The order Strepsiptera comprises an enigmatic group of insects with a complex life cycle that includes a long, obligate endoparasitic phase. Due to the unusual characteristics of the strepsipteran life cycle, its natural history and classification have long been a source of confusion. Unique life-history strategies and extreme morphological modifications within this group have promoted many philosophical discussions between systematists and entomologists. Although this situation had left the relationship of strepsipterans with other insect groups continually in question for many years, the current general consensus is that Strepsiptera is a sister group to Coleoptera. Members of the Strepsiptera exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism, 2 distinct larval forms, a pupal stage, host manipulation, and morphological characteristics that include many unusual differences from other insects.

Parasites are agents of disease in humans, livestock, crops, and wildlife and are powerful representations of the ecological and historical context of the diseases they cause. Recognizing a nexus of professional opportunities and global public need, we gathered at the Cedar Point Biological Station of the University of Nebraska in September 2012 to formulate a cooperative and broad platform for providing essential information about the evolution, ecology, and epidemiology of parasites across host groups, parasite groups, geographical regions, and ecosystem types. A general protocol, documentation–assessment–monitoring–action (DAMA), suggests an integrated proposal to build a proactive capacity to understand, anticipate, and respond to the outcomes of accelerating environmental change. We seek to catalyze discussion and mobilize action within the parasitological community and, more widely, among zoologists and disease ecologists at a time of expanding environmental perturbation.

Anisakidosis is a disease caused by the nematodes Anisakis simplex, Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu lato), Contracaecum sp., and Hysterothylacium following larval consumption in raw or undercooked fish. The mullets Mugil curema and Mugil cephalus along the coast of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, have high prevalences and mean intensities of Contracaecum multipapillatum sensu lato L3 larvae, which could increase the risk of acquiring the disease for people eating ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice) or undercooked fish tacos. This study shows the effects of different culinary treatments on the anatomical organization of C. multipapillatum s. lat. L3 larvae. We collected 709 larvae from 58 M. curema from Estero Zacatecas and Balandra. Groups of nematodes were exposed to different treatment regimes involving storage in pure lemon juice, 4% acetic acid (vinegar), and 0.9% saline solution at room temperature, or refrigeration, and fillets were cooked in a microwave oven, cooked foil wrapped, or fried on a conventional stove. We observed fish frozen at −20°C to −30°C that were destined for supermarket distribution. Helminths survived from 2 to 40 d, except those that were subjected to cooking and freezing, which died immediately. Treatments with lemon, vinegar, and cooking caused more serious lesions and anatomical disruption, which could decrease infectivity of the larvae when exposure time to these treatments lasted more than 2 d. Since fish meat preparation and exposure time to lemon or vinegar are typically from 8 to 10 hr, nematode viability might not be affected in case of accidental ingestion. Therefore, it is recommended to either cook fish or freeze them at −20°C to −30°C for more than 1 wk prior to ingestion.

Between April and October 2012, 20 juvenile and adult green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) were collected by hand or dip net from 3 counties in Arkansas and examined for coccidial parasites. A single frog (5%) was found to be passing oocysts of a previously unknown eimerian species. Oocysts of Eimeria menaensis n. sp. were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured (length [L] × width [W]) 25.4 × 15.6 (23–27 × 13–17) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.6. A micropyle was absent but an oocyst residuum and polar granule were present. Sporocysts were spheroidal to subspheroidal and measured 5.0 × 5.0 (4–6) µm with L/W of 1.1. An indistinct Stieda body was present, but sub- and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum consisted of condensed granules dispersed between sporozoites. Sporozoites were elongate and attenuated at both ends with spheroidal anterior and posterior refractile bodies. This represents the second report of coccidia from L. clamitans and the first time a coccidian has been reported from a green frog from Arkansas.

