. ...
Members of Forticulcitinae Blasco-Costa, Balbuena, Kostadinova & Olson, 2009 include endoparasites of mullet fishes distributed worldwide. Adult specimens were collected from the intestines of white mullet (Mugil curema) and flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) from five localities in the Gulf of Mexico and a single locality in Venezuela. Photogenophores were sequenced for two nuclear molecular markers, the large subunit (LSU) and second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of nuclear rDNA. The new sequences were aligned with other sequences downloaded from GenBank. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences were deduced using the combined dataset (LSU + ITS2). The phylogenetic analyses revealed four new lineages belonging to Forticulcitinae. Three new species are described in the present study. Ekuarhuni mexicanus n. sp. can be differentiated from its congeneric species by presenting a longer hermaphroditic sac length (136–180 μm) and a wider testis (91–123 μm). Forticulcita macropharyngis n. sp. and Forticulcita venezuelensis n. sp. are the 8th and 9th species described in Forticulcita. Both species belong to the diminutive morphotype of Forticulcita. Forticulcita macropharyngis n. sp. can be morphologically distinguished from the other congeneric species by the presence of a massive and muscular pharynx (46–110 μm long, 74–106 μm wide). Forticulcita venezuelensis n. sp. is the second species of the studied genus recorded in South America and can be differentiated from congeneric species by possessing the largest testis (138–201 μm long, 83–100 μm wide). Finally, the fourth lineage corresponds to Overstreetoides Andrade-Gómez & García-Varela, 2021; however, few specimens of this lineage were collected, precluding any description of the species. In addition, a key is proposed for differentiating the genera and species of Forticulcitinae.
... Hassanine (2007) described a second species, Forticulcita mugilis Hassanine, 2007 from Crenimugil crenilabis (Forsskål) also in the Red Sea off Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt. Blasco-Costa et al. (2009a) Olson, 2009 based on the presence of a 'well-delimited eversible intromittent copulatory organ' or 'ejaculatory organ', vitellarium a single spherical to subtriangular compact mass, and a Bayesian inference (BI) hypothesis of the partial 28S rDNA that resolved F. gibsoni outside of the Haploporinae Nicoll, 1914. ...
... Fernández Bargiela (1987) described another species with a single vitellarium, Dicrogaster fragilis Fernández Bargiela, 1987 from M. cephalus off Chile. Blasco-Costa et al. (2009a) revised Dicrogaster, considered D. fragilis to be a junior synonym of D. fastigata and accepted only D. perpusilla, D. contracta and D. fastigata. In this study, we provide the description of two New World species of Forticulcita, provide supplemental material relating to the hermaphroditic duct of F. gibsoni, erect a new genus to accept D. fastigata, and provide a BI analysis based on partial 28S rDNA that estimates the affinity of those species with 26 previously published haploporoids. ...
... The pads or gland cells lining the hermaphroditic duct of F. gibsoni were not apparent in the paratypes we examined, nor were they described by Blasco-Costa et al. (2009a). However, based on morphological features and geographic location, we have no reason not to consider our specimen conspecific with F. gibsoni. ...
Forticulcita platana sp. n. and Forticulcita apiensis sp. n. are described from Mugil liza Valenciennes in Argentina, and from Mugil cephalus Linnaeus in Salt Springs, Florida, USA, respectively. Supplemental material relating to the hermaphroditic sac of Forticulcita gibsoni Blasco-Costa, Montero, Balbuena, Raga et Kostadinova, 2009 is provided from a specimen isolated from M. cephalus off Crete, Greece. Forticulcita platana can be distinguished from all species of Forticulcita Overstreet, 1982 except F. gibsoni, based on possessing small pads or gland cells along the hermaphroditic duct. It can be differentiated from that species in possessing a hermaphroditic sac that is one and a half to two times longer than wide rather than one that is approximately three times longer than wide, longer eggs (44-52 μm rather than 34-44 μm long) and a shorter post-testicular space (< 45% of the body length). Forticulcita apiensis can be differentiated from the other species of Forticulcita in possessing a testis that is shorter than or equal to the pharynx rather than one that is longer than the pharynx. Xiha gen. n. is erected for Dicrogaster fastigatus Thatcher et Sparks, 1958 as Xiha fastigata (Thatcher et Sparks, 1958) comb. n., and we tentatively consider Dicrogaster fragilis Fernández Bargiela, 1987 to be Xiha fragilis (Fernández Bargiela, 1987) comb. n. The new genus fits within the concept of Forticulcitinae Blasco-Costa, Balbuena, Kostadinova et Olson, 2009 in having a vitellarium comprised of a single elongate to subspherical mass. Xiha can be differentiated from Forticulcita in having spines lining the hermaphroditic duct, or intromittent organ. A Bayesian inference analysis of partial 28S rDNA sequences of the two New World species of Forticulcita, Xiha fastigata and previously published haploporids places Xiha fastigata within the Forticulcitinae and sister to Forticulcita. Amended diagnoses for the subfamily and for Dicrogaster Looss, 1902 are provided.
