BACKGROUND: Filarial infections have been understudied in bats. Likewise, little is known about pathogens associated with the reproductive system in chiropterans. While semen quality is critical for reproductive success, semen-borne pathogens may contribute to reproductive failure. METHODS: For the first time we performed electroejaculation and used computer-assisted semen analysis to provide baseline data on semen quality in a parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus). RESULTS: The semen quality values measured in the V. murinus male appeared high (semen concentration = 305.4 × 106/mL; progressive and motile sperm = 46.58 and 60.27%, respectively). As an incidental finding, however, microfilariae were observed in the bat semen examined. At necropsy, eight adult filarial worms, later genetically identified as Litomosa sp., were found in the peritoneal cavity, close to the stomach, of the same particoloured bat male dying as a result of dysmicrobia and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a wildlife rescue centre. Histopathology revealed microfilariae in the testicular connective tissue and the epidydimal connective and fat tissues. A PCR assay targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 confirmed that adult worms from the peritoneal cavity and testicular microfilariae were of the same filarial species. Mildly engorged argasid mite larvae attached to the bat skin proved negative for filarial DNA and the adult filarial worms proved negative for endosymbiont Wolbachia. CONCLUSION: While the standard filarial life cycle pattern involves a vertebrate definitive host and an invertebrate vector, represented by a blood-sucking ectoparasite, our finding suggests that microfilariae of this nematode species may also be semen-borne, with transmission intensity promoted by the polygynous mating system of vespertilionid bats in which an infected male mates with many females during the autumn swarming. Presence of microfilariae may be expected to decrease semen quality and transmission via this route may challenge the success of reproductive events in females after mating. Further investigation will be necessary to better understand the bat-parasite interaction and the life cycle of this filarial worm.
- Klíčová slova
- Chiroptera, Vespertilio murinus, Wolbachia, electroejaculation, filariasis, semen quality parameters, semen-borne pathogens,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
There is little evidence that the already described and accepted taxa of ascarids (Ascaris lumbricoides, A. suum, and A. ovis) infecting individuals of taxonomically distant groups (hominids, pigs, sheep, goats, and dogs) can be genetically or morphologically distinguished. However, despite described morphological differences, e.g., due to intraspecific variation, these are insufficient for species determination and may indicate differences amongst ascarids because of cross infections, hybrid production, and specific adaptations to hosts. Herein, the results of a molecular and morphological analysis of ascarids parasitising Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii Lesson, 1827) in native populations are presented. The research took place in the Bukit Lawang area, Indonesia, in 2009. Throughout the year, fresh faecal samples were collected regularly from 24 orangutans, and all were examined for the presence of nematode adults. Only five adult worms from two orangutan females were found during regular collection. Using the integrative taxonomic approach, the nematodes found were identified as A. lumbricoides. The significance of the find and its rarity is documented by the fact that this is the first confirmed finding of adult ascarids from an original orangutan site (not from a zoo) in more than 130 years (including the long-term study spanning the last 20 years focusing on orangutan parasites and natural antiparasitic drugs). More accurate morphometric parameters and genetic differences for the identification of ascarids were established. These parameters will be helpful for other findings in great apes and will also be suitable for further and precise determination of this parasite. The details distinguishing between male and female specimens are also stated and well defined. A comprehensive evaluation of the situation of Ascaris species parasitising orangutans, including a comparison with previously described orangutan parasite (i.e., A. satyri-species inquirenda), is discussed.
An annotated list of larvae (metacestodes) of gryporhynchid tapeworms (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from freshwater fishes in Africa is provided with numerous new host and geographical records. Newly collected materials from Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan and Zimbabwe practically double the total number of species reported from African fish so far. We confirm the occurrence of 16 species (five unidentified to the species level and most likely representing new taxa) belonging to the genera Amirthalingamia Bray, 1974 (1 species), Cyclustera Fuhrmann, 1901 (2 species), Dendrouterina Fuhrmann, 1912 (1 species), Neogryporhynchus Baer & Bona, 1960 (1 species), Paradilepis Hsü, 1935 (4 species), Parvitaenia Burt, 1940 (5 species), and Valipora Linton, 1927 (2 species). Additionally, metacestodes of four unidentified species of Paradilepis and Parvitaenia are reported from fish for the first time. Rostellar hooks of all species are illustrated and their measurements are provided together with a host-parasite list. The molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial LSU rDNA sequences offers the first insight into the internal phylogenetic relationships within the family. Together with the morphological observations, the present study provides a taxonomic baseline for future studies on this largely neglected, but widely distributed and relatively frequent, group of parasites of African fishes, including economically important cichlids like tilapias and cyprinids.