Ninety (64%) of 140 spoonhead sculpin, Cottus ricei (Nelson, 1876), collected in April, September, October, and November 2011 from 1 location near the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore of Lake Superior, Wisconsin were infected with Echinorhynchus salmonis (Muller, 1784) Petrochenko 1956. The overall mean intensity and mean abundance of E. salmonis in sculpins were 2.0 and 1.3, respectively. The proportions of infected sculpins and abundances of E. salmonis were significantly higher in each month of September, October, and November than in April 2011. Significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficients occurred between the intensities and abundances of E. salmonis and sculpin total length and wet weight. A total of 183 individuals of E. salmonis (98 females and 85 males) was counted in the infected sculpins. Of the female E. salmonis found, only 10 were gravid, and these occurred in sculpins in September, October, and November. Cottus ricei is a new host record for E. salmonis. Five undigested amphipods, Diporeia spp., were found infected with E. salmonis in the stomachs of sculpins. Echinorhynchus salmonis and other acanthocephalan species are common intestinal helminths of sculpin species (Cottus spp. and Myoxocephalus thompsonii) in the Great Lakes.

The gastrointestinal parasites and their prevalence of infections in root voles, Microtus oeconomus Pallas, were studied in the Haibei area, Qinghai Province, China. Feces were collected from 196 voles for analysis of intestinal coccidia; 37/196 (19%) were infected with Eimeria wenrichi, 8/196 (8%) with Eimeria ochrogasteri, 2/196 (1%) with Eimeria saxei, and 1/196 (0.5%) with Isposora mexicanasubsimi. We necropsied 67 voles and found 5 helminth species representing 1 nematode and 4 cestodes species; these were the spirurid nematode Mastophorus muris in 9/67 (13%), the cestodes Paranoplocephala macrocephala in 3/67 (4%) P. omphalodes in 2/67 (3%), Anoplocephaloides dentate in 1/67 (1.5%), and the cestode larval stage Cysticercus fasciolaris in 3/67 (4.5%). We provide photomicrographs to illustrate these gastrointestinal parasites from M. oeconomus in China for the first time; the 4 intestinal eimerians represent new locality records.

In total, 105 toads (71 American toads, Anaxyrus americanus americanus Holbrook, 1836; 31 Fowler's toads, Anaxyrus fowleri (Hinckley, 1882); and 3 A. a. americanus × A. fowleri hybrids) were collected in 2011 and 2012 from the lower Silver Creek area and Lake Michigan shoreline (LMS) in western lower Michigan and examined for helminths. Five helminth species (1 Digenea, Gorgoderina sp.; 1 Cestoda, Mesocestoides sp.; and 3 Nematoda,-Cosmocercoides variabilis, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, and Rhabdias americanus) were found in American toads. Mesocestoides sp. and R. americanus were the most common helminths of American toads. Four helminth species (1 Digenea, Haematoloechus sp.; 1 Cestoda, Mesocestoides sp.; and 2 Nematoda, C. variabilis and O. pipiens) infected Fowler's toad, with Mesocestoides sp. being most common. Anaxyrus a. americanus × A. fowleri hybrids were infected with Mesocestoides sp., R. americanus, and C. variabilis. The prevalences and intensities of helminth species found in both toad species and the mean numbers of helminth species in infected toads and in all examined toads were always higher in American toads than in Fowler's toads. Although C. variabilis and R. americanus infected American toads and C. variabilis and O. pipiens infected Fowler's toads on the LMS, it is believed that they were not infected there. The occurrence of these nematodes in toads on the LMS reflects infections that occurred in their breeding ponds and other moist areas. This is the first survey on the helminths of Fowler's toads from Michigan and from a shoreline dune area for both toad species.

Placobdella sophieae Oceguera-Figueroa et al., 2010 (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) is reported from Oregon, California, and British Columbia for the first time. New hosts reported for P. sophieae include Taricha granulosa (rough-skinned newt), Rana pretiosa (Oregon spotted frog), and Anaxyrus boreas (western toad). Placobdella sophieae exhibits relatively low host specificity and all amphibians occurring in the Pacific Northwest are potential hosts.

Between November 2012 and July 2013, 34 banded sculpins (Cottus carolinae) were collected from 5 counties of northern Arkansas and examined for helminths. Five (19%) were infected with 1 or more helminths, including 2 (6%) with the trematode Crepidostomum cooperi, 3 (9%) with the trematode Plagioporus sp., 1 (3%) with the nematode Spiroxys sp., and 1 (3%) with the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus tahlequahensis. One (3%) was concurrently infected with C. cooperi, Plagioporus sp., and Spiroxys sp. We document new host records for each of these helminths and 2 new distributional records for C. cooperi and A. tahlequahensis.

