Nguyen Van Ha

Description of two new species of Rhadinorhynchus (Acanthocephala, Rhadinorhynchidae) from marine fish in Halong Bay, Vietnam, with a key to species

Two rhadinorhynchid species of acanthocephalans, Rhadinorhynchus dorsoventrospinosus sp. nov. and Rhadinorhynchus laterospinosus sp. nov. are described from the redtail scad, Decapterus kurroides Bleeker, and the trigger fish Balistes sp., respectively. The hosts were collected off Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay, Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam in May, 2009. This brings the total number of species of Rhadinorhynchus Lühe, 1911 to 38. Specimens of the first species are characterized by having 11–12 proboscis hook rows with 30–31 hooks each, large dorsal and ventral spines in the posterior field of trunk spines, large eggs (100 × 20), and subterminal gonopore in both males and females. It is further characterized by many prominent fragmented nuclei in the body wall. The 1 female of the second species has 18 proboscis hook rows with 24 hooks each, smaller eggs (62 × 17), lateral trunk spines connecting those in the anterior and the posterior fields, and subterminal female gonopore. Notes on the genus Rhadinorhynchus, lists of the invalid and valid species, and a key to species are provided. Raorhynchus Tripathi, 1959 is proposed to be a junior synonym of Rhadinorhynchus pending a revision of the species of Raorhynchus.

Current status of fish-borne zoonotic trematode infections in Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam

BackgroundNinh Binh province is known as an endemic area of fish-borne zoonotic trematode (FZT) transmission in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gia Minh and Gia Thinh communes of Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province to investigate the infections with different stages of FZT in various host species.MethodsFaecal samples from 1,857 humans were examined for trematode eggs using the Kato-Katz method, while faecal samples from 104 dogs, 100 cats, and 100 pigs were examined using the Formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT). A total of 483 specimens of freshwater fish, representing 9 species, were examined for metacercariae using the artificial digestion method. Three methods of cercarial detection (shedding, crushing and cutting) were applied for examination of 3,972 specimens of freshwater snails, representing 7 species. All relevant data e.g. location, sex, age group, animal species, and habitat were recorded for statistical analyses.ResultsHelminth eggs were found in 65.5% of the human faecal samples, including 20.5% of faecal samples containing small trematode eggs. Infection with small trematodes differed among communes, age groups and sexes. Eggs of small trematodes were found in 32.7% of faecal samples from dogs, 49.0% from cats and 13.0% from pigs. The difference in prevalences and intensities were significant among species of animals but did not differ between the two communes. All fish species were infected with FZT, with an average prevalence of 56.1% and a mean intensity of 33.245 metacercariae per gram. Prevalence and intensity in fish differed significantly among cummunes and fish groups. Six species of zoonotic trematodes were identified. Metacercariae of the small liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, was only found in Hemiculter leucisculus. A total of 9 specimens from two snail species, Melanoides tuberculata and Bithynia fuchsiana, were infected with trematodes and four cercarial types were detected in the study sites.ConclusionsWe conclude that Gia Minh and Gia Thinh communes are continuing to be hot-spot endemic areas of FZT and other helminths infections where the habit of eating raw fish by the local people is still present.

Four New Species of Acanthocephalans from Birds in Vietnam

Abstract During November 2000, a collection of acanthocephalans from 6 species of birds in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, included 4 new species. The new taxa described included 1 in Archiacanthocephala (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae): Mediorhynchus lanius n. sp. from Lanius schach Linnaeus (long-tailed shrike) and 3 in Palaeacanthocephala (Polymorphida: Plagiorhynchidae): Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) digiticephalus n. sp. from Porzana fusca Linnaeus (ruddy-breasted crake), Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) megareceptaclis n. sp. from Gallinago gallinago Linnaeus (common snipe) and Myophonus coeruleus (Scopoli) (whistling thrush), and Porrorchis tyto n. sp. from Gorsachius melanolophus Raffles (Malayan night-heron) and Tyto sp. (barn owl). Comparisons with related taxa were made, and host relationships were discussed where applicable.

First report of Neoechinorhynchus (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from marine fish of the eastern seaboard of Vietnam, with the description of six new species

The occurrence of acanthocephalans of the genus Neoechinorhynchus Stiles and Hassall, 1905 in Vietnamese waters is reported for the first time. Six new species are described from seven species of marine fish of the families Belonidae, Clupeidae, Megalopidae, Mugilidae, and Sciaenidae, collected in Halong Bay of the eastern seaboard of Vietnam in 2008 and 2009. These are Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) plaquensis n. sp. characterized by dermal plaques covering the entire trunk; Neoechinorhynchus manubriensis n. sp. with very long anterior proboscis hooks having roots with prominent anterior manubria and very small and equal middle and posterior hooks, two pseudoretractors in the receptacle, simple vagina, and terminal gonopore; Neoechinorhynchus pennahia n. sp. with equal anterior and middle proboscis and somewhat smaller posterior hooks, and terminal female gonopore; Neoechinorhynchus ampullata with many giant nuclei in the body wall and lemnisci and a parareceptacle structure complex which includes pumping ampullas reported for the first time; Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) longinucleatus n. sp. with very long giant nuclei in the Lemnisci, anteriorly twisted vagina, and subterminal female gonopore. Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) ascus n. sp. is the second species of Neoechinorhynchus found with the parareceptacle structure/ampulla complex. Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) johnii Yamaguti, 1929 of Bilqees, 1972 is not N. johnii because of proboscis armature and other discrepancies with the Yamaguti material. Notes on host distribution and feeding habits are also included.

