Parasitology Commons^™

Defensin In The Ticks Dermacentor Variabilis And Ixodes Scapularis, Shane Michael Ceraul

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

This dissertation presents the identification, molecular structure and expression of defensin, an antimicrobial peptide, in the ticks, Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis. A 624 bp cDNA molecule for defensin was cloned and sequenced from hemocytes, fat body and midgut of unstimulated D. variabilis ticks. Defensin peptide was detected only in the hemocyte lysates. These results suggest that the defensin from D. variabilis is synthesized and stored in the hemocytes, although the role of other tissues is not excluded.

The ability of the juvenile stage ticks to express the defensin gene was confirmed. Detection of the defensin transcript in all …

Parhadjelia Cairinae N. Sp. (Nematoda: Habronematoidea: Habronematidae) In The Muscovy Duck, Cairina Moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Anseriformes: Anatidae), From The Área De Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Luping Zhang, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A new species of Parahadjelia occurs in the Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The new species differs from Parhadjelia neglecta Lent and Freitas, 1939, in the body size, in the spicules shape and ratio of spicules, and in having two pairs of sessile papillae near the tail tip of the male. The characters exhibited by P. neglecta and the new species validate its generic status distinct from Hadjelia.

Skrjabinura Gnedina, 1933 (Nematoda: Seuratoidea: Seuratidae), In Birds From The Área De Conservación, Guanacaste, Costa Rica With Description Of A New Species, Luping Zhang, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Two species of Skrjabinura Gnedina, 1933, were collected in the intestines of birds from the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica. Skrjabinura mesoamericana n. sp. inhabits Dendrocincla homochroa, Calocitta formosa, Dendrocolaptes certhia, Basileuterus rufifrons, and Chordeiles acutipennis. The new species differs from all species of the genus by having dissimilar spicules, the right having a distinctive thin and bent handle on the proximal end. The new species can be further distinguished from Skrjabinura pomatostomi and Skrjabinura brevicaudatum by having subequal versus equal spicules. Skrjabinura mesoamericana resembles S. brevicaudatum in the number and arrangement of …

Species Of Gorgoderina (Digenea: Gorgoderidae) In Rana Vaillanti And Rana Cf. Forreri (Anura: Ranidae) From Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Including A Description Of A New Species, Rosario Mata-López, Virginia León-Règagnon, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Gorgoderina parvicava, G. diaster, and G. megacetabularis n. sp. are reported inhabiting the urinary bladders of Rana vaillanti and R. cf. forreri from northwestern Costa Rica. Gorgoderina megacetabularis n. sp. differs from all other species of the genus by the combination of the following characters: small body size (2.78-3.17, mean 2.92 mm), sucker ratio (1:3.1-3.7), and by the presence of two compact, oval, unlobed vitelline masses. Redescription of G. diaster including previously undescribed details on the reproductive apparatus and morphometric data are provided. This is the first record of the three species of Gorgoderina in Costa Rica and …

A Monkey’S Tale: The Origin Of Plasmodium Vivax As A Human Malaria Parasite, Ananias A. Escalante, Omar E. Cornejo, Denise E. Freeland, Amanda C. Poe, Ester Durrego, William E. Collins, Altaf A. Lal

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

The high prevalence of Duffy negativity (lack of the Duffy blood group antigen) among human populations in sub-Saharan Africa has been used to argue that Plasmodium vivax originated on that continent. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships among 10 species of Plasmodium that infect primates by using three genes, two nuclear (β-tubulin and cell division cycle 2) and a gene from the plastid genome (the elongation factor Tu). We find compelling evidence that P. vivax is derived from a species that inhabited macaques in Southeast Asia. Specifically, those phylogenies that include P. vivax as an ancient lineage from …

Bolivian Ectoparasites: A New Species Of Laelapine Mite (Acari: Parasitiformes, Laelapidae) From The Rodent Neacomys Spinosus, Donald Gettinger, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Laelaps neacomydis n. sp. is described from the pelage of the rodent Neacomys spinosus collected in Bolivia. Collection records from northern Brazil, southeastern Peru, and central Bolivia indicate its wide distribution across Amazonas associated with rodents of the genus Neacomys. The formal taxonomic description and illustrations are derived from the adults (female and male). Two larger species of laelapine mites, Gigantolaelaps intermedius and L. boultoni, infest the same hosts at the same localities.

