Rodney Bray - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rodney Bray

Parasitology international, Jan 18, 2015

A total of 1523 individuals of 34 species of chaetodontids from the Great Barrier Reef were exami... more A total of 1523 individuals of 34 species of chaetodontids from the Great Barrier Reef were examined for faustulid trematodes. Specimens resembling Paradiscogaster glebulae Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1994 were found in nine chaetodontid species at three localities. These specimens are shown, on the basis of combined morphological and molecular analyses, to comprise a complex of morphologically similar and partly cryptic species. The complex may comprise as many as six distinct species of which three are resolved here. The true P. glebulae is identified in Chaetodon ornatissimus Cuvier, 1831, Chaetodon aureofasciatus Macleay, 1878, Chaetodon plebeius Cuvier, 1831, Chaetodon rainfordi McCulloch, 1923 and Chaetodon speculum Cuvier, 1831. Two new species are described, Paradiscogaster munozae n. sp. from Heniochus varius (Cuvier, 1829), Heniochus chrysostomus Cuvier, 1831 and Chaetodon citrinellus Cuvier, 1831 and Paradiscogaster melendezi n. sp. from Chaetodon kleinii Bloch, 1790. In terms ...

New Caledonia is home to the biggest coral reef lagoon and the second biggest coral reef on the p... more New Caledonia is home to the biggest coral reef lagoon and the second biggest coral reef on the planet. Coral reefs, essential to the world's ecosystems, are home to more than 25% of global marine biodiversity but comprise less than 0.1% of the Earth's ocean surface and are considered biological "hotspots" because they are especially rich in marine species. Parasites play a major role in species evolution and the maintenance of populations and ecosystems. However the role of parasites is little known or appreciated.

Acta Parasitologica

The phylogenetic relationships of representative species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea were ... more The phylogenetic relationships of representative species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea were assessed using partial lsrDNA and nad1 sequences. Forty-two members of the family Lepocreadiidae, six putative members of the Enenteridae, six gyliauchenid species and one Gorgocephalidae, were studied along with 22 species representing 8 families. The Lepocreadioidea is found to be monophyletic, except for the two species of the putative enenterid genus Cadenatella, which are found to be only distantly related to the lepocreadioids. The Lepocreadioidea is formed of five clades in a polytomy, the Gorgocephalidae, a clade containing the Enenteridae and Gyliauchenidae, a small clade of atypical lepocreadiines and the deep-sea lepidapedine lepocreadiids, a small clade consisting of a freshwater form and a group of shallow-water putative lepidapedines and the final clade includes the remaining lepocreadiids. Thus, the generally accepted concept of the Lepocreadiidae is polyphyletic. The Enenteridae (minus Cadenatella) and the Gyliauchenidae are jointly and individually monophyletic, and are sister groups. The nad1 gene on its own places a deep-sea lepocreadiine with the deep-sea lepidapedines, whereas lsrDNA, combined sequences and morphology place this deep-sea lepocreadiine within a group of typical lepocreadiids. It could not be demonstrated that a significant proportion of sites in the nad1 gene evolved under positive selection; this anomalous relationship therefore remains unexplained. Most deep-sea species are in a monophyletic group, a few of which also occur in shallow waters, retaining some characters of the deep-sea clade. Many lepocreadioid species infect herbivorous fish, and it may be that the recently discovered life-cycle involving a bivalve first intermediate host and metacercariae encysted on vegetation is a common life-cycle pattern. The host relationships show no indication of co-speciation, although the host-spectrums exhibited are not random, with related worms tending to utilize related hosts. There are, however, many exceptions. Morphology is found to be of limited value in indicating higher level relationships. For example, even with the benefit of hindsight the gyliauchenids show little morphological similarity to their sister group, the Enenteridae.

Zootaxa

A new genus and five new species of digeneans are reported from fishes at hydrothermal vent sites... more A new genus and five new species of digeneans are reported from fishes at hydrothermal vent sites in the South East Pa- cific Rise region. Biospeedotrema n. gen. (Opecoelidae: Stenakrinae) is distinguished from other stenakrines by the more or less symmetrical testicular configuration, with the uterus passing between the testes, sometimes distinctly into the post- testicular region. Biospeedotrema jolliveti n. gen., n. sp. from Ventichthys biospeedoi (Ophidiidae) is distinguished by the vitelline fields which extend only slightly into the post-testicular region, the intestinal bifurcation is dorsal to the ventral sucker, the genital pore is slightly dextrally submedian or median, the cirrus sac is short and the caeca are broad and over- lap the testes, usually reaching into the post-testicular region. Biospeedotrema parajolliveti n. sp. from Thermichthys hol- lisi differs from Biospeedotrema jolliveti in being squat, always just wider than long, the tegument is wrinkled, the testes ...

