Cynthya Elizabeth González

Helminth community structure of the oven frog Leptodactylus latinasus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Corrientes, Argentina

A total of 36 adult individuals of Leptodactylus latinasus were collected near the city of Corrientes, Province of Corrientes in Argentina. The main goals of this study were: (1) to determine the helminth parasite fauna of L. latinasus; (2) to determine the richness and diversity of parasites at the component and infracommunity levels; (3) to analyze the relationships between helminth, frog body size and sex, and (4) to identify and examine species affinity of helminth communities. The helminth component community of this frog’s population consisted of 17 species. The predominant groups of parasites were the trematodes (adults: Glypthelmins repandum, Catadiscus inopinatus and Haematoloechus longiplexus; larvae: Travtrema aff. stenocotyle, Bursotrema aff. tetracotyloides, Styphlodora sp., unknown opisthogonimid species, Petasiger sp. and unknown strigeid species), followed by the nematodes (Cosmocerca podicipinus, C. parva, C. rara, C. cruzi, Schrankiana schranki and Aplectana hylambatis); other groups of parasites were represented by only one species (unknown larval cestode species and Centrorhynchus sp.). All parasite helminth species showed an aggregated pattern of distribution. The most infected organs were kidneys, small intestine, large intestine and pharyngeal zone. The host body size was important in determining the parasites abundance of G. repandum. At the level of component community G. repandum was the species with highest prevalence of infection and Bursotrema aff. tetracotyloides was the dominant species. Helminth species showed four significant pairs of covariation and two significant pairs of association in the infracommunities of Leptodactylus latinasus.

First Report of Nematodes in the Common Lesser Escuerzo Odontophrynus americanus (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Amphibia: Cycloramphidae) from Corrientes, Argentina

Abstract The common lesser escuerzo, Odontophrynus americanus, from Corrientes, Argentina, was found to harbor 3 species of Nematodes: Rhabdias elegans, Cosmocerca podicipinus, and Cosmocerca parva. Cosmocerca podicipinus was the most prevalent nematode species (22.7%), whereas C. parva had the highest mean intensity of infection (5.5 ± 2.12). These 3 nematode species are reported for the first time from O. americanus and members of the Cycloramphidae from Corrientes, Argentina.

Cosmocercid Nematodes of Three Species of Frogs (Anura: Hylidae) from Corrientes, Argentina

Abstract We collected 142 hylid frogs representing 3 species, chaco treefrog Hypsiboas raniceps, dwarf treefrog Dendropsophus nanus, and sanborn treefrog Dendropsophus sanborni, near the city of Corrientes, Corrientes Province, Argentina, between January 2002 and December 2003, and we examined them for nematodes. Two species of cosmocercid nematodes were found infecting the large intestine of these hosts. Cosmocerca parva was found infecting H. raniceps and D. sanborni, whereas Cosmocerca podicipinus was found infecting D. nanus. These nematode species are reported for the first time from these hylids from Corrientes, Argentina.

Helminth communities in the burrowing toad, Rhinella fernandezae, from Northeastern Argentina

The main goals of this study were to determine the richness and diversity of helminth parasites of Rhinella fernandezae at the component and infracommunity levels and determine the ecological implications of different biotic and abiotic factors. Specimens were collected near the city of Corrientes, Corrientes Province, Argentina. Prevalence of infection was 94% in the specimens examined (n = 65). The helminth component community in R. fernandezae in this area was comprised a total of 22 species. Of all helminth species, only three (Catadiscus inopinatus, Cosmocerca podicipinus and C. parva) were dominant (importance value: I > 1.0) in the community. The most abundant species were B. tetracotyloides (d = 0.43) among the larvae and C. podicipinus (d = 0.09) among adult worms. At the infracommunity level, the mean individual species richness (2.28 ± 1.48) (mean ± SD) was no more than 3 helminth species per infected host; the diversity and equitability of helminths were 0.23 ± 0.21 and 0.48 ± 0.38, respectively. The host body size was the main factor in determining the parasite abundance. Species richness was significantly and positively correlated with host body size. The parasite helminth species predominantly showed an overdispersed pattern of distribution. Helminth species showed two negative and significant pairs of covariation and one significant pair of association (P < 0.05). R. fernandezae has a wide variety of parasites relating to the host microhabitat, mobility and feeding habits.

Schrankiana chacoensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Atractidae) from Leptodactylus bufonius Boulenger, 1894 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Argentina

Here we describe a new atractid nematode, Schrankiana chacoensis sp. nov., from the large intestine of Leptodactylus bufonius (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Chaco Province, Argentina. This is the first atractid nematode described for L. bufonius. The new species is distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by its cephalic morphology: S. chacoensis sp. nov. possesses four large papillae on the lips (two on the dorsal lip and one on each subventral lip) without any other small papillae (present in the remaining Schrankiana species) and forked amphids; by having a shorter vagina; tips of the lateral alae located well anterior to the anus in both sexes, one additional pair of postcloacal papillae compared with other species, and a “fringe” in the posterior and anterior margins of the excretory pore. Schrankiana chacoensis sp. nov. represents the eighth species assigned to the genus. A key to the species of the genus is provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D4B643AF-1F5D-4E36-83EE-C204AB2067B3

Falcaustra sanjuanensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from Odontophrynus cf. barrioi (Anura: Cycloramphidae) from Argentina.