Family Rhopaliidae Looss, 1899, Valentin V. Radev, Scott Lyell Gardner, Ivan Kanev

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Members of the family Rhopaliidae Looss, 1899 include digenetic trematodes that are parasites of marsupials in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. These forms are characterized by having two anteriorly directed proboscides armed with spines and situated bilaterally relative to the oral sucker. The family was first established by Looss (1899) as the Rhopaliadae. Braun (1901b) incorrectly spelled the subfamily name as Rhopaliadinae. These trematodes were further studied and redescribed by Fuhrmann (1928) and Bresslau (1932), while Pratt (1902) appears to have been the first to consider the group to be related to the schinostomes. Viana (1924) emended the spelling of …

Crystallization And Preliminary X-Ray Analysis Of Na-Asp-1, A Multi-Domain Pathogenesis-Related-1 Protein From The Human Hookworm Parasite Necator Americanus, Oluwatoyin A. Asojo, Alex Loukas, Mehmet Inan, Rick Barent, Jicai Huang, Brad Plantz, Amber Swanson, Mark Gouthro, Michael M. Meagher, Peter J. Hotez

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Human hookworm infection is a major cause of anemia and malnutrition in the developing world. In an effort to control hookworm infection, the Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative has identified candidate vaccine antigens from the infective larval stage (L3) of the parasite, including a family of pathogenesis-related-1 (PR-1) proteins known as the ancylostoma-secreted proteins (ASPs). The functions of the ASPs are unknown. In addition, it is unclear why some ASPs have one while others have multiple PR-1 domains. There are no known structures of a multi-domain ASP and in an effort to remedy this situation, recombinant Na-ASP-1 has been expressed, …

Faunal Survey Of Streblid Flies (Diptera: Streblidae) Associated With Bats In Paraguay, Carl W. Dick, Donald Gettinger

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

An extensive survey of the ectoparasites infesting bats in Paraguay provides information regarding the taxonomy and host distribution of streblid bat flies at a geographic interface between subtropical and temperate habitats. Five families of bats representing 45 species, including Molossidae (5 genera and 15 species), Natalidae (1 genus and 1 species), Phyllostomidae (11 genera and 15 species), Noctilionidae (1 genus and 2 species), and Vespertilionidae (4 genera and 12 species) were collected from 24 localities across Paraguay and sampled for ectoparasites. In total, 2,467 bat flies were collected, representing 11 genera and 31 nominal species of Streblidae, of which 6 …

Hesperoctenes Fumarius (Hemiptera: Polyctenidae) Infesting Molossus Rufus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) In Southeastern Brazil, Carlos E. L. Esbérard, Andrea C. Jesus, Adarene G. Motta, Helena G. Bergallo, Donald Gettinger

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We analyzed the prevalence. intensity. and medium density of parasitism of Hesperoctenes fumarius infesting Molossus rufus in natural (hollow trees) and anthropogenic roosts (attics) in southeastern Brazil. The prevalence and intensity of infestations were higher in the hollow trees than in the attic roosts. We also noted a relationship between the amount of space available within the roost and the infestation levels of H. fumarius. One advantage of roosting in larger. often manmade. refuges may be the reduction in ectoparasite infestations.

Laelapine Mites (Acari: Laelapidae) Associated With Small Mammals From Amazonas, Brazil, Including A New Species From Marsupials, Donald Gettinger, Fernanda Martins-Hetano, Marcela Lareschi, Jay R. Malcolm

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

An intensive survey of ectoparasitic arthropods associated with small mammals in upland forests near Manaus, Brazil, provides information on the taxonomy and host distribution of laelapine mites in the Amazonian Region. We identified 5 genera and 21 species of these mites by comparisonw ith representativem useum specimens, the taxonomic literature, and, when possible, the original type specimens. These mites are host specific, with associations ranging from strict monoxeny (18 species) to oligoxeny (1 species) and pleioxeny (2 species). Marsupials were infested with species of Androlaelaps, echimyid rodents with Tur, and sigmodontine rodents with Gigantolaelaps, Laelaps, and Mysolaelaps. Androlaelaps bergalloi …

A New Species Of Skrjabingylus Petrov, 1927 (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) From The Frontal Sinuses Of The Hooded Skunk, Mephitis Macroura (Mustelidae), Ramon A. Carreno, Kathryn E. Reif, Steven A. Nadler

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Skrjabingylus santaceciliae n. sp. is described based on specimens from the frontal sinuses of a hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura, collected from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Skrjabingylus santaceciliae n. sp. differs from the other 5 species in the genus in having pointed spicule tips that lack a rounded or lobed formation and by lacking a prominent distal projection at the tail tip. Morphometric comparisons show that S. santaceciliae n. sp. is much smaller than the only other valid species from Mephitis, Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum Hill, 1939. Likewise, morphometric comparisons also distinguish S. santaceciliae n. sp. from other described Skrjabingylus …

