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Clemacotyle australis (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the white-spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari (Rajiformes: Myliobatididae) on the Great Barrier Reef: redescription, emended generic diagnosis, and oncomiracidium.

Clemacotyle australis Young, 1967 from the branchial cavity of the type host, Aetobatis narinari, is redescribed based on new material from the type locality, Heron Island, Queensland, Australia. The generic diagnosis is emended to include details of the male copulatory complex. Oncomiracidia, hatched from eggs collected from C. australis, are noteworthy in the presence of diffuse pigment throughout the body and haptor.

Animals↗

Escherbothrium molinae n. gen. et n. sp. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea: Triloculariidae) in Urotrygon chilensis (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes: Urolophidae) from the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica.

Cestodes collected in spiral valves of the stingray Urotrygon chilensis from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica represent an undescribed species of Tetraphyllidea. By possessing more than 2 loculi as well as an apical sucker on each bothridium, the new species is diagnosably distinct from all other tetraphyllidean genera; therefore, a new genus is proposed for it. The new species also possesses globular structures irregularly arranged on the surface of the bothridia. We found similar structures on the bothridial faces of Trilocularia acanthiaevulgaris, possibly indicating phylogenetic relationships with the new species. This possibility is enhanced by the observation that the bothridia of T. acanthiaevulgaris comprise 2 loculi and an apical sucker, rather than 3 loculi.

Animals↗

Biological and biochemical properties of the Brazilian Potamotrygon stingrays: Potamotrygon cf. scobina and Potamotrygon gr. orbignyi.

Stingrays of the family Potamotrygonidae are widespread throughout river systems of South America that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. Some species are endemic to the most extreme freshwater environment of the Brazil and cause frequent accidents to humans. The envenomation causes immediate, local, and intense pain, soft tissue edema, and a variable extent of bleeding. The present study was carried out in order to describe the principal biological and some biochemical properties of the Brazilian Potamotrygon fish venoms (Potamotrygon cf. scobina and P. gr. orbignyi). Both stingray venoms induced significant edematogenic and nociceptive responses in mice. Edematogenic and nociceptive responses were reduced when the venom was incubated at 37 or 56 degrees C. The results showed striking augments of leukocytes rolling and adherent cells to the endothelium of cremaster mice induced by both venoms. The data also presented that injection of both venoms induced necrosis, low level of proteolytic activity, without inducing haemorrhage. But when the venoms of both stingray species were injected together with their mucus secretion, the necrotizing activity was more vigorous. The present study provided in vivo evidence of toxic effects for P. cf. scobina and P. gr. orbignyi venoms.

Animals↗

A new species of Acanthobothrium (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) from the ocellate river stingray, Potamotrygon motoro (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae), in Argentina.

Examination of the spiral intestines of 44 freshwater stingrays, Potamotrygon motoro, from tributary rivers of the Parana River in Argentina, allowed for the collection of specimens of an undescribed species of Acanthobothrium. Acanthobothrium ramiroi n. sp. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following characters: asymmetrical hooks (medial and lateral hooks conspicuously different in size and form, with axial prong of medial hooks stouter than abaxial prong), hook size (total length of medial hooks up to 242 microm, total length of lateral hooks up to 239 microm), bothridia not fused to the scolex proper at posterior ends, worm size (51-84 mm long), and the presence of a conspicuous vaginal sphincter. The new species is different from all other species of Acanthobothrium in freshwater potamotrygonids, except Acanthobothrium terezae, in having conspicuous asymmetrical hooks. The main differences that allow for the distinction between A. ramiroi and A. terezae include hook size, the way the bothridia are attached to the scolex proper, and the shape of the older gravid segments. The discovery of a new species of Acanthobothrium from a potamotrygonid extends our understanding of the diversity of the genus in freshwater stingrays in South America.