Zootaxa

Progenetic specimens of Allocreadium neotenicum Peters, 1957 are described from water beetles, Hy... more Progenetic specimens of Allocreadium neotenicum Peters, 1957 are described from water beetles, Hydroporus rufifrons, an endangered species, and Agabus paludosus from northern England and Scotland, and as non-ovigerous metacercariae from Agabus melanarius from southern England. Morphologically, the worms are identical to A. neotenicum described from water beetles in North America. Molecular phylogenetic estimates based on 28S rDNA sequences show these British specimens as more closely related to the North American freshwater fish parasite Allocreadium lobatum Wallin, 1909 than to the European species A. isoporum (Looss, 1894). A. lobatum shows a predilection for progenesis and may be a senior synonym of A. neotenicum. Based on the molecular phylogeny, the genus Pseudallocreadium Yamaguti, 1971 is considered synonymous with Allocreadium and the two species assigned to that genus, P. neotenicum and P. alloneotenicum (Wootton, 1957) are returned to Allocreadium.

Systematic Parasitology

A re-examination of published lsrDNA sequence data of haploporid digeneans has shown that the gen... more A re-examination of published lsrDNA sequence data of haploporid digeneans has shown that the genus Cadenatella Dollfus, 1946, hitherto considered a lepocreadioid, is correctly placed within the superfamily Haploporoidea Nicoll, 1914, although its relationships within the superfamily are not resolved. The morphological similarities and differences between Cadenatella and other haploporoids are discussed, and the subfamily Cadenatellinae Gibson & Bray, 1982 is considered the best repository for Cadenatella spp. at present.

The Journal of parasitology, 2007

Malawitrema staufferi n. gen., n. sp., an unusual digenean, is described from Clarias mossambicus... more Malawitrema staufferi n. gen., n. sp., an unusual digenean, is described from Clarias mossambicus (type host) and Bagrus meridionalis from Lake Malawi. It has a small, pyriform body, with a spinous tegument. The ceca are relative short, not reaching to the testes. The 2 testes are symmetrical in the middle hind body. The cirrus sac is long and narrow, reaching into hind body. The genital pore is median, immediately anterior to the ventral sucker. The ovary is pretesticular, and a canalicular seminal vesicle and Laurer's canal are present. The uterus usually reaches distinctly posteriorly to testes. The eggs are small. The follicular vitellarium is in 2 small fields just anterior to testes. The ventrally subterminal excretory pore leads to a claviform vesicle. This species does not fit clearly into any known family of digeneans and is placed in the Macroderoididae as a temporary measure. Other digeneans reported from Lake Malawi include Haplorchoides cahirinus (Looss, 1896) in C....

... We are very grateful to Aneta Nowodworska, Anna Lindsey-Clark, Guilhem Rascalou, Catherine Gr... more ... We are very grateful to Aneta Nowodworska, Anna Lindsey-Clark, Guilhem Rascalou, Catherine Gray and Michael Hardman for their help in 'feeding' the database. ... InMOVSESYAN, SO (Ed): Fundamentals of Cestodology, 14. ...

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2007

The addition of large subunit ribosomal DNA (lsrDNA) to small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA) has ... more The addition of large subunit ribosomal DNA (lsrDNA) to small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA) has been shown to add resolution to phylogenies at various taxonomic levels for a diversity of phyla. We added nearly complete lsrDNA (4057-4593 bp) sequences to ssrDNA (1940-2228 bp) for 26 ingroup and 3 outgroup taxa in an attempt to provide an improved ordinal phylogeny for the Cestoda. Ten lsrDNA and seven ssrDNA sequences were generated from new taxa and 13 existing partial lsrDNA sequences were sequenced to completion. The majority of phylogenetic signal in the combined analysis came from lsrDNA (69.6% of parsimonious informative sites, as opposed to 30.4% obtained from ssrDNA), resulting in almost identical topologies for lsrDNA and lsr+ssrDNA (pairwise symmetric distance = 6) in model-based analyses. Topology testing found trees based on partial lsrDNA (domains D1-D3)+ssrDNA and complete lsr+ssrDNA to differ significantly; the addition of lsrDNA domains D4-D12 had a significant effect on topology. Overall nodal support was greatest in the combined analysis and weakest for ssrDNA only. Our molecular phylogenies differed significantly from those based on morphology alone. Acetabulate lineages form a monophyletic group, with the Tetraphyllidea being paraphyletic. Support for the combined data was high for the following topology: (Litobothriidea (Lecanicephalidea (Rhinebothrium/Rhodobothrium (Clistobothrium (Pachybothrium(Acanthobothrium Proteocephalidea) (Mesocestoididae, Nippotaeniidea, Cyclophyllidea, Tetrabothriidea)))))); all genus names refer to tetraphyllidean lineages. Although the interrelationships among the four most derived taxa remain uncertain, overall ambiguity of the acetabulate interrelationships was reduced. The Pseudophyllidea were recovered as polyphyletic, with support for a sister-group relationship between Diphyllobothriidae and Haplobothriidea. The monophyly of the Trypanorhyncha was recovered for the first time based on molecular data. The positions of the Trypanorhyncha, Diphyllidea and ''Bothriocephaliidea'' in relation to other orders remains ambiguous. Higher congruence was found between trees based on model-based phylogenetic methods than with those constructed under the parsimony criterion. Although some uncertainties remain, the addition of lsrDNA D4-D12 has provided an overall more resolved and better supported cestode phylogeny, which further promotes the utility of complete lsrDNA as phylogenetic marker where ssrDNA alone proves inadequate.