Seventy-five ground skinks, Scincella lateralis from 13 counties in Arkansas (n  =  55) and McCurtain County, Oklahoma (n  =  20) were collected and examined for helminth and arthropod parasites. Thirty-nine (52%) harbored 1 or more helminth or ectoparasite, including 3 (4%) with the trematode Brachycoelium salamandrae, 2 (3%) with the cestode Oochoristica eumecis, 2 (3%) with acuariid nematode larvae, 15 (20%) with the nematode Oswaldocruzia pipiens, 26 (35%) with the spirurid nematode Physaloptera squamatae, and 2 (3%) with ticks, Ixodes scapularis. Eleven (15%) were concurrently infected with P. squamatae and O. pipiens; O. eumecis and O. pipiens; B. salamandrae and larval acuariids; B. salamandrae and P. squamatae or O. pipiens; or I. scapularis and O. pipiens and/or P. squamatae. We document new host records for O. eumecis and acuariid larvae, and new distributional records are reported for O. eumecis, acuariid larvae, and P. squamatae. In addition, a summary of the helminth and arthropod parasites of S. lateralis is reported.

Aplectana uaehi n. sp., which inhabits the small intestine of Ambystoma velasci, the Plateau Tiger Salamander, collected from Lago de Tecocomulco, Hidalgo, Mexico, is described. This new species is distinguished from all other species of Aplectana in having 3 toothlike projections in the esophagus, each tooth bearing 3 ridges. The new species most closely resembles Aplectana hylambatis. The latter species also has 3 toothlike projections, but they are covered by a thick cuticle and each has a small cuticular spike that projects into the buccal cavity (Baker, 1980), features not present in members of Aplectana uaehi n. sp. In addition, the 2 species differ in the length of the spicules of males (240–350 µm vs. 320–520 µm, respectively) and the number of postcloacal papillae (4–6 pairs vs. 10 pairs, respectively). This record represents the first report of Aplectana in a member of the Order Caudata and is the first member of the genus found as a parasite of a species endemic to Mexico that is itself distributed in a restricted area of the Mexican Transition zone between the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.

Gyrodactylus corti Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967, originally described from captive wolf-eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) in California, was rediscovered during an outbreak of gyrodactylosis among captive A. ocellatus at a marine research facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The new material is used for a supplemental description of the parasite, including scanning electron microscopy of haptoral hard parts and molecular characterization of the internal transcribed spacer and partial 18S rDNA. The parasite is a member of Malmberg's Gyrodactylus perlucidus group, members of which have a marginal hook sickle with a distinct proximal base and distinct toe and ledge, anchors with a stout root and slender shaft and point, a ventral bar with medium-sized anterolateral processes and a prominent posterior membrane, and a male copulatory organ (MCO) with multiple rows of small spines that, for G. corti, are made up of spines of 2 distinct sizes, the smaller of the 2 occupying the outer row. This study suggests that this form of MCO is not homologous to the multi-rowed MCOs present in basal members of Gyrodactylus sensu lato and thus is independently derived. Related species, all from the North Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea, include G. perlucidus Bychowsky and Poljansky, 1953, from eelpout Zoarces viviparus and Z. v. elongates; Gyrodactylus errabundus Malmberg, 1970, also from Z. viviparous; and Gyrodactylus anarhichatis Mo and Lile, 1998, from Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus Ayres, 1855) and spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor). These parasites all appear to be members of a clade within Gyrodactylus whose common ancestor likely infected an ancestral Anarhichadidae host in the Pacific, having expanded into the Atlantic during the late Cenozoic and eventually colonized species of Zoarcidae. Although not adopted taxonomically, the presented molecular phylogeny provides strong support for Malmberg's subgenus Paranephrotus and its species groups.