Animals↗

Pseudohexabothrium taeniurae n. sp. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) from the gills of Taeniura lymma (Dasyatididae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Pseudohexabothrium taeniurae n. sp. is proposed for a hexabothriid monogenean found on the gills of Taeniura lymma (Forsskål) off Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Pseudohexabothrium taeniurae is distinguished from Pseudohexabothrium rajae Brinkmann, 1952, the type and only species of the genus, by the morphology of the sucker sclerites and eggs, and by the size of the hamuli, pharynx, and the "false" oral sucker. The generic diagnosis of Pseudohexabothrium is revised. A phylogenetic analysis places Pseudohexabothrium as the sister group to the rest of the family except Hexabothrium.

Animals↗

Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from Rhinoraja longi (Chondrichthyes, Rajoidei) in the Bering Sea.

Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. from the spiral intestine of Rhinoraja longi in the Bering Sea, off the Aleutian Islands of Alaska is described. On the basis of the armature of the rostellum and cephalic peduncle the new species most closely resembles Echinobothrium acanthinophyllum, Echinobothrium acanthocolle, Echinobothrium coronatum and Echinobothrium helmymohamedi. Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. can be differentiated from all but E. coronatum by the possession of a continuous row of 27-36 lateral hooklets per side on the scolex and 21-26 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle. In E. acanthinophyllum there are fewer spines per row on the cephalic peduncle (13) and only 2 groups of 4 lateral hooklets per side instead of a continuous row of lateral hooklets; E. acanthocolle bears only 5 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle and has no lateral hooklets; E. helmymohamedi has 10-12 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle and bears no lateral hooklets. Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. can be distinguished from E. coronatum by number of spines per row on the cephalic peduncle (average 24 vs. 32) and testes number (17-23 vs. 9-11). The combined characters of 2 groups of 23-25 large apical hooks, a continuous alternating row of 27-36 hooklets on each side of the scolex between the groups of large apical hooks, 21-26 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle, and 17-23 testes per segment differentiates E. raschii from all other species of Echinobothrium. The prevalence of infection was 50% and mean intensity of infection was 8.7 worms per host. The current status of the genus Echinobothrium is discussed and a tabulation of the species presented.

Alaska↗

Identification of IGF-1 receptors in primitive vertebrates.

This is the first report of the existence of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) receptors in three representatives of lower vertebrates: the osteichtyes, chondrichtyes and cyclostomi. Competitive binding studies and affinity labelling of brain membranes from Cottus scorpius (sea scorpion), Raja clavata (ray) and Myxine glutinosa (atlantic hagfish) identified a mammalian type 1 or IGF-1 receptor by its binding specificity and the molecular size of its alpha-subunit. IGF-1 and IGF-2 are almost equally potent in displacing receptor-bound 125I-IGF-1 or 125I-IGF-2, and the proteins labeled with both tracers have a molecular size of 100,000-120,000 under reducing conditions. There was no evidence for the presence of a mammalian type 2 or IGF-2/mannose 6-phosphate receptor in brains of Cottus, Raja or Myxine. In all three species the binding of 125I-IGF-1 and 125I-IGF-2 was significantly higher in brain compared with liver and gastrointestinal tract, and the IGF-1 receptor could only be identified with certainty in Raja liver. It is concluded that the brain of three lower vertebrates express mammalian IGF-1 receptors, whereas IGF-2-mannose 6-phosphate receptors could not be detected.

Affinity Labels↗

Fish otolith mass asymmetry: morphometry and influence on acoustic functionality.

