DOCSLIB.ORG

Nematodes and Acanthocephalans of Raccoons (Procyon Lotor}, with a New Geographical Record for Centrorhynchus Conspectus (Acanthocephala) in South Carolina, U.S.A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nematodes and Acanthocephalans of Raccoons (Procyon Lotor}, with a New Geographical Record for Centrorhynchus Conspectus (Acanthocephala) in South Carolina, U.S.A J. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. 66(2), 1999 pp. 11 1-114 Nematodes and Acanthocephalans of Raccoons (Procyon lotor}, with a New Geographical Record for Centrorhynchus conspectus (Acanthocephala) in South Carolina, U.S.A. MICHAEL J. YABSLEY AND GAYLE PITTMAN NoBLET1 Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-1903, U.S.A. (e-- mail: [email protected]; [email protected]) ABSTRACT: From April 1997 through April 1998, 128 raccoons (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus)) collected from 7 sites representing 4 physiographic areas in South Carolina were examined for gastrointestinal helminth parasites. Four species of nematodes (Gnathostoma procyonis (Chandler), Physaloptera rara Hall and Wigdor, Arthroce- phahis lotoris (Schwartz), and Molineus barhatus Chandler) and 2 species of acanthocephalans (Macracantho- rhynchus ingens (von Linstow) and Centrorhynchus conspectus Van Cleave and Pratt) were collected. The finding of 11 immature C. conspectus in 3 South Carolina raccoons represents a new geographical record for this species. KEY WORDS: Centrorhynchus conspectus, raccoon, Procyon lotor, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, helminths, Gnathostoma procyonis, Physaloptera rara, Arthrocephalus lotoris, Molineus barbatus, Macracanthorhynchus ingens, South Carolina, U.S.A. The raccoon (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) farm areas of Horry County (Lower Coastal Plains is an omnivore that ranges over most of North North, LCPN); Site 4 included both beach and wooded habitats in the tourist area of Myrtle Beach, Horry America and occurs in both rural and urban set- County (LCPN); Site 5 was a swamp located on the tings. Consequently, the range of zoonoses for Savannah River in Hampton County (Lower Coastal raccoons is important in assessing risk to hu- Plains South, LCPS); and Sites 6 and 7 were both on mans and domestic animals. In South Carolina, barrier islands located in Charleston County (LCPS). John's Island (Site 6), next to and continuous with the only limited studies on helminth parasites of rac- mainland at times of low tide, is primarily forest and coons have been reported previously (Harkema farmland with many freshwater ponds, whereas Sea- and Miller, 1964; Stansell, 1974). More recent brook Island (Site 7) is a small residential island about reports of serious human illnesses from the 1.5 km offshore, which lacks freshwater habitats. Each northern and midwestern United States, such as raccoon was subjected to multiple evaluations, which cerebrospinal nematodiasis because of infection included not only our study of gastrointestinal hel- minth parasites, but also seroprevalence, culture and with the gastrointestinal nematode Baylisascaris DNA studies for Trypanosoma cruzi, and museum procyonis (Stefanski and Zarnowski, 1951), led study specimens. In addition, most animals were in- to the current study, which includes raccoons cluded in a trap-type capture effectiveness study con- collected statewide from a wide variety of hab- ducted by the South Carolina Department of Natural itats (e.g., mountains, farms, urban areas, beach- Resources (SCDNR). Raccoons were either euthanized by intramuscular es, swamps, and barrier islands), allowing for a injection of 0.2 ml/kg ketamine/xylazine followed by comparison of parasite burdens and consider- intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg sodium pentobarbital, ation of human health risks associated with these or were hunter-shot. Stomach and intestines from each parasites (Williams et al., 