Tapeworms of the genus Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) are common and widespread intestinal parasites of whitefish (Coregonus spp., Salmonidae: Coregoninae). Previous taxonomic studies, based solely on morphology and inconsistently fixed specimens, concluded that all salmoniform fish, including whitefish, are parasitised by a single euryxenous and highly polymorphic species, Proteocephalus longicollis (Zeder, 1800). However, recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed the existence of several species specific to individual genera or even species of salmoniform fish. In this study, Proteocephalus fallax La Rue, 1911 is redescribed based on newly collected and genetically characterised specimens from several Coregonus species in Switzerland, the type locality of the species, and in Norway. This cestode was previously synonymised with P. exiguus La Rue, 1911, a parasite of whitefish in North America, but the two species are not closely related. Proteocephalus fallax differs from P. exiguus in its larger body size, wider proglottids, shorter cirrus sac and broader scolex. In addition, the other Proteocephalus species described in whitefish are briefly discussed, with comments on their validity, host range and distribution.

• MeSH
• Cestoda * klasifikace   anatomie a histologie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• cestodózy * veterinární   parazitologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• nemoci ryb * parazitologie   MeSH
• Salmonidae * parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Norsko MeSH
• Švýcarsko MeSH

The northern cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus (Lacépède, 1789) (Viperidae: Crotalinae), occurs in the southeastern United States and is one of the few semiaquatic vipers in the world. Three proteocephalid tapeworms of the genus OphiotaeniaLa Rue, 1911 (Cestoda), have been described from this venomous snake. A critical evaluation of type specimens and tapeworms recently collected from A. piscivorus has revealed that only 2 species, Ophiotaenia marenzelleri (Barrois, 1898) and Ophiotaenia grandisLa Rue, 1911 (new synonym Ophiotaenia agkistrodontis [Harwood, 1933]), are specific parasites of this crotaline viper; both species are redescribed here. Ophiotaenia grandis was originally described from a mixture of 2 species: 'true' O. grandis, which is indistinguishable from O. agkistrodontis described 22 yr later and thus considered to be a junior synonym of O. grandis, and O. marenzelleri. Ophiotaenia marenzelleri, also reported from the pygmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius (Linnaeus, 1766), is a larger tapeworm with a massive scolex, a large cirrus sac, a very large, annular vaginal sphincter near the equatorial gonopore, and an oval, 3-layered embryophore surrounded by a nearly square hyaline outer membrane. Ophiotaenia grandis is much smaller and more slender and has a narrower scolex, a smaller cirrus sac and vaginal sphincter, a 2-layered embryophore, and a distinctly pre-equatorial gonopore. In addition to O. marenzelleri and O. grandis, other Ophiotaenia species typical of semiaquatic snakes (Colubridae: Natricinae) may be present in the northern cottonmouth, which serves only as a postcyclic or occasional host. There is also a tabular summary of 18 species of Ophiotaenia from semiaquatic snakes worldwide, with information on their hosts, distribution, and taxonomically important characters, including key measurements.

• MeSH
• Agkistrodon * MeSH
• Cestoda * MeSH
• peritoneální dutina MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• jihovýchod USA MeSH

Based on previous molecular phylogenetic analyses, Bothriocestus n. gen. is erected to accommodate bothriocephalid tapeworms that have an elongate scolex, a well-developed apical disc, and a narrow neck region, parasitize freshwater fishes in the Holarctic, and were previously placed in the polyphyletic genus Bothriocephalus Rudolphi, 1808 (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea). Bothriocestus claviceps (Goeze, 1782) n. comb., a parasite of eels (Anguilla spp.) in the Holarctic region, is designated as the type species. Another species of the new genus, Bothriocestus cuspidatus (Cooper, 1917) (syn. Bothriocephalus cuspidatusCooper, 1917) is redescribed from type and voucher specimens, and new material from the type host, the walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill, 1818) (Perciformes: Percidae), in Manitoba and Ontario (where the type locality is located) (Canada) and in New York state and Wisconsin. Bothriocestus cuspidatus of S. vitreus is characterized primarily by the possession of a narrow, long strobila (total length up to 18 cm) composed of distinctly craspedote, trapezoidal proglottids, with primary, secondary, and tertiary proglottids differing in size, and by an arrow-shaped (=cuspidatus) scolex that is distinctly broader than the first proglottids, widest near the base in lateral view and gradually becoming broader toward the anterior end in dorsoventral view. A "dwarf" form of B. cuspidatus (total length of 9-27 mm) from Johnny darter, Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque, 1820, and tessellated darter, Etheostoma olmstedi Storer, 1842 (both Percidae: Etheostominae), is also characterized morphologically in the present paper.

