104 research outputs found

    Alaria Schrank 1788

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    REMARKS ON ALARIA The members of Alaria in the two phylogenies based on 28S had only slight differences in topology (Figs 1, 2). At the same time, the phylogenies of 28S and cox1 limited to members of Alaria showed more pronounced differences in branch topology (Figs 2, 3). Alaria mustelae was positioned as a sister taxon to the other Alaria spp. in the second 28S analysis (Fig. 2), while in the cox1 phylogeny, A. ovalis and A. procyonis formed an unsupported clade that was placed as a sister group to the other members of Alaria (Fig. 3). The positions of A. alata + Alaria sp. 1 and A. marcianae + Alaria sp. 3 varied between the two analyses as well (Figs 2, 3). Discordance between phylogenies based on ribosomal and mitochondrial data has been well documented among other diplostomoideans (e.g. Brabec et al., 2015; Heneberg et al., 2020; Hoogendoorn et al., 2020; Achatz et al., In press). Faster mutating genes, such as cox1, are more reliable for distinguishing between closely related diplostomoidean species/species-level lineages (Table 2; Supporting Information, Table S1), but slower mutating genes, such as 28S, remain more suitable for phylogenetic inference at taxonomic levels above genus. All Alaria spp. in the present study, except for A. alata, were collected from North America. The nested phylogenetic position of A. alata clearly suggests a geographic expansion from the Nearctic into the Palaearctic (Figs 1–3). It is difficult to address questions related to host switching of Alaria spp., considering that many species have been historically reported in a diversity of mammalian hosts (e.g. see Dubois, 1968 and references therein). The accuracy of Alaria spp. identifications in previous reports is questionable considering that most publications lack DNA sequence data and many Alaria spp. are morphologically similar. Some Alaria spp., such as A. arisaemoides, are also known to have substantial morphological variation (e.g. Hall & Wigdor, 1918; Dubois, 1968). The topology of our molecular phylogeny based on the 28S of Alaria spp. (Fig. 2) is not well enough supported to confidently infer evolutionary patterns of definitive host associations; the discordance between topologies of 28S (Fig. 2) and cox1 (Fig. 3) further complicates the situation. Our specimen of Alaria sp. 3 from the cougar Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1758) is immature; hence, additional collection of well-fixed, mature specimens of Alaria sp. 3 is crucial for accurate species identification and confirmation of its definitive host. It is worth noting that our specimens of A. arisaemoides (Fig. 4B) conform closely to the original description of the species and subsequent descriptions of the species (e.g. Augustine & Uribe, 1927; Dubois, 1968). However, the cox1 sequences of our specimens are only 1.9–2.6% different from material identified as Alaria americana Hall & Wigdor, 1918 by Locke et al. (2018) (Supporting Information, Table S1). The material described by Locke et al. (2018) is somewhat different to the original description of A. americana described by Hall & Wigdor (1918). For instance, A. americana was originally described with vitellarium that does not extend anteriorly beyond the level of the ventral sucker. The vitellarium of A. americana from Locke et al. (2018) extends anteriorly to the level of the ventral sucker, similar to the condition in A. arisaemoides. In our opinion, the specimens identified as A. americana by Locke et al. (2018) are likely misidentified specimens of A. arisaemoides.Published as part of Achatz, Tyler J, Chermak, Taylor P, Martens, Jakson R, Woodyard, Ethan T, Rosser, Thomas G, Pulis, Eric E, Weinstein, Sara B, Mcallister, Chris T, Kinsella, John M & Tkach, Vasyl V, 2022, Molecular phylogeny supports invalidation of Didelphodiplostomum and Pharyngostomoides (Digenea: Diplostomidae) and reveals a Tylodelphys from mammals, pp. 124-136 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 (1) on page 132, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab114, http://zenodo.org/record/703147

    Prevalence of Alaria infection in companion animals in north central Oklahoma from 2006 through 2015 and detection in wildlife