1997; Boschetti and animal were examined as soon as possible after death Kasznica, 1995). (within 1-2 hr). However, animals from 2 of the phys- iographic regions (Sites 3-7) were frozen at — 4°C for 1-3 mo prior to examination for helminths because of Materials and Materials the use of the animals for a trap-type study conducted Raccoons (n = 128) were collected between April by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife 1997 and April 1998 with foot-hold traps or wire live- Agencies. Therefore, trematodes and cestodes were ex- traps. Traps were set at 7 sites that included 4 of the cluded from the overall analyses because freezing of a 5 physiographic areas of South Carolina. Site 1 in- large number of hosts resulted in difficult collection cluded both urban and waterfowl management areas and unreliable identification of flatworms. (WMA) in Pickens County (Foothills); Site 2 was a All nematodes collected from the stomachs and WMA in Union County (Piedmont); Site 3 was inland small intestines of raccoons were preserved and stored in a 70% ethanol-5% glycerine solution. Representative specimens of each nematode were mounted in glyc- 1 Corresponding author. erine jelly. Acanthocephalans collected from the small 111 Copyright © 2011, The Helminthological Society of Washington 12 JOURNAL OF THE HELMINTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, 66(2), JULY 1999 intestine were placed in water until the proboscis evert- "E a 0) NO ed, preserved in acetic acid-formalin-alcohol (AFA), 00 C — >O ^J" ^j" CO ^N c — — oo ON •* ON and stored in 70% ethanol. Temporary wet mounts and J. J. J. J. ' ' OJj s permanent Mayer's acid carmine-stained mounts in 3 o Canada balsam were made for identification. Voucher ^ specimens deposited at the U.S. National Parasite Col- 5 3 tfl __ t^ q GO V") t~-; NO ON CO P~; lection in Beltsville, Maryland, have been assigned " , i O V~l CO NO • — CN sON USNPC accession numbers 87838-87843. Fisher's ex- iH C +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 9 CN r- ON NO r- t- act test was used to detect significant differences (P < c M •^t oo ON CO ON CO a CO — CN 0.05) in helminth prevalence (%) between study sites. * Two-thirds of the animals caught were male, and 85% E o U of all animals were mature. Because of the large bias •a oo toward males and adults, no statistical analyses were £ — 00 00 CO CO ^^ a •f2 ^t CO CN -^ V~) CN performed. a a u CN ON NO NO OO CO j3 s ~ IO ^1" CO • — ' NO 0 to "~ Results and Discussion « U NO — ^ CM ^^ >-^ ^-~. ^^ r-~ ^^ Of the 128 raccoons examined, 103 (80%) *j 2 u o o ** c — o were infected with 1 or more of the 4 nematodes o C O — O TJ- C and 2 acanthocephalans listed in Table 1. Gna- JS thostoma procyonis Chandler, 1942, and Phy- ^^ « ™ !o oo ^ ^ in ^ B u V) — ^ ^t ON i/~) ON i ^ saloptera rara Hall and Wigdor, 1918, were re- 1 •g NO CN >/1 — NO — "o a covered primarily from the stomach. Arthroce- CJ 0 u c c -^ ^ phalus (=Placoconus) lotoris (Schwartz, 1925) ,g f^ C S — o ^-. 10 CO oo r- CN — oo o and Molineus barbatus Chandler, 1942, were 1) ,, o .•s ii ON >O t — • "^" 00 O collected from the posterior and anterior ends of ~ V5 ,., CN CN N the small intestine, respectively. Both Macra- |> 'o u canthorhynchus ingens (von Linstow, 1879) and 1 •* ^ 1 C 00 CN — NO C Qq Centrorhynchus conspectus Van Cleave and e c s O — CO CN OO O o C3 ~" Pratt, 1940, were recovered exclusively from the o U u u C3 small intestine. Interestingly, 96.1% of raccoons 03 e £ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ !c r — r^- CN t— NO — examined from Sites 1-6 were infected with at (U 00 .S II least 1 helminth species, whereas only 5 of 26 i — — CO — ON (N E (19.2%) raccoons examined from Seabrook Is- 0 tM land (Site 7) were infected. (N >0 0 ^ O ^ O ^ Gnathostoma procyonis, a stomach nematode C a u •* O •* O CN C JS X s CN O CN O — O that forms large nodules in the mucosa, was a found at Sites 3 and 5 in significantly larger u u *o . — X , — s , * ^ — s o " CN numbers than at other sites (Table 1). Extensive 1) — CO O CO -3" C .S II 00 ^ *t O >/~> OO CN O freshwater habitats were present at both sites, 1 CN — •— providing a favorable environment for the re- s •o quired first intermediate host, which is 1 of sev- e __ a c ..... eral species of cyclopoid copepods (Miyazaki, VI fll ^ tjo <u .« o ^ "3 oo J- oo oo" oo So oo oo 1960). In contrast, no infections of G. procyonis o were observed at 2 coastal locations (Sites 4 and "S E u 7), which lacked permanent freshwater habitats. e Physaloptera rara, a spirurid nematode recov- o c^ ered from both the stomach and small intestine "3 I; 5 •e >• -Ii ^ of hosts, does not require the presence of fresh- OJ water habitats, because raccoons become infect- 'S -^2 ^ Ci. 03 a K c -^ K ed by ingestion of various terrestrial arthropods D. E O (e.g., Gryllus pennsylvanicus Burmeister, 1838, G X s *s» ~S? "B "S5 "*^- "35* c« tL) Pennsylvania field cricket; Blattella germanica • •S X *^- ^ Q" S ^ l-H u ^ S^"^J"-* CJ "^"^ a. "O ^; *^. O ^ O C ^ (Linnaeus, 1767), German cockroach; and Cen- JU . 00 tophiles spp., camel crickets) (Lincoln and An- 2 c5 2*5i?hP § ^ t: £^ -^^^ ^§^ derson, 1973). Compared to all other sites, a sig- H S £ <» w Copyright © 2011, The Helminthological Society of Washington YABSLEY AND NOBLET—HELMINTHS OF RACCOONS 13 nificantly higher prevalence of P. ram was ob- a single infected raccoon [Babero and Shepper- served in raccoons trapped at Site 1, with urban- son, 1958; Kazacos and Boyce, 1989]) suggests captured animals dominating the number of the possibility of introduction of this nematode infected animals. Because broad host specificity into South Carolina. has been documented for physalopteroids, do- The most prevalent parasite collected was the mesticated animals could accumulate large num- acanthocephalan M. ingens. Infections occurred bers of these worms by ingesting an infected in- in raccoons from all study sites, with an overall termediate host that commonly occurs in urban prevalence of 53%. Although not considered a settings (Morgan, 1941). threat to public health, M.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Review of Acanthocephala (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) of America North of Mexico with a Key to Species
    Zootaxa 2835: 30–40 (2011) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2011 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Review of Acanthocephala (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) of America north of Mexico with a key to species J. E. McPHERSON1, RICHARD J. PACKAUSKAS2, ROBERT W. SITES3, STEVEN J. TAYLOR4, C. SCOTT BUNDY5, JEFFREY D. BRADSHAW6 & PAULA LEVIN MITCHELL7 1Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas 67601, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 3Enns Entomology Museum, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 4Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois 61820, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 5Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, & Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 6Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Panhandle Research & Extension Center, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 7Department of Biology, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29733, USA. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract A review of Acanthocephala of America north of Mexico is presented with an updated key to species. A. confraterna is considered a junior synonym of A. terminalis, thus reducing the number of known species in this region from five to four. New state and country records are presented. Key words: Coreidae, Coreinae, Acanthocephalini, Acanthocephala, North America, review, synonymy, key, distribution Introduction The genus Acanthocephala Laporte currently is represented in America north of Mexico by five species: Acan- thocephala (Acanthocephala) declivis (Say), A.