• MeSH
• Cestoda * MeSH
• cestodózy * veterinární   parazitologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• nemoci ryb * parazitologie   MeSH
• okounovití * parazitologie   MeSH
• Perciformes * parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Ontario MeSH
• Severní Amerika MeSH

Proteocephalid tapeworms of frogs of the family Ranidae ('true' frogs) are reviewed with emphasis on their species diversity, host specificity and geographical distribution. New molecular data (nuclear lsrDNA and mitochondrial COI sequences) are presented for tapeworms of four species of ranid frogs in North America, including the poorly known Ophiotaenia saphena Osler, 1931 of Rana clamitans Latreille and R. catesbeiana (Shaw), which is redescribed using new material from Arkansas, USA. Tapeworms of R. sphenocephala (Cope) and R. pipiens Schreber, the latter previously identified as O. saphena, represent another, putative new species, but are not formally described due to insufficient available material. Proteocephalus papuensis Bursey, Goldberg et Kraus, 2008 from Sylvirana supragrisea (Menzies) is transferred to Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911 as a new combination. After a critical review of the literature, only nine nominal species of Ophiotaenia are recognised as valid, which is in contrast to the large number of ranid frogs (> 440 spp.). The reasons for this striking disparity are briefly discussed, and a key based on morphology is presented for the identification of all species of Ophiotaenia from the Ranidae. Molecular data are available for only two taxa from North America that form a monophyletic group. The relationships among tapeworms of ranid frogs occurring in other zoogeographical regions are not yet known. The taxonomic status of Batrachotaenia Rudin, 1917, which was erected to accommodate proteocephalids from amphibians, is also discussed. To facilitate future studies, a tabulated summary of all 32 species of proteocephalids belonging to three genera reported from amphibians (frogs and salamanders) is presented, with information on their hosts, distribution, and taxonomically important characters, including key measurements.

• MeSH
• Cestoda * MeSH
• cestodózy * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Ranidae MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Severní Amerika MeSH

Tapeworms of the order Caryophyllidea are the earliest diverging 'true' tapeworms (Eucestoda) and parasitise cypriniform and siluriform fishes almost exclusively. They are typified by a monozoic (non-proglottised) body plan, which is a characteristic shared with early diverging 'cestodarians' Gyrocotylidea and Amphilinidea. Here we present the most comprehensive multi-gene molecular phylogeny of this group, to date. Specimens of 63 species from 32 genera (~50% and ~75% of known species and genus diversity, respectively) were gathered during an intense and targeted 15-year collecting effort. Phylogenetic reconstructions provide high nodal support for three major lineages, which only partly correspond to currently recognised families. The three well-supported clades were as follows: Clade A was in an unsupported position at the base of the tree and was almost exclusively comprised of parasites of catfishes (Siluriformes) from the Afrotropical and Indomalayan regions, including the type genus of the Lytocestidae (Lytocestus). Clade B formed the sister group to the remaining taxa (Clade C) and was composed of species that parasitise cyprinids and loaches (Cypriniformes: Cyprinoidei and Cobitoidei) from the Palaearctic Region. This clade included the type genus of the Caryophyllaeidae (Caryophyllaeus). Clade C comprised Nearctic species from suckers and minnows (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae and Cyprinoidei), which were previously accommodated in two families, i.e. Capingentidae and Caryophyllaeidae. This clade included the type genus of the Capingentidae (Capingens). In addition to Clades A-C, Balanotaenia bancrofti from the monotypic Balanotaeniidae, which parasitises plotosid catfishes in Australia, and Lytocestoides tanganyikae, which parasitises African cichlids, formed a poorly supported clade at the base of the tree. Whereas morphological characteristics traditionally used to differentiate caryophyllidean families do not characterise molecular lineages, host association and biogeographical distribution play a key role in the circumscription of the three well-supported clades revealed by molecular data. Thus, the taxonomic rearrangement proposed herein was guided by the molecular clades. The names of all four extant families were preserved and family affinity was determined by topological clustering with the type genera of the families. The family diagnoses of the Lytocestidae, Caryophyllaeidae and Capingentidae are amended. Biogeographic patterns are indicative of separate Gondwanan and Laurasian radiations having taken place. Regarding the Gondwanan radiation in the Siluriformes, the topology in Clade A indicates an Asian origin with a subsequent African colonisation. Concerning Laurasia, separate radiations appear to have taken place in the Cypriniformes in the temperate zones of North America and Eurasia. Complete absence of caryophyllideans in the Neotropical Region, where numerous catfishes occur, may be due to the Gondwanan radiation having taken place after the continental separation of Africa and South America.

