Meplitumen aluna gen. nov., sp. nov. an interesting eutardigrade (Hypsibiidae, Itaquasconinae) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

A new genus of Itaquasconinae, Meplitumengen. nov., and a new species, Meplitumenalunasp. nov., are described. The new genus has characters present in other genera of Itaquasconinae but in a unique combination. The spiral thickening of the bucco-pharyngeal tube is also present anteriorly to the insertion point of the stylet supports, excluding only the short portion where the apophyses for the insertion of the stylet muscles (AISM) are present. This character is similar to Astatumen Pilato, 1997 but Meplitumengen. nov. differs from this genus as stylet furcae are shaped differently and as stylet supports and placoids are present. The presence of a spiral thickening in a portion of the buccal tube anterior to the stylet supports distinguishes the new genus from Mesocrista Pilato, 1987, Platicrista Pilato, 1987 and Itaquascon de Barros, 1939. Meplitumengen. nov. also differs from Mesocrista, in having the caudal processes of the AISM pointing laterally (instead of postero-laterally), and the apices of the caudal processes of the stylet furcae unswollen. From Itaquascon the new genus also differs by having more robust stylet supports, pharyngeal bulb with placoids, stylet furcae differently shaped. Meplitumengen. nov. also differs from Platicrista in having caudal processes of the AISM more robust and not flexible, and more slender stylet supports. The new species, Meplitumenalunasp. nov., has a cuticle with a very faint roughness at the caudal extremity of the body, and eyes probably absent. The pharyngeal bulb is long, with two long, narrow, rod-shaped macroplacoids; a microplacoid and septulum are absent. The claws are well developed with main branches provided with accessory points, and at the base of the claws, a structure interpretable as a very thin lunule is present. Other cuticular thickenings on the legs are absent.

Haemangiosarcoma of the os penis in a dog: The most common neoplasm of the canine penis

A castrated 9-year-old intact male boerboel cross-breed dog was presented with a month-longhistory of stranguria. On physical examination, a mass was noted at the caudal extremity of the os penis. Haematology, serum chemistry and urinalysis were all unremarkable. Abdominal and urethral ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged bladder and a dilated urethra, whichwas followed to the caudal extremity of the os penis. A hyperechoic, roughly spherical,vascularised mass was noted at the caudal os penis, which resulted in obstruction of the penileurethra. Radiographs demonstrated a soft tissue mass with osteolysis of the os penis. Cytologysuggested an osteosarcoma. Treatment included amputation of the penis and adjuvantdoxorubicin with carboplatin. Histopathology of the penis confirmed a haemangiosarcoma. The patient survived for 20 months. This is only the second published case report describinga penile haemangiosarcoma, and the first published report demonstrating the treatment and outcome of a case of haemangiosarcoma of the os penis. Based on published and unpublished reports, haemangiosarcoma appears to be the most common neoplasm of the canine penis.

Morphology of the tongue of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). II. Histological features

Although a number of brief, fragmented descriptions have been provided on the gross morphology of the ratite tongue, very few studies have documented the histological structure of this organ. This paper presents the first definitive histological description of the emu tongue and reviews, consolidates and compares the scattered information on the histology of the ratite tongue available in the literature. Five tongues were removed from heads obtained from birds at slaughter and fixed in 10 % neutral buffered formalin. Appropriate longitudinal and transverse segments were removed, routinely processed for light microscopy, and sections examined after staining with H & E and PAS. The entire tongue (body and root) is invested by a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The supporting connective tissue of the tongue dorsum displays only large, simple branched tubular mucussecreting glands, whereas the caudal tongue body ventrum and tongue root, in addition to these glands, also exhibits small, simple tubular mucus-secreting glands. Herbst corpuscles are associated with the large, simple branched glands. Lymphoid tissue is restricted to the tongue ventrum and is particularly obvious at the junction of the ventral tongue body and frenulum where a large aggregation of diffuse lymphoid tissue, with nodular tissue proximally, was consistently observed. A structure resembling a taste bud was located in the epithelium on the caudal extremity of the tongue root of one bird. This is the first reported observation of taste buds in ratites. Forming the core of the tongue body is the cartilaginous paraglossum lying dorsal to the partially ossified rostral projection of the basihyale. The histological features of the emu tongue are generally similar to those described for the greater rhea and ostrich, except that taste buds were not identified in these species. The results would suggest that the emu tongue functions as a sensory organ, both for taste and touch (by virtue of taste receptors and Herbst corpuscles, respectively), as well as fulfilling an immunological function.