On a New Acanthocephalan Family and a New Order, From Birds in Vietnam

Abstract During November 2000, a collection of acanthocephalans from birds in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, included a new genus and species in a new family and order. Pyrirhynchus heterospinus n. gen., n. sp. (Pyrirhynchidae n. fam.: Heteramorphida: new order) is described from Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758) (common sandpiper). The new family combines characters from Polymorphidae and Heteracanthocephalidae, and it includes new features. Specimens of the new species are distinguished from those of Heteracanthocephalidae and/or Polymorphidae by their long cylindrical trunk with anterior swelling, pyriform proboscis with hooks much larger ventrally, brain at the anterior end of the receptacle, specialized tubular cement glands, and elliptoid eggs with concentric shells. A detailed analysis of proboscis and trunk armature is included, and specimens of several species of Arhythmorhynchus Lühe, 1911 (Polymorphidae) were studied for comparative purposes. The proboscis of P. heterospinus is armed with 17 to 20 rows of 17 to 19 hooks each, with anterior 9–11 hooks rooted and posterior 6–10 spines rootless.

On four species of echinorhynchid acanthocephalans from marine fish in Halong Bay, Vietnam, including the description of three new species and a key to the species of Gorgorhynchus

Four species of echinorhynchid acanthocephalans were collected from marine fish off Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay, Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, in the spring of 2009. Acanthocephalus halongensis n. sp. (Echinorhynchidae) from the redtail scad, Decapterus kurroides Bleeker 1855 (Carangidae), has a unique proboscis armature with a spiniform basal hook with lateral root and an incomplete receptacle wall posteriorly. Gorgorhynchus tonkinensis n. sp. (Rhadinorhynchidae) also from D. kurroides, has long, slender, winding lemnisci, many epidermal nuclei, and a narrow anterior trunk with a shoulder armed with 20 circles of tightly packed spines, the posterior four circles of which have abruptly larger spines than those in the anterior circles. Neorhadinorhynchus atypicalis n. sp. (Cavisomidae) from the rabbitfish, Siganus fuscescens (Houttuyn 1782) (Siganidae), has the largest number of proboscis hooks per row, testes wider than long, and four clustered cement glands. Micracanthorhynchica kuwaitensis Amin and Sey 1996 (Rhadinorhynchidae) from the spottail needlefish Strongylura strongylura (van Hasselt 1823) (Belonidae) was similar to specimens originally described from the Arabian Gulf off the Kuwaiti coast. These acanthocephalans were collected in small numbers but stood out as uniquely and considerably different from their closest relatives to warrant their reporting. All species of acanthocephalans and their host and geographic distribution are described, and a key to the species of Gorgorhynchus is provided.

Description of Heterosentis holospinus n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from the Striped Eel Catfish, Plotosus lineatus, in Halong Bay, Vietnam, with a Key to Species of Heterosentis and Reconsideration of the Subfamilies of Arhythmacanthidae

Abstract Heterosentis holospinus n. sp. is 1 of 11 species of acanthocephalans collected from 13 species of marine fish in Halong Bay, Vietnam, in 2008 and 2009. The striped eel catfish, Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787), harbored a large number of individuals of the new species. Species of Heterosentis Van Cleave, 1931, are characterized by having 2 or 3 types of proboscis hooks in 10–14 rows, and trunk spines. Of the 15 known species of Heterosentis (including the new species), H. holospinus is distinguished by having a trunk entirely covered with spines and an anterior trunk cone free of spines. Only Heterosentis overstreeti Schmidt and Paperna, 1978, has a trunk that is also entirely covered with spines; it, however, differs from H. holospinus by lacking an anterior trunk cone but having 4 giant nucleated muscle cells in the anterior trunk, and 2 basal spines per proboscis hook row. Heterosentis holospinus has no such muscle cells, and the proboscis contains 3–4 spines per row. Only 2 other species of Heterosentis have anterior trunk cones: Heterosentis septacanthus (Sita, 1949) Golvan 1969, which has a cylindrical trunk and proboscis, only anterior trunk spines, and smaller proboscis hooks, and Heterosentis plotosi Yamaguti, 1935, which has 4 nucleated giant muscle cells, only anterior trunk spines, and 4–5 spines per proboscis hook row. The characteristics of H. holospinus are described and compared with those of the other 14 species of Heterosentis. A key to the 15 species of the genus is included. The justification for the retention of the 3 subfamilies of Arhythmacanthidae no longer applies, and their deletion is proposed.