The role of the fish otolith mass asymmetry in acoustic functionality is studied. The saccular, lagenar and utricular otoliths are weighted in two species of the Black Sea rays, 15 species of the Black Sea teleost fish and guppy fish. The dimensionless otolith mass asymmetry chi is calculated as ratio of the difference between masses of the right and left paired otoliths to average otolith mass. In the most fish studied the otolith mass asymmetry is within the range of -0.2 < chi < +0.2 (< 20%). We do not find specific fish species with extremely large or extremely small otolith asymmetry. The large otoliths do not belong solely to any particular side, left or right. The heavier otoliths of different otolithic organs can be located in different labyrinths. No relationship has been found between the magnitude of the otolith mass asymmetry and the length (mass, age) of the animal. The suggested fluctuation model of the otolith growth can interpret these results. The model supposes that the otolith growth rate varies slightly hither and thither during lifetime of the individual fish. Therefore, the sign of the relative otolith mass asymmetry can change several times in the process of the individual fish growth but within the range outlined above. Mathematical modeling shows that acoustic functionality (sensitivity, temporal processing, sound localization) of the fish can be disturbed by the otolith mass asymmetry. But this is valid only for the fish with largest otolith masses, characteristic of the bottom and littoral fish, and with highest otolith asymmetry. For most fish the values of otolith mass asymmetry is well below critical values. Thus, the most fish get around the troubles related to the otolith mass asymmetry. We suggest that a specific physicochemical mechanism of the paired otolith growth that maintains the otolith mass asymmetry at the lowest possible level should exist. However, the principle and details of this mechanism are still far from being understood.

Animals↗

Origins, diversification, and historical structure of the helminth fauna inhabiting neotropical freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae).

Members of the freshwater stingray family Potamotrygonidae occur throughout the major river systems of eastern South America that empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Ichthyologists have tended to assume that the ancestor of the potamotrygonids was an Atlantic marine or euryhaline stingray that dispersed into freshwater, presumably during the last marine ingression 3-5 million years ago. The helminth parasites that inhabit potamotrygonids suggest an alternative perspective on their origin. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of the helminths inhabiting potamotrygonids suggest that the hosts are derived from an ancestral Pacific urolophid stingray that was trapped in freshwater by the uplifting of the Andes beginning perhaps as early as the early Cretaceous period and ending by the mid-Miocene epoch, changing the course of the Amazon River, which previously had flowed into the Pacific Ocean.

Animals↗

Towards understanding the evolutionary origins and early diversification of rearranging antigen receptors.

The rearranging antigen binding receptors, immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) and light (IgL) chains and the four classes of T-cell antigen receptors (TCR) are found in all contemporary species of jawed vertebrates examined thus far. Ig genes have undergone marked changes in organization and mechanisms of diversification during vertebrate phylogeny; whereas TCR genes, which are found in species as phylogenetically removed as man and cartilaginous fishes (e.g. skate), are generally similar in terms of structure, diversification and, presumably, function. The patterns of Ig divergence in cartilaginous fish are informative as to both the potential for genetic variation and the mechanisms that bring about such change. No evidence has been found for homologs of either Ig, TCR, recombination activating gene (RAG)1 or RAG2 in jawless vertebrates or invertebrates. Thus, a phylogenetic demarcation exists in terms of the presence and absence of the rearranging antigen binding receptor genes. It is presumed that the rearranging antigen binding receptors arose from a non-rearranging predecessor. The recent discovery of non-rearranging homologs of antigen binding receptor genes in several species offers insight into alternative forms of recognition, relationships between adaptive and innate mechanisms of immunity, and the origins of antigen recognition.

Animals↗

Electronmicroscopical, immunohistochemical, immunocytochemical and biological evidence for the occurrence of cardiac hormones (ANP/CDD) in chondrichthyes.