... In spite of the large number of records of haploporine species especially in Mediterranean mullets, there are surprisingly few documented records (i.e. supplied with a description or figure) or taxonomic studies contributing to the knowledge of morphological variation in this group (see [13][14][15] for detailed lists). In a recent revision of the Mediterranean genera of the Haploporidae six of the species (i.e. ...
... In a recent revision of the Mediterranean genera of the Haploporidae six of the species (i.e. Haploporus benedeni, Dicrogaster contracta, D. perpusilla, Lecithobotrys putrescens Looss, 1902, Saccocoelium obesum and S. tensum) originally described by Looss [2] [2] was examined and keys to generic and species level were developed [13][14][15][16]. Simultaneously, we sequenced the second internal ribosomal spacer (ITS2) region and the partial large subunit rRNA (28S) gene of haploporine representatives of all Mediterranean haploporine genera. ...
... In this study we evaluate the taxonomic framework of the Haploporinae based on morphology [1,[13][14][15][16] using ribosomal DNA sequence data generated from 10 species representing six out of the nine genera currently recognised within the subfamily. We test the monophyly of the subfamily by incorporation of the only available sequence data for two non-haploporine haploporids and two atractotrematid species, and assess for the first time relationships at the generic level. ...
The taxonomic framework of the Haploporidae is evaluated and the relationships within the Haploporinae are assessed for the first time at the generic level using molecular data. Partial 28S and complete ITS2 rDNA sequences from representatives of six of the nine recognised genera within the Haploporinae were analysed together with published sequences representing members of two haploporid subfamilies and of the closely related family Atractotrematidae. Molecular analyses revealed: (i) a close relationship between the Atractotrematidae and the Haploporidae; (ii) strong support for the monophyly of the Haploporinae, Dicrogaster and Saccocoelium, and the position of Ragaia within the Haploporinae; (iii) evidence for rejection of the synonymy of Saccocoelioides and Lecithobotrys and the validity of the Dicrogasterinae; and (iv) support for the distinct status of Saccocoelium in relation to Haploporus. The wider sampling within the genera Dicrogaster and Saccocoelium confirmed the distinct status of the included species, thus rejecting previously suggested synonymies. Saccocoelioides, recently transferred to the Chalcinotrematinae, was nested within the Haploporinae and this was largely associated with the position of Forticulcita, resolved as the most basal haploporine genus. Forticulcita also possesses a well-delimited eversible intromittent copulatory organ, a feature unique in the Haploporidae which has not been previously considered an important apomorphy. This, in association with the present hypothesis of the Haploporinae based on molecular data, led us to erect Forticulcitinae subf. n. for Forticulcita; this resolved Saccocoelioides and, by extension the Chalcinotrematinae, as sister groups to the Haploporinae.
During the parasitological examination of molluscs Abra segmentum obtained from the Black Sea basin, parthenitae belonging to the family Faustulidae were found. The cercariae were obtained by natural emergence and were studied using differential interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Specimens resemble Cercaria pennata ex Tapes rugatus which was described from the Sevastopol area, in the shape and length of the body, tail length, location and shape of internal organs, suckers, pharynx, testicular rudiments, and the number and position of longitudinal lamellae on the tail finlets. To date, there are only limited descriptions of the parthenitae of C. pennata without detailed measurements, thus the taxonomic position of the individuals studied needs thorough revision and molecular verification. According to the molecular analyses, C. pennata was identical to that of published sequences of Pronoprymna ventricosa .