Tissue-dwelling philometrid nematodes of the fish Arapaima gigas in Brazil

The nematode Rumai rumai Travassos, 1960 (Philometridae) is redescribed from the tissues of the mouth, tongue, operculum and head of the arapaima, Arapaima gigas (Schinz) (Osteichthyes), from Mexiana Island, Amazon River Delta, Brazil. Additional data on the related Nilonema senticosum (Baylis, 1922) from the same host and locality are also presented. Rumai rumai is characterized by the presence of a sclerotized formation on the female cephalic end, dorsal and ventral cephalic projections, the shape and structure of the oesophagus and a conical caudal extremity. Males of both R. rumai and N. senticosum, specific parasites of the ancient arapaima fish in the Neotropics, remain unknown. The relationship between these tissue-dwelling nematodes and the aquaculture system of Mexiana Island is commented upon.

Testicular arteries systematization based on different levels of scrotal configuration in caprines

The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of testicular arterial vessels in caprines with different degrees of scrotal division. Scrotal configurations were classified as follows; Group I: scrotum without bipartition; Group II: scrotum showing a ventral division until the middle of the testis; and, Group III: scrotal separation extended beyond the middle of the testis. A colored vinyl acetate solution was injected into 60 testicular arteries (30 pairs). After, the samples were submitted to corrosion cast method to obtain tubular vascular models for macroscopic analysis. We observed that the testicular arteries emerge from the abdominal aorta, cross the inguinal canal to become coiled and involved by the pampiniform plexus. Close to the caudal extremity of the testis, the arteries become divided in cranial and caudal branches that emit collateral vessels to originate emerging branches. Testicles with intermediate level of scrotal division (group II) showed a smaller amount of those branches than the others, being the most populated the ventrolateral and the dorsolateral quadrants. The origin, distribution and localization of the testicular arteries did not show any differences related to the degree of scrotal division in caprines.

Effects of 5-Hydroxytryptamine and Substance P on Neurons of the Inferior Salivatory Nucleus

The parasympathetic secretomotor innervation of the salivary glands originates from a longitudinal column of neurons in the medulla called the salivatory nucleus. The neurons innervating the parotid and von Ebner salivary glands are situated in the caudal extremity of the column designated as the inferior salivatory nucleus (ISN). Immunocytochemical investigations have demonstrated the presence of a number of neuropeptides surrounding the ISN neurons. We have examined the neurophysiological effect of two of these neuropeptides on neurons of the ISN identified by retrograde transport of a fluorescent label. Both serotonin (5-HT) and substance P (SP) excited virtually all neurons in the ISN. Application of these neuropeptides resulted in membrane depolarization that was concentration dependent. Although the majority of ISN neurons that were depolarized by SP application exhibited an increase in input resistance, application of 5-HT induced widely varied change in input resistance. Membrane depolarization elicited action potential discharges that increased in frequency with increasing concentration of 5-HT and SP. Blocking action potential conduction from surrounding neurons did not eliminate the depolarizing effects of 5-HT and SP, indicating that both neuropeptides acted directly on the ISN neurons. Finally, the use of 5-HT agonists and antagonists indicates that 5-HT acts via a 5-HT2A receptor, and the use of SP agonists suggests that SP acts via neuokinin-1 and -2 receptors. These data show that 5-HT and SP excite most of the ISN neurons innervating the lingual von Ebner glands possibly modulating the synaptic drive to these neurons derived from afferent gustatory input.

Synlophe of Nematodirus odocoilei (Trichostrongyloidea) from deer and caribou in North America with comments on the evolution of Nematodirus spp. among the Cervidae (Artiodactyla)

The synlophe for specimens of Nematodirus odocoilei from deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is characterized. In the cervical region, at the level of the cervical papillae, there are 36–42 and 38–47 ridges of variable height in males and females, respectively. Sixteen ridges extend to the cephalic expansion. In males, 34–40 ridges occur at midbody, and the synlophe extends posteriad to within 50 μm of the prebursal papillae. In females, 36–42 ridges occur at midbody; the maximum number of ridges occurs posterior to the vulva (50) with a decrease again posteriad. The synlophe is continuous and extends to the caudal extremity of females. Based on concepts of parasite–host biogeography, both host switching and coevolution appear as determinants in the relationships of Nematodirus spp. and cervids. An evaluation of parasite morphology and host–parasite biogeography suggests that in the plesiomorphic condition the synlophe is composed of a high number of ridges as exemplified by Nematodirus spp. from cervids and neotropical camelids.

