Parasites of Some Penaeid Shrimps with Emphasis on Reared Hosts

Information is presented about parasites and commensals of penaeid shrimps, allowing those who rear shrimps and those who are interested in associated organisms of shrimp to have a better knowledge of the organisms that are or may be associated with brown, white, and pink shrimps. It covers common and rare organisms and diseases, primarily in the northern Gulf of Mexico, listing several previously unreported species including an undescribed gregarine, a larval nematode (Spirocarnallanus pereirai), a commensal nematode (Leptolaimus sp.), a leech (Myzobdella lugubris), a blue-green alga (Schizothrix calcicola), a hydroid (Obelia bicuspidata), and others. A possible relationship between the peritrich ciliate, Zoothamnium sp., and predilection to mortality following stress is discussed. Comparative data are given for organisms from brown and white shrimp from different ponds and the natural environment between 1969 and 1972 at Grand Terre, Louisiana. Also reported are organisms observed in or on shrimp from floating cages in Alabama and ponds in Florida and Texas, as well as wild stock from Mississippi and Georgia

\u3ci\u3eNeochasmus sogandaresi\u3c/i\u3e n. sp. (Trematoda: Cryptogonimidae) from the Striped Bass in Mississippi

The cryptogonimid trematode Neochasmus sogandaresi n. sp. is described from the intestine and pyloric caeca of a single specimen of the striped bass Morone saxatilis (Walbaum, 1792) from the West Pascagoula River in Mississippi. The species is 1.3–1.7 mm long and has 31–37 oral spines, a sucker width ratio of 1:0.45–1:0.54, a forebody 13–18% of the body length, and an elongated muscular pad. It is compared with the five other species in the genus

Digenetic Trematodes of Marine Teleost Fishes from Biscayne Bay, Florida

This study includes 111 species of Digenea from 69 of 113 species of teleost fishes examined from Biscayne Bay, Florida. Biscayne Bay represents the reported northern limit along the Atlantic coast for all but 22 of the 111 species. It represents the southern limit for only one, Didymocystis scomberomori. From the known collections reported in the literature, the Digenea from Biscayne Bay appear to consist primarily of a tropical fauna. Species previously known from the Pacific Ocean only are Botulisaccus pisceus and Pseudocreadium scaphosomum. There are 81 new host records. Two new genera are created: Claribulla (Felloclistomatidae) and Apertile (Opecoelidae). Thirteen new species are described: Apocreadium cryptum, Cadenatella floridae, Claribulla longula, Diphtherostomum albulae, Hamacreadium confusum, Hurleytrema pyriforme, Hymenocotta manteri, Lasiotocus albulae, Lasiotocus haemuli, Lasiotocus mugilis, Neolepidapedon macrum, Nicolla halichoeri, and Opegaster pritchardae. Eleven new combinations are made: Apertile holocentri, formerly Neopecoelus holocentri Manter, 1947; Apocreadium foliatum, formerly Homalometron foliatum Siddiqi and Cable, 1960; Bianium longipygum, formerly Diploproctodaeum longipygum Oshmarin, Mamaev, and Parukhin, 1961; Bianium macracetabulum, formerly Diploproctodaeum macracetabulum Oshmarin, Mamaev, and Parukhin, 1961; Diplomonorchis magnacetabulum, formerly Diplomonorcheides magnacetabulum Thomas, 1959; Helicometrina execta, formerly Helicometra execta Linton, 1910; Hurleytrema malabonensis, formerly Pseudohurleytrema malabonensis (Velasquez, 1961); Hurleytrema shorti, formerly Pseudohurleytrema shorti Nahhas and Powell, 1965; Megasolena hysterospina, formerly Lepidauchen hysterospina Manter, 1931; Myosaccium opisthonemae, formerly Neogenolinea opisthonemae Siddiqi and Cable, 1960; and Pseudopecoelus scorpaenae, formerly Neopecoelus scorpaenae Manter, 1947. Five genera have been synonymized: Bilecithaster Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonym of Diplangus Linton, 1910; Diplomonorcheides Thomas, 1959, synonym of Diplomonorchis Hopkins, 1941; Neogenolinea Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonym of Myosaccium Montgomery, 1957; Neopecoelus Manter, 1947, synonym of Pseudopecoelus Von Wicklen, 1946; and Parahurleytrema Nahhas and Powell, 1965, synonym of Hurleytrema Srivastava, 1938. Twelve species have been synonymized: Antorchis holacanthi Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonym of Antorchis urna (Linton, 1910) Linton, 1911; Bilecithaster ovalis Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonym of Diplangus parvus Manter, 1947; Diplomonorchis micropogoni Nahhas and Cable, 1964, synonym of Diplomonorchis leiostomi Hopkins, 1941; Helicometra pretiosa Bravo-Hollis and Manter, 1957, a synonym of Helicometra torta Linton, 1910; Helicometrina parva Manter, 1933, and Helicometrina trachinoti Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonyms of Helicometrina execta (Linton, 1910); Hexangitrema breviceca Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonym of Hexangitrema pomacanthi Price, 1937; Manteria costalimai Freitas and Kohn, 1964, synonym of Manteria brachydera (Manter, 1940); Megasolena archosargi Sogandares-Bernal and Hutton, 1959, synonym of Megasolena hysterospina (Manter, 1931); Opisthadena cortesi Bravo-Hollis, 1966, synonym of Opisthadena dimidia Linton, 1910; Paracryptogonimus neoamericanus Siddiqi and Cable, 1960, synonym of Paracryptogonimus americanus Manter, 1940; and Pseudohurleytrema ottoi Travassos, Freitas, and Bührnheim, 1965, synonym of Hurleytrema shorti (Nahhas and Powell, 1965)