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    Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of Alaria infection in cats and dogs in north central Oklahoma over various periods and investigate whether wild animal species in this region were also infected. DESIGN Combined cross-sectional study and case series. SAMPLE Results of parasitological testing of fecal samples from 5,417 client-owned dogs and 1,246 client-owned cats (2006 through 2014); fecal samples from 837 shelter or rescue dogs and 331 shelter or rescue cats (2013 and 2014) and 268 feral cats (2015); tongue or jowl samples from cadavers of 43 wild pigs, 3 opossums, and 1 raccoon; and intestinal tract segments from cadavers of 48 cats and 5 coyotes. PROCEDURES Various parasite recovery techniques were performed to detect various Alaria stages in samples. Recovered adult trematodes and mesocercariae were used for PCR assay and sequencing of the 28S rRNA gene. RESULTS Prevalence of Alaria infection was significantly higher in feral cats (9.0%) than in shelter or rescue cats (0.6%) and client-owned cats (1.4%) and in shelter or rescue dogs (1.8%) than in client-owned dogs (0.2%). Mesocercariae were recovered from tissue samples from 11 (26%) wild pigs and 1 opossum. Amplicon sequences from adult trematodes and mesocercariae were 100% identical to each other and 99% homologous to GenBank sequences of Alaria alata and Alaria mustelae. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Prevalence of Alaria infection in the study area has increased in dogs and cats since 1990, when infections were rare. Prevalence in wild pigs was similar to that in Eurasia, where A alata is considered an emerging zoonotic parasite.</jats:p

    FIRST REPORT OF ALARIA ALATA IN WILD RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) FROM EMILIAROMAGNA REGION, ITALY

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    Alaria alata is a digenean trematode of the family Diplostomatidae, which has been reported in wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from several European countries (Loos-Frank et al., 1982, Z Parasitenkd., 67:99-113.; Möhl et al., 2009, Parasitol Res, 105:1-15). Although the presence of A. alata in Italy has been already reported in the past (Molin, 1854, Prodromus Faunae Helminthologicae Venetae), recent descriptions of the parasite are lacking. This report aims to update Alaria alata infection in red foxes (V. vulpes) from Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy. According to literature, prevalence values of A. alata in the fox populations examined ranges from 0.1 % (Loos-Frank et al., 1982, l.c.) to 94.8 % (Bružinskaité-Schmidhalter et al., 2012, Parasitology, 139:120-7). We didn’t find any reports of this parasite from Italy in several wide parasitological surveys (Soldati et al., 1976, Riv Parassitol, 37:329-332; Poglayen et al., 1985, Parassitologia, 27:303-11; Capelli et al., 2003, J. Mt. Ecol., 7:199-205; Di Cerbo et al., 2008, Acta Parasitologica, 53:302-311) except for a report of Alaria sp. in a red fox (Alborali et al., 2012, Collana Fond. In. Zooprof. Brescia, 91:566) and in a dog (Ferroglio et al., 2012, Mappe Parassitol., 18:160). Its complex life cycle requires a freshwater snail as first intermediate host and an amphibian as second intermediate host (Möhl et al., 2009, l.c.). Reptiles, rodents, wildboars and other vertebrates can act as paratenic hosts after feeding on infected amphibians (Wolfe et al., 2001, Vet Rec. 149:759-763). Definitive hosts, usually members of the family Canidae, become infected after ingesting mesocercariae contained in amphibians or paratenic hosts. A. alata is also a potential zoonotic agent. Humans can acquire infection after eating undercooked frog legs or raw game meat containing mesocercariae (Murphy et al., 2012, Parasitol Res., 111:283-290). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2013 and March 2014, we analyzed 28 red foxes and one wolf (Canis lupus) collected from hunters or found dead in the Province of Modena and Bologna (Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy). The stomach and the gut were removed during necropsy and parasites were collected using SCT (Sedimentation and Counting Technique) according to standard protocols. RESULTS: Only two foxes (7.1 %) out of 28 were found positive for Alaria alata (Fig.1). Both of them lived in a lowland territory, rich in humid areas and channels, a suitable environment for the life cycle development of A. alata. We found other specimens of Alaria alata in the duodena of wild red foxes from the Province of Forlì during a survey for Echinococcus granulosus. Only two (2.5%) out of 80 foxes were infected. Morphological analysis of the parasites from the four foxes confirmed our presumptive identification showing measures agreeing with the description reported by Mohl et al. (2009).CONCLUSIONS: The sporadic presence of A. alata in our Region might be explained by the illegal importation of game animals from Eastern Europe. Further studies on a higher number of specimens are necessary to exclude the presence of other Alaria species in Italian territory, as the importation of bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), suitable host for Alaria spp., from extra-European countries and their diffusion into the wild, could lead to a the diffusion of exotic parasites

