In the southern Appalachian Mountains, U.S.A., the trematode Metagonimoides oregonensis, a parasite of raccoons and mink, primarily uses larvae of the salamander Desmognathus quadramaculatus as a second intermediate host. However, evidence suggests that a cryptic, sympatric species, Desmognathus folkertsi is parasitized at a very low level or not at all. We tested the hypothesis that Desmognathus marmoratus, which is phylogenetically a sister to D. folkertsi, also has a low infection rate. We collected larvae of sympatric D. quadramaculatus and D. marmoratus from a stream (Beech Creek) in Towns County, Georgia, U.S.A. Although prevalence and mean visible metacercariae were different in June, no difference was seen between the species in either measure of infection in August. Our results support earlier work that suggests that factors other than host phylogeny can be more important in influencing infection.

Fecal samples, collected in July 2020 and April–May 2021 from 17 Bryant's woodrats, Neotoma bryanti Merriam, from 3 sites in San Diego, Orange, and San Bernardino counties, California, were examined for coccidial parasites. Three of 8 (38%) woodrats from a single site in San Diego County were found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria albigulae Levine, Ivens, and Kruidenier, 1957. Subspheroidal oocysts measured (average length [L] × width [W]) 23.5 × 21.4 µm with an average L/W ratio of 1.1. A micropyle was absent, but an oocyst residuum as well as a single polar granule was present. Ovoidal sporocysts measured (average L × W) 10.1 × 7.5 µm with an L/W ratio average of 1.4. A nipple-like Stieda body was present, but sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of loosely packed granules between and around the sporozoites. This woodrat represents the sixth host to harbor this coccidian. We document a new host as well as a geographic distribution record for E. albigulae.

Two adult orange-striped ribbonsnakes, Thamnophis proximus proximus, were collected from northern Arkansas and examined for helminths. A single snake harbored 4 specimens of the pentastomid, Kiricephalus coarctatus. We document a new host as well as a new distributional record for the parasite. This is only the second time a species of pentastomid has been reported from the state in any host. A summary of ophidian hosts of K. coarctatus from the Western Hemisphere is included.

Nerocila fluviatilis Schiœdte and Meinert 1881 (Isopoda, Cymothoidea, Cymothoidae) is reported for the first time for a new host order of host, Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 (Actinopterygii, Mugiliformes, Mugilidae). Fish were collected in a coastal Atlantic lagoon in eastern Uruguay, Laguna de Rocha, and parasites were consistently restricted to the surface of caudal, anal, and paired fins. All stages of N. fluviatilis were found. Data on prevalence (6%), mean intensity of infestation (5.2), and size are provided for the first time for all stages of N. fluviatilis. An updated account of the geographic distribution and hosts of the isopod is given.

A survey of gill parasites was conducted in July 2019 on a small sample of cypress minnow, Hybognathus hayi Jordan, from Calion Lake, Union County, Arkansas (Ouachita River drainage). Six of 9 (67%) specimens harbored parasites, including ciliates Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876, and an undetermined Trichodina sp., a myxozoan, Myxobolus sp., and a monogenean, Dactylogyrus nuchalis Wood and Mizelle, 1957, in 2 (22%). Dactylogyrus hankinsoni Hanek, Molnar, and Fernando, 1975, was found in 3 (33%) of the host specimens. All 5 taxa of these gill-inhabiting parasites are reported for the first time from H. hayi, and the monogeneans are documented as new geographic distribution records in Arkansas.

Prosorhynchoides extenuatus n. sp. is described based on adult worms collected from the intestine of the chain pickerel, Esox niger Lesueur, 1818, from the Pascagoula River, Jackson County, Mississippi, U.S.A. Sequences of the ribosomal DNA from adult specimens (internal transcribed spacer region 2, and partial 28S ribosomal DNA gene) were identical to those of a cercaria developing in branched sporocysts within the Gulf wedge clam, Rangia cuneata (G. B. Sowerby I, 1832) and a metacercaria we collected from the threadfin shad, Dorosoma petenense (Günther, 1867) in the same river. The cercaria conforms to the description of bucephalid cercaria C Wardle, 1990, that was originally described from the same host in Texas, U.S.A. Novel sequence data are also provided for Prosorhynchoides potamoensis Curran & Overstreet, 2009, and Prosorhynchoides pusillus (Stafford, 1904) Margolis & Arthur, 1979. The 28S rDNA fragments from these species are aligned with bucephalid sequences available in GenBank and their relationships are analyzed using Bayesian inference analysis. The new species formed a branch within a clade of marine bucephalines, whereas P. potamoensis and P. pusillus branched within a clade of North American freshwater species currently classified in Bucephalinae and Paurorhynchinae. This study is the first to employ nucleotide-based evidence to demonstrate a 3-host life cycle from a North American bucephalid.

The yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis, is a common gull that exists in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Their broad diet makes them especially susceptible to a variety of helminths. We conducted a survey of intestinal helminths of L. michahellis to determine the diversity of intestinal parasites. Thirty-five yellow-legged gulls were necropsied, and helminths were examined via light microscopy. Twenty-three of 35 (65%) of hosts examined were infected with the following helminths: 6 Digenea species (Acanthotrema armata, Brachylaima aspersae, Cryptocotyle lingua, Diplostomum spathaceum, Knipowitschiatrema sp., and Stephanoprora denticulata); 5 Cestode species (Alcotaenia microcantha, Diphyllobothrium dentriticum, Microsomacanthus ductilis, Monopylidium galbulae, and Tetrabothrius erostris); and 2 Nematode species (Contracaecum rudolphii and Synhimanthus sp.). Herein, the intestinal parasite diversity of yellow-legged gulls from Turkey is reported, and new geographical records are documented.

We detected Neobenedenia girellae infections in 40 species belonging to 12 families of imported marine ornamental fish from a public aquarium in the Mexican state of Yucatan. A total of 348 fish specimens were examined for monogeneans in January 2018 to December 2020. Monogeneans were corroborated morphologically and molecularly with a partial sequence of 28S (region D1–D3) ribosomal DNA and analyzed in a molecular phylogenetic context in combination with other N. girellae sequences available in GenBank. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the specimen found consistently belonged to the N. girellae clade. High infection parameters were detected of N. girellae in most hosts. This identification is relevant to aquarists and aquaculturists in the Gulf of Mexico because N. girellae is considered highly pathogenic in confined fish. This work demonstrates that the importation of ornamental fish coupled with deficient sanitary measures (lack of quarantine areas in distribution centers) contributes to spread of parasites and their establishment within Mexico.

The Balkan donkey, Equus asinus, is an endangered indigenous breed that was once found in the wider area of the Balkan Peninsula, especially in the hilly and mountainous areas of Serbia. It is estimated that today there are about 1,000 of them left, mostly in animal genetic resources breeding centers. They are characterized by exceptional resistance to disease and, to date, have not been subject to disease prevention measures, including parasite control. Herein, we examined parasite species richness and prevalence of endoparasites in 60 adult donkeys of both sexes from 3 sites: Stara planina Nature Park (a mountainous region corresponding to the original habitat where this species was once bred); Zasavica Special Nature Reserve (a plain area at the mouth of the Zasavica in the Sava River), and Krčedinska ada (a marsh island on the Danube River near Novi Sad). We found the most prevalent parasites were Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (68% at Stara planina and 100% at the other 2 sites); Trichostrongylus axei (38% at Stara planina, 57% at Zasavica, and 86% at Krčedinska ada); Strongylus vulgaris (32% at Stara planina and 435% at Krčedinska ada); and Strongylus edentatus (57% at Zasavica and 14% at Krčedinska ada). In addition, we found Cyathostomum spp., Anoplocephala spp., Eimeria leuckarti, and Eimeria solipedum in smaller numbers.

Turtle acanthocephalans (genus Neoechinorhynchus) reside in the intestine of their definitive hosts and have been reported from a wide variety of turtle species. However, few reports exist of acanthocephalans in river cooters (Pseudemys concinna). We examined several eastern river cooters, P. c. concinna, from Arkansas and Oklahoma for acanthocephalans and generate the first sequence data for specimens of Neoechinorhynchus chrysemydis from this host. Molecular species identification was achieved by sequencing the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene and comparing it to ITS sequences for other species of Neoechinorhynchus from turtles and fishes available in GenBank. We also document a new state report for Neoechinorhynchus chrysemydis in Arkansas, as well as a new host record for N. chrysemydis in eastern river cooters in Oklahoma. Neoechinorhynchus chrysemydis appears to have relatively low host specificity among the species of turtle Neoechinorhynchus, and DNA sequencing can be a useful tool for investigating these host–parasite relationships.