Two new genera and four new species from subfamily Forticulcitinae are described from the intestines of white mullet (Mugil curema) and flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) collected in 27 localities across a wide geographical range on Pacific Ocean slopes comprising three countries in Middle America: Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The new genera Ekuarhuni n. gen. and Overstreetoides n. gen. had to be erected to accommodate two new species, Ekuarhuni papillatum n. sp. and Overstreetoides pacificus n. sp., with unique morphological traits that differentiate them from the two genera described previously. In addition, two new species, Forticulcita minuta n. sp. and Forticulcita isabelae n. sp., were described, which were characterized as exhibiting a small body size (<1100 μm long). These new species were classified as the diminutive morphotype, together with three other congeneric species of Forticulcita. Forticulcita minuta n. sp. is distinguished by being the smallest species within the genus (<305 μm). Meanwhile, Forticulcita isabelae n. sp. is distinguished by its body size and testis length. In specimens of the four new species, sequencing was performed with two molecular markers, the large subunit (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of nuclear rDNA, and the results were compared with other sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses performed withthe combined dataset of the two nuclear molecular markers (LSU+ITS2)placed all the analysed species within the clade of Forticulcitinae with strong bootstrap support (100%) and a high Bayesian posterior probability (1.0). The four new species showed differences in abundance in their definitive hosts and were widely distributed along the Pacific Ocean coasts of Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica, in Middle America.
The abundance and aggregation patterns of helminth communities of two grey mullet hosts, Liza haematocheilus and Mugil cephalus, were studied across 14 localities in Atlantic and Pacific marine areas. The analysis matched parasite communities of (i) L. haematocheilus across its native and introduced populations (Sea of Japan and Sea of Azov, respectively) and (ii) the introduced population of L. haematocheilus with native populations of M. cephalus (Mediterranean, Azov-Black and Japan Seas). The total mean abundance (TMA), as a feature of the infection level in helminth communities, and slope b of the Taylor’s power law, as a measure of parasite aggregation at the infra and component-community levels, were estimated and compared between host species and localities using ANOVA. The TMA of the whole helminth community in the introduced population of L. haematocheilus was over 15 times lower than that of the native population, but the difference was less pronounced for carried (monogeneans) than for acquired (adult and larval digeneans) parasite communities. Similar to the abundance pattern, the species distribution in communities from the invasive population of L. haematocheilus was less aggregated than from its native population for endoparasitic helminths, including adult and larval digeneans, while monogeneans showed a similar pattern of distribution in the compared populations of L. haematocheilus. The aggregation level of the whole helminth community, endoparasitic helminths, adult and larval digeneans was lower in the invasive host species in comparison with native ones as shown by differences in the slope b. An important theoretical implication from this study is that the pattern of parasite aggregation may explain the success of invasive species in ecosystems. Because the effects of parasites on host mortality are likely dose-dependent, the proportion of susceptible host individuals in invasive species is expected to be lower, as the helminth distribution in the invasive host was featured by a higher number of uninfected hosts and a shorter distribution tail when compared with native species.
A brief summary of the early history of the study of Atlantic Ocean marine fish digeneans is followed by a discussion of the occurrence and distribution of these worms in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent Eastern Pacific Ocean, using the Provinces of the ‘Marine Ecoregions’ delimited by Spalding et al. (Bioscience 57:573–583, 2007). The discussion is based on a database of 9,880 records of 1,274 species in 430 genera and 45 families. 8,633 of these records are from the Atlantic Ocean, including 1,125 species in 384 genera and 45 families. About 1,000 species are endemic to the Atlantic Ocean Basin. The most species-rich families in the Atlantic Ocean are the Opecoelidae Ozaki, 1925, Hemiuridae Looss, 1899 and Bucephalidae Poche, 1907, and the most wide-spread the Opecoelidae, Hemiuridae, Acanthocolpidae Lühe, 1906, Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905 and Lecithasteridae Odhner, 1905. A total of 109 species are shared by the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Pacific, made up of cosmopolitan, circum-boreal, trans-Panama Isthmus and Magellanic species. The lack of genetic evaluation of identifications is emphasised and the scope for much more work is stressed.
Qualitative and quantitative data of the larval stages of 30 helminth species infecting fish and shellfish in the Santa Gilla lagoon (southern Sardinia, western Mediterranean Sea) were collected and analysed to determine their usefulness as biological and ecological indicators. Parasitological data were collected from 2001 to 2011 from 12 fish species, from the families Anguillidae, Atherinidae, Cyprinodontidae, Gobiidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Soleidae and Sparidae and from bivalve molluscs of the families Cardiidae, Mytilidae and Veneridae. Digenean metacercariae dominated the larval parasitofauna; nevertheless, the most abundant parasite species was a nematode, i.e. the third-stage larvae of the anisakid Contracaecum rudolphii. Based on their life cycle, the species detected were divided into autogenic or allogenic parasites, which have fishes and birds/mammals as their definitive hosts, respectively. Data on the prevalence, intensity and abundance of infections and the parasitic diversity in each host species were combined with previous knowledge on the life history of the parasites detected, to build a model food web based on the different trophic relations, especially predator–prey interactions between hosts marked by the transmission of parasites. The results will contribute to the knowledge of species diversity and to the evaluation of general environmental changes occurring in brackish Mediterranean ecosystems. In combination with other analytic tools in a multidisciplinary approach, this will enable us to better understand the functioning of other Mediterranean brackish waters that are comparable to the Santa Gilla lagoon.
