Ali Halajian

Morphological, biometrical, and molecular characterization of Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis isolated from dogs from different geographical regions

In the present work, a comparative morphological, biometrical and molecular study of Ctenocephalides spp. isolated from dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) from different geographical regions (Spain, Iran, and South Africa) has been carried out. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences of Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis collected from dogs from different geographical regions have been determined to clarify the taxonomic status of these species and to assess intraspecific variation and interspecific sequence differences. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis based on ITS1 sequences has been performed. Four different morphological populations were observed in the individuals of C. felis collected from dogs from different geographical locations. Nevertheless, the comparative study of the ITS1 sequences of the different morphological populations observed in C. felis did not show molecular differences. The results showed clear molecular differences between C. felis and C. canis and some specific recognition sites for endonucleases were detected between both species. Thus, BfrBI and DraI sites have diagnostic value for specific determination in C. felis. The phylogenetic tree based on the ITS1 sequences of C. felis and C. canis revealed that all the populations of C. felis from different geographical regions clustered together and separated, with high bootstrap values, from C. canis. We conclude that ITS1 region is a useful tool to approach different taxonomic and phylogenetic questions in Ctenocephalides species.

Reappraisal of Hydatigera taeniaeformis (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda: Taeniidae) sensu lato with description of Hydatigera kamiyai n. sp.

The common cat tapeworm Hydatigera taeniaeformis is a complex of three morphologically cryptic entities, which can be differentiated genetically. To clarify the biogeography and the host spectrum of the cryptic lineages, 150 specimens of H. taeniaeformis in various definitive and intermediate hosts from Eurasia, Africa and Australia were identified with DNA barcoding using partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene sequences and compared with previously published data. Additional phylogenetic analyses of selected isolates were performed using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial genome sequences. Based on molecular data and morphological analysis, Hydatigera kamiyai n. sp. Iwaki is proposed for a cryptic lineage, which is predominantly northern Eurasian and uses mainly arvicoline rodents (voles) and mice of the genus Apodemus as intermediate hosts. Hydatigera taeniaeformis sensu stricto (s.s.) is restricted to murine rodents (rats and mice) as intermediate hosts. It probably originates from Asia but has spread worldwide. Despite remarkable genetic divergence between H. taeniaeformis s.s. and H. kamiyai, interspecific morphological differences are evident only in dimensions of rostellar hooks. The third cryptic lineage is closely related to H. kamiyai, but its taxonomic status remains unresolved due to limited morphological, molecular, biogeographical and ecological data. This Hydatigera sp. is confined to the Mediterranean and its intermediate hosts are unknown. Further studies are needed to classify Hydatigera sp. either as a distinct species or a variant of H. kamiyai. According to previously published limited data, all three entities occur in the Americas, probably due to human-mediated introductions.

Helminth Parasites of the European Glass Lizard, Pseudopus apodus (Squamata: Anguidae), and European Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Serpentes: Colubridae), from Iran

One European glass lizard, Pseudopus apodus, and 3 European grass snakes, Natrix natrix, were examined for helminths. Pseudopus apodus harbored 1 species of Nematoda, Entomelas entomelas; N. natrix harbored 1 species of Digenea, Telorchis assula, 1 species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia europaea, and 1 species of Nematoda, Rhabdias fuscovenosa. Iran is a new locality record for T. assula, E. entomelas, and R. fuscovenosa. This is the first report of helminths for P. apodus from Iran.

REDESCRIPTION OF SPHAERIROSTRIS PICAE (ACANTHOCEPHALA: CENTRORHYNCHIDAE) FROM MAGPIE, PICA PICA, IN NORTHERN IRAN, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO UNUSUAL RECEPTACLE STRUCTURES AND NOTES ON HISTOPATHOLOGY

Abstract Adults of Sphaerirostris picae (Rudolphi, 1819) Golvan, 1956 are described from European magpie, Pica pica Linnaeus (Corvidae), collected in 2008 from wooded areas near the northern Iranian town of Tonekabon by the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. Other specimens also were collected from Corvus cornix Linnaeus, Corvus corone Linnaeus, and Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus (Corvidae) in the same location, as well as from some of these hosts in other locations. Our specimens had 31–38 proboscis hook rows on the ovoid anterior proboscis and 27–36 spine rows on the cylindrical- to cone-shaped posterior proboscis, each with 8–10 hooks and 2–5 spines per row, respectively. They are distinguished from those of all other species of the genus by having a unique prominent expansion of the dorsal inner receptacle wall, called the receptacle process (RP), anteriorly into the anterior proboscis and by the presence of longitudinal alveolar lobes throughout the receptacle and proboscis. The RP is described using histological sections. Sphaerirostris picae is further distinguished from 2 closely related species, namely, Sphaerirostris lancea (Westrumb, 1821) Golvan, 1956 and Sphaerirostris pinguis (Van Cleave, 1918) Golvan, 1956, by characteristics of proboscis armature, position of female gonopore, and other reproductive system and receptacle features. Histological sections revealed damage to host intestinal tissue.

Distribution of Contracaecum (Nematoda: Anisakidae) Larvae in Freshwater Fish from the Northern Regions of South Africa

A total of 1 847 fishes (16 species) from 14 reservoirs in northern and north-eastern regions of South Africa were collected and examined for larval Contracaecum spp. between 2005 and 2013. This study, the first to examine several potential second intermediate hosts, found Clarias gariepinus, Coptodon rendalli, Cyprinus carpio, Hydrocynus vittatus, Labeobarbus marequensis, Marcusenius macrolepidotus, Micropterus salmoides, Oreochromis mossambicus and Schilbe intermedius infected with the third-stage larvae. Coptodon rendalli, Marcusenius macrolepidotus and Micropterus salmoides are new host records for South Africa. A generalised linear model identified locality as the main factor affecting parasite burden.