Digenetic Trematodes of the Chesapeake Bay

It is safe to say that the taxonomy of Digenea from fishes and invertebrates from Chesapeake Bay is in need of considerable attention. First, the knowledge of what flukes are present is lacking, with the exception of a few scattered papers dealing with a limited number of species. A few such papers about adult Digenea from fishes are by Hopkins (1) and Anderson (2) and about larval forms from second intermediate hosts are by Stunkard and Uzmann (3), Dillon (4), and Perkins (5). A list of the Digenea from Chesapeake Bay compiled by D. E. Zwerner and A. R. Lawler is most likely incomplete from the standpoint of actual species present. Second, there are probably many Digenea present that are identical to those found in fishes from North Carolina and Massachusetts. Much of the knowledge about Digenea from those areas is based on numerous reports by Edwin Linton dating from the late 1800s to 1940 (see Linton, (6), and (7) in particular). Many of the descriptions of the species are insufficient by modern standards. Some of the species are not valid, whereas others should be split into several species. Many of the problems created in the early literature by several authors have yet to be solved

Aspects of the Biology of the Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, in Mississippi

About 3,000 specimens of the spotted seatrout from Mississippi Sound and adjacent water grouped by males and females had a nearly identical standard length (SL) versus total length (TL) relationship, although the equation for males in winter differed from that for those in other seasons. When investigating the SL-weight relationship, some differences occurred both among seasons and between sexes. Therefore, condition coefficients (K) were calculated to compare male and female groups according to their length and state of maturation on a seasonal basis. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) tended to increase with fish length, with relatively high values occurring in winter compared to low ones in summer when livers exhibited an abundance of lipid. Seasonal values of gonosomatic index (GSI) were typically less than those for HSI, except for ripe or nearly ripe fish. Males and females often concurrently exhibited contrasting values for both HSI and GSI. Females matured as short as 189 mm SL and males by 201 mm, and the percentage of gravid females in summer increased with increasing SL. By the time fish reached 40 cm, females constituted 85.7% of the sample from Mississippi Sound, not counting additional samples in 1982 that contained more males between 350 and 475 mm than females. Ovaries contained more oocytes than indicated in the literature. The largest estimate of oocytes over 30 μm in diameter per female was ten and one-half million using a simple volumetric displacement method, or fifteen and one-half million when calculated using a gravimetric technique. Based on histological and other evidence, most individual fish in Mississippi apparently spawned periodically from April to September and even longer during years with appropriate temperature conditions. When gravid, fish tended to group in schools composed primarily of males or females. Tagging studies indicated that neither C. nebulosus nor C. arenarius moved farther than 25 km from their location of release. Both seatrouts hosted parasites that harm the host in natural water and culture conditions, that adversely affect their respective fisheries, and that potentially cause human distress. Several listed parasites had not been reported previously from the fishes

Aspects of the Biology of the Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in Mississippi