Acanthocephalans from fishes and amphibians in Vietnam, with descriptions of five new species

Eight species of acanthocephalans are reported, and five are new. Specimens of Neoechinorhynchus (Hebesoma) manubrianus Amin, Ha & Ha, 2011 were similar to the original description. Neoechinorhynchus (Hebesoma) spiramuscularis n. sp. (Neoechinorhynchidae), from Xenocypris davidi, has a unique proboscis receptacle wrapped in a spiral muscular layer, and an undulating flask-shaped lemnisci, as well as double para-receptacle structures. Heterosentis mongcai n. sp. (Arhythmacanthidae), from Acreichthys sp., has a small fusiform trunk with an unarmed cone and anterior trunk spines, and a proboscis with two circles of rooted apical hooks and 3–4 circles of rooted posterior spines as well as a para-receptacle-like structure at the posterior end. The poorly known Filisoma indicum Van Cleave, 1928 is fully described and illustrated for the first time. Acanthocephalus parallelcementglandatus n. sp. (Echinorhynchidae), from Clarias batrachus, is distinguished from other species of Acanthocephalus by its small fusiform trunk and parallel tubular cement glands. Pseudoacanthocephalus coniformis n. sp. (Echinorhynchidae), from Hylarana sp., is distinguished from other species by having an anterior trunk collar and staggered prominent filiform cement glands, among other features. Cathayacanthus spinitruncatus n. sp. (Rhadinorhynchidae), from Leiognathus equulus, is distinguished from the only two known species of the genus by having a very long and slender proboscis with more than 50 hooks per row and a totally spined trunk. The generic diagnosis of Cathayacanthus Golvan, 1969 is emended. Rhadinorhynchus johnstoni Golvan, 1969 (Rhadinorhynchidae) perfectly fits the only complete description of that species from the Fiji Islands.

Descriptions of acanthocephalans, Cathayacanthus spinitruncatus (Rhadinorhynchidae) male and Pararhadinorhynchus magnus n. sp. (Diplosentidae), from marine fish of Vietnam, with notes on Heterosentis holospinus (Arhythmacanthidae)

Males of Cathayacanthus spinitruncatus Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2014 (Rhadinorhynchinae Lühe, 1912) are described for the first time from Leiognathus equulus in Hai Phong and Nha Trang and from pony fish Nuchequula flavaxilla in Quang Ninh in the Pacific waters of Vietnam. The male allotype status is designated. Males of C. spinitruncatus are smaller and have fewer and smaller proboscis hooks and trunk spines than females. The male reproductive structures are in the posterior fifth of the trunk and with 6 club-shaped cement glands gradually merging into 6 independent cement gland ducts. The proboscis receptacle is more than half as long as the trunk and with a cephalic ganglion at its anterior end. In females, the receptacle is only about one fifth the length of the trunk. Specimens described as Cathayacanthus bagarii Moravec & Sey, 1989 were shown to have been wrongly assigned to Cathayacanthus. Pararhadinorhynchus magnus n. sp. (Diplosentidae) is described from Scatophagus argus off Hai Phong in the Gulf of Tonkin. It is the third species of the genus and is readily distinguished from the Australian species by having a considerably larger trunk and male reproductive structures, and more proboscis hooks. X-ray microanalysis (EDAX) of intact and gallium-cut hooks of P. magnus showed high calcium and phosphate mainly in the central core. Specimens of Heterosentis holospinus Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2011 (Arhythmacanthidae) are also reported from L. equulus off Quang Binh, new host and locality records.

Descriptions of Neorhadinorhynchus nudum (Cavisomidae) and Heterosentis paraholospinus N. SP. (Arhythmacanthidae) (Acanthocephala) From Fish Along the Pacific Coast of Vietnam, With Notes On Biogeography

Abstract Two species of acanthocephalans are described from fishes caught along the Pacific coast off eastern Vietnam in 2016: (1) Neorhadinorhynchus nudum (Harada, 1938) Yamaguti, 1939 (Cavisomidae) from the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacépède) (Scombridae) in Nha Trang, Pacific south Vietnam, and (2) Heterosentis paraholospinus n. sp. (Arhythmacanthidae) from 3 species of fish: the common ponyfish Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål) (Leiognathidae) and the torpedo scad Megalaspis cordyla (Linn.) (Carangidae) off Nha Trang and Binh Thuân, respectively, and the yellowspotted ponyfish Nuchequula flavaxilla Kimura, Kimura, and Ikejima (Leiognathidae) at Quang Ninh in Pacific waters of Vietnam. Females of N. nudum are fully described for the first time in the Pacific Ocean. Heterosentis paraholospinus n. sp. is similar to Heterosentis holospinus Amin, Heckmann, and Ha, 2011, in having an unspined anterior trunk cone, nucleated pouch at the posterior end of the receptacle, and spines covering the entire trunk, but it differs in having a long cylindrical trunk, lemnisci much longer than the receptacle, more and different-sized proboscis hooks, and subterminal female gonopore. Biogeographical notes are discussed for both genera.