Collection of new specimens of Uncibilocularis from stingrays in Madagascar and Australia allowed for a revision of the genus. Based on their possession of triloculated, rather than biloculated bothridia, 5 species with bipronged hooks currently assigned to Uncibilocularis are transferred to Acanthobothrium. Four new species of Uncibilocularis are described. These are Uncibilocularis loreni n. sp. from Pastinachus cf. sephen in Madagascar, Uncibilocularis okei n. sp. from Pastinachus cf. sephen in Australia, and Uncibilocularis sidocymba n. sp. and Uncibilocularis squireorum n. sp., both from Himantura uarnak also in Australia. These species differ from one another, and from the 7 existing species remaining in the genus, in testis number, total length, bothridial and hook length, terminal proglottid proportions, degree of degeneration of testes in the terminal proglottid, and whether blade-like spiniform microtriches are present on their proximal bothridial surfaces. This brings the total number of species of Uncibilocularis to 11. The 6 species known from India are considered nomina dubia until a description of each is more completely and accurately rendered. The diagnosis of Uncibilocularis is emended.

New collections of tapeworms from the spiral intestine of the spotted estuary smooth-hound shark, Mustelus lenticulatus, in New Zealand led to the discovery of a species that appeared to be conspecific with specimens identified by Alexander (1963) as Calliobothrium eschrichti. Study of these newly collected specimens and some of Alexander's voucher material indicated that the species is new to science. Of the 15 described species in this genus, Calliobothrium schneiderae n. sp. differs from all but Calliobothrium barbarae, C. eschrichti, Calliobothrium leuckarti, and Calliobothrium hayhowi in that it is a small-bodied species that is nonlaciniate and lacks an accessory piece between the bases of its axial hooks. It differs from C. barbarae in testis number, total length, number of proglottids, and ovary shape, and differs from C. eschrichti in total length and vitelline follicle distribution. The new species also differs from C. leuckarti in total length and number of testes. It most closely resembles C. hayhowi, but differs in hook size and oncosphere packaging. The criterion suggested by Caira (1985) to distinguish axial from abaxial hooks is modified to include axial hooks being posterior in position, to accommodate species, such as C. schneiderae n. sp., in which the abaxial hooks in a pair articulate with one another along the longitudinal axis of the bothridium, rather than with their respective axial hooks. Examination of a specimen Alexander identified as Calliobothrium verticillatum suggests that this identification may also be in error, and that this large lacinate specimen of Calliobothrium also represents a new species.

A survey of adults of gryporhynchid tapeworms (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from herons and related fish-eating birds (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae and Threskiornithidae) along the Atlantic coast of Mexico from Tamaulipas to Yucatán is presented, based on the taxonomic evaluation of freshly collected specimens. They belong to the following 16 species (taxa reported as adults from Mexico for the first time are marked with an asterisk): Cyclustera capito (Rudolphi, 1819); Cyclustera ibisae (Schmidt and Bush, 1972); Dendrouterina ardeae (Rausch, 1955); *Dendrouterina (?) fuhrmanni (Clerc, 1906); D. (?) papillifera (Fuhrmann, 1908); *Dendrouterina pilherodiae Mahon, 1956; Glossocercus auritus (Rudolphi, 1819); *Glossocercus caribaensis (Rysavy and Macko, 1973); *Glossocercus cyprinodontis Chandler, 1935; *Glossocercus sp.; Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus (Wedl, 1855); *Paradilepis sp.; Parvitaenia cochlearii Coil, 1955; *Valipora campylancristrota (Wedl, 1855); *Valipora minuta (Coil, 1950); and Valipora mutabilis Linton, 1927. Glossocercus cyprinodontis, the type-species of the genus, and Parvitaenia cochlearii are first recorded since their original descriptions (the former species for the first time as an adult tapeworm), and adults of Valipora campylancristrota are reported from the Americas for the first time. Rostellar hooks of all species from different hosts and strobilar morphology of selected taxa are described, and data on the spectrum of definitive hosts, which include numerous new host records, are provided.

Equinurbia blakei n. sp. is described based on adult female specimens from the colon of the African forest elephant, Loxodonta cyclotis (Matschie, 1900) collected in the Central African Republic, Africa. The newly described species differs from the only other representative of the genus, Equinurbia sipunculiformis (Baird, 1859), in having fewer external and internal leaf crown elements (46 of each vs. 50–58 in E. sipunculiformis). Several morphometric measurements also differ between E. blakei n. sp. and E. sipunculiformis. Equinurbia blakei n. sp. is the first Equinurbia species described from Loxodonta and from Africa.