Here, we describe a new kathlaniid nematode, Falcaustra sanjuanensis sp. nov., from the large intestine of Odontophrynus cf. barrioi (Anura: Cycloramphidae), from San Juan Province, Argentina. The new species belongs to the Falcaustra group that possesses a pseudosucker. It resembles F. andrias in the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (six precloacal, four adcloacal, 12 postcloacal, one unpaired median anterior to the cloaca) but differs from F. andrias in the following characters: the longer size of males and females (11.17–13.45 mm and 10.1–15.5 mm, respectively); the longer size and form of the gubernaculum (0.17–0.23 mm, triangular form); the arrangement of postcloacal papillae (three pairs on the ventral side, two pairs on the lateral side, one pair on the subventral side) and unpaired papilla anterior to the cloaca located on the protuberance. The species description is based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Falcaustra sanjuanensis sp. nov. represents the 12th Neotropical species assigned to the genus. Also, we added a key to Neotropical species of Falcaustra.

First report of Schulzia travassosi (Nematoda, Trichostrongylina, Molineoidea) for amphibians of the Chaco region in Argentina and proposal of Oswaldocruzia melanostictusi nov. comb.

This is the first record of the nematode parasite Schulzia travassosi (Trichostrongylina, Molineidae) in two Argentinean amphibians, Leptodactylus bufonius and Rhinella major, collected in two localities of the Chaco region, Las Lomitas (Formosa Province) and Taco Pozo (Chaco Province). The species was observed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compared with previous studies of Paraguayan specimens. Regarding metric characters, the measurements found in Argentinean specimens generally did not differ from those of Paraguayan specimens; some differences were observed in the total length of males and females (some longer and some shorter than Paraguayan specimens), length of the oesophagus (in almost all specimens shorter than in Paraguayan ones) and position of the vulva (nearer to posterior end in Argentinean specimens). The branches and sphincter of ovejector are slightly longer than in Paraguayan female specimens. In males, ray 4 is almost the same length as rays 2, 3 and 5, 6. Cephalic end, cephalic vesicle, synlophe and vulvar depression were viewed under SEM. Schulzia melanostictusi Chopra, Shing and Kumar, 1986 is reassigned as Oswaldocruzia melanostictusi (Chopra, Shing and Kumar, 1986) nov. comb.

A new species of Neocosmocercella Baker & Vaucher, 1983 (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae), a parasite of Phyllomedusa vaillantii Boulenger (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) in the Caxiuanã National Forest, eastern Amazon, Brazil

Neocosmocercella bakeri n. sp. is described from the large intestine of Phyllomedusa vaillantii Boulenger collected in the Caxiuanã National Forest in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. The new species is easily distinguished from the type-species of the genus, Neocosmocercella paraguayensis Baker & Vaucher, 1983 in possessing a triangular mouth opening with three simple lips (vs three bi-lobed lips and hexagonal mouth opening) and somatic papillae, which are absent in N. paraguayensis. The males of the new species are distinguished by the distribution of the sessile cloacal papillae and the dimensions of the gubernaculum, whereas the females are distinguished by their smaller size and opisthodelphic uterus. This study expands the diagnostic characters of Neocosmocercella Baker & Vaucher, 1983, reports the first species parasitising anurans of the Brazilian Amazon, a new host record for the genus, and the description of the second species of the genus.

Nematode Parasites of Leptodactylus elenae and Leptodactylus podicipinus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Corrientes, Argentina

ABSTRACT:  Two species of leptodactylid frogs, the marbled white-lipped frog, Leptodactylus elenae, and the pointed belly frog, Leptodactylus podicipinus, collected in Corrientes Province, Argentina, were examined for nematode parasites. Four adult species of nematodes belonging to 2 families (Cosmocercidae and Rhabdiasidae) were found parasitizing lungs and intestines: Aplectana delirae and Cosmocerca podicipinus in L. elenae; and Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca podicipinus, and Rhabdias sp. in L. podicipinus. This is the first report of nematode parasites for L. elenae and the second for L. podicipinus in Argentina. Aplectana delirae and Rhabdias sp. represent new host records.

Checklist of nematode parasites of amphibians from Argentina

This review includes information about 47 taxa of nematode parasites reported from 34 species of Argentinean amphibians, all belonging to order Anura (33 native species and 1 introduced species). Thirty four nematode species have been reported as adults and 13 species were reported as larvae (10 taxa) or juveniles (3 taxa). Two species, Cosmocerca parva and C. podicipinus (Cosmocercidae), collected as adults, are the most commonly occurring adult nematodes in Argentinean amphibians; each of them parasitize 14 amphibian species. The bufonid Rhinella schneideri and the leptodactylid Leptodactylus bufonius present the highest species richness of parasitic nematodes (9 species); followed by Rhinella fernandezae, R. arenarum and Leptodactylus chaquensis, each of which is parasitized by 8 nematode species. Mean species richenss was highest for the family Bufonidae (4.5±3.4; range: 1-9); followed by the Leptodactylidae (3.5±2.8; range: 1-9). Data on hosts, geographical distribution, site of infection, location of deposited materials, and information about life cycles are provided. This is the first compilation of information on nematode parasites of amphibians in Argentina.