Cell biology international, Jan 24, 2015

Spermatological characteristics are described for the first time in the genus Neomultitestis Mach... more Spermatological characteristics are described for the first time in the genus Neomultitestis Machida, 1982, belonging to the family Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905. Adult Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis were collected from the digestive tract of Platax teira, caught off New Caledonia. The mature spermatozoon of N. aspidogastriformis is described by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It includes two axonemes with 9 + "1" pattern of Trepaxonemata, an antero-lateral electron-dense material, attachment zones, two mitochondria, a nucleus, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine-like bodies, and granules of glycogen. Certain ultrastructural characteristics of the spermatozoon, especially the antero-lateral electron-dense material, are shared by N. aspidogastriformis and all species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea studied so far. The antero-lateral electron-dense material, present in different families of lepocread...

PeerJ, 2014

New and published reports of zoogonid digeneans from New Caledonian waters are recorded, includin... more New and published reports of zoogonid digeneans from New Caledonian waters are recorded, including a description of Overstreetia cribbi n. sp. from Atherinomorus lacunosus. This species differs from its congeners in the detail of its circum-oral spination and some metrical features. Other new records are of: Diphterostomum plectorhynchi Machida, Kamegai & Kuramochi, 2006 in Diagramma pictum; Parvipyrum acanthuri (Pritchard, 1963) in Acanthurus dussumieri; Zoogonoides viviparus in Lagocephalus sceleratus; Deretrema ? combesorum (Bray & Justine, 2008a; Bray & Justine, 2008b) early ovigerous forms in Parupeneus pleurostigma; D? acutum in P. barberinus; and an unidentified immature zoogonid in P. multifasciatus. The newly reported specimens are illustrated and measurements given. The distribution of New Caledonian zoogonids is listed.

International journal for parasitology, Jan 15, 2014

The Great Barrier Reef holds the richest array of marine life found anywhere in Australia, includ... more The Great Barrier Reef holds the richest array of marine life found anywhere in Australia, including a diverse and fascinating parasite fauna. Members of one group, the trematodes, occur as sexually mature adult worms in almost all Great Barrier Reef bony fish species. Although the first reports of these parasites were made 100 years ago, the fauna has been studied systematically for only the last 25 years. When the fauna was last reviewed in 1994 there were 94 species known from the Great Barrier Reef and it was predicted that there might be 2,270 in total. There are now 326 species reported for the region, suggesting that we are in a much improved position to make an accurate prediction of true trematode richness. Here we review the current state of knowledge of the fauna and the ways in which our understanding of this fascinating group is changing. Our best estimate of the true richness is now a range, 1,100-1,800 species. However there remains considerable scope for even these f...

Parasite, 2014

Trypanorhynch metacestodes were examined from teleosts from coral reefs in eastern Australia and ... more Trypanorhynch metacestodes were examined from teleosts from coral reefs in eastern Australia and from New Caledonia. From over 12,000 fishes examined, 33 named species of trypanorhynchs were recovered as well as three species of tentacularioids which are described but not named. Host-parasite and parasite-host lists are provided, including more than 100 new host records. Lacistorhynchoid and tentacularioid taxa predominated with fewer otobothrioid and gymnorhynchoids. Five species, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Floriceps minacanthus, Pseudotobothrium dipsacum, Pseudolacistorhynchus heroniensis and Ps. shipleyi, were particularly common and exhibited low host specificity. Limited data suggested a higher diversity of larval trypanorhynchs in larger piscivorous fish families. Several fish families surveyed extensively (Blenniidae, Chaetodontidae, Gobiidae, Kyphosidae and Scaridae) yielded no trypanorhynch larvae. The overall similarity between the fauna of the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia was 45%. Where available, information on the adult stages in elasmobranchs has been included.