Phylogenetic Relationships Of Palaeacanthocephala (Acanthocephala) Inferred From Ssu And Lsu Rdna Gene Sequences, Martín García-Varela, Steven A. Nadler

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The Palaeacanthocephala is traditionally represented by 2 orders, Echinorhynchida and Polymorphida, with 10 and 3 families, respectively. To test the monophyly of the class, these 2 orders, and certain families, phylogenies were inferred using nuclear small-subunit (SSU) and large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA sequences obtained for 29 species representing 10 families, 2 other classes of acanthocephalans, and 3 rotifer outgroups. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred by analyzing combined SSU and LSU sequences using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Parsimony and ML trees inferred from combined analysis of these rDNA data strongly supported monophyly of Palaeacanthocephala and provided good resolution …

Coevolution And Biogeography Among Nematodirinae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina) Lagomorpha And Artiodactyla (Mammalia): Exploring Determinants Of History And Structure For The Northern Fauna Across The Holarctic, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Nematodes of the subfamily Nematodirinae are characteristic components of a Holarctic fauna. the topology of a generic-level phylogenetic hypothesis, patterns of diversity, and geographic distributions for respective nematode taxa in conjunction with data for host occurrence are consistent with primary distributions determined across Beringia for species of Murielus, Rauschia, Nematodirus, and Nematodirella. Ancestral ghosts are represented by Lagomorpha, with evidence for a minimum of 1 host-switching-event and subsequent radiation in the Artiodactyla. Diversification may reflect vicariance of respective faunas along with episodic or cyclical range expansion and isolation across Beringia during the late Tertiary and Quaternary. Secondarily, species …

Pseudostertagia Bullosa (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) In Artiodactyl Hosts From North America: Redescription And Comments On Systematics, Eric P. Hoberg, A. Abrams

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A relationship for Pseudostertagia bullosa within the trichostrongyloids has been enigmatic or unresolved. Studies of the synlophe in males and females of P. bullosa revealed a tapering system anterior to the deirids and a pattern of parallel ridges extending to near the caudal extremity in both lateral and median fields. Structurally, the synlophe differs considerably from that seen among the Cooperiinae and exhibits homoplasy with respect to ridge systems among some Ostertagiinae. Other structural characters due to symplesiomorphy, homoplasy or because they represent autapomorphies do not serve to reveal the putative relationships for P. bullosa with other trichostrongyloids. Although somewhat …

Possible Recent Range Expansion Of Alcataenia Longicervica (Eucestoda: Dilepididae) Parasitic In Murres Uria Spp. (Alcidae) Into The North Atlantic [Short Communications], Sabir B. Muzaffar, Eric P. Hoberg, Ian L. Jones

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A wide range of helminths has been recorded from murres Uria spp. (Threlfall 1971, reviewed by Hoberg 1984a, Muzaffar & Jones 2004). Of the cyclophyllidean cestodes that parasitize murres, the genus Alcataenia Spasskaya 1971 (Dilepididae) is represented by ten species, eight of which are restricted and specific to the auks; the other two species occur in gulls (Laridae). The intermediate hosts of Alcataenia are euphausiid crustaceans such as species of Thysanoessa (Shimazu 1975), which also form an important dietary component of breeding and wintering murres, particularly Thick-billed Murres Uria lomvia (Gaston & Noble 1985, Birkhead & Nettleship 1987, Elliot et …

Development And Pathogenesis Of Parelaphostrongylus Odocoilei (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae) In Experimentally Infected Thinhorn Sheep (Ovis Dalli), Emily J. Jenkins, Eric P. Hoberg, L. Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Recently, the protostrongylid nematode Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei has been reported in a new host species, thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli). For the first time, we completed the life cycle of P. odocoilei in three Stone’s sheep (O. dalli stonei) and two thinhorn hybrids (O. dalli stonei × O. dalli dalli), each infected with 200 third-stage larvae from slugs (Deroceras laeve). The prepatent period ranged from 68 days to 74 days, and shedding of first-stage larvae (L1) peaked at >10,000 L1 per gram of feces between 90 and 110 days postinfection. A total of 75, …

Global Warming Is Changing The Dynamics Of Arctic Host-Parasite Systems, S. J. Kutz, Eric P. Hoberg, L. Polley, E. J. Jenkins