Rhigonematid (Rhigonematida; Nematoda) parasites of Scaphiostreptus seychellarum (Spirostreptida; Diplopoda) in the Seychelles with comments on ovejector structure in Rhigonema Cobb, 1898

Two new species of Rhigonematida are described from the posterior intestine of Scaphiostreptus seychellarum from the Seychelles. Brumptaemilius seychellarum n.sp. (Ransomnematoidea; Carnoyidae) resembles B. gabonensis, B. venardi, B. oschei, and B. monsarratae in that the caudal end of the male is not abruptly truncate and supports an appendage longer than but not twice as long as the gubernaculum. The new species differs from the first two species in that it bears two longitudinal sub-ventral preanal rows of cuticular bosses. It is distinguished from B. oschei on the basis of details in the structure of the area rugosa in the male and from B. monsarratae by its longer spicules. Rhigonema seychellarum n.sp. (Rhigonematoidea; Rhigonematidae) resembles other Rhigonema spp. from Africa and India in having three postanal papillae pairs which are sublateral to subdorsal in position. It is most similar to R. madecassum but is distinguished by the shape of the caudal extremity in both sexes. Variation in the structure of the ovejector in Rhigonema spp. is reviewed.

Pharyngodonids (Oxyuroidea; Nematoda) of Agama adramitana in Saudi Arabia with notes on Parapharyngodon

Two species of pharyngodonid (Oxyuroidea; Nematoda) parasites were collected from Agama adramitana in Saudi Arabia: Thelandros popovi Markov and Bogdanov, 1963 is redescribed and Parapharyngodon adramitana n. sp. is described for the first time. The new species resembles P. almoriensis and P. kasauli from Agama tuberculata and Uromastix hardwickii, respectively; the genital cone is relatively well-developed, broad lateral alae terminate abruptly 50 to 90 μm anterior to the anus in males, and the caudal extremity of females is abruptly truncate and bears a short spinelike caudal appendage. In P. adramitana the genital cone is less developed and the caudal appendage of the female is more robust than in P. almoriensis and P. kasauli. Parapharyngodon echinatus and P. micipsae are briefly redescribed and differentiated on the basis of material from Tarentola mauritanica (Gekkonidae) from France. Parapharyngodon acanthura (Linstow, 1904) is considered a valid name; it is not a synonym of P. micipsae as Seurat (1917) suggested. In addition, phylogenetic implications of larval morphology and the systematic position of Parapharyngodon are discussed.

Rediagnosis of Urucuia Kloss, 1961 (Nematoda; Rhigonematina; Carnoyidae) with comments on morphology and host distribution of the Carnoyidae, parasites of diplopods

In this study, two superfamilies are recognized in the Rhigonematina sensu Inglis, 1983: the Rhigonematoidea (containing the Rhigonematidae and the Ichthyocephalidae) and the Ransomnematoidea (containing the Ransomnematidae, Hethidae, and Carnoyidae). The Carnoyidae are recognized by the fact that the oesophageal corpus of the female is divided into narrow anterior and broad posterior portions. The carnoyid, Urucuia incondita Kloss, 1961, sole species of Urucuia Kloss, 1961 is redescribed and the genus is redefined. Urucuia most resembles Brumptaemilius in the structure of the spicules and gubernaculum, shape of the caudal extremity and disposition of caudal papillae in the male. The genera are distinguished principally by the structure of the baccal capsule of the male: in Brumptaemilius it has a broad open lumen and three prominent lanceolate cuticular formations project from its base; in Urucuia the posterior two-thirds of the baccal capsule are thick-walled with a much restricted lumen and cuticular projections are absent. The close similarity between Urucuia, a South American genus, and Brumptaemilius, an African genus, may reflect the fact that these genera are unique among the Carnoyidae in that they occur essentially in the Spirostreptinae (Order Spirostreptida).