Complete mitogenome of the giant invasive hammerhead flatworm Bipalium kewense

International audienc

Are all species of Pseudorhabdosynochus strictly host specific? - a molecular study

International audienceSpecies of the diplectanid monogenean genus Pseudorhabdosynochus are strictly host-specific (specialist), with the exception of P. cyanopodus, which was reported in New Caledonia, South Pacific, from two host species, Epinephelus cyanopodus and E. chlorostigma. We sequenced the COI gene of both host fish species and of their monogeneans. Morphological identification and pairwise distances showed that the two fish species were distinct (difference 6.1-6.6%), but that their monogeneans were not (difference 0-1.5%). A morphological study of sclerotised parts showed that specimens of P. cyanopodus are similar in both fish. Most species of groupers and their associated Pseudorhabdosynochus species are from warm surface waters, but the two groupers E. cyanopodus and E. chlorostigma are usually caught in deep-sea on the outer slope of the coral reef. This suggests that acquisition of a less strict host specificity is an adaptation of P. cyanopodus to deep-sea hosts

Towards the resolution of the Microcotyle erythrini species complex: description of Microcotyle isyebi n. sp. (Monogenea, Microcotylidae) from Boops boops (Teleostei, Sparidae) off the Algerian coast

International audienc

Microcotyle visa n. sp. (Monogenea: Microcotylidae), a gill parasite of Pagrus caeruleostictus (Valenciennes) (Teleostei: Sparidae) off the Algerian coast, Western Mediterranean

International audienc

First report of the land planarian Endeavouria septemlineata (Hyman, 1939) (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Continenticola, Geoplanidae) in French Polynesia.

We report the presence of the land planarian Endeavouria septemlineata from Tahiti, French Polynesia, on the basis of a single specimen collected in 2017. Identification of the species was ascertained by external and internal morphology and DNA COI sequence. The finding is of importance for conservation, since this species is a predator of soil animals

Three new species of Cucullanus (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, with a key to species of Cucullanus from Anguilliformes

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies of nematode specimens from the digestive tract of some rarely collected anguilliform and perciform fishes off New Caledonia, three new species of Cucullanus Müller, 1777 (Cucullanidae) are described: C. austropacificus n. sp. from the longfin African conger Conger cinereus (Congridae), C. gymnothoracis n. sp. from the lipspot moray Gymnothorax chilospilus (Muraenidae), and C. incognitus n. sp. from the seabream Dentex fourmanoiri (Sparidae). Cucullanus austropacificus n. sp. is characterized by the presence of cervical alae, ventral sucker, alate spicules 1.30–1.65 mm long, conspicuous outgrowths of the anterior and posterior cloacal lips and by elongate-oval eggs measuring 89–108 × 48–57 μm; C. gymnothoracis n. sp. is similar to the foregoing species, but differs from it in the absence of cervical alae and the posterior cloacal outgrowth, in the shape and size of the anterior cloacal outgrowth and somewhat shorter spicules 1.12 mm long; C. incognitus n. sp. (based on female morphology) differs from other congeneric species parasitic in the Sparidae mainly in possessing cervical alae, the postequatorial vulva, phasmids situated at the mid-length of the tail and in the size of the eggs (75–84 × 45–66 μm). A key to species of Cucullanus parasitizing anguilliform fishes is provided

New records of anisakid nematodes from marine fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of five new species of Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) (Nematoda, Anisakidae)