Biodiversity Data Journal, 2014

Zoologischer Anzeiger - A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2013

This study presents the ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Prosorchis palinurichthi (Di... more This study presents the ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Prosorchis palinurichthi (Digenea: Hemiuroidea: Sclerodistomidae), parasite of the digestive tract of the teleost fish Schedophilus velaini (Sauvage, 1879) (Centrolophidae) captured in the Atlantic Ocean, near Dakar (Senegal). This is a first report of P. palinurichthi from Senegal and from this host species. The mature spermatozoon of P. palinurichthi is filiform, tapered at both ends and exhibits the general pattern described in the hemiuroids: two axonemes of the 9 + '1' pattern of trepaxonematans, a nucleus, a mitochondrion, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane in the anterior region of the spermatozoon and parallel cortical microtubules disposed in one side of the spermatozoon except in the anterior spermatozoon extremity and in the mitochondrial region. However, the particularities of the spermatozoon of P. palinurichthi are the presence of cortical microtubules at the anterior extremity, a great number of cortical microtubules (up to 25) in the region II of the spermatozoon, an elongate nucleus longer than the mitochondrion and the absence of spinelike bodies. Our results are discussed in context with those of previous studies in the Digenea in general and particularly in the Hemiuroidea. (Y. Quilichini). as a parasite of black butterfish Hyperoglyphe pringlei (Centrolophidae) from the South Atlantic. Thus, our finding of P. palinurichthi in the centrolophid violet warehou Schedophilus velaini in Senegal is a new host and geographic locality record for this parasite.

Parasite, 2013

Many bucephalid species, mainly of the subfamily Prosorhynchinae, have been described from epinep... more Many bucephalid species, mainly of the subfamily Prosorhynchinae, have been described from epinepheline serranids (groupers) throughout the World's Oceans. In this paper eight named prosorhynchine species are described and/or illustrated from epinepheline fishes from New Caledonia. Neidhartia lochepintade n. sp. in Epinephelus chlorostigma differs from other Neidhartia spp. in various combinations of distinct body-size, rhynchus size, previtelline and pre-mouth distance, post-testicular distance, cirrus-sac reach and egg-size. Other species are: Neidhartia haywardi Bott, Miller & Cribb, 2013 in Plectropomus leopardus; Neidhartia tyleri Bott, Miller & Cribb, 2013 in Plectropomus leopardus and Plectropomus laevis; Prosorhynchus freitasi Nagaty, 1937 in Plectropomus leopardus and Plectropomus laevis; Prosorhynchus robertsthomsoni Bott & Cribb, 2009 in Cephalopholis argus; Prosorhynchus longisaccatus Durio & Manter, 1968 in Cephalopholis urodeta, Epinephelus areolatus, Epinephelus cyanopodus and Epinephelus maculatus. Prosorhynchus luzonicus Velasquez, 1959 and Prosorhynchus sp. B. in Epinephelus coioides; Prosorhynchus serrani Durio & Manter, 1968 in Variola albimarginata and Variola louti; Prosorhynchus sp. A in Epinephelus morrhua; Prosorhynchus sp. immature in Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus. The new combination Neidhartia longivesicula (Bilqees, Khalil, Khan, Perveen & Muti-ur-Rehman, 2009) (Syn. Prosorhynchus longivesicula) is formed. Evidence from this paper and earlier molecular studies indicates that there are numerous morphologically similar prosorhynchine species in serranids, most of which show a high degree of host-specificity.

International Journal for Parasitology, 2000

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1999

Robust phylogenies provide the basis for interpreting biological variation in the light of evolut... more Robust phylogenies provide the basis for interpreting biological variation in the light of evolution. Homologous features provide phylogenetically informative characters whereas homoplasious characters provide phylogenetic noise. Both provide evolutionary signal. We have constructed molecular and morphologically based phylogenies of the phylum Platyhelminthes using a recently revised morphological character matrix and complete 18s and two partial 28s rRNA gene sequences in order to evaluate the emergence and subsequent divergence of parasitic forms. In total we examine 65 morphological characters, 97 18s rDNA, 41 D1 domain 28s rDNA, and 49 D3-D6 domain 28s rDNA sequences. For the molecular data there were 748, 132 and 249 phylogenetically informative sites for the 18S, DI and D3-D6 28s rDNA data sets respectively. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic solutions are incongruent but not incompatible, and using the principles of conditional combination (18s rDNA + morphology passing Templeton's test) they demonstrate: a single and relatively early origin for the parasitic Neodermata (including the cestodes, trematodes and monogeneans); sister-group status between the cestodes and monogeneans, and between these taxa and the trematodes (digeneans and aspidogastreans). The sister-group to the Neodermata is liiely to be a large clade of neoophoran turbellarians, based on combined evidence, or a clade consisting of the Fecampiid + Urastomid turbellarians, based on morphological evidence alone. The combined evidence solution for the phylogeny of flatworms based on 18s rDNA and morphology is used to interpret morphological and life-history data and to support a model for the evolution and radiation of neodermatan parasites in the group.