- MeSH
- Cestoda klasifikace genetika MeSH
- druhová specificita MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- larva MeSH
- ribozomální DNA genetika MeSH
- ryby parazitologie MeSH
- sladká voda MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- ribozomální DNA MeSH
The present study redescribes the monotypic genus Afrodiplozoon Khotenovski, 1981, a diplozooid parasite endemic to Africa, based on material collected during surveys carried out in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, from two cyprinid hosts Labeobarbus marequensis and Enteromius paludinosus. Morphometrical analysis of the composition of internal organs and attachment clamps, using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, provided details for the genus and species redescriptions. Posterior attachment apparatus can bear up the 15 pairs of the clamps with the first pair of clamps distinctly smaller and not fully developed. Molecular characterization of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) rDNA and phylogenetic analysis revealed the position of Afrodiplozoon polycotyleus as a sister taxon to Paradiplozoon krugerense and Paradiplozoon bingolenisis, distant from other African representatives of the genus Paradiplozoon, Paradiplozoon vaaleense and Paradiplozoon ichtyoxanthon.
- Klíčová slova
- Afrodiplozoon, Cyprinidae, ITS2 rDNA, SEM, South Africa,
- MeSH
- Cyprinidae parazitologie MeSH
- infekce červy třídy Trematoda epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA genetika MeSH
- mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
- mikroskopie MeSH
- Trematoda anatomie a histologie klasifikace genetika ultrastruktura MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jihoafrická republika epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH
An examination of one specimen of Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti, 1768), from Lake Turkana (Kenya), revealed the presence of two ascaridoid nematodes belonging to the genus Dujardinascaris Baylis, 1947. Dujardinascaris madagascariensis Chabaud & Caballero, 1966 was studied by scanning electron microscopy, redescribed, and differentiated from D. dujardini (Travassos, 1920). Dujardinascaris madagascariencsis is the second of the genus to be sequenced. An internal fragment of the small ribosomal subunit and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 region were amplified--the slowly evolving 18S gene region was used for phylogenetic analysis. Molecular data confirmed affinity of D. madagascariensis to the family Heterocheilidae and revealed its closest relationship with D. waltoni. A key to the species of Dujardinascaris parasitizing crocodiles is provided.
- MeSH
- aligátoři a krokodýli parazitologie MeSH
- anatomické struktury zvířat anatomie a histologie růst a vývoj MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- hlístice anatomie a histologie klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA genetika MeSH
- nematodózy parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- rozšíření zvířat MeSH
- velikost orgánu MeSH
- velikost těla MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Keňa MeSH
- Názvy látek
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH
Cystacanths of Corynosoma pseudohamanni Zdzitowiecki, 1984 (Palaeacanthocephala: Polymorphidae) are redescribed on the basis of specimens recovered from three species of Antarctic notothenioid fish, Trematomus bernacchii Boulenger, Gobionotothen gibberifrons (Lönnberg) and Notothenia coriiceps Richardson, collected from the Prince Gustav Channel, Antarctica. The cystacanths' morphometry and their internal anatomy including trunk muscles were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The characteristic features of this species such as the length of proboscis and the number of hooks (i.e. 260 hooks arranged in 20 rows with 13 hooks each, including two basal hooks) were confirmed and the intraspecific variability was evaluated. Sexual dimorphism was manifested in the shape of the hindtrunk, and the distribution and extent of the somatic armature only. SEM observations of internal anatomy revealed the detailed organization of trunk musculature.
- MeSH
- Acanthocephala anatomie a histologie izolace a purifikace ultrastruktura MeSH
- helmintózy zvířat parazitologie MeSH
- mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací veterinární MeSH
- nemoci ryb parazitologie MeSH
- Perciformes parazitologie MeSH
- pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Antarktida MeSH
First-stage larvae of camallanid nematodes Procamallanus (Procamallanus) laeviconchus (Wedl, 1862) and Procamallanus (Procamallanus) sp. from naturally infected Distichodus niloticus (Hasselquist) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), respectively, from Lake Turkana, Kenya (new geographical records) are described, being for the first time studied by scanning electron microscopy. Larvae of both species are characterised by the presence of a dorsal cephalic tooth, four submedian cephalic papillae and a pair of amphids, and by the elongate tail with several terminal digit-like processes. The latter formations probably serve for the attachment of larvae to the substrate in water when the larvae attract copepod intermediate hosts by their movements; these structures, especially their numbers, may be of taxonomic importance in camallanid nematodes.
