Description of Acleotrema maculatus sp. nov. (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) infecting the spotted coral grouper Plectropomus maculatus (F:Serranidea) from the Red Sea and its histopathological impact

Acleotrema maculatus sp. nov. (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) was described from the gills of The spotted coral grouper Plectropomus maculatus (F:Serranidea, Forsskal, 1775). Fish were collected from boot landing sites and fishermen at different water locations along the Red Sea at Hurghada City, Egypt. The morphology and morphometric characterization of the recovered worms were described by means of light microscopy. Eight (53.3%) out 15 specimens of P. maculatus were infected. Most of the infected fish had very pale gills. Morphologically, the adult worm of A. maculatus sp. nov., possessed a body which was elongated, fusiform with a total length 0.86–0.90 (0.88 ± 0.02) mm, and a maximum width 0.09–0.13 (0.11 ± 0.02) mm at the level of ovary. Haptor, broad, differentiated from the rest of the body, measured 0.04–0.08 (0.06 ± 0.02) mm and provided with continuous rows of squamodiscs. Two pairs of lateral hamuli, three bars and 14 marginal hooklets were also observed. Lateral (dorsal) bars two, stout, dumbbell-shaped, measured 0.052–0.056 (0.054 ± 0.002) mm in length. Ventral bar slender, with transverse groove, measured 0.09–0.11 (0.10 ± 0.01) mm in length. Ventral hamuli measured 0.02–0.06 (0.04 ± 0.02) mm in total length with an outer root that was very long measured 0.016–0.02 (0.018 ± 0.002), stout, slightly notched at broad proximal end; inner root was conical and measured 0.013–0.017 (0.015 ± 0.002) mm, with shaft measured 0.025–0.029 (0.027 ± 0.002) mm and point length 0.007–0.009 (0.008 ± 0.002) mm. Dorsal hamuli measured 0.034–0.038 (0.036 ± 0.002) in total length; base large, stout, with only lateral rudiment of roots; blade and point were long and curved with shaft length measured 0.024–0.028 (0.026 ± 0.002) mm and 0.02–0.06 (0.04 ± 0.02) mm point length. The worm is hermaphrodite, male copulatory organ measured 0.058–0.062 (0.060 ± 0.002) mm in length with a sclerotized part composed of a well-defined, sclerotized anterior sheath. The new species was compared with those described previously from the same genus, it was shown that there were significant morphological and morphometric, which was a strong criteria for the placement these monogenean parasites as new species with new host and locality records in Egypt

Rhabdias bufonis (Rhabdiasidae) from the lung of the African common toad, Amietophrynus regularis (Bufonidae) in Egypt: new data on the basis of light and scanning electron microscopic study

Background and Aims Rhabdias sp. (Rhabdiasidae) is a nematode parasite of family Rhabdiasidae infecting the lung of amphibians. The present study provides new morphological details for Rhabdias bufonis isolated from the lungs of the African common toad, Amietophrynus regularis based on observations of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods Forty specimens were collected from its natural habitat: the damp, moist fields and gardens at Giza governorate, Egypt. Worms were isolated from the lungs, fixed and then preserved. They were examined using light and SEM with further line drawings. Results Fourteen specimens (35%) were found to harbor Rhabdias with an intensity of three to five worms per host. Bodies of the gravid females were elongated, slender, measured 3.22–9.86 (5.64 ± 0.03) long and 0.09–0.48 (0.23 ± 0.02) wide at mid-length. Buccal capsule was with cylindrical lumen and sclerotized walls. Ovaries were almost straight. The uteri were located anterior and posterior to the vulva. Uterus were filled with a large number of eggs (17–42). Eggs were oval in shape and some of them were with fully developed larvae inside. The tail was comparatively short, gradually tapered. SEM showed that worms possessed an oval anterior end with a simple, slit like oral opening. The lipless edges of the mouth opening were bordered with tiny cuticular elevations, radiated outwards. Two pairs of submedian cephalic papillae were observed around the oral opening as well as two amphids. Conclusion The current study presents new morphological details for R. bufonis isolated from the African common toad. Also, the morphology of the slit-like mouth opening, the two pairs of cephalic papillae, two amphids and the three pairs of cuticular elevations supporting the area around mouth opening were investigated