During November 2000, a collection of acanthocephalans from 6 species of birds in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, included 4 new species. The new taxa described included 1 in Archiacanthocephala (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae): Mediorhynchus lanius n. sp. from Lanius schach Linnaeus (long-tailed shrike) and 3 in Palaeacanthocephala (Polymorphida: Plagiorhynchidae): Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) digiticephalus n. sp. from Porzana fusca Linnaeus (ruddy-breasted crake), Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) megareceptaclis n. sp. from Gallinago gallinago Linnaeus (common snipe) and Myophonus coeruleus (Scopoli) (whistling thrush), and Porrorchis tyto n. sp. from Gorsachius melanolophus Raffles (Malayan night-heron) and Tyto sp. (barn owl). Comparisons with related taxa were made, and host relationships were discussed where applicable.

Gregarina tropica n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinorida) is described from the brown-winged earwig, Vostox brunneipennis (Dermaptera: Labiidae) collected from the Turkey Creek Unit, Big Thicket National Preserve, Tyler County, Texas, U.S.A. We review the morphometric data and nomenclatural status of the 8 previously described species of Gregarina infecting earwigs and recognize 7 valid species: Gregarina ovata, Gregarina nalae, Gregarina megaspora, Gregarina ambigua, Gregarina fallax, Gregarina chelidurellae, and Gregarina labidurae. Although apparently valid taxa, the latter 3 species are very poorly described and thus considered species inquirendae pending new collections and redescription. Gregarina forficulae is recognized as a junior synonymy of G. ovata.

Two freshwater fish species, Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis mossambicus, were collected from pans, dry-season pools, and tributaries of the Save and Runde rivers in the southeastern lowveld of Zimbabwe from December 2004 until June 2006. Helminth parasites infecting these fish were isolated from the gills, skin, muscles, body cavity, gall bladder, stomach, and intestines and were examined microscopically. Adult helminths were collected from the darter, Anhinga melanogaster, a piscivorous bird, to compare and possibly link them to the larvae recovered from fish. Stomach contents of the birds were analyzed, and their prey fish species were identified. Larval helminths collected include digenean metacercariae (clinostomes and strigeids), larval cestodes (gryporhynchids), and juvenile nematodes (Contracaecum). Adult worms include the monogeneans Macrogyrodactylus clarii, Macrogyrodactylus karibae, and Macrogyrodactylus congolensis; the digenean Clinostomum complanatum; the nematodes Paracamallanus cyathopharynx, Contracaecum rudolphi, Contracaecum multipapillatum, and Contracaecum rodhaini; and the cestodes Polyonchobothrium clarias and Echinorhynchotaenia tritesticulata. Many of these observations are the first record of that particular parasite species in Zimbabwe or southern Africa. Morphological measurements were made and compared with the original species description, and some unique morphological features are here described.

A variety of amphibian (2 salamanders, 4 frogs, and 2 toads) and reptilian (3 turtles, 2 lizards, and 5 snakes) species and subspecies from 11 counties of Arkansas and 6 counties of Texas were collected during several months between 1968 and 2004 and examined for endoparasites. Twenty previously described parasite species were found, including 2 myxozoans, 7 trematodes, 1 cestode, and 10 nematodes. We document 18 new host and 18 new geographic distribution records for these select parasites.

Ten species of brachycephalid frogs from Costa Rica, Craugastor crassidigitus, Craugastor fitzingeri, Craugastor gollmeri, Craugastor melanostictus, Craugastor ranoides, Craugastor taurus, Craugastor underwoodi, Eleutherodactylus caryophyllaceus, Eleutherodactylus cruentus, Eleutherodactylus ridens, were examined for helminths. Found were 2 species of Digenea, Gorgoderina megacetabularis, Mesocoelium monas; 1 species of Cestoda, Cylindrotaenia americana; 13 species of Nematoda: adults of Aplectana incerta, Aplectana itzocanensis, Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Falcaustra costaricae, Hedruris heyeri, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Oswaldocruzia costaricensis, Oxyascaris mcdiarmidi, Rhabdias savagei, larva of Physaloptera sp. and Porrocaecum sp., and 2 species of Acanthocephala, Anuracanthorhynchus lutzi and the second species represented by centrorhynchid cystacanths. Mean number of helminth species per infected frog species was 5.0 ± 0.9 SE (range 2–10). The supracommunity of Costa Rican brachycephalid frogs is discussed. Forty-seven new host records are reported. A helminth list for each species studied is established.