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Global climate change is altering the ecology of infectious agents and driving the emergence of disease in people, domestic animals, and wildlife. We present a novel, empirically based, predictive model for the impact of climate warming on development rates and availability of an important parasitic nematode of muskoxen in the Canadian Arctic, a region that is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Using this model, we show that warming in the Arctic may have already radically altered the transmission dynamics of this parasite, escalating infection pressure for muskoxen, and that this trend is expected to continue. This work establishes a foundation …

Trichinella Pseudospiralis From A Wild Pig In Texas, H. Ray Gamble, E. Pozio, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, D. S. Zarlenga, D. E. Hill

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

In December 2001, the routine inspection of a wild boar intended for human consumption revealed the presence of Trichinella ssp. larvae. Biological, morphological and genetic analyses demonstrated the parasite to be Trichinella pseudospiralis. This is the second report of T. pseudospiralis in the United States and the first report of the parasite in a food animal species in the U.S.

Caudal Polymorphism And Cephalic Morphology Among First-Stage Larvae Of Parelaphostrongylus Odocoilei (Protostrongylidae: Elaphostrongylinae) In Dall’S Sheep From The Mackenzie Mountains, Canada, Eric P. Hoberg, Emily J. Jenkins, Benjamin Rosenthal, Mayee Wong, Eric F. Erbe, Susan J. Kutz, Lydden Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We demonstrate polymorphism in the structure of the tail among first-stage larvae of Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei (Protostrongylidae). Two distinct larvae, both with a characteristic dorsal spine, include (1) a morphotype with a kinked conical tail marked by three distinct transverse folds or joints and a symmetrical terminal tail spike and (2) a morphotype with a digitate terminal region lacking folds or joints and with an asymmetrical, subterminal tail spike. These divergent larval forms had been postulated as perhaps representing distinct species of elaphostrongyline nematodes. Application of a multilocus approach using ITS-2 sequences from the nuclear genome and COX-II sequences from the …

Phylogeny For Genera Of Nematodirinae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina), Eric P. Hoberg, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, Lora G. Rickard

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Monophyly for the Nematodirinae, with five genera, Murielus, Rauschia, Nematodiroides, Nematodirus, and Nematodirella was confirmed based on comparative morphology and phylogenetic analysis of structural characters. This concept for the nematodirines excludes the monotypic Lamanema chavezi, but otherwise corroborates generic-level diversity as defined in prior studies. Exhaustive analysis resulted in one most parsimonious tree (36 steps; consistency index [CI] = 0.94; retention index [RI] = 0.93; excluding phylogenetically uninformative characters, CI = 0.92). As an inclusive or monophyletic group, Nematodirinae was diagnosed by eight synapomorphies (seven are unequivocal): (1) large eggs, (2) long filiform spicules, (3) basal division of …

Beringia: Intercontinental Exchange And Diversification Of High Latitude Mammals And Their Parasites During The Pliocene And Quarternary, Joseph A. Cook, Eric P. Hoberg, Anson Koehler, Heikki Henttonen, Lotta Wickström, Voitto Haukisalmi, Kurt Galbreath, Felix Chernyavski, Nikolai Dokuchaev, Anatoli Lahzuhtkin, Stephen O. Macdonald, Andrew Hope, Eric Waltari, Amy Runck, Alasdair Veitch, Richard Popko, Emily Jenkins, Susan Kutz, Ralph Eckerlin

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Beringia is the region spanning eastern Asia and northwestern North America that remained ice-free during the full glacial events of the Pleistocene. Numerous questions persist regarding the importance of this region in the evolution of northern faunas. Beringia has been implicated as both a high latitude refugium and as the crossroads (Bering Land Bridge) of the northern continents for boreal mammals. The Beringian Coevolution Project (BCP) is an international collaboration that has provided material to assess the pattern and timing of faunal exchange across the crossroads of the northern continents and the potential impact of past climatic events on differentiation. …

Increasing Interest In Parasitology At The Past Three International Mammalogical Congresses Held In 1997, 2001 And 2005: Mammals, Parasites, Zoonoses And Biodiversity, Scott Lyell Gardner, Mitsuhiko Asakawa, Luis A. Ruedas, Kenichi Takahashi

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We summarized the data from the past three TTC (now IMC) meetings to examine the potential trends in presentation of parasites of mammals at the meeting. The lists include titles and authors of papers given in symposia, poster sessions, and oral presentations related to diseases, zoonoses, parasites, and causative agents of diseases of sylvatic mammals. Our analysis shows that there has been an increase in the number of papers (from 2.8% in 1997 to 5.1% in 2005) presented at the International Mammalogical Meetings. We also show that there are potentially more than 27,000 species of parasites (broadly defined) currently inhabiting …

Preface, Kenichi Takahashi, Mitsuhiko Asakawa, Luis A. Ruedas, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The papers included in this section were derived from the topical presentations including but not limited to parasite zoonoses, mammal parasite ecology, and mammal parasite biodiversity given at the IX International Mammalogical Congress (IMC9) held in 31 July-5 August 2005 in Sapporo, Japan.