    [Show full text]
  • Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, and "Aschelminthes" - A
    BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS AND SYSTEMATICS – Vol. III - Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, and "Aschelminthes" - A. Schmidt-Rhaesa PLATYHELMINTHES, NEMERTEA, AND “ASCHELMINTHES” A. Schmidt-Rhaesa University of Bielefeld, Germany Keywords: Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Gnathifera, Gnathostomulida, Micrognathozoa, Rotifera, Acanthocephala, Cycliophora, Nemathelminthes, Gastrotricha, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Priapulida, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera Contents 1. Introduction 2. General Morphology 3. Platyhelminthes, the Flatworms 4. Nemertea (Nemertini), the Ribbon Worms 5. “Aschelminthes” 5.1. Gnathifera 5.1.1. Gnathostomulida 5.1.2. Micrognathozoa (Limnognathia maerski) 5.1.3. Rotifera 5.1.4. Acanthocephala 5.1.5. Cycliophora (Symbion pandora) 5.2. Nemathelminthes 5.2.1. Gastrotricha 5.2.2. Nematoda, the Roundworms 5.2.3. Nematomorpha, the Horsehair Worms 5.2.4. Priapulida 5.2.5. Kinorhyncha 5.2.6. Loricifera Acknowledgements Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketch Summary UNESCO – EOLSS This chapter provides information on several basal bilaterian groups: flatworms, nemerteans, Gnathifera,SAMPLE and Nemathelminthes. CHAPTERS These include species-rich taxa such as Nematoda and Platyhelminthes, and as taxa with few or even only one species, such as Micrognathozoa (Limnognathia maerski) and Cycliophora (Symbion pandora). All Acanthocephala and subgroups of Platyhelminthes and Nematoda, are parasites that often exhibit complex life cycles. Most of the taxa described are marine, but some have also invaded freshwater or the terrestrial environment. “Aschelminthes” are not a natural group, instead, two taxa have been recognized that were earlier summarized under this name. Gnathifera include taxa with a conspicuous jaw apparatus such as Gnathostomulida, Micrognathozoa, and Rotifera. Although they do not possess a jaw apparatus, Acanthocephala also belong to Gnathifera due to their epidermal structure. ©Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS) BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS AND SYSTEMATICS – Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Helminth Parasites (Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala) of Herpetofauna from Southeastern Oklahoma: New Host and Geographic Records
    125 Helminth Parasites (Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala) of Herpetofauna from Southeastern Oklahoma: New Host and Geographic Records Chris T. McAllister Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 74745 Charles R. Bursey Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University-Shenango, Sharon, PA 16146 Matthew B. Connior Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 72712 Abstract: Between May 2013 and September 2015, two amphibian and eight reptilian species/ subspecies were collected from Atoka (n = 1) and McCurtain (n = 31) counties, Oklahoma, and examined for helminth parasites. Twelve helminths, including a monogenean, six digeneans, a cestode, three nematodes and two acanthocephalans was found to be infecting these hosts. We document nine new host and three new distributional records for these helminths. Although we provide new records, additional surveys are needed for some of the 257 species of amphibians and reptiles of the state, particularly those in the western and panhandle regions who remain to be examined for helminths. ©2015 Oklahoma Academy of Science Introduction Methods In the last two decades, several papers from Between May 2013 and September 2015, our laboratories have appeared in the literature 11 Sequoyah slimy salamander (Plethodon that has helped increase our knowledge of sequoyah), nine Blanchard’s cricket frog the helminth parasites of Oklahoma’s diverse (Acris blanchardii), two eastern cooter herpetofauna (McAllister and Bursey 2004, (Pseudemys concinna concinna), two common 2007, 2012; McAllister et al. 1995, 2002, snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), two 2005, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014a, b, c; Bonett Mississippi mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum et al. 2011). However, there still remains a hippocrepis), two western cottonmouth lack of information on helminths of some of (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma), one the 257 species of amphibians and reptiles southern black racer (Coluber constrictor of the state (Sievert and Sievert 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Macracanthorhynchus Hirudinaceus</Emphasis>