Mitochondrial gene heterogeneity of the bat soft tick Argas vespertilionis (Ixodida: Argasidae) in the Palaearctic

BackgroundRecently, a high degree of mitochondrial gene heterogeneity was demonstrated between conspecific ixodid ticks of bats in Eurasia. Argas vespertilionis is a soft tick species of mainly vespertilionid bats, also with a wide distribution in the Old World. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology, mitochondrial gene heterogeneity and host range of A. vespertilionis in the Old World.ResultsAltogether 318 soft tick larvae were collected from 17 bat species (belonging to six genera) in seven countries. Based on the general morphology (setal arrangement) of 314 A. vespertilionis larvae, and the detailed measurements of fifteen larvae, only minor morphological differences (in dorsal plate size and the type of serrate setae) were observed between specimens from Europe and Vietnam. On the other hand, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses of 17 specimens showed that A. vespertilionis from Europe is genetically different (with up to 7.5% cox1 and 5.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence) from specimens collected in Vietnam, and their phylogenetic separation is well supported.ConclusionIn its evaluated geographical range, no larval phenotypic differences justify the existence of separate species under the name A. vespertilionis. However, phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial markers suggest that it represents a complex of at least two putative cryptic species. The broad host range of A. vespertilionis might partly explain its lower degree of mitochondrial gene heterogeneity in comparison with ixodid bat tick species over the same geographical region of Eurasia.

Investigation of Rickettsia, Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella in ticks from animals in South Africa

Ticks are involved in the epidemiology of several human pathogens including spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella spp. Human diseases caused by these microorganisms have been reported from South Africa. The presence of SFG Rickettsia spp., C. burnetii and Bartonella spp. was investigated in 205 ticks collected from domestic and wild animals from Western Cape and Limpopo provinces (South Africa). Rickettsia massiliae was detected in 10 Amblyomma sylvaticum and 1 Rhipicephalus simus whereas Rickettsia africae was amplified in 7 Amblyomma hebraeum. Neither C. burnetii nor Bartonella spp. was found in the examined ticks. This study demonstrates the presence of the tick borne pathogen R. massiliae in South Africa (Western Cape and Limpopo provinces), and corroborates the presence of the African tick-bite fever agent (R. africae) in this country (Limpopo province).

Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis: introgressive hybridization?

In the present work, a comparative molecular study of Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis isolated from dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) from different geographical regions (Spain, Iran and South Africa) was carried out. We found morphological variations in C. felis that do not correspond with molecular differences. The Internal Transcribed Spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2) and 18S rRNA partial gene, and cytochrome c‐oxidase 1 (cox1) mtDNA partial gene sequences were determined to clarify the taxonomic status of these two species, and to assess interpopulation variation and interspecific sequence differences. In addition, a comparative phylogenetic study with other species of fleas using Bayesian, Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood analysis was performed. The 18S rRNA partial gene fragment was useful neither to discriminate C. canis and C. felis nor to infer phylogenetic relationships at this level, whereas ITS1 and ITS2 assessed for specific determination in the genus Ctenocephalides. The cox1 mtDNA sequences of C. felis revealed three main haplotypes and we suggest that there has been introgression of C. canis cox1 mtDNA into C. felis by Wolbachia pipientis. Based on cox1 sequences, restriction mapping identified many endonucleases that could be used to delineate different haplotypes of C. felis and to differentiate C. felis and C. canis.

The invasive fish tapeworm Atractolytocestus huronensis (Cestoda), a parasite of carp, colonises Africa

Biological invasions represent a serious threat for aquaculture because many of introduced parasites may negatively affect the health state of feral and cultured fish. In the present account, the invasive tapeworm Atractolytocestus huronensis Anthony, 1958 (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), which was originally described from North America and has been introduced to Europe including the British Isles with its specific host, common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), is reported from Africa for the first time. Its recent introduction to South Africa, where it was found in four localities where common carp is cultured, is another evidence of insufficient prophylactic measures and inadequate veterinary control during transfers of cultured fish, especially common carp, between continents. Together with the Asian fish tapeworm, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, A. huronensis is another fish tapeworm with ability to spread throughout the globe as a result of man-made introductions of its fish hosts.

An Annotated Checklist of Amblyceran Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) from Wild Passerine Birds (Passeriformes) in South Africa

A total of 778 individuals of 150 bird species were examined: 123 (16 %) individuals of 40 non-passerine bird species belonging to 16 orders; and 655 (84 %) individuals of 110 passerine bird species (Passeriformes) belonging to 28 families. A total of 2041 chewing lice belonging to nine genera were found on passerine birds. Amblyceran lice were less frequent than ischnoceran lice (32.8 % vs 67.2 %, n = 2041). A total of 670 amblyceran lice (mean intensity = 5.0) were found on 133 passerine birds (20.3 %) of 43 species. The dominant amblyceran genus was Menacanthus with a dominance of 59.3 %, while the other two genera were less frequent: Myrsidea (36.9 %) and Ricinus (3.9 % ). A total of 50 amblyceran louse-host associations were recorded. An equal overall sex ratio as well as age ratio was found among the collected lice. An updated checklist of the species of amblyceran lice from passerine birds from South Africa is included and discussed. Two families, five genera and 32 species of lice are listed from 42 passerine bird hosts.