Parasitology international, Jan 18, 2015

A total of 1523 individuals of 34 species of chaetodontids from the Great Barrier Reef were exami... more A total of 1523 individuals of 34 species of chaetodontids from the Great Barrier Reef were examined for faustulid trematodes. Specimens resembling Paradiscogaster glebulae Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1994 were found in nine chaetodontid species at three localities. These specimens are shown, on the basis of combined morphological and molecular analyses, to comprise a complex of morphologically similar and partly cryptic species. The complex may comprise as many as six distinct species of which three are resolved here. The true P. glebulae is identified in Chaetodon ornatissimus Cuvier, 1831, Chaetodon aureofasciatus Macleay, 1878, Chaetodon plebeius Cuvier, 1831, Chaetodon rainfordi McCulloch, 1923 and Chaetodon speculum Cuvier, 1831. Two new species are described, Paradiscogaster munozae n. sp. from Heniochus varius (Cuvier, 1829), Heniochus chrysostomus Cuvier, 1831 and Chaetodon citrinellus Cuvier, 1831 and Paradiscogaster melendezi n. sp. from Chaetodon kleinii Bloch, 1790. In terms ...

New Caledonia is home to the biggest coral reef lagoon and the second biggest coral reef on the p... more New Caledonia is home to the biggest coral reef lagoon and the second biggest coral reef on the planet. Coral reefs, essential to the world's ecosystems, are home to more than 25% of global marine biodiversity but comprise less than 0.1% of the Earth's ocean surface and are considered biological "hotspots" because they are especially rich in marine species. Parasites play a major role in species evolution and the maintenance of populations and ecosystems. However the role of parasites is little known or appreciated.

Acta Parasitologica

The phylogenetic relationships of representative species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea were ... more The phylogenetic relationships of representative species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea were assessed using partial lsrDNA and nad1 sequences. Forty-two members of the family Lepocreadiidae, six putative members of the Enenteridae, six gyliauchenid species and one Gorgocephalidae, were studied along with 22 species representing 8 families. The Lepocreadioidea is found to be monophyletic, except for the two species of the putative enenterid genus Cadenatella, which are found to be only distantly related to the lepocreadioids. The Lepocreadioidea is formed of five clades in a polytomy, the Gorgocephalidae, a clade containing the Enenteridae and Gyliauchenidae, a small clade of atypical lepocreadiines and the deep-sea lepidapedine lepocreadiids, a small clade consisting of a freshwater form and a group of shallow-water putative lepidapedines and the final clade includes the remaining lepocreadiids. Thus, the generally accepted concept of the Lepocreadiidae is polyphyletic. The Enenteridae (minus Cadenatella) and the Gyliauchenidae are jointly and individually monophyletic, and are sister groups. The nad1 gene on its own places a deep-sea lepocreadiine with the deep-sea lepidapedines, whereas lsrDNA, combined sequences and morphology place this deep-sea lepocreadiine within a group of typical lepocreadiids. It could not be demonstrated that a significant proportion of sites in the nad1 gene evolved under positive selection; this anomalous relationship therefore remains unexplained. Most deep-sea species are in a monophyletic group, a few of which also occur in shallow waters, retaining some characters of the deep-sea clade. Many lepocreadioid species infect herbivorous fish, and it may be that the recently discovered life-cycle involving a bivalve first intermediate host and metacercariae encysted on vegetation is a common life-cycle pattern. The host relationships show no indication of co-speciation, although the host-spectrums exhibited are not random, with related worms tending to utilize related hosts. There are, however, many exceptions. Morphology is found to be of limited value in indicating higher level relationships. For example, even with the benefit of hindsight the gyliauchenids show little morphological similarity to their sister group, the Enenteridae.

Zootaxa

A new genus and five new species of digeneans are reported from fishes at hydrothermal vent sites... more A new genus and five new species of digeneans are reported from fishes at hydrothermal vent sites in the South East Pa- cific Rise region. Biospeedotrema n. gen. (Opecoelidae: Stenakrinae) is distinguished from other stenakrines by the more or less symmetrical testicular configuration, with the uterus passing between the testes, sometimes distinctly into the post- testicular region. Biospeedotrema jolliveti n. gen., n. sp. from Ventichthys biospeedoi (Ophidiidae) is distinguished by the vitelline fields which extend only slightly into the post-testicular region, the intestinal bifurcation is dorsal to the ventral sucker, the genital pore is slightly dextrally submedian or median, the cirrus sac is short and the caeca are broad and over- lap the testes, usually reaching into the post-testicular region. Biospeedotrema parajolliveti n. sp. from Thermichthys hol- lisi differs from Biospeedotrema jolliveti in being squat, always just wider than long, the tegument is wrinkled, the testes ...