Several hundred specimens of the red drum from Mississippi were critically assessed. Regression equations for standard-length (SL) versus total-length differed between males and females and between small and large members of the same sex. A single regression line represented the weight-SL relationship for males with females. For condition coefficients to be helpful, fish had to be grouped at least by sex, season, and length or stage of maturity. By 12 months of age, most fish were about 30 to 32 cm SL and their distribution ranged throughout Mississippi Sound rather than being restricted to inshore bayou and marsh habitats like younger individuals. Juvenile fish tended to have a high hepatosomatic index (HSI) in winter, and adults had a low one following spawning. The gonosomatic index (GSI) was typically lower than the HSI except for gravid fish in spring and summer. The number of oocytes available for spawning appeared to be much higher than cited in previous reports. The highest calculated fecundity, occurring in a 758 mm SL fish, was 62 million using a volumetric displacement method and 95 million using a gravimetric one. Extrapolated estimates for larger fish were much higher. Resting and yolk-vesicle stage oocytes typically had an irregular shape, an eccentrically located nucleus, and an abundance of highly basophilic substance in the ooplasm. Throughout a seasonal histological examination, both gonads contained, often in an abundance, Periodic-acid-Schiff-positive granular leukocytes. Spawning took place in late September and October one year, but apparently has occurred over longer periods when conditions of temperature and photoperiod were appropriate. No tagged, 1-year-old fish were returned from farther than 33 km from the point of release. Adults, however, apparently migrated extensively, especially from October through April. Those adults tagged several km south of the barrier islands included individuals caught 778 km away in Texas after 746 days and 316 km away in Florida after 399 days. Another fish apparently migrated at least 120 km in inshore waters in 6 days or fewer. An estimated 25 million kg or more of red drum occurred at one time between the Mississippi River and Mobile Point, Alabama. The red drum served as a host for a variety of parasites, some capable of having an adverse effect on natural stocks, on cultured stocks, and on seafood consumers, and most species known to infect the drum are listed in a table. The red drum has succumbed to some microbial agents, low dissolved oxygen concentration, rapidly dropping temperatures, and other detrimental conditions, some unidentified or unexplained. Probably, considerable mortality can be attributed periodically to environmental or environmentally-influenced conditions and to parasitic infections

Some Species of \u3ci\u3eLecithaster\u3c/i\u3e Lühe, 1901 (Digenea: Hemiuridae) and Related Genera from Fishes in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Lecithaster helodes n. sp. is described from Mugil curema and M. cephalus. It differs from the closely related L. mugilis Yamaguti, 1970 by having four rather than three ovarian lobes and other minor differences. Discussions and measurements are presented for L. confusus Odhner, 1905, L. leiostomi Overstreet, 1970, Hysterolecitha elongata Manter, 1931, Aponurus pyriformis (Linton, 1910) n. comb., and A. elongatus Siddiqi & Cable, 1960. Branchadena Linton, 1910 is considered a synonym of Aponurus Looss, 1907. New host records are listed for some of the above hemiurid trematodes. Leurodera ocyri Travassos, Frietas & Bihrnheim, 1965 and L. inaequalis Travassos, Freitas & Biihrnheim, 1965 are considered synonyms of A. pyriformis

Buquinolate as a Preventive Drug to Control Microsporidosis in the Blue Crab

When administered a single meal containing spores of Nosema michaelis and buquinolate, specimens of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, were less likely to acquire spore-ridden muscle tissue than individuals not allowed the drug. Those crabs presented the drug 48 hr preceding or following the introduction of spores also exhibited minimal incidence of infection. Even after 2 mo, spores were not observed in the musculature of most crabs

\u3ci\u3ePoecilancistrium caryophyllum\u3c/i\u3e and Other Trypanorhynch Cestode Plerocercoids from the Musculature of \u3ci\u3eCynoscion nebulosus\u3c/i\u3e and Other Sciaenid Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

Examination of over 3,000 fish, all sciaenids, has shown that plerocercoids of Poecilancistrium caryophyllum infect Cynoscion nebulosus, Bairdiella chrysura, Sciaenops ocellata, C. arenarius, Micropogonias undulatus, and Pogonias cromis in Mississippi Sound. In addition to P. caryophyllum, a pseudophyllidean-like trypanorhynch also infected C. nebulosus and M. undulatus. Pseudogrillotia pleistacantha selectively infected large P. cromis, Pterobothrium heteracanthum infected M. undulatus, and Pterobothrium lintoni infected Menticirrhus americanus. Prevalence and intensity of infections of P. caryophyllum in C. nebulosus from Mississippi, roughly 40% of the fish each possessing an average of about two worms, compare with infections observed in fish from Texas and Louisiana. However, values for fish from Apalachee Bay, but not Tampa Bay, Florida, are about twice as high. Extensive seasonal sampling in Mississippi Sound indicates fluctuations but no clear-cut seasonal trends other than a possible relationship between infections and salinity. As C. nebulosus increases in length, the prevalence of infections, but not the intensity, increases. This finding suggests an immune response to challenge infections. No fish less than 140 mm SL and relatively few less than 250 mm SL revealed infections, suggesting either the unavailability of the intermediate host to young fish or the ultimate death of most young infected individuals. Based on condition coefficients and liver-weight analysis, no apparent detrimental effect on infected, moderately-heavy adult fish occurred. Infections primarily involve the middle of a fillet or the region adjacent to the vertebral column below the dorsal fins and cause an esthetically displeasing product and consequently depress economically the trout fishery. Relatively more male than female fish harbored worms, but the significance of that finding is questioned

Concepts in Animal Parasitology, Chapter 47: Summary of the Digenea (Subclass): Insights and Lessons from a Prominent Parasitologist

Chapter 47 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology, a summary of the subclass Digenea, insights and lessons from a prominent parasitologist, Robin M. Overstreet . 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap04