Two new species of Acanthobothrium Blanchard, 1848 were collected from rajiform batoids along the coast of Argentina. They are Acanthobothrium carolinae sp. n. from Bathyraja magellanica (Philippi) and Acanthobothrium domingae sp. n. from Dipturus brevicaudatus (Marini). Both belong to category 1 and 2 because their total length is lower than 15 mm, they have fewer than 50 proglottids, fewer than 80 testes and a symmetric or asymmetric ovary. Acanthobothrium carolinae sp. n. differs from all congeners by the following combination of features: proglottid apolysis, hook morphology, microthrix pattern on the cephalic peduncle and distribution of the vitelline follicles. Acanthobothrium domingae sp. n. is unique in the combination of proglottid apolysis, total length, number of proglottids, hook and septal morphology, microthrix pattern on the cephalic peduncle, number and distribution of testes, cirrus sac length, distribution of the vitelline follicles and genital pore position. The discovery of these species increases the number of species of Acanthobothrium parasitising rajiform batoids off Argentina from one to three. All three species have a unique pattern of distribution of the gladiate spinitriches along the length of the cephalic peduncle, i.e., gladiate spinitriches being interrupted in a medial line both dorsally and ventrally.

• Klíčová slova
• Acanthobothrium carolinae sp. n., Acanthobothrium domingae sp. n., Bathyraja magellanica, Dipturus brevicaudatus.,
• MeSH
• Cestoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• cestodózy epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci ryb epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• ovarium anatomie a histologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• rejnokovití * MeSH
• testis anatomie a histologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Argentina epidemiologie   MeSH

The parasite fauna of loaches (Cypriniformes: Cobitoidea), a group of small bottom-dwelling freshwater fishes with a mostly Eurasian distribution, remains a largely unknown quantity. Here we revise the taxonomy of tapeworms of the genus Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) that had been found in loaches from the Palaearctic Region (Central Europe, Japan and Russia [Primorsky Region]). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on two nuclear (ssr- and lsrDNA) and two mitochondrial genes (cox1 and rrnL) revealed a monophyletic group consisting of four valid species nesting within the Proteocephalus-aggregate: (i) Proteocephalus sagittus (Grimm, 1872) from Barbatula barbatula (Europe, Russia and Tajikistan), (ii) Proteocephalus demshini n. sp. from Barbatula toni (Russian Far East - Primorsky Region), (iii) Proteocephalus midoriensis Shimazu, 1990 from Lefua echigonia (Japan) and L. costata (Russia) (new host and geographical record), and (iv) Proteocephalus misgurni n. sp. from Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Russia; Primorsky Region). Proteocephalus sagittus and P. demshini, and P. midoriensis and P. misgurni were recovered as sister taxa, respectively. Proteocephalus sagittus and P. demshini are characterized by having proglottids that are wider than long, an elongate to pyriform cirrus-sac and the vitelline follicles that form wide lateral bands. Proteocephalus midoriensis and P. misgurni are characterized by having proglottids that are more elongate and an ovoid to almost spherical cirrus-sac and the vitelline follicles forming narrow lateral bands. Proteocephalus demshini differs from P. sagittus in the posterolateral extent of the vitelline follicles, whereas P. misgurni can be distinguished from P. midoriensis mainly by the relative size of the ovary, posterior extent of the vitelline follicles and width of the scolex. Unlike most species of the Proteocephalus-aggregate that possess an apical sucker, all species from loaches are devoid of any apical organ. The existence of two new species in loaches from the Primorsky Region of Russia indicates high endemism of fish parasites in this region. A key to the identification of recognized species from loaches is provided.

• Klíčová slova
• 16S rDNA, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Cobitidae, Morphology, Nemacheilidae, Palaearctic Region, Proteocephalidae, Taxonomy, cox1,
• MeSH
• Cestoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• cestodózy epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• endemické nemoci veterinární   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• máloostní parazitologie   MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA genetika   MeSH
• nemoci ryb epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Dálný východ epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mitochondriální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH

The examination of eight spotted skates, Raja straeleni Poll, resulted in the discovery of four new species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1849, namely A. microhabentes sp. n., A. microtenuis sp. n., A. crassus sp. n., and A. dolichocollum sp. n., located off the Western Cape of South Africa. With a total of over 200 valid species of Acanthobothrium recognised worldwide, the use of an integrative approach becomes imperative in the interest of simplifying interspecific comparisons between congeners. In accordance with this, the four new species were incorporated into the category classification system established by Ghoshroy and Caira in 2001, where they were identified as category 2 species, which, at present, includes 47 recognised species of Acanthobothrium. Nevertheless, each of the four new species exhibits postovarian testes, a most intriguing and highly unusual feature among Acanthobothrium, instantly differentiating them from most congeners. This feature has been reported in 12 congeners, which have previously been considered to be restricted to waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Not only do the four new congeners represent the first species of Acanthobothrium reported from southern Africa, but they also represent the first reported species with postovarian testes from the southern Atlantic Ocean. Regarding the legitimacy of the four new species, only two other category 2 species are reported to exhibit this feature, namely A. popi Fyler, Caira et Jensen, 2009, and A. bobconniorum Fyler et Caira, 2010, to which the four congeners were compared to. Acanthobothrium microhabentes sp. n. is the smallest of the congeners and differs from A. popi and A. bobconniorum by having fewer testes and postovarian testes, a shorter body, fewer proglottids, a shorter scolex, and longer cephalic peduncle. Acanthobothrium microtenuis sp. n. differs from A. popi and A. bobconniorum by having fewer testes and postovarian testes, a shorter scolex, longer cephalic peduncle, and the possession of columnar spinitriches on the anterior region of the terminal proglottid. Acanthobothrium crassus sp.n. differs from A. popi and A. bobconniorum by having fewer postovarian testes, a narrower cirrus-sac, larger vitelline follicles, and a longer cephalic peduncle. Acanthobothrium dolichocollum sp. n. is the longest of the four new species and differs from A. popi and A. bobconniorum by having fewer postovarian testes, more postporal testes, a larger body, more proglottids, larger testes and vitelline follicles, and an exceptionally long cephalic peduncle. Apart from differences in overall size, the four new species differ in a combination of measurements for the scolex, vitelline follicles, muscular pad and cephalic peduncle, and the number of proglottids and testes. The four species were recovered from a previously unexplored host and locality, expanding the host associations and geographical distribution of the genus.

• Klíčová slova
• Marine fish parasites, biodiversity, elasmobranchs, new species, tapeworms, taxonomy,
• MeSH
• biodiverzita MeSH
• Cestoda * anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• cestodózy veterinární   MeSH
• klasifikace MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• rejnokovití parazitologie   MeSH
• vodní organismy parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Jihoafrická republika MeSH

Four new species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1850 are described from guitarfish, Rhynchobatus cf. djiddensis (Forsskål), collected from the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. Acanthobothrium janineae sp. n., a category 1 species, differs from all congeners in category 1 by having a long vagina extending into the vas deferens and different, proglottid and testis number except Acanthobothrium hypermekkolpos Fyler et Caira, 2010. Acanthobothrium fylerae sp. n., a category 1 species, can be differentiated by a combination of characters including the total length, proglottid and testis number, cirrus sac shape, and the length of the vagina and ovarian lobes. Both new species are similar to A. hypermekkolpos reported from Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch et Schneider) from Australia in their scolex proper length, hook size and muscular pad, respectively. Acanthobothrium asrinae sp. n., a category 1 species, differs from other category 1 species by the shape of its hooks and the position of the tubercle at the mid-length of the axial prongs; in this respect it resembles A. bartonae Campbell et Beveridge, 2002 reported from Australia. Acanthobothrium jamesi sp. n. is among six category 1 species with post-ovarian testes. It differs from these species by total length, proglottid and testis number and the extension of the ovarian lobes. Although it is thought that R. djiddensis occurs in the region, the identities of the hosts of the newly described Acanthobothrium species await verification. There are two forms of host in the region and were designated as R. cf. djiddensis 1 and R. cf. djiddensis 2. More taxonomic work and the use of molecular techniques are needed to resolve the true identity of the host species.

• Klíčová slova
• Acanthobothrium, Guitarfish, Iran, Onchobothriidae, new species, parasites, sharks,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

A new genus, Laruella n. gen., is proposed for the proteocephalid cestode L. perplexa (La Rue, 1911) n. comb. (syn. Proteocephalus perplexus La Rue, 1911), a parasite of a 'living fossil', the bowfin (Amia calva), in North America. The new genus is differentiated from other proteocephalid genera by having a massive four-lobed scolex without an apical organ and bearing suckers possessing tear-shaped sphincters on their inner rim, vitelline follicles forming L-shaped lateral fields, with the vitellarium turned inwards (medially) ventrally alongside the posterior margin of the ovary, a ring-like vaginal sphincter situated at a considerable distance from the genital atrium, and ellipsoid eggs resembling those of bothriocephalid and diphyllobothriid tapeworms, except for the absence of an operculum. Phylogenetic relationships of the new genus are not resolved, but it belongs to the so-called Neotropical clade of the Proteocephalidae, which is composed mainly of Neotropical tapeworms of siluriforms and other teleosts, but also Nearctic and Palaearctic species of Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911 from snakes and amphibians. A morphologically similar species, Proteocephalus ambloplitis (Leidy, 1887) from bass (Micropterus spp.) in North America, is provisionally retained in Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 because its relationships to L. perplexa are not yet clear. The former species differs from L. perplexa by the presence of a large apical organ, large, elongate vaginal sphincter situated near the genital atrium, vitelline follicles limited to lateral longitudinal fields, strongly coiled vas deferens within the cirrus sac, and a convoluted vaginal canal anterior to the ovarian isthmus. Laruella perplexa reportedly has a s broad spectrum of hosts but most are likely postcyclic or accidental hosts. A list of cestode parasites reported from bowfin is provided; it includes eight species and three taxa not identified to the species level. However, only three adult cestodes, L. perplexa and two species of Haplobothrium Cooper, 1914, are typical tapeworm parasites of bowfin, but previous molecular studies indicate possible existence of a putative new species in bowfin.

• Klíčová slova
• Actinopterygii, Morphology, North America, Onchoproteocephalidea, Tapeworms, Taxonomy,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Tapeworms of the genus Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911 parasitize herptiles (= amphibians and 'reptiles') throughout the world, with about 100 species recognised as valid. In the present work, the North American species found in watersnakes (Colubridae) are reviewed. An examination of the holotype of Ophiotaenia perspicua La Rue, 1911, the type species of the genus, and other specimens from Nerodia rhombifer (Hallowell) revealed that two species were used for the species description. The 'true' O. perspicua has a small scolex and small, round suckers. This species is redescribed based on new material from Oklahoma, USA. The other species from N. rhombifer, Ophiotaenia laruei n. sp., has a larger scolex and larger, almost triangular suckers. Examination of the types of O. variabilis (Brooks, 1978) from N. rhombifer and N. cyclopion (Duméril, Bibron et Duméril) from Louisiana, USA has revealed that it is a mixture of two or more species. Because of poor quality of these specimens, it is not possible to adequately characterise O. variabilis, which is considered a species inquirenda. In addition, two new species are described from Nerodia fasciata confluens (Blanchard). Ophiotaenia currani n. sp. from Mississippi, USA is characterised by elongate, narrow proglottids, few testes, and a relatively long cirrus sac. Ophiotaenia tkachi n. sp. from Louisiana, USA is characterised by relatively short and wide proglottids, more testes, and an unusual terminal part of the vagina with folds. Morphologically similar tapeworms of N. fasciata confluens, N. erythrogaster (Förster), N. sipedon (Linnaeus), and Agkistrodon piscivorus (Lacépède) (Viperidae) from Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA, which are genetically nearly identical, are considered to be conspecific with O. tkachi n. sp. The present data suggest a high, previously undescribed species diversity of proteocephalid tapeworms in watersnakes in North America, and generally strict host specificity of these tapeworms.

• Klíčová slova
• Morphology, Natricinae, Nearctic region, New species, Onchoproteocephalidea, Ophiotaenia, Taxonomy, Watersnakes,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Ophiotaenia echidis n. sp. (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) is described from the intestine of one of the world's deadliest snakes, the saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus sochureki Stemmler (Ophidia: Viperidae) in the United Arab Emirates. The new species differs from other species of the non-monophyletic Ophiotaenia by the position of testes in two longitudinal lines on both sides of the uterus, and by the large size of an embryophore (diameter of 44-55 μm versus less than 40 μm in other species). Phylogenetic reconstructions based on lsrDNA and concatenated lsrDNA + COI datasets place the new species among proteocephalids from unrelated zoogeographical realms but mostly infecting venomous snakes. In all analyses, O. echidis n. sp. exhibited a strongly supported sister relationship with O. lapata Rambeloson, Ranaivoson et de Chambrier, 2012, a parasite of a pseudoxyrhophiid snake endemic to Madagascar. Despite a shared close evolutionary history between these taxa, morphological synapomorphies remain unclear, which impedes the erection of a new genus to accommodate them. A list of the 71 tapeworms of the former, non-monophyletic subfamily Proteocephalinae, parasitising snakes and lizards, including species inquirendae, and the phylogenetically closely related Thaumasioscolex didelphidis from opossum, with selected characteristics, is also provided, together with a checklist of helminth parasites reported from E. carinatus.

• Klíčová slova
• Morphology, Onchoproteocephalidea, Phylogenetic relationships, Snakes, Tapeworms, Taxonomy, United Arab Emirates,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

A new species of the recently erected genus of proteocephalid cestodes, Synbranchiella Arredondo, Alves and Gil de Pertierra, 2017 , is described based on specimens found in the mountain mullet, Dajaus monticola (Bancroft, 1834), from Costa Rica. The new species is placed in Synbranchiella because of the cortical position of the genital organs (typical of the former subfamily Monticelliinae); a robust scolex (lacking a metascolex) having a dome-shaped apex and biloculate suckers (lacking free posterior margins); vitelline follicles in 2 narrow lateral bands; a vagina always anterior to the cirrus-sac; and a genital pore that is markedly pre-equatorial, i.e., close to the anterior margin of proglottids. The new species, Synbranchiella megacirrus, differs from the type and only other species of the genus, Synbranchiella mabelae Arredondo, Alves and Gil de Pertierra, 2017 , that infects the marbled swamp eel, Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795, in Argentina by the absence of preporal vitelline follicles (present in S. mabelae); a well-developed, large, elongate vaginal sphincter (small and ring-like in S. mabelae); and a large cirrus-sac relative to the proglottid size (cirrus-sac length is on average 48% of the proglottid width in S. megacirrus vs. 31% in the latter species). This is the first adult tapeworm reported from mountain mullet and the first record of the genus outside of South America, thereby greatly extending the range of distribution of species of Synbranchiella.

• Klíčová slova
• Central America, Morphology, Mountain Mullet, Mugilidae, Onchoproteocephalidea, Taxonomy,
• MeSH
• Cestoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   MeSH
• cestodózy parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• Smegmamorpha parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Kostarika 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.

• Klíčová slova
• Amphibia, Anura, Nearctic region, Onchoproteocephalidea, Ophiotaenia, global diversity, molecular data, morphology, redescription, taxonomy,
• 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

A morphological and molecular phylogenetic study of proteocephalid tapeworms of the genus Acanthotaenia von Linstow, 1903, parasites of monitors (Varanidae), was carried out. The type species, A. shipleyi von Linstow, 1903, which was originally described based on an immature specimen from Sri Lanka, is redescribed based on new material from the type host, Varanus salvator, in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and its neotype is designated. In addition, Acanthotaenia susanae n. sp. is described from Varanus nebulosus in Vietnam. The new species differs from congeners by the large size of the scolex, width of the rostellum and the number of testes. New molecular data (sequences of lsrDNA and cox1) revealed Acanthotaenia paraphyletic with the inclusion of Australotaenia bunthangi de Chambrier & Scholz, 2012, a parasite of Enhydris enhydris (Ophidia: Homalopsidae) in Cambodia. Molecular data confirm a wide distribution of A. shipleyi (isolates from Malaysia and Vietnam were almost identical) and indicate a strict host specificity (oioxeny) of individual species of the genus. Type specimens of four species made it possible to supplement their morphological descriptions. A survey of all species of Acanthotaenia recognised as valid is presented and the following taxonomic changes are proposed: Acanthotaenia pythonis Wahid, 1968 described from the green python, Morelia viridis, in a zoo, is transferred to Kapsulotaenia as Kapsulotaenia pythonis (Wahid, 1968) n. comb., because it possesses intrauterine eggs grouped in capsules. Acanthotaenia gracilis (Beddard, 1913) from Varanus varius in Australia is considered to be species inquirenda because its original descriptions did not contain sufficient data for adequate circumscription and differentiation from congeners and type material was not available. Generic diagnosis of Acanthotaenia is amended and a key to its seven species is provided.

• Klíčová slova
• Acanthotaeniinae, Eucestoda, Onchoproteocephalidea, Phylogeny, Reptiles, Taxonomy, cox1, lsrDNA,
• MeSH
• Cestoda klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• cestodózy parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• hadi parazitologie   MeSH
• ještěři parazitologie   MeSH
• paraziti MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Austrálie MeSH
• Kambodža MeSH
• Malajsie MeSH
• Vietnam MeSH