• MeSH
• Cestoda * genetika   MeSH
• Cyprinidae * MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Austrálie MeSH
• Severní Amerika MeSH

• MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• parazitologie * dějiny   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• Publikační typ
• biografie MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• portréty MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Spojené státy americké MeSH

A survey of the species of the Proteocephalus-aggregate from sticklebacks (Actinopterygii: Gasterosteidae) is provided. The occurrence of three species in North America is confirmed: (i) Proteocephalus filicollis (Rudolphi, 1802), which has been reported from the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus, in the northeastern part of North America (Newfoundland); (ii) Proteocephalus pugetensis Hoff et Hoff, 1929 occurs also in G. aculeatus, but in northwestern North America (British Columbia and Washington); and (iii) Proteocephalus culaeae sp. n., which is described from the brook stickleback, Culaea inconstans (Kirtland), in Manitoba (Canada). Another species, Proteocephalus ambiguus (Dujardin, 1845), a specific parasite of the nine-spined stickleback, Pungitius pungitius (Linnaeus), and type species of the genus, has also been found in North America (Alberta, Canada), but its vouchers are in poor condition and cannot be reliable assigned to this species. Both species reported from three-spined stickleback differ from each other by the shape of the scolex (rounded in P. filicollis versus continuously tapered towards the anterior extremity in P. pugetensis) and the apical sucker (widely oval to subspherical in frontal view in P. filicollis versus flattened in P. pugetensis). Proteocephalus culaeae sp. n. is characterised by a short body composed of a few, continuously widened proglottids, a short scolex narrower than the strobila and devoid of an apical sucker, a short, pyriform cirrus sac, no vaginal sphincter, and few testes. A key to species of the Proteocephalus-aggregate from sticklebacks is provided.

• MeSH
• Cestoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• cestodózy epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci ryb epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• Smegmamorpha * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Kanada MeSH
• Spojené státy americké MeSH