Zootaxa

Progenetic specimens of Allocreadium neotenicum Peters, 1957 are described from water beetles, Hy... more Progenetic specimens of Allocreadium neotenicum Peters, 1957 are described from water beetles, Hydroporus rufifrons, an endangered species, and Agabus paludosus from northern England and Scotland, and as non-ovigerous metacercariae from Agabus melanarius from southern England. Morphologically, the worms are identical to A. neotenicum described from water beetles in North America. Molecular phylogenetic estimates based on 28S rDNA sequences show these British specimens as more closely related to the North American freshwater fish parasite Allocreadium lobatum Wallin, 1909 than to the European species A. isoporum (Looss, 1894). A. lobatum shows a predilection for progenesis and may be a senior synonym of A. neotenicum. Based on the molecular phylogeny, the genus Pseudallocreadium Yamaguti, 1971 is considered synonymous with Allocreadium and the two species assigned to that genus, P. neotenicum and P. alloneotenicum (Wootton, 1957) are returned to Allocreadium.

Systematic Parasitology

A re-examination of published lsrDNA sequence data of haploporid digeneans has shown that the gen... more A re-examination of published lsrDNA sequence data of haploporid digeneans has shown that the genus Cadenatella Dollfus, 1946, hitherto considered a lepocreadioid, is correctly placed within the superfamily Haploporoidea Nicoll, 1914, although its relationships within the superfamily are not resolved. The morphological similarities and differences between Cadenatella and other haploporoids are discussed, and the subfamily Cadenatellinae Gibson & Bray, 1982 is considered the best repository for Cadenatella spp. at present.

The Journal of parasitology, 2007

Malawitrema staufferi n. gen., n. sp., an unusual digenean, is described from Clarias mossambicus... more Malawitrema staufferi n. gen., n. sp., an unusual digenean, is described from Clarias mossambicus (type host) and Bagrus meridionalis from Lake Malawi. It has a small, pyriform body, with a spinous tegument. The ceca are relative short, not reaching to the testes. The 2 testes are symmetrical in the middle hind body. The cirrus sac is long and narrow, reaching into hind body. The genital pore is median, immediately anterior to the ventral sucker. The ovary is pretesticular, and a canalicular seminal vesicle and Laurer's canal are present. The uterus usually reaches distinctly posteriorly to testes. The eggs are small. The follicular vitellarium is in 2 small fields just anterior to testes. The ventrally subterminal excretory pore leads to a claviform vesicle. This species does not fit clearly into any known family of digeneans and is placed in the Macroderoididae as a temporary measure. Other digeneans reported from Lake Malawi include Haplorchoides cahirinus (Looss, 1896) in C....

... We are very grateful to Aneta Nowodworska, Anna Lindsey-Clark, Guilhem Rascalou, Catherine Gr... more ... We are very grateful to Aneta Nowodworska, Anna Lindsey-Clark, Guilhem Rascalou, Catherine Gray and Michael Hardman for their help in 'feeding' the database. ... InMOVSESYAN, SO (Ed): Fundamentals of Cestodology, 14. ...

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2007

The addition of large subunit ribosomal DNA (lsrDNA) to small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA) has ... more The addition of large subunit ribosomal DNA (lsrDNA) to small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA) has been shown to add resolution to phylogenies at various taxonomic levels for a diversity of phyla. We added nearly complete lsrDNA (4057-4593 bp) sequences to ssrDNA (1940-2228 bp) for 26 ingroup and 3 outgroup taxa in an attempt to provide an improved ordinal phylogeny for the Cestoda. Ten lsrDNA and seven ssrDNA sequences were generated from new taxa and 13 existing partial lsrDNA sequences were sequenced to completion. The majority of phylogenetic signal in the combined analysis came from lsrDNA (69.6% of parsimonious informative sites, as opposed to 30.4% obtained from ssrDNA), resulting in almost identical topologies for lsrDNA and lsr+ssrDNA (pairwise symmetric distance = 6) in model-based analyses. Topology testing found trees based on partial lsrDNA (domains D1-D3)+ssrDNA and complete lsr+ssrDNA to differ significantly; the addition of lsrDNA domains D4-D12 had a significant effect on topology. Overall nodal support was greatest in the combined analysis and weakest for ssrDNA only. Our molecular phylogenies differed significantly from those based on morphology alone. Acetabulate lineages form a monophyletic group, with the Tetraphyllidea being paraphyletic. Support for the combined data was high for the following topology: (Litobothriidea (Lecanicephalidea (Rhinebothrium/Rhodobothrium (Clistobothrium (Pachybothrium(Acanthobothrium Proteocephalidea) (Mesocestoididae, Nippotaeniidea, Cyclophyllidea, Tetrabothriidea)))))); all genus names refer to tetraphyllidean lineages. Although the interrelationships among the four most derived taxa remain uncertain, overall ambiguity of the acetabulate interrelationships was reduced. The Pseudophyllidea were recovered as polyphyletic, with support for a sister-group relationship between Diphyllobothriidae and Haplobothriidea. The monophyly of the Trypanorhyncha was recovered for the first time based on molecular data. The positions of the Trypanorhyncha, Diphyllidea and ''Bothriocephaliidea'' in relation to other orders remains ambiguous. Higher congruence was found between trees based on model-based phylogenetic methods than with those constructed under the parsimony criterion. Although some uncertainties remain, the addition of lsrDNA D4-D12 has provided an overall more resolved and better supported cestode phylogeny, which further promotes the utility of complete lsrDNA as phylogenetic marker where ssrDNA alone proves inadequate.