Pentastomids are the most common endoparasite that infects the respiratory tracts of saurapsid reptiles, such as crocodilians. In this study we examined lung pentastomid parasitism in the American alligators, Alligator mississippiensis from northern Florida and southern Louisiana, U.S.A. (partitioned into the Louisiana West Zone and Louisiana East Zone) to determine the potential effects of alligator gender, size, and location on pentastomid distribution and abundance. In total, 1,405 lung pentastomids identified as Sebekia mississippiensis were found in 69 alligators (81.2% prevalence). Male alligators were found to have a higher pentastomid prevalence and intensity in comparison to females, which may be the effect of disparate life-history traits between the sexes and the larger size of males. Host size classes were found to be a significant trait influencing parasitism, as pentastomid prevalence and intensity increased in conjunction with alligator maturation. Our results also indicated that S. mississippiensis has a higher prevalence among Louisiana West Zone alligators, whereas the intensity was found to be higher among Florida alligators. Variation of intermediate host abundance is likely the primary cause for the differing pentastomid distribution among study locations. As such, these data further our understanding of the patterns of alligator pentastomiasis.

During an examination of a collection of Acanthocephala from the intestines of carangid fish from Australia 3 species of Gorgorhynchoides (Isthmosacanthidae), new to science, were found. These species differ from all congeners as follows: Gorgorhynchoides cribbi n. sp., described from Seriola hippos in Western Australia, has the anterior part of the proboscis lobulated and irregular tegumental plaques on the trunk; Gorgorhynchoides queenslandensis n. sp., described from Seriola lalandi in Queensland, has a suite of characters, including the largest hooks of the proboscis armature up to 105 µm in length and 2 fields of spines, with the second field comprising 1–2 rows of robust spines encircling the bulbous swelling of the trunk; Gorgorhynchoides gnathanodontos n. sp., from Gnathanodon speciosus and Caranx bucculentus in Queensland and Western Australia, has hooks 6–11 of the proboscis armature with manubria. A key to the species of Gorgorhynchoides is given.

Protomagalhaensia vipera n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Blabericolidae) is described from the orange-headed cockroach, Eublaberus posticus (Dictyoptera: Blattaria: Blaberidae: Blaberinae). The oocysts of P. vipera bear extended polar plates or apical corner spines similar to those of Protomagalhaensia granulosae, Protomagalhaensia wolfi, and Protomagalhaensia blaberae. In contrast, the oocysts of Protomagalhaensia richardsoni possess only slight or vestigial apical spines, and apical spines are absent entirely from the oocysts of Protomagalhaensia cerastes. The oocysts of P. vipera are shorter than those of P. wolfi and P. blaberae, but longer than those of P. granulosae (external oocyst length 7.29 µm vs. 7.56 µm, 7.42 µm, 6.87 µm, respectively). The sporozoite bearing cavity of P. vipera oocysts is significantly shorter than any other known species of Protomagalhaensia (internal oocyst length 5.62 µm). All 6 species are also distinguished by unique oocyst length/width ratios. The oocysts of P. vipera are more orbicular than any known species in the genus except P. granulosae. The gametocysts of P. vipera are significantly larger than those of any other known species in the genus (gametocyst length, 405 µm; width, 345 µm). No morphological gamontic feature allows distinction among species of Protomagalhaensia: Species discrimination is morphometric. In particular, satellite total length and satellite deutomerite length are unique and significantly different among species of Protomagalhaensia. The satellites of P. vipera are intermediate in size between P. wolfi and P. richardsoni in both satellite total length (725 µm vs. 523 µm, 798 µm, respectively) and satellite deutomerite length (669 µm vs. 468 µm, 733 µm, respectively).

Azygia aphredoderi n. sp. is described from the stomach of the pirate perch Aphredoderus sayanus (Aphredoderidae) collected from the Menard Creek Corridor Unit of the Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, U.S.A. The new species is similar to Azygia angusticauda in that the ventral sucker and gonads are placed posteriorly, characteristics that allow both species to be distinguished from all others in North America. Members of the new species are characterized by a ventral sucker that is larger than the oral sucker, small body size (<2 mm), small length-to-width ratio, and a forebody-to-hindbody ratio of nearly 1.0, all of which allow them to be distinguished from A. angusticauda.