- MeSH
- Characiformes parazitologie MeSH
- infekce hlísticemi řádu Spirurida parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- jezera MeSH
- larva ultrastruktura MeSH
- mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
- nemoci ryb parazitologie MeSH
- Spirurida klasifikace růst a vývoj ultrastruktura MeSH
- sumci parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Keňa MeSH
The tapeworm species Bertiella satyri from a semi-wild Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii: Ponginae) is redescribed and the sequence of its 18S rDNA is presented. The tapeworms parasitizing the genera Pan, Pongo, Homo and Hylobates from Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris and from Muséum d´Histoire Naturelle, Genève are also presented. The validity of B. satyri is confirmed. B. satyri (BSA) differs from the most similar species Bertiella studeri (BSTU) in the following characteristics: (1) testes number, BSTU 300-400; BSA 116-124, (2) genital opening, BSTU regularly alternate; BSA irregularly alternate, (3) Cirrus-sac, BSTU short, 0.250-0.320, does not reach excretory ducts; BSA long, 0.630 × 0.495, reaches excretory ducts, (4) egg size, BSTU 0.053-0.060; BSA 0.030-0.051, (5) host BSTU Pan troglodytes, Africa; BSA Pongo pygmaeus, P. abelii, Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra). Both species differ according to our material and the name B. satyri (Blanchard, 1891) is resurrected.
- MeSH
- anatomické struktury zvířat anatomie a histologie MeSH
- Cestoda anatomie a histologie klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- cestodózy parazitologie MeSH
- DNA helmintů chemie genetika MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA chemie genetika MeSH
- mikroskopie MeSH
- molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
- nemoci primátů parazitologie MeSH
- Pongo abelii parazitologie MeSH
- ribozomální DNA chemie genetika MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 18S genetika MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Indonésie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- DNA helmintů MeSH
- mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH
- ribozomální DNA MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH
The present study presents the description of Oochoristica beveridgei n. sp. (Linstowiinae Fuhrmann, 1907). The species was found in the small intestine of Tarentola parvicarinata Joger (Gekkonidae) in East Senegal (West Africa). Among known species of Oochoristica Lühe, 1898, O. beveridgei is most similar to Oochoristica junkea (Johri, 1950) Schmidt, 1986, found in Gekko gecko (Linnaeus) from India. A common feature of both species is the location of the cirrus sac, which lies anterior to the poral part of the ovary. The new species differs from O. junkea in having a higher number of testes, different testes arrangement, wider cirrus sac, and a different shape of ovary. The position of the cirrus sac in O. beveridgei is also similar to that found in Oochoristica gallica Dollfus, 1954, whose host is Psammodromus hispanicus Fitzinger (Lacertidae) from Morocco. The new species differs from O. gallica in that it possesses fewer testes and that these testes have a different arrangement. The location of the cirrus sac in O. beveridgei is also similar to that seen in Oochoristica bivitellolobata Loewen, 1940, whose host is Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Linnaeus) (Teiidae) from the United States. The latter species has a higher number of testes, with only half of the cirrus sac located anterior to the poral part of the ovary, and possesses a divided vitellarium.
- MeSH
- Cestoda anatomie a histologie klasifikace MeSH
- cestodózy epidemiologie parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- ještěři parazitologie MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- tenké střevo parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Senegal epidemiologie MeSH
The study presents the first description of male specimen (allotype) of the pinworm species Lemuricola (Lemuricola) pongoi, parasitising Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) from Sumatra (Indonesia). The male specimen morphology presents all features fully corresponding with diagnose of the genus and subgenus Lemuricola. We are agreeing that Protenterobius is synonymous with Lemuricola because the length of tail appendix in males is not a sufficient feature for separation of the genera or subgenera. For L. (L.) pongoi male are characteristic features: body length (4,803 microm), total oesophagus length (530), tail length (235), tip of tail length (188) and spicule length (90).
- MeSH
- mikroskopie MeSH
- nemoci lidoopů parazitologie MeSH
- oxyuriáza parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- Oxyuroidea anatomie a histologie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Pongo abelii parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Indonésie MeSH