The Green sea turtle leech, Ozobranchus brachiatus, infected a moribund hawksbill sea turtle (Eretomochelys imbricata) posthatchling juvenile at Farjardo, Puerto Rico. It usually infects green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, and has not been reported from wild E. imbriata. A superinfection of the loggerhead sea turtle leech, Ozobranchus margoi, occurred on a stranded E. imbricata at Vieques Island, causing sea turtle leech erosion disease (SLED). We name and describe this disease for the first time. Ozobranchus margoi usually infects loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, and has not previously been reported either from the West Indies or confirmed from wild hawksbill sea turtles. In Barbados, O. margoi was first associated with a nesting female E. imbricata in 1997, and has been seen in other individuals since. SLED has not previously been reported from wild sea turtles or from the West Indies.

Ectoparasites were collected from 32 wild spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) trapped in the Tuggolo State Forest, New South Wales, Australia, during February and March 2005. Species collected included 2 ixodid ticks, 2 sarcoptiform mites, and 5 fleas from the families Pygiopsyllidae and Stephanocircidae. The presence of a mange-like skin condition was observed in several of the animals during trapping, evidenced by pruritic dermatitis and alopecia on the limbs, tail, rump, and face. A biopsy taken of the muzzle region of a male quoll displaying mange-like features and subsequent histological examination revealed the presence of marked acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and eosinophilic infiltration. Uropsylla tasmanica larvae were observed encapsulated by collagenous fibrous tissue. Dasyurochirus nr. major mites encapsulated in eggs were also observed attached to hair on the skin surface of the biopsy material. The histological evidence supports the proposition that the mange-like condition is the combined result of multiple ectoparasite infestations and environmental stressors.

About 2,000 specimens of the quadrigyrid acanthocephalan Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) tilapiae (Baylis, 1948) were collected from 9 species of cichlid fish hosts (Cichlidae: Perciformes) in 7 different sites in Lake Malawi, Africa, during September 2005. New host records are noted in 5 species, Labeotropheus trewavasae (Fryer), Melanochromis vermivorus (Trewavas), Nimbochromis polystigma (Regan), Tropheops microstoma (Trewavas), and Rhamphochromis sp. (Regan). High prevalence of A. tilapiae was observed in all host species analyzed. The parasite manages to infect its cichlid hosts, despite their distinct trophic specializations. Nevertheless, significant variation in parasite load was detected between sympatrically occurring rock-dwelling (mbuna) cichlids, with Pseudotropheus zebra (Boulenger) showing the most heavy infections. In addition, significant variation in parasite burden was detected between sampling locations, but host gender and weight did not explain significant variation in the numbers of A. tilapiae individuals. Differential exposure to parasites and host susceptibility may explain the marked variation in parasite abundance among cichlid hosts. Worms appear to be recruited in the summer, develop and mature through the winter, and reproduce sexually in late winter and spring.

Costs associated with the production of epigamic characters might make them honest indicators of a male's fitness. The Hamilton–Zuk hypothesis suggests epigamic characters might be indicators of a male's heritable resistance to parasites, predicting a negative correlation between parasite abundance and the elaboration of epigamic characters. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the epigamic characters of 35 male wild turkeys from a zone of Rio Grande (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) and Eastern (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) subspecies hybridization revealed variation in characters that covaried with body size (beard length and spur size) and characters that varied independent of body size (snood length and skullcap width), which have the potential for indicating heritable resistance. None of the PCA axes was correlated with mean enteric helminth abundances, suggesting that helminth parasites are not affecting the vigor of male wild turkeys in southeastern Kansas, U.S.A., and apparently, have not exerted selective pressure in the recent past to advertise resistance.

Eugregarines are typically distinguished using characters, such as epimerite morphology, trophozoite morphometrics, timing of reproductive association, gametocyst morphology, and method of dehiscence. In some cases, new gregarine species have been recognized based solely on host associations, whereas other gregarine species have been reported from several host taxa. We used reciprocal cross-species experimental infections and in vitro excystation assays to evaluate the host specificity of 5 species of eugregarines among 6 species of cockroaches: Protomagalhaensia granulosae Peregrine, 1970, and Gregarina cubensis Peregrine, 1970, described from Blaberus discoidalis, (death's head cockroach); Leidyana migrator Clopton, 1995, described from Gromphadorhina portentosa (Madagascar hissing cockroach); and Protomagalhaensia wolfi (Geus, 1969) Hays and Clopton, 2006, and Leidyana haasi (Gues, 1969) Hays and Clopton, 2006 infecting Nauphoeta cinerea (lobster cockroach). Eugregarines have not been reported from the other species of cockroaches used in this study: Blaberus giganteus (giant death's head cockroach), Henschoutedenia flexivitta (giant lobster cockroach), and Diploptera punctata (Pacific beetle mimic). Experimental infections were produced in all homologous host–parasite combinations. With the exception of 1 host–gregarine combination, no infection was produced in heterologous reciprocal combinations. Excystation occurred in all instances when oocysts were placed in homologous host gut homogenate but excystation was never observed in heterologous host gut homogenate.