Recent examinations of anisakid nematodes (Anisakidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, collected in the years 2003–2008, revealed the presence of the following five new species of Raphidascaris Railliet et Henry, 1915, all belonging to the subgenus Ichthyascaris Wu, 1949: Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) spinicauda n. sp. from the redbelly yellowtail fusilier Caesio cuning (Caesionidae, Perciformes); Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) fasciati n. sp. from the blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus (Serranidae, Perciformes); Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) nudicauda n. sp. from the brushtooth lizardfish Saurida undosquamis (Synodontidae, Aulopiformes); Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) euani n. sp. from the Japanese large-eye bream Gymnocranius euanus (Lethrinidae, Perciformes); and Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) elopsis n. sp. from the Hawaiian ladyfish Elops hawaiensis (Elopidae, Elopiformes). An additional two congeneric species, R. (I.) etelidis Moravec et Justine, 2012 and R. (I.) sillagoides (Bruce, 1990) were found in the deep-water red snapper Etelis carbunculus (new host record) and the deepwater longtail red snapper Etelis coruscans (both Lutjanidae, Perciformes), and the silver sillago Sillago sihama (Sillaginidae, Perciformes) (new host and geographical records), respectively. Two unidentified congeneric species, Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) sp. 1 from the trumpet emperor Lethrinus miniatus (Lethrinidae, Perciformes) and Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) sp. 2 from the white-spotted puffer Arothron hispidus (Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontiformes) were recorded. Moreover, two species of Hysterothylacium Ward et Magath, 1917, H. alatum Moravec et Justine, 2015 and H. epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1941), were found in the leopard coralgrouper Plectropomus leopardus (type host) and the highfin grouper Epinephelus maculatus (new host) (both Serranidae, Perciformes), respectively. This is the second finding of H. epinepheli since its original description in Japan 79 years ago. Most species are described based on light and electron microscopical studies

Giant worms chez moi! Hammerhead flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae, Bipalium spp., Diversibipalium spp.) in metropolitan France and overseas French territories

Background: Species of the genera Bipalium and Diversibipalium, or bipaliines, are giants among land planarians (family Geoplanidae), reaching length of 1 m; they are also easily distinguished from other land flatworms by the characteristic hammer shape of their head. Bipaliines, which have their origin in warm parts of Asia, are invasive species, now widespread worldwide. However, the scientific literature is very scarce about the widespread repartition of these species, and their invasion in European countries has not been studied. Methods: In this paper, on the basis of a four year survey based on citizen science, which yielded observations from 1999 to 2017 and a total of 111 records, we provide information about the five species present in Metropolitan France and French overseas territories. We also investigated the molecular variability of cytochrome-oxidase 1 (COI) sequences of specimens. Results: Three species are reported from Metropolitan France: Bipalium kewense, Diversibipalium multilineatum, and an unnamed Diversibipalium 'black' species. We also report the presence of B. kewense from overseas territories, such as French Polynesia (Oceania), French Guiana (South America), the Caribbean French islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy, and Montserrat (Central America), and La Reunion island (off South-East Africa). For B. vagum, observations include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Montserrat, La Reunion, and Florida (USA). A probable new species, Diversibipalium sp. 'blue,' is reported from Mayotte Island (off South-East Africa). B. kewense, B. vagum and D. multilineatum each showed 0% variability in their COI sequences, whatever their origin, suggesting that the specimens are clonal, and that sexual reproduction is probably absent. COI barcoding was efficient in identifying species, with differences over 10% between species; this suggests that barcoding can be used in the future for identifying these invasive species. In Metropolitan south-west France, a small area located in the Department of Pyrenees-Atlantiques was found to be a hot-spot of bipaliine biodiversity and abundance for more than 20 years, probably because of the local mild weather. Discussion: The present findings strongly suggest that the species present in Metropolitan France and overseas territories should be considered invasive alien species. Our numerous records in the open in Metropolitan France raise questions: as scientists, we were amazed that these long and brightly coloured worms could escape the attention of scientists and authorities in a European developed country for such a long time; improved awareness about land planarians is certainly necessary

Ponovni opis nametnika Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794 (Monogenea, Axinidae), pronađenog na škrgama iglice Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760) (Teleostei, Belonidae) uz alžirsku obalu u zapadnom Sredozemnom moru

Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794 is a polyopisthocotylean monogenean, parasite of belonid fishes, and there are few accounts with morphological and morphometrical data. Here, we redescribe A. belones based on newly collected specimens from its type-host, the garfish Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760) collected off Algeria, Western Mediterranean, a new locality for this species. Several anatomical and morphological features (genital apertures and clamps sclerites) are described and illustrated. We provide morpho-anatomical and morphometrical data, along with detailed illustrations of A. belones, and we discuss the host specificity of A. belones. Notes on hosts and localities of this species and other congeners are presented, and host specificity patterns of A. belones revealed stenoxenic specificity to Belonidae Bonaparte, 1835, whilst the genus Axine Abildgaard, 1794 seems to be restricted to fishes of the order Beloniformes. Our attempt to investigate morphometric variations between Mediterranean and oceanic specimens revealed that the two populations differed by the number of testes, body length, and clamp dimensions. However, the limited number of measured organs in the various accounts precluded any distinction between the populations. Molecular data for both Mediterranean and oceanic specimens are needed to determine the existence of cryptic species.Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794 je jednorodni metilj, nametnik na škrgama iglice, o kojem postoji malo radova s morfološkim i morfometrijskim podacima. U ovom radu dajemo ponovni opis vrste A. belones na temelju primjeraka sakupljenih na iglici Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760), njegovog tipskog domaćina. Primjerci iglica su ulovljeni uz obale Alžira, u zapadnom Sredozemnom moru, što je ujedno i novi lokalitet za ovu vrstu nametnika. Opisano je i ilustrirano nekoliko anatomskih i morfoloških značajki (genitalni otvori i skleriti prijanjaljki). U radu se iznose morfo-anatomski i morfometrijski podatci, zajedno s detaljnim ilustracijama A. belones i raspravlja o specifičnosti domaćina A. belones. Prikazani su i zabilježeni domaćini i lokaliteti nalaza ove vrste i srodnika, a obrasci specifičnosti domaćina kod A. belones ukazali su na stenokseničnu specifičnost prema porodici Belonidae Bonaparte, 1835, dok je rod Axine Abildgaard, 1794 vjerojatno ograničen na ribe reda Beloniformes. Naš pokušaj da istražimo morfometrijske varijacije između sredozemnih i oceanskih jedinki otkrio je da se dvije populacije razlikuju po broju testisa, duljini tijela i dimenzijama prijanjaljki. Međutim, ograničeni broj izmjerenih organa u drugim literaturnim izvorima onemogućio je precizno utvrđivanje razlike između populacija. Postojanje kriptičnih vrsta bi se moglo dokazati korištenjem molekularnih metoda za sredozemne i oceanske uzorke

Obama chez moi! The invasion of metropolitan France by the land planarian Obama nungara (Platyhelminthes, Geoplanidae)

Background: Obama nungara is a species of land flatworm originating from South America; the species was recently described and distinguished from a similar species, Obama marmorata. Obama nungara has invaded several countries of Europe, but the extent of the invasion has not been thoroughly mapped. Methods: In this article, based on a five and a half-year survey undertaken by citizen science, which yielded 530 records from 2013 to 2018, we analysed information about the invasion of Metropolitan France by O. nungara. We also investigated the variability of newly obtained cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) sequences of specimens from France, Italy and Switzerland. Results: Obama nungara was recorded from 72 of the 96 Departments of Metropolitan France. The species is especially abundant along the Atlantic coast, from the Spanish border to Brittany, and along the Mediterranean coast, from the Spanish border to the Italian border. More than half of the records were from an altitude below 50 m, and no record was from above 500 m; mountainous regions such as the Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central are not invaded. Local abundance can be impressive, with 100 of specimens found in a small garden. An analysis of our new COI sequences, combined with published sequences of specimens from several countries, confirmed that three clades comprise the species. The first clade, 'Brazil', is currently confined to this country in South America; the second clade, 'Argentina 2', was found in Argentina and in Europe, only in Spain; and the third, 'Argentina 1', was found in Argentina and in Europe, in Spain, Portugal, France, UK, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland. This suggests that two clades of O. nungara from Argentina have invaded Europe, with one widely spread. Discussion: The present findings strongly suggest that O. nungara is a highly invasive species and that the population which has invaded several countries in Europe comes from Argentina. The wide dispersion of the species and its reported local abundance, combined with the predatory character of the species, make O. nungara a potential threat to the biodiversity and ecology of the native soil fauna in Europe, and probably the most threatening species of all invasive land planarians present in Europe