Cell biology international, Jan 24, 2015

Spermatological characteristics are described for the first time in the genus Neomultitestis Mach... more Spermatological characteristics are described for the first time in the genus Neomultitestis Machida, 1982, belonging to the family Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905. Adult Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis were collected from the digestive tract of Platax teira, caught off New Caledonia. The mature spermatozoon of N. aspidogastriformis is described by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It includes two axonemes with 9 + "1" pattern of Trepaxonemata, an antero-lateral electron-dense material, attachment zones, two mitochondria, a nucleus, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine-like bodies, and granules of glycogen. Certain ultrastructural characteristics of the spermatozoon, especially the antero-lateral electron-dense material, are shared by N. aspidogastriformis and all species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea studied so far. The antero-lateral electron-dense material, present in different families of lepocread...

PeerJ, 2014

New and published reports of zoogonid digeneans from New Caledonian waters are recorded, includin... more New and published reports of zoogonid digeneans from New Caledonian waters are recorded, including a description of Overstreetia cribbi n. sp. from Atherinomorus lacunosus. This species differs from its congeners in the detail of its circum-oral spination and some metrical features. Other new records are of: Diphterostomum plectorhynchi Machida, Kamegai & Kuramochi, 2006 in Diagramma pictum; Parvipyrum acanthuri (Pritchard, 1963) in Acanthurus dussumieri; Zoogonoides viviparus in Lagocephalus sceleratus; Deretrema ? combesorum (Bray & Justine, 2008a; Bray & Justine, 2008b) early ovigerous forms in Parupeneus pleurostigma; D? acutum in P. barberinus; and an unidentified immature zoogonid in P. multifasciatus. The newly reported specimens are illustrated and measurements given. The distribution of New Caledonian zoogonids is listed.

International journal for parasitology, Jan 15, 2014

The Great Barrier Reef holds the richest array of marine life found anywhere in Australia, includ... more The Great Barrier Reef holds the richest array of marine life found anywhere in Australia, including a diverse and fascinating parasite fauna. Members of one group, the trematodes, occur as sexually mature adult worms in almost all Great Barrier Reef bony fish species. Although the first reports of these parasites were made 100 years ago, the fauna has been studied systematically for only the last 25 years. When the fauna was last reviewed in 1994 there were 94 species known from the Great Barrier Reef and it was predicted that there might be 2,270 in total. There are now 326 species reported for the region, suggesting that we are in a much improved position to make an accurate prediction of true trematode richness. Here we review the current state of knowledge of the fauna and the ways in which our understanding of this fascinating group is changing. Our best estimate of the true richness is now a range, 1,100-1,800 species. However there remains considerable scope for even these f...

Parasite, 2014

Trypanorhynch metacestodes were examined from teleosts from coral reefs in eastern Australia and ... more Trypanorhynch metacestodes were examined from teleosts from coral reefs in eastern Australia and from New Caledonia. From over 12,000 fishes examined, 33 named species of trypanorhynchs were recovered as well as three species of tentacularioids which are described but not named. Host-parasite and parasite-host lists are provided, including more than 100 new host records. Lacistorhynchoid and tentacularioid taxa predominated with fewer otobothrioid and gymnorhynchoids. Five species, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Floriceps minacanthus, Pseudotobothrium dipsacum, Pseudolacistorhynchus heroniensis and Ps. shipleyi, were particularly common and exhibited low host specificity. Limited data suggested a higher diversity of larval trypanorhynchs in larger piscivorous fish families. Several fish families surveyed extensively (Blenniidae, Chaetodontidae, Gobiidae, Kyphosidae and Scaridae) yielded no trypanorhynch larvae. The overall similarity between the fauna of the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia was 45%. Where available, information on the adult stages in elasmobranchs has been included.