Over 9 mo, 2,280 cestodes were collected and identified from 35 raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Archer and Wichita counties of north-central Texas. Overall prevalence of total cestode species was 71.4%. Three taxa of tapeworms were identified, including Atriotaenia procyonis, Mesocestoides sp., and immature Taenia pisiformis. This is the first record of the genus Taenia from P. lotor in North America. Atriotaenia procyonis was the most prevalent cestode, comprising 86.9% of all cestodes found in P. lotor. The number and species of cestodes found were compared by host sex, weight, age, and season of capture. Season of capture played an important role in the total number and species of cestodes isolated from the hosts, with the winter season having significantly lower counts than summer. Mesocestoides sp. was most abundant in spring and winter, whereas A. procyonis was most abundant in summer, although mixed infections were apparent. Host weight and sex played no significant role in the number or species of cestodes found. Host age class played no significant role in total cestode or in A. procyonis counts but was marginally significant regarding Mesocestoides sp. counts. The seasonal differences in number of A. procyonis and Mesocestoides sp. is likely due to seasonal fluctuation in intermediate host abundance and may reflect the seasonal shifting of foraging habits of raccoons in north-central Texas.

The immunobiology of acanthocephaliasis was investigated using the model of Moniliformis moniliformis in experimentally infected, female Wistar rats. Serum was collected before infection and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 wk postinfection (PI). Marked eosinophilia was evident at wk 1 PI and persisted for the 8 wk. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) M was first detected at wk 2 PI, remained relatively steady during wk 2–6, and then increased dramatically between wk 6 and 8. Serum IgG levels increased steadily from wk 4 to wk 8 PI. Serum IgE, interleukin 4 (IL-4), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were not detected. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis revealed consistently high antigenicity for 4 proteins of approximately 46–52, 70–78, 80–99, and 125–150 kDa that correspond to M. moniliformis proteins of 46–50, 72–78, 99, and 140 kDa, respectively, seen on SDS-PAGE. Subcutaneous injection of rats with somatic products or excretory–secretory products at 1 or 5 mg protein/kg respectively, resulted in an IgG response similar to that evoked by infection with M. moniliformis. Although a dramatic humoral immune response was mounted by rats against M. moniliformis, the response did not appear to be protective, as evidenced by egg output and worm number, size, and location.

Larval trematodes were surveyed from 371 terrestrial gastropods representing 10 species collected in 2007 from 2 localities in southeastern Nebraska, U.S.A. Metacercariae of Brachylaima thompsoni occurred in Neohelix albolabris and Webbhelix multilineata; metacercariae of Leucochloridium variae occurred in Novisuccinea ovalis; metacercariae of Panopistus pricei occurred in N. ovalis, N. albolabris, and W. multilineata; and metacercariae of Postharmostomum helicis occurred in Anguispira alternata, Euchemotrema leai, and W. multilineata. Deroceras laeve, Glyphyalinia indentata, Lehmannia valentiana, Limax maximus, and Nesovitrea electrina were not infected. Shrews (Blarina hylophaga), deer mice (Peromyscus leucopus), and hispid pocket mice (Chaetodipus hispidus) were collected from the same localities, with B. hylophaga harboring adults of B. thompsoni and P. pricei, and P. leucopus parasitized by adults of B. thompsoni and P. helicis. New host records include B. hylophaga as definitive host for B. thompsoni and P. pricei, and E. leai as second-intermediate host of P. helicis. Survey data of trematodes from terrestrial gastropods in Nebraska from a previously unpublished dissertation are also presented.

Larvae of 2 species of gryporhynchid tapeworms (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) were found in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) from Mozambique, Africa. Metacestodes of Parvitaenia samfyia Mettrick, 1967, a species never reported since the original description of its adults from herons (Ardeidae) in Zambia were found in the intestinal wall, whereas larvae of an unidentified species of Cyclustera Fuhrmann, 1901, closely resembling Cyclustera magna (Baer, 1959), a species with larvae previously reported from Tillapia zillii (Gervais) in Africa, were encapsulated in the liver of carp. Larval stages of both gryporhynchids are reported from fish for the first time. The present findings of metacestodes in common carp provide evidence that this economically important fish, which is nonnative in Africa and was introduced for aquaculture, may become infected with larvae of native gryporhynchid cestodes. The morphology of both species is described and their rostellar hooks, which are crucial for species identification of metacestodes, are illustrated.

A total of 126 juvenile brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, were collected in 2005 and 2006 from 4 Maryland creeks (Little Bear Creek, Blue Lick Run, Little Fishing Creek, and Puzzley Run) and examined for parasites. The trematode, Crepidostomum cooperi, and nematode, Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum, were found in trout in all creeks. A cestode, Eubothrium salvelini, and another nematode, Rhabdochona cotti, infrequently infected Little Bear Creek trout. No other parasites were found. Prevalences and mean intensities of C. cooperi in trout from Little Bear Creek and Blue Lick Run (main study locations) were 96%, 68%, 20.5, and 7.2; and those values for C. ephemeridarum in Little Bear Creek and Blue Lick Run were 88%, 70%, 22.5, and 6.6, respectively. One-year-old trout had the same or higher prevalences and mean intensities of C. cooperi than young-of-the-year trout at both creeks. This was also true for C. ephemeridarum in trout from Little Bear Creek. The mean parasite species richness values in all examined trout for each location was Little Bear Creek (1.96), Blue Lick Run (1.38), Little Fishing Creek (2.0), and Puzzley Run (1.35). The low number of parasite species infecting juvenile trout in these Maryland creeks is similar to the low number of parasite species found in juvenile brook trout from Michigan creeks.

Brachygalaxias bullocki (Regan, 1908) is a fish species endemic to Chile, and its distribution is restricted from Concepción to Chiloé Island. A survey conducted during January 2007, involving 26 fish from the Maullín River in Southern Chile, shows that infracommunities richness ranged from 0 to 5 with a mean species richness of 2.3 (SD = 1.3). Nine species of parasites were recorded, and 8 constitute new records of parasites for B. bullocki: Ichthyophthirius sp., Trichodina sp., Epistylididae, Myxobolus sp., Myxidium sp., Tylodelphys sp., Stephanoprora uruguayense, and Diplodon chilensis.

In total, 14 species of helminths (4 trematodes, 8 cestodes, 1 nematode, 1 acanthocephalan) were recovered from 22 long-billed dowitchers, Limnodromus scolopaceus, in eastern Montana. All 22 birds were infected, and species richness ranged from 2 to 6 (mean 3.1). Nine species of helminths (2 trematodes, 7 cestodes) were recovered from 10 short-billed dowitchers, Limnodromus griseus, from Bristol Bay, Alaska. All 10 birds were infected, and species richness ranged from 1 to 5 (mean 3.2). The helminth faunas of both species of dowitchers were dominated by cestodes, including Shipleya inermis and 5 species of Aploparaksis, common to both species of host. Aploparaksis parabirulai is reported for the first time from North America and from L. scolopaceus.

Nine specimens of Schneider's skink, Novoeumeces schneideri (Linstow, 1897) Baylis, 1923 were collected during April 2005 from Marsa Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, and examined for helminths. More than 100 individuals of the oxyurid nematode, Pharyngodon mamillatus, were recovered from the rectum of all 9 (100%) hosts (intensity = 5 to 15). Additional morphological information of the excretory pore, vulva, eggs, and lips were revealed using scanning electron microscopy.

Two hundred eighty-one stool samples were comparatively examined for the presence of ova of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, and Trichuris trichiura using the traditional Kato–Katz technique and Ovassay® Plus (Synbiotics Corp., San Diego, California) with a sodium nitrate solution to test the hypothesis that use of a commercially available flotation kit would provide a faster, cleaner, and more effective means of detecting geohelminth infections in human helminthological surveys than the traditionally used Kato–Katz direct-smear technique. Fecal flotation was as effective as Kato–Katz in detection of ova of Ascaris lumbricoides; however, it was not as effective in detecting ova of Trichuris trichiura. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hookworm infection revealed by the 2 techniques when Kato–Katz preparations were viewed within an hour of preparation; however, after 1 hr, the effectiveness of Kato–Katz in the detection of hookworm ova declined significantly.