Ictalurid catfishes (Siluriformes) in North America harbor proteocephalid tapeworms of the subfamily Corallobothriinae. Type species of 2 of 3 genera of these tapeworms from ictalurids are redescribed, based on museum and newly collected material. Essexiella fimbriata (Essex, 1928) is typified mainly by a wide, umbrella-shaped scolex with a metascolex formed by numerous folds of tissue, anteriorly directed suckers without sphincters, vitellarium bent inwards posteriorly, "flower-shaped" uterus (with anterior, lateral, and posterior diverticula), and a conspicuously pre-equatorial genital atrium. Verified host records of this cestode are only from 3 species of Ictalurus Rafinesque, 1820. Megathylacoides giganteum (Essex, 1928), which seems to be specific to the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), possesses a globular scolex, with a weakly developed metascolex formed by tissue folds posterior to the suckers, anterolaterally directed suckers with large semilunar sphincters, proglottids that are widest at the level of the genital atrium at the anterior third of the proglottid, and uterine diverticula that do not reach the vitelline follicles laterally. A new subfamily, Essexiellinae Scholz and Barčák, is proposed to accommodate species of EssexiellaScholz, de Chambrier, Mariaux and Kuchta, 2011 (type genus), MegathylacoidesJones, Kerley and Sneed, 1956, and CorallotaeniaFreze, 1965 from ictalurid catfishes in the Nearctic Region. These tapeworms possess a metascolex, medullary genital organs, uterus lined with numerous chromophilic cells, pre-equatorial genital atrium, and uterine development of type 2. The new subfamily was monophyletic in all molecular phylogenetic analyses, being most closely related to 3 Neotropical proteocephalids from the redtail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), but distant from all remaining proteocephalid tapeworms from freshwater fishes in North America.

• MeSH
• Cestoda klasifikace   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• cestodózy parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• Ictaluridae parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• respirační komplex IV genetika   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 28S genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

In the present paper, species of the Proteocephalus-aggregate de Chambrier, Zehnder, Vaucher, and Mariaux, 2004 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) reported from centrarchid and percid fishes in North America are reviewed, and their taxonomic status is critically assessed based on a study of type specimens and new material from Canada and the United States. The following 3 species, supposedly strictly specific to their fish definitive hosts, are recognized as valid: (1) Proteocephalus fluviatilis Bangham, 1925 (new synonyms Proteocephalus osburni Bangham, 1925 and Proteocephalus microcephalus Haderlie, 1953 ; Proteocephalus 'robustus' nomen nudum) from the smallmouth and largemouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu (Lacépède) (type host) and Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède) (both Centrarchidae); (2) Proteocephalus luciopercae Wardle, 1932 (new synonym Proteocephalus stizostethi Hunter and Bangham, 1933 ) from the walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill) (type host), and sauger, Sander canadensis (Griffith et Smith) (Percidae); and (3) Proteocephalus pearsei La Rue, 1919 , a parasite of the yellow perch, Perca flavescens Mitchill (Percidae). All species are illustrated based on new, properly heat-fixed material. Scanning electron micrographs of the scoleces of percid tapeworms P. luciopercae and P. pearsei, as well as the bass tapeworms P. fluviatilis and Proteocephalus ambloplitis ( Leidy, 1887 ), the latter of which does not belong to this Proteocephalus-aggregate, are provided for the first time together with a simple key to species identification of proteocephalids from centrarchiform and perciform teleost fishes.

• MeSH
• Cestoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• cestodózy parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• DNA helmintů analýza   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• okounovití parazitologie   MeSH
• Perciformes parazitologie   MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Kanada MeSH
• Spojené státy americké MeSH

Based on morphological evaluation of type-specimens and new material collected in three species of monitor lizards (Squamata: Varanidae), the diagnosis of the monotypic Rostellotaenia Freze, 1963 (Proteocephalidae: 'Acanthotaeniinae') is amended. The genus differs from Acanthotaenia von Linstow, 1903, with which it was previously synonymised, by the shape of the scolex with a wide, dome-shaped rostellum, the posterior extent of the uterus, which does not overpass the ovarian isthmus posteriorly, well-developed retractor muscles connecting the rostellum with the neck region, absence of a well-developed, ring-like vaginal sphincter, shorter and wider proglottides, and geographical distribution (Ethiopian region only). The type- and only species, R. nilotica (Beddard, 1913), is redescribed and two new definitive hosts, Varanus albigularis Daudin and V. exanthematicus (Bosc), are reported. Host specificity of R. nilotica, which exhibits remarkable morphological variability, is stenoxenous, i.e. it occurs in several congeneric species of African monitor lizards, unlike species of Acanthotaenia, which are strictly specific (oioxenous).

• MeSH
• Cestoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• ještěři parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH