A Filamentous Bacterium on the Brine Shrimp and Its Control

A strain of a colorless, filamentous bacterium (tentatively identified as Leucothrix mucor) heavily infests the brine shrimp, Artemia salina. Its ultrastructure, unlike that of some other strains, does not reveal a distinct middle layer between its outer cell wall layer and cytoplasmic membrane, irregular blebs extending from the cell layers, or an external sheath. An entire infestation, represented as a mat of the bacterium with associated debris and microorganisms, sloughs from the shrimp when exposed to a variety of treatments. Primarily because most effective treatments are toxic to the shrimp, 100 ppm terramycin provides the treatment of choice.

Charles Eric "Chuck" Dawson, 1922-1993 [in Memoriam]

Obituary of Charles Eric "Chuck" Dawson, 1922-1993, American marine ichthyologist.

Hydatid Disease in Boreal Regions

It is the purpose of this paper to review the status of hydatid disease (caused by Echinococcus spp.) in the boreal regions of the world. Its importance has long been recognized in Eurasian countries, but only during recent years have investigators added anything significant to the knowledge of hydatid disease in North America. There is need to disseminate up-to-date information among medical workers in Canada and Alaska, where the disease is endemic in northern regions having a large aboriginal population. Therefore, particular emphasis will be placed on the situation in boreal North America.

New Records of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in Sciuridae

New records of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in Sciuridae, from specimens collected in central Ohio, including those from the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger rufiventer) and the chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

The Raccoon, a New Host for Microphallus sp., with Additional Notes on M. ovatus from Turtles

Discusses the raccoon, a new host for Microphallus sp., with additional notes on M. ovatus from turtles.

On the Status of Some Arctic Mammals

The mammal fauna of arctic Alaska is comprised of about thirty species, most of which are widely distributed. A few of these are essentially nearctic species, having extended their range northwestward during post-Pleistocene time. The majority, however, consists of forms which are either circumboreal in their distribution, or which have closely-related palearctic counterparts-considered specifically distinct hy most North American mammalogists. Sorne of the foremost Old World workers, however, do not agree that Bering Strait constitutes a barrier which effectively separates the Old World fauna from the New.

A Preliminary Note on Trichinosis Investigations in Alaska

Trichinosis in the arctic regions of the world has received considerable attention during recent years, particularly since the work of Roth (1948) in Greenland. In Connell's (1949) review of arctic trichinosis some Alaskan and Canadian records were included but, until now, little has been known of the status of the disease in Alaska. Information available at the present time indicates that the incidence of trichinosis is high in circumpolar carnivores and that marine mammals have a definite place in its epizootiology. Present knowledge cannot explain the survival of trichinosis in marine mammal populations, but it is evident that they may serve as important sources of human infection. Up to the present time the following mammals from Alaska have been found to be infected: From the arctic coast-polar bear, Thalarctas maritimus; arctic fox, Alapex lagapus irmuitus; red fox, Vulpes fulva alascemis; white whale, Delphinapterus leucas; Eskimo dog. From south of the Brooks Range--brown and grizzly bears, Ursus spp.; wolf, Canis lupus ssp.; wolverine. Gula l. luscus. At the time of writing, nearly ail species of land carnivores in Alaska have been examined as well as many other mammalian species less likely to be infected, including various rodents, shrews, and others.

Notes on the Nunamiut Eskimo and Mammals of the Anaktuvuk Pass Region, Brooks Range, Alaska

Covers the physical attributes (physiography, climate and vegetation) of the Brooks Range, Alaska, as well as the Numamuit Eskimo people who lived there in the 1940s and before (including information about their livelihood, history, dwellings, clothing, food, transportation and hunting implements), and includes a list and description of the mammals that lived there (including shrews, grizzly bears, foxes, wolves, martens, ermines, weasels, minks, wolverines, otters, lynxes, hares, marmots, ground squirrels, red squirrels, lemmings, voles, beavers, porcupines, moose, caribou and sheep).

Introduction [to Biology of the Acanthocephala]

Introduction to Biology of the Acanthocephala, edited by D.W.T. Crompton and Brent B. Nickol; Cambridge University Press, 1985.

Epizootiology: [Chapter 9 in Biology of the Acanthocephala]

In practice, epizootiology deals with how parasites spread through host populations, how rapidly the spread occurs and whether or not epizootics result. Prevalence, incidence, factors that permit establishment of infection, host response to infection, parasite fecundity and methods of transfer are, therefore, aspects of epizootiology. Indeed, most aspects of a parasite could be related in sorne way to epizootiology, but many of these topics are best considered in other contexts. General patterns of transmission, adaptations that facilitate transmission, establishment of infection and occurrence of epizootics are discussed in this chapter. When life cycles are unknown, little progress can be made in understanding the epizootiological aspects of any group of parasites. At the time Meyer's monograph was completed (1933), intermediate hosts were known for only 17 species of Acanthocephala, and existing descriptions are not sufficient to permit identification of two of those. Laboratory infections of intermediate hosts had apparently been produced for only two species. Study at that time was primarily devoted to species descriptions, host and geographical distribution, structure and ontogeny. Little or nothing was known about adaptations that promote transmission and the concept of paratenic hosts was unclear. In spite of the paucity of information, Meyer (1932) summarized pathways of transmission among principal groups of hosts, visualized the relationships among life cycle patterns for the major groups of Acanthocephala, and devised models for the hypothetical origin of terrestrial life cycles from aquatic ones. Nevertheless, most of our knowledge regarding epizootiology has been recently acquired.

A taxonomic review of the neotropical genus Coprophanaeus Olsoufieff, 1924 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae

The Neotropical genus Coprophanaeus Olsoufieff (1924), as classified here, comprises 38 species distributed among three subgenera (Megaphanaeus Olsoufieff, Metallophanaeus Olsoufieff, and Coprophanaeus s. str. ) and eight species groups. Keys presented help to identify supraspecific and species taxa, all of which are illustrated and diagnosed. Lectotypes are designated for Phanaeus ignecinctus Felsche and Phanaeus ohausi Felsche. Coprophanaeus corythus (Harold), formerly regarded as a subspecies of C. telamon (Erichson), assumes species status. Coprophanaeus magnoi Arnaud, described as a subspecies of C. milon (Blanchard), is raised to species status. New taxonomic interpretations result in 10 new subjective synonymies (junior synonym listed first): Phanaeus machadoi Pereira and d’Andretta = Coprophanaeus saphirinus (Perty); Phanaeus costatus Olsoufieff = Coprophanaeus cyanescens (Olsoufieff); Phanaeus worontzowi Pessôa and Lane = Coprophanaeus cyanescens (Olsoufieff); Coprophanaeus kohlmanni Arnaud = Coprophanaeus morenoi Arnaud; Coprophanaeus pluto nogueirai Arnaud = Coprophanaeus pluto (Harold); Coprophanaeus edmondsi Arnaud = Coprophanaeus conocephalus (Olsoufieff); Coprophanaeus uhleri Malý and Pokorný = Coprophanaeus chiriquensis (Olsoufieff); Coprophanaeus henryi Malý and Pokorný = Coprophanaeus gilli Arnaud; Phanaeus perseus Harold = Coprophanaeus corythus (Harold); Coprophanaeus telamon nevinsoni Arnaud and Gámez = Coprophanaeus corythus; and Coprophanaeus florenti Arnaud = Coprophanaeus ohausi (Felsche). The status of the following names remains unresolved: Phanaeus strandi Balthasar; Coprophanaeus rigoutorum Arnaud; C. terrali Arnaud; C. lichyi Arnaud; C. lecromi Arnaud; C. larseni Arnaud; and C. vazdemeloi Arnaud.

Taxonomy and Life Histories of Two North American Species of "Carneophallus" (=Microphallus) (Digenea: Microphallidae)

Discusses the taxonomy and life histories of two North American species of Carneophallus" (=Microphallus) (Digenea: Microphallidae).

Angularella audubonensis sp. n. (Dilepididae) and Other Cestodes of Cliff Swallows in Colorado

One hundred forty-five cliff swallows, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, were examined for cestodes in two separate surveys in Weld County, Colorado. Seven species representing four genera were found. Angularella audubonensis sp. n. is differentiated by the small size of the rostellar hooks (8.4-13.5 μm) and the medial relationship of the cirrus pouch to the osmoregulatory canals. Other species collected were Angularella beema, Anonchotaenia globata, Mayhewia ababili, Vitta magniuncinata, Vitta parvirostris and Vitta riparia. Seven new hosts and geographic distribution records were established for Colorado, and six new records were determined for North America.

A Review of the Genus Echinococcus Rudolphi, 1801

1. The genus Echinococcus Rudolphi, 1801, is reviewed. The recorded measurements of all species are shown in tables, and their taxonomic status is discussed. 2. Three species of Echinococcus can be distinguished by morphological criteria and are considered valid: E. granulosus, E. multilocularis and E. oligarthrus. The status of E. felidis and E. patagonicus is uncertain, but both may be conspecific with E. granulosus. Six species are considered synonyms of E. granulosus: E. cameroni, E. intermedius, E. longimanubrius, E. lycaontis, E. minimus and E. ortleppi.

Echinococcus Infections in Man and Animals in Kenya

1. Hydatid cysts are found in more than 30 per cent of all cattle, sheep and goats in Kenya, but the disease is prevalent in man only in the semi-desert area of Turkana. Up to the time of the present investigation the life-cycle of the parasite in East Africa had not been studied, but it was suggested that wild carnivores, such as hyenas and jackals, might be the main hosts of the adult worms. 2. One hundred and forty-three carnivores, representing 23 species, have been examined. Echinococcus adults were found in 27 out of 43 domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), in three out of four hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus), in one out of nine jackals (Thos mesomelas), and in three out of 19 hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). 3. A detailed morphological study was made of the Kenya material. After comparison with specimens from other parts of the world, it was concluded that the only species occurring in Kenya was E. granulosus, but it is possible that the minor morphological and biological differences are evidence of distinct strains. Further laboratory studies are necessary to compare the parasite from man and animals in different parts of Kenya with material from elsewhere. 4. A search was made for larval hydatids in 92 ungulates representing 18 species, and in a miscellaneous collection of nearly 2,000 rodents and primates representing a further 31 species. Only one animal was positive, a wildebeest (Gorgon taurinus). 5. The infections in the wild carnivores were all very light; only domestic dogs were heavily infected. It is concluded that the main cycle of transmission in Kenya is between dogs and domestic livestock. 6. Turkana tribesmen are the most heavily infected people in Kenya, either because the strain of parasite is more pathogenic to man in that area, or, more probably, because of the intimate contact between children and the large number of infected dogs. A particularly dangerous custom in the area is the use of dogs to clean the face and anal regions of babies when they vomit or have diarrhea. No satisfactory explanation can be given for the rarity of the disease in man in many of the other areas of Kenya where hydatids are very common in domestic animals. 7. The control of the disease will depend upon an active health-education campaign, together with the destruction of all unregistered dogs and improvement in meat hygiene.