On theNeoechinorhynchus agilis(Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) complex, with a description ofNeoechinorhynchus ponticusn. sp. fromChelon auratusin the Black Sea

Abstract

We recognize four species in the Neoechinorhynchus agilis complex. We studied specimens of Neoechinorhynchus (Hebesoma) personatus Tkach, Sarabeev & Shvetsova, 2014 from Mugil cephalus in the Mediterranean Sea off Tunisia and in the Black Sea, and also specimens of Neoechinorhynchus ponticus n. sp. from Chelon auratus Risso in the Black Sea. Specimens from M. cephalus at both locations were similar. All structures of N. ponticus n. sp. were considerably smaller than those of N. personatus. Two other species of the N. agilis complex are recognized: Neoechinorhynchus agilis (Rudolphi, 1819) sensu stricto from various hosts in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and Neoechinorhynchus yamagutii Tkach, Sarabeev & Shvetsova, 2014 from M. cephalus and Planiliza haematocheila in the Pacific, especially the Sea of Japan. Neoechinorhynchus dimorphospinus Amin & Sey, 1996 from marine fish in the Persian Gulf and the Pacific Ocean off Vietnam may be a candidate for membership in the N. agilis complex. X-ray scans of gallium cut and intact hooks of N. personatus and N. ponticus showed differences in the mineral content of hooks with higher sulfur levels in smaller hooks and in hooks from specimens in the Black Sea compared to specimens from the Mediterranean. The relatively high genetic differences between N. ponticus n. sp. and other species of Neoechinorhynchus using a partial 18S rDNA dataset support its independent status. Neoechinorhynchus ponticus n. sp. and N. personatus have a common ancestor with species of Neoechinorhynchus collected from saltwater fish.

The morphological and molecular characterization of Baylisascaris devosi Sprent, 1952 (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda), collected from Pine marten (Martes martes) in Iran

“…The chemical elements of a parasite structure can be determined in minute amounts and then applied to the morphology of the organism. The dual beam allows the researcher to cut the minute structures (such as hooks of acanthocephala) with a gallium beam and analyze the surface [16,[20][21][22][23]. Most of the analysis is of a qualitative, not quantitative, nature for the parasites.…”

A comparative assessment of the morphology ofProfilicollis altmani(Acanthocephala, Polymorphidae) from crustaceans and shore birds in Peru, with special notes on hook elemental analysis (EDXA), SEM imaging, histopathology, and molecular profile

“…5), rooted with prominent anterior manubria (Figs. [17][18][19][20]. Hook tips with high level of sulfur and low levels of phosphorous and calcium and midhook showing opposite trend.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and on 20 cystacanths (13 males and 7 females) measured and studied with microscopic images (Figs. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] from whole mounts obtained from E. analoga in Peru is provided below.…”

“…Fifth hook abruptly shorter but thickest, 6th hook, smallest; hooks gradually increasing in size posteriorly to maximum basally (Figs. [17][18][19][20]. Complete measurements of hooks in 1 longitudinal row in Table 2.…”

New perspectives on Aspersentis Megarhynchus (Acanthocephala: Heteracanthocephalidae) from Notothenia Coriiceps Richardson (Nototheniidae) in the West Antarctic, with emended generic diagnosis

“…The micropores and the peripheral canal connections to the canaliculi of the inner layer of the tegument were demonstrated by transmission electron micrographs in Corynosoma strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802) Lühe, 1904 from the Caspian seal Pusa caspica (Gmelin) in the Caspian Sea (Amin et al ., 2011, Figs 19, 20) and in Neoechinorhynchus personatus Tkach, Sarabeev & Shvetsova, 2014 from Mugil cephalus Linn. in Tunisia (Amin et al ., 2020, Figs 26, 29, 30).…”