    ©2006 Parasitological Institute of SAS, Košice DOI 10.2478/s11687-006-0017-x HELMINTHOLOGIA, 43, 2: 86 – 91, JUNE 2006 Very highly prevalent Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus infection of wild boar Sus scrofa in Khuzestan province, south-western Iran G. R. MOWLAVI1, J. MASSOUD1, I. MOBEDI1, S. SOLAYMANI-MOHAMMADI1, M. J. GHARAGOZLOU2, S. MAS-COMA3 1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 6446, Tehran 14155, Iran, E-mail: [email protected]; 2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 6453, Tehran 14155, Iran; 3Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, E-mail: [email protected] Summary ..... ... An epidemiological and pathological study of Macracan- Although no accurate estimate of the Iranian wild boar po- thorhynchus hirudinaceus infection in a total of 50 wild pulation is available at present, it is evident that this animal boars Sus scrofa attila from cane sugar fields of Iranian is a frequent inhabitant of regions of dense forests in the Khuzestan was performed. The total prevalence of 64.0 % north, north-west, west and south-west of this country ow- detected is the highest hitherto known by this acanthocep- ing to the abundance of diet. Of omnivorous characteristics halan species in wild boars and may reflect a very high and high adaptation capacity, this animal includes seeds, contamination of the farm lands studied as the consequen- fruits, mushrooms, reptiles, amphibians, insect larvae, ce of the crowding of the wild boar population in cane su- birds and their eggs, small rodents and even carrion in its gar fields.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix: Bioinspired Parasite Details
    A p p e n d i x : B i o i n s p i r e d P a r a s i t e Details Internal Parasites: Endoparasites Biological endoparasites live inside a hosts’ body. In farms, biological parasites infect, hurt, and even kill animals, hurting a farming business. This book is look- ing for inspiration from biology to prevent or treat business “disease.” In business, there are many opportunities for inoculation and treatment. Brain Jackers—Acanthocephala— Thorny-Headed Worms Thorny-headed worms are rare in humans, and also cause disease in birds, amphibians, and reptiles. They are called thorny-headed because they use a bio- logical lancet to pierce and hold onto the stomach walls of the host (Wikipedia, 2013). Their lifecycle includes invertebrates, fish, lizards, birds, and mammals. In one stage of their lifecycle, they “brain jack” a small crustacean eaten by ducks. Just as inner-city drivers are subject to “car-jacking,” this parasite actually redi- rects the crustacean’s dominant behavior from staying away from light to actively seeking it—where ducks may be more likely to eat them, and where the parasite reproduces (Wikipedia, 2013). Alaskan Inuit have a zest for raw fish and that contributes to their increased incidence of Acanthocephala infection compared with other groups of people (Roberts & Janovy, 2009, p. 506). Prevention and Treatment for Acanthocephala Endoscopic and X-ray examinations detect Acanthocephala because their eggs are not passed through feces (Mehlhorn, 2008, p. 25). Controlling the spread of rodents, as well as protecting and cooking food prevents infection.
    [Show full text]
  • Smaller Protostome Phyla: Rotifera, Gastrotricha, Nematomorpha & Acanthocephala Bio 1413: General Zoology Lab (Ziser, 2008) [Exercise 10B] Lab Activities: 1
    Smaller Protostome Phyla: Rotifera, Gastrotricha, Nematomorpha & Acanthocephala Bio 1413: General Zoology Lab (Ziser, 2008) [Exercise 10B] Lab Activities: 1. Rotifers (p167) slide: Rotifers, wm • Examine prepared slide of a rotifer and be able to identify the following structures: corona, foot, mastax, digestive tract, reproductive tract • Attempt to locate and to identify living rotifers from the water samples provided • Recognize and identify rotifers on illustrations and be able to identify to Phylum 2. Gastrotrichs (p167) slide: Gastrotrichs, wm • Observe living specimens (if available) and note their appearance and movement • examine prepared slides of a gastrotrich and identify: mouth, pharynx, adhesive gland, scales 3. Nematomorpha (p168) preserved: horsehair worms • examine living and/or preserved horsehair worms as available and be able to recognize them and distinguish them from other “wormlike” phyla 4. Acanthocephala (p168) • examine preserved specimens and slides as available and be able to recognize them and distinguish them from other “wormlike” phyla eg. Macracanthorhynchus preserved: Macracanthorhynchus this animal is parasitic in the intestine of pigs, the larvae develop in beetle grubs which are eaten by pigs to complete its life cycle eg. examine the prepared slide slide: acanthoceophala, wm identify the following: retractable proboscis with hooks, proboscis receptacle, ligament sac Notebook Suggestions: Describe the kinds of movement seen in live rotifers and compare to the movement seen in roundworms; is it similar? Diagram some of the variety of rotifers in samples and illustrations; what characteristics do all share; how do each differ If living gastrotrichs are available, describe how their movement differs from that of rotifers. Can you identify any organs on the gastrotrich Describe the similarities and differences between acanthocephala and nematomorpha make a diagram of the general life cycle of a horsehair worm and an acanthocephalan.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 9 in Biology of the Acanthocephala]
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology Parasitology, Harold W. Manter Laboratory of 1985 Epizootiology: [Chapter 9 in Biology of the Acanthocephala] Brent B. Nickol University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/parasitologyfacpubs Part of the Parasitology Commons Nickol, Brent B., "Epizootiology: [Chapter 9 in Biology of the Acanthocephala]" (1985). Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. 505. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/parasitologyfacpubs/505 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Parasitology, Harold W. Manter Laboratory of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Nickol in Biology of the Acanthocephala (ed. by Crompton & Nickol) Copyright 1985, Cambridge University Press. Used by permission. 9 Epizootiology Brent B. Nickol 9.1 Introduction In practice, epizootiology deals with how parasites spread through host populations, how rapidly the spread occurs and whether or not epizootics result. Prevalence, incidence, factors that permit establishment ofinfection, host response to infection, parasite fecundity and methods of transfer are, therefore, aspects of epizootiology. Indeed, most aspects of a parasite could be related in sorne way to epizootiology, but many ofthese topics are best considered in other contexts. General patterns of transmission, adaptations that facilitate transmission, establishment of infection and occurrence of epizootics are discussed in this chapter. When life cycles are unknown, little progress can be made in under­ standing the epizootiological aspects ofany group ofparasites.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylum Onychophora
    Lab exercise 6: Arthropoda General Zoology Laborarory . Matt Nelson phylum onychophora Velvet worms Once considered to represent a transitional form between annelids and arthropods, the Onychophora (velvet worms) are now generally considered to be sister to the Arthropoda, and are included in chordata the clade Panarthropoda. They are no hemichordata longer considered to be closely related to echinodermata the Annelida. Molecular evidence strongly deuterostomia supports the clade Panarthropoda, platyhelminthes indicating that those characteristics which the velvet worms share with segmented rotifera worms (e.g. unjointed limbs and acanthocephala metanephridia) must be plesiomorphies. lophotrochozoa nemertea mollusca Onychophorans share many annelida synapomorphies with arthropods. Like arthropods, velvet worms possess a chitinous bilateria protostomia exoskeleton that necessitates molting. The nemata ecdysozoa also possess a tracheal system similar to that nematomorpha of insects and myriapods. Onychophorans panarthropoda have an open circulatory system with tardigrada hemocoels and a ventral heart. As in arthropoda arthropods, the fluid-filled hemocoel is the onychophora main body cavity. However, unlike the arthropods, the hemocoel of onychophorans is used as a hydrostatic acoela skeleton. Onychophorans feed mostly on small invertebrates such as insects. These prey items are captured using a special “slime” which is secreted from large slime glands inside the body and expelled through two oral papillae on either side of the mouth. This slime is protein based, sticking to the cuticle of insects, but not to the cuticle of the velvet worm itself. Secreted as a liquid, the slime quickly becomes solid when exposed to air. Once a prey item is captured, an onychophoran feeds much like a spider.
    [Show full text]
  • (Acanthocephala). David Joseph Demont Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1978 The Life Cycle and Ecology of Octospiniferoides Chandleri Bullock 1957 (Acanthocephala). David Joseph Demont Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Demont, David Joseph, "The Life Cycle and Ecology of Octospiniferoides Chandleri Bullock 1957 (Acanthocephala)." (1978). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 3276. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/3276 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This was produced from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1.The sign or “target” for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is “Missing Page(s)” . If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting through an image and duplicating adjacent pages to assure you of complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a round black mark it is an indication that the film inspector noticed either blurred copy because of movement during exposure, or duplicate copy.