Quantitative complex analyses of parasite communities of invaders across different native and introduced populations are largely lacking. The present study provides comparative analysis of species richness of helminth parasites in native and invasive populations of grey mullets. The total species richness differed between regions and host species, but did not differ when compared invasive and native hosts. The size of parasite assemblages of endohelminths was higher in the Mediterranean and Azov-Black Sea, while monogeneans were the most diverse in the Sea of Japan. The helminth diversity was apparently higher in the introduced population of L. haematocheilus than in those of their native habitat, but this trend could not be confirmed when size of geographic range and sampling efforts were controlled for. The parasite species richness at the infracommunity level of the invasive host population is significantly lower in comparison with native host populations that lending support to the enemy release hypothesis. A distribution pattern of the infracommunity richness of acquired parasites by the invasive host can be characterized as aggregated and it is random in native host populations. Heterogeneity in the host susceptibility and vulnerability to acquired helminth species assumed to be a reason of the aggregation of species numbers in population of the invasive host.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
La lisa Mugil platanus Günther, 1880 (Mugiliformes, Mugilidae) es un pez común en el estuario del Río de la Plata y los cuerpos de agua dulce próximos, que realiza amplias migraciones reproductivas, trasladán-dose desde los ríos hasta mar abierto para desovar 1 . Si bien las larvas de estos peces son zooplanctófagas durante su vida en el mar, a medida que son llevadas hacia la costa por las corrientes e ingresan en los es-tuarios cambian sus hábitos alimenticios al tiempo que se desarrollan. Es así que los juveniles y adultos de lisa que habitan estuarios y aguas continentales ad-yacentes poseen una dieta fitobentófaga y fitoplanctófaga 2 . Heleobia conexa (Mollusca, Cochliopidae) y Mugil platanus (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae), hospedador intermediario y definitivo de Dicrogaster fastigatus (Trematoda, Haploporidae) en Uruguay. Plata, que presentaron una longitud total promedio de 13,7 cm, de los cuales 30 (88,2%) se hallaron parasitados en su intestino delgado por un trematode pertene-ciente a la familia Haploporidae identificado como Dicrogaster fastigatus. Se determinó, mediante infecciones experimentales de lisas libres de infección, que el hospedador intermediario de este trematode en la costa de Montevideo es el caracol Heleobia conexa (Cochliopidae). Siete de 317 ejemplares H. conexa colectados en la costa emitieron cercarias de D. fastigatus, siendo ésta la más común de los 10 tipos de cercarias liberadas por estos caracoles. Otros 8 ejemplares, identificados como Heleobia australis colectados en la misma localidad, no emitieron cercarias. Se describe brevemente la morfología de los adultos, redias, cercarias y metacercarias de este parásito. Éste es el primer registro de D. fastigatus para Uruguay y es también la primera descripción parcial del ciclo de vida de esta especie. P P P P Palabras cla alabras cla alabras cla alabras cla alabras clav v v v ve: e: e: e: e: Dicrogaster fastigatus, Heleobia conexa, Mugil platanus, Uruguay. ABSTRACT: The mullet Mugil platanus is a common fish in the estuary of the Río de la Plata. It migrates between freshwater and marine habitats depending on its reproductive biology. Thirty four mullets, with an average length of 13,7 cm collected in the Uruguayan coast of Río de la Plata, were examined. The intestines of 30 fish (88,2%), were found parasitized by a fluke of the family Haploporidae identified as Dicrogaster fastigatus. The intermediate host in the coast of Montevideo was found to be the snail Heleobia conexa (Cochliopidae). This was confirmed by experimental infection of uninfected mullets. Seven out of 317 H. conexa shed cercariae of D. fastigatus, which is the most common cercaria of the 10 types released by this snail species. No cercariae were shed by other snails, identified as Heleobia australis, collected in the same locality. We described the morphology of adults, rediae, cercariae, and metacercariae of D. fastigatus. This is the first record of this trematode in Uruguay and is also the first partial description of the life cycle of this species. K K K K Ke e e e eyw yw yw yw ywor or or or ords: ds: ds: ds: ds: Dicrogaster fastigatus, Heleobia conexa, Mugil platanus, Uruguay.