Redescription And New Host Record Of Eimeria Serbica From The Caucasian Tree Squirrel, Sciurus Anomalus, From Turkey, Lee Couch, Atilla Arslan, Donald W. Duszynski

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Fecal samples from 20 Caucasian tree squirrels, Sciurus anomalus (Gmelin, 1778) Güldenstaedt, 1785, were collected in Turkey during February and March, 2004, and all 20 were infected with a single species of coccidia, Eimeria serbica. Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoidal, 27.5 × 17.5 (21–34 × 15–20) with a length:width ratio (L/W) of 1.6 (1.4–1.8); they lack a micropyle and oocyst residuum, but 0–2 polar granules may be present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11.9 × 6.9 (10.5–14 × 6–7.5) with a L/W of 1.7 (1.5–2.1); a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present.

Pathogenic New Species Of Eimeria From The Pygmy Rabbit, Brachylagus Idahoensis, In Washington And Oregon, With Description Of The Sporulated Oocyst And Intestinal Endogenous Stages, Donald W. Duszynski, Lisa Harrenstien, Lee Couch, Michael M. Garner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

In January 2003, fecal samples from 13 live pygmy rabbits, Brachylagus idahoensis (Merriam, 1891), were collected at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon, and sent to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, New Mexico, to be examined for coccidia. In July 2004, 14 more fecal samples were collected and sent to UNM, 6 from some of the same rabbits and 8 from 16 other rabbits (4 were pooled samples from siblings). In addition, tissue sections from 3 dead rabbits (2 from the Oregon Zoo, 1 from Washington State University) also were examined. Two of 4 (50%) pooled fecal samples …

Eimeria Species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) From Arctic Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus Parryii ) And Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus) In Alaska And In Siberia, Russia, Robert S. Seville, Clint E. Oliver, Andrew J. Lynch, Michelle C. Bryant, Donald W. Duszynski

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Fecal samples from arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) collected in Alaska (n = 90) and Russia (n = 46) and from red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Alaska (n = 35) were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Four species were recovered from arctic ground squirrels, including Eimeria callospermophili (prevalence = 18%), Eimeria cynomysis (23.5%), Eimeria lateralis (19%), and Eimeria morainensis (77%). A single species, Eimeria tamiasciuri (91%), was recovered from red squirrels. Eimerians recovered from arctic ground squirrels represent new host records, and the single species from red squirrels is …

Parasites Of The American White Pelican, Robin M. Overstreet, Stephen S. Curran

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Metazoan symbionts, including parasites, infecting the American white pelican (AWP) Pelecanus erythrorhynchos comprise a list of 75 species, 7 of which are new host records. Several new geographic records are also presented, but generally these have a low value because of the migratory nature of the bird. Evidence suggests that some parasites, mostly flies and other arthropods but also nematodes and digeneans, produce detrimental behavioral or pathologic changes in the AWP. Some of the arthropods transmit microbial agents to the pelican. Two digeneans that have the AWP as a definitive host harm and even kill their catfish intermediate host, especially …

Presentation Of The 2005 Asp Distinguished Service Award To Ralph Lichtenfels, Robin M. Overstreet

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Presentation of the 2005 American Society of Parasitologists Distinguished Service Award to parasitologist J. Ralph Lichtenfels.

The Pathologic Copepod Phrixocephalus Cincinnatus (Copepoda: Pennellidae) In The Eye Of Arrowtooth Flounder, Atherestes Stomias, And Rex Sole, Glyptocephalus Zachirus, From British Columbia, Reginald B. Blaylock, Robin M. Overstreet, Alexandra B. Morton

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We report Phrixocephalus cincinnatus, a pennellid copepod infecting the eyes of flatfishes, from a single specimen of rex sole, Glyptocephalus zachirus, for the first time. In the typical host, the arrowtooth flounder, Atherestes stomias, the parasite occurred commonly in sampled populations from the Broughton Archipelago in British Columbia, infected primarily the right eye of the flounder, and on only one occasion presented more than two parasites per eye. The copepod attached to the choroid layer and ramified throughout the posterior compartment of the eye, resulting in the disruption of the retina and probably impairing host vision. Inflammation …