As representatives of the vertebrate class of chondrichthyes the plagostomian species Squalus acanthias, Scyliorhinus canicula and Raja clavata as well as the holocephalan species Chimaera monstrosa were investigated for the presence of cardiac hormones of the atrial natriuretic polypeptide/cardiodilatin- (ANP/CDD-) family. ANP/CDD-immunoreactive cells were detected in the atria and the ventricles of all species studied. While these cells failed to react with antisera raised against the N-terminus of CDD-126 (= gamma-ANP) they reacted with all antisera directed against sequences of the C-terminus of CDD-126 (CDD 99-126) which is identical to alpha-ANP. The ANP/CDD-immunoreactive cells were found in high numbers in all regions of the atria and in moderate density also in the ventricles. In correspondence, in the electron microscope, myoendocrine cells which were characterized by dense-cored secretory granules were identified in the atrial and ventricular myocardium. With the use of the protein A-gold technique, ANP/CDD-immunoreactivity was determined within the secretory granules. Furthermore, in the bioassay, prepurified extracts of the atria and the ventricles of Scyliorhinus and Chimaera exerted dose-dependent relaxations of the pre-contracted mammalian (rabbit) aorta. In both cases the atrial extracts proved to be more potent than the ventricular extracts. The present findings indicate that myoendocrine cells occur in the atria and ventricles of chondrichthyes and that these cells contain homologous cardiac hormones of the ANP/CDD-family in their secretory granules. The results are compared with those obtained earlier for the other vertebrate classes and their phylogenetic and functional significance is discussed.

Animals↗

A comparison of the anterior adhesive system in the oncomiracidium and adult of the monogenean parasite Menizocotyle icopae (Monocotylidae).

The anterior adhesive system of the oncomiracidium and adult of Merizocotyle icopae (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) were compared. The oncomiracidium has one ventrally placed aperture on either side of the head near the anterior extremity. In the adult, there are three ventrally placed apertures on either side of the head region. Both systems have three types of electron-dense secretory bodies opening into each aperture. A rod-shaped secretion (S1) and a small electron dense ovoid secretion (S2) are common to larvae and adults. The third secretion type differs: in adults, it is a large, spherical (S3) type but in larvae, it is an ovoid (S4) body. S4 bodies do occur in adults, but appear to be secreted as a general body secretion. An additional anteromedian secretion (S5) is also present in the oncomiracidium, but is not secreted into the anterior apertures. Homology and function of secretions are discussed.

Adhesiveness↗

Photoreceptor processes in visual adaptation.

In this paper we have stressed two experimental results in need of explanation: (i) the reduced efficacy with which (remaining, abundant) rhodopsin in the light-adapted receptor mediates the flash response; and (ii) the disparity in conditions of irradiation (weak background vs. extensive bleaching) leading to equivalent conditions of threshold. The model discussed above suggests, in molecular terms, a possible basis for both properties of receptor adaptation. On the view developed here, property (i) derives from the ability of photoactivated or bleached pigment (R or B) to restrict dramatically the availability of a substance required for phototransduction. Property (ii) derives in large part from the pronounced disparity in the effectiveness of R (during illumination) and B (remaining after illumination) in reducing the availability of this substance. On this view, the "equivalence" of threshold elevation in states of light- vs. dark-adaptation derives from an overall equality of a product of factors (Q, Etot/Es, and J of equation 2). Under all but extreme conditions, this aggregate of factors is dominated by the term Etot/Es, reflecting the functional state of E.

Animals↗

Invasion of the shovelnose ray (Rhinobatos typus) by Neoheterocotyle rhinobatidis and Merizocotyle icopae (Monogenea: Monocotylidae).

This study examined the route of infection by free-swimming larvae of 2 monocotylid monogeneans that inhabit the gills (Neoheterocotyle rhinobatidis) and the nasal tissue (Merizocotyle icopae) of the shovelnose ray, Rhinobatos typus, from Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Larvae of N. rhinobatidis and M. icopae attached directly to the gills and the nasal tissue of the ray, respectively, and did not first settle on the skin. Initial development of the post-oncomiracidium of N. rhinobatidis was rapid and hamuli formed between 6 and 24 h p.i. at a mean temperature of 26 degrees C. However, growth then slowed markedly and was variable; only 2 fully mature individuals were found 20 days p.i. at a mean temperature of 24.5 degrees C. Development of M. icopae was slow and variable throughout; hamuli did not appear until 10 days p.i. and no mature individuals were obtained even 22 days p.i. at a mean temperature of 24.5 degrees C. No character could be found as an indicator of parasite age for N. rhinobatidis or M. icopae due to the high variability in development in both species.

Animals↗