Biodiversity Data Journal, 2014

Zoologischer Anzeiger - A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2013

This study presents the ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Prosorchis palinurichthi (Di... more This study presents the ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Prosorchis palinurichthi (Digenea: Hemiuroidea: Sclerodistomidae), parasite of the digestive tract of the teleost fish Schedophilus velaini (Sauvage, 1879) (Centrolophidae) captured in the Atlantic Ocean, near Dakar (Senegal). This is a first report of P. palinurichthi from Senegal and from this host species. The mature spermatozoon of P. palinurichthi is filiform, tapered at both ends and exhibits the general pattern described in the hemiuroids: two axonemes of the 9 + '1' pattern of trepaxonematans, a nucleus, a mitochondrion, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane in the anterior region of the spermatozoon and parallel cortical microtubules disposed in one side of the spermatozoon except in the anterior spermatozoon extremity and in the mitochondrial region. However, the particularities of the spermatozoon of P. palinurichthi are the presence of cortical microtubules at the anterior extremity, a great number of cortical microtubules (up to 25) in the region II of the spermatozoon, an elongate nucleus longer than the mitochondrion and the absence of spinelike bodies. Our results are discussed in context with those of previous studies in the Digenea in general and particularly in the Hemiuroidea. (Y. Quilichini). as a parasite of black butterfish Hyperoglyphe pringlei (Centrolophidae) from the South Atlantic. Thus, our finding of P. palinurichthi in the centrolophid violet warehou Schedophilus velaini in Senegal is a new host and geographic locality record for this parasite.

Parasite, 2013

Many bucephalid species, mainly of the subfamily Prosorhynchinae, have been described from epinep... more Many bucephalid species, mainly of the subfamily Prosorhynchinae, have been described from epinepheline serranids (groupers) throughout the World's Oceans. In this paper eight named prosorhynchine species are described and/or illustrated from epinepheline fishes from New Caledonia. Neidhartia lochepintade n. sp. in Epinephelus chlorostigma differs from other Neidhartia spp. in various combinations of distinct body-size, rhynchus size, previtelline and pre-mouth distance, post-testicular distance, cirrus-sac reach and egg-size. Other species are: Neidhartia haywardi Bott, Miller & Cribb, 2013 in Plectropomus leopardus; Neidhartia tyleri Bott, Miller & Cribb, 2013 in Plectropomus leopardus and Plectropomus laevis; Prosorhynchus freitasi Nagaty, 1937 in Plectropomus leopardus and Plectropomus laevis; Prosorhynchus robertsthomsoni Bott & Cribb, 2009 in Cephalopholis argus; Prosorhynchus longisaccatus Durio & Manter, 1968 in Cephalopholis urodeta, Epinephelus areolatus, Epinephelus cyanopodus and Epinephelus maculatus. Prosorhynchus luzonicus Velasquez, 1959 and Prosorhynchus sp. B. in Epinephelus coioides; Prosorhynchus serrani Durio & Manter, 1968 in Variola albimarginata and Variola louti; Prosorhynchus sp. A in Epinephelus morrhua; Prosorhynchus sp. immature in Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus. The new combination Neidhartia longivesicula (Bilqees, Khalil, Khan, Perveen & Muti-ur-Rehman, 2009) (Syn. Prosorhynchus longivesicula) is formed. Evidence from this paper and earlier molecular studies indicates that there are numerous morphologically similar prosorhynchine species in serranids, most of which show a high degree of host-specificity.

International Journal for Parasitology, 2000

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1999

Robust phylogenies provide the basis for interpreting biological variation in the light of evolut... more Robust phylogenies provide the basis for interpreting biological variation in the light of evolution. Homologous features provide phylogenetically informative characters whereas homoplasious characters provide phylogenetic noise. Both provide evolutionary signal. We have constructed molecular and morphologically based phylogenies of the phylum Platyhelminthes using a recently revised morphological character matrix and complete 18s and two partial 28s rRNA gene sequences in order to evaluate the emergence and subsequent divergence of parasitic forms. In total we examine 65 morphological characters, 97 18s rDNA, 41 D1 domain 28s rDNA, and 49 D3-D6 domain 28s rDNA sequences. For the molecular data there were 748, 132 and 249 phylogenetically informative sites for the 18S, DI and D3-D6 28s rDNA data sets respectively. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic solutions are incongruent but not incompatible, and using the principles of conditional combination (18s rDNA + morphology passing Templeton's test) they demonstrate: a single and relatively early origin for the parasitic Neodermata (including the cestodes, trematodes and monogeneans); sister-group status between the cestodes and monogeneans, and between these taxa and the trematodes (digeneans and aspidogastreans). The sister-group to the Neodermata is liiely to be a large clade of neoophoran turbellarians, based on combined evidence, or a clade consisting of the Fecampiid + Urastomid turbellarians, based on morphological evidence alone. The combined evidence solution for the phylogeny of flatworms based on 18s rDNA and morphology is used to interpret morphological and life-history data and to support a model for the evolution and radiation of neodermatan parasites in the group.