Forty-five ocellated bronze skinks, Chalcides ocellatus (17 males, 26 females, and 2 juveniles), from eight localities in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey were examined for helminths. Forty-four hosts were infected with 1 or more species of helminth. One species of Digenea, Brachylaima sp. (metacercaria), 1 species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata, and 6 species of Nematoda, Parapharyngodon bulbosus, Pharyngodon inermicauda, Pharyngodon mamillatus, Skrjabinodon aegyptiacus, Spinicauda sonsinoi, and Moaciria icosiensis, were found. Chalcides ocellatus represents a new host record for Brachylaima sp. and Turkey is a new locality record for P. bulbosus, Ph. inermicauda, Ph. mamillatus, S. aegyptiacus, Sp. sonsinoi, and M. icosiensis.

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is probably the most widely distributed freshwater fish species and is cultured on almost all continents. In South America, studies on the parasites from C. carpio are limited. The aim of the present study was to report on the macroparasites from wild C. carpio populations inhabiting the Neuquen River, which is at the southernmost distribution of C. carpio in Argentina. From spring 2011 to winter 2012, four seasonal samples of C. carpio were collected from the Neuquen River at the Ingeniero Ballester dam using gill nets. Fish were dissected and all organs were examined using microscopy. All macroparasites were determined and counted and their prevalences and mean intensities calculated. In total, 33 fish were examined and the following six parasites were recorded: the monogeneans Dactylogyrus extensus (gills) and Pseudacolpenteron sp. (in the canals of the scales along the lateral line system); the cestode Bothriocephalus sp. (intestine); the nematode Contracaecum sp. (liver and visceral fat); and the acanthocephalans Pomphorhynchus patagonicus (intestine and liver) and Polymorphus sp. (liver and wall of intestine). The monogenean D. extensus was the most commonly encountered species and had the highest prevalence and mean intensity of all parasites detected. This study reports 6 new records of parasite species in C. carpio from Argentina.

The digestive tracts of 8 Sceloporus angustus, an island endemic of Baja California Sur, Mexico, were investigated for endoparasites. Lizards came from Santa Cruz Island. Five species of Nematoda were found: Parapharyngodon grismeri, Strongyluris similis, Thubunaea iguanae, Acuariidae gen. sp. (larvae in cysts), and a Physaloptera sp. (3rd stage larvae). These nematodes also occur on the mainland.

Forty-two individual amphibians and 37 reptiles from Arkansas, U.S.A., were examined for tetrathyridia of the cyclophyllidean cestode genus, Mesocestoides. The following herpetofauna were found to be infected with encapsulated or free tetrathyridia of this tapeworm, 1 of 25 (4%) spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum; 1 of 17 (6%) western slimy salamanders, Plethodon albagula; 1 of 21 (5%) 5-lined skinks, Plestiodon fasciatus; 1 of 5 (20%) black racers, Coluber constrictor priapus; 1 of 10 (10%), western rat snakes, Pantherophis obsoletus; and 1 of 1 (100%) eastern garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis. We report 6 new host records for Mesocestoides sp., including the fifth and sixth report of this parasite from caudate amphibians of the world. This is also only the second time this tapeworm has been reported from snakes of the genus Thamnophis.

We provide the first report of nematode parasites from the introduced American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in San Juan Province, Argentina. Sixteen individuals (7 adult females, 6 adult males, and 3 juveniles) of L. catesbeianus were studied. Thirteen (81.3%) of the frogs harbored 2 species of nematodes: larvae of Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda, Anisakidae) in the serosal surface of the stomach wall and at the gastroduodenal junction, and adults of Falcaustra sanjuanensis (Nematoda, Kathlaniidae) in the large intestine. Previous studies of introduced populations of American bullfrogs in Argentina have focused on population structure, trophic ecology, and their impacts on native amphibian and other vertebrate populations. More studies of their parasites need to be conducted in South America in general, and in Argentina specifically, in order to assess the extent to which bullfrogs either introduce new parasites or are infected by native parasites and to determine the potential impacts of nonnative parasites on native frog species.