    [Show full text]
  • First Record of Acanthocephala in Marine Copepods
    OPHELIA46 (3): 217-231 (August1997) FIRST RECORD OF ACANTHOCEPHALA IN MARINE COPEPODS Rony Huysl* & Philippe Bodin2 1 Zoology Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, England 2Universite de Bretagne Occidentale, URA CNRS D 1513, 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, 29285 Brest Cedex, France *Author for correspondence ABSTRACT Late cystacanth stages were discovered in the haemocoel of the marine benthic harpacticoid Halectinosoma herdmani (T. & A. Scott, 1896) (Copepoda: Ectinosomatidae) collected off La Rochelle, France. This represents the first record of Acanthocephala infesting marine copepods. On the basis of the hook formula on the proboscis and the spine pattern on the trunk, the para­ sites were identified as juveniles of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) lizae Orecchia, Paggi & RadujkoY­ ic, 1988 (Eoacanthocephala: Gyracanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) which utilizes the golden grey mullet Liza aurata (Risso, 1810) as the definitive host. The literature on acanthocephalans utiliz­ ing copepods as intermediate hosts is reviewed and some morphological details of both the cysta­ canth and host copepod are presented using differential interference contrast and scanning elec­ tron microscopy. Halectinosoma porosum Wells, 1967 from Inhaca Island (Mozambique) is formally transferred to Ectinosoma Boeck, 1865 as E. porosum (Wells, 1967) comb. nov. INTRODUCTION The Acanthocephala is a small but important phylum of endoparasitic hel­ minths. They live as adults in the alimentary tract of both poikilothermic and homeothermic vertebrates and require an arthropod as first intermediate host. The latter is either a crustacean in aquatic species or an insect or isopod (or rarely a myriapod; e.g. Crites 1964, Fahnestock 1985) in terrestrial species. Although relatively few life cycles have been elucidated, they seem to take a similar course in all acanthocephalans studied.
    [Show full text]
  • Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Cavisoma Magnum (Southwell, 1927) (Acanthocephala Palaeacanthocephala)
    Infection, Genetics and Evolution 80 (2020) 104173 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Infection, Genetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/meegid Research paper Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Cavisoma T magnum (Southwell, 1927) (Acanthocephala: Palaeacanthocephala), first representative of the family Cavisomidae, and its phylogenetic implications ⁎ Nehaz Muhammada, Liang Lib, , Sulemana, Qing Zhaob, Majid A. Bannaic, Essa T. Mohammadc, ⁎ Mian Sayed Khand, Xing-Quan Zhua,e, Jun Maa, a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China b Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, PR China c Marine Vertebrate, Marine Science Center, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq d Department of Zoology, University of Swabi, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan e Jiangsu Co-innovation Centre for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, PR China ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: The phylum Acanthocephala is a small group of endoparasites occurring in the alimentary canal of all major Acanthocephala lineages of vertebrates worldwide. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Cavisoma Echinorhynchida magnum (Southwell, 1927) (Palaeacanthocephala: Echinorhynchida) was determined and annotated, the re- Cavisomidae presentative of the family Cavisomidae with the characterization of the complete mt genome firstly decoded. The Mitochondrial genome mt genome of this acanthocephalan is 13,594 bp in length, containing 36 genes plus two non-coding regions.
    [Show full text]
  • Rotifers: Excellent Subjects for the Study of Macro- and Microevolutionary Change
    Hydrobiologia (2011) 662:11–18 DOI 10.1007/s10750-010-0515-1 ROTIFERA XII Rotifers: excellent subjects for the study of macro- and microevolutionary change Gregor F. Fussmann Published online: 1 November 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 Abstract Rotifers, both as individuals and as a nature. These features make them excellent eukaryotic phylogenetic group, are particularly worthwhile sub- model systems for the study of eco-evolutionary jects for the study of evolution. Over the past decade dynamics. molecular and experimental work on rotifers has facilitated major progress in three lines of evolution- Keywords Rotifer phylogeny Á Asexuality Á ary research. First, we continue to reveal the phy- Eco-evolutionary dynamics logentic relationships within the taxon Rotifera and its placement within the tree of life. Second, we have gained a better understanding of how macroevolu- Introduction tionary transitions occur and how evolutionary strat- egies can be maintained over millions of years. In the Rotifers are microscopic invertebrates that occur in case of rotifers, we are challenged to explain the freshwater, brackish water, in moss habitats, and in soil evolution of obligate asexuality (in the bdelloids) as (Wallace et al., 2006). Rotifers are particularly fasci- mode of reproduction and how speciation occurs in nating and suitable objects for the study of evolution the absence of sex. Recent research with bdelloid roti- and, over the past decade, featured prominently in fers has identified novel mechanisms such as horizon- research on both macro- and microevolutionary tal gene transfer and resistance to radiation as factors change. I, here, review the recent developments in potentially affecting macroevolutionary change.
    [Show full text]