    Figure 4 in Molecular phylogeny supports invalidation of Didelphodiplostomum and Pharyngostomoides (Digenea: Diplostomidae) and reveals a Tylodelphys from mammals

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    Figure 4. Photographs of: A, Tylodelphys variabilis comb. nov. from Didelphis virginiana, Arkansas; B, Alaria arisaemoides from Canis latrans, Oregon; C, Alaria alata from Nyctereutes procyonoides, Ukraine; D, Alaria marcianae from Taxidea taxus, North Dakota; E, Alaria ovalis comb. nov. from Procyon lotor, Mississippi; F, Alaria procyonis comb. nov. from Procyon lotor, Minnesota; G, H, Alaria mustelae from Mephitis mephitis, North Dakota.Published as part of Achatz, Tyler J, Chermak, Taylor P, Martens, Jakson R, Woodyard, Ethan T, Rosser, Thomas G, Pulis, Eric E, Weinstein, Sara B, Mcallister, Chris T, Kinsella, John M & Tkach, Vasyl V, 2022, Molecular phylogeny supports invalidation of Didelphodiplostomum and Pharyngostomoides (Digenea: Diplostomidae) and reveals a Tylodelphys from mammals, pp. 124-136 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 (1) on page 131, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab114, http://zenodo.org/record/703147

    The population dynamics of Patella vulgata and other limpets.

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    PhDUseful generalisations can be made about limpet populations in much the same way as they can about individual animals. These generalisations can be expressed quantitatively and formed into a framework of population dynamics. In Patella vulgata populations a greater mean size (defined as the 50% accumulative weight size) indicates (i) a faster growth rate, (ii) a larger maximum size, (iii) an increased mortality rate, (iv) decreased mean and maximum life spans, (v) an increased settlement rate, (vi) an earlier and more rapid seasonal maturation of the gonad, (vii) a larger number of eggs produced per female and per unit weight, (viii) a lower radula ratio and a flatter shell at the mean size, than would be found in a population with a smaller mean size. The timing of sexual maturity and of sex change is independent of these correlated features of population dynamics. The correlations were established by the detailed study of four populations at Mount Batten, Plymouth; and verified by experimental alteration of the population structure and a survey of Patella on all types of shore. The range of Patella vulgata in S.W. Britain is limited at the top of the shore principally by desiccation. The penetration of sheltered conditions is determined by interaction between the fucoids and the limpets, On exposed shores, the lower limit is determined by competition between P. vulgata and P. aspera. There is no direct relationship between mean size and population density (expressed as weight per occupied area). P. vulgata is densest at the borders of the fucoid communities on sheltered shores, at the lowest levels on moderately exposed shores, and at the junction with the P. aspera populations on exposed shores. P. vulgata prevents fucoids from establishing communities on many rook surfaces, but where fucoids form dense stands, P. vulgata is not able to settle or feed. Physical factors do not directly limit the range of P. vulgata (except at the top of the shore), although they mediate the competition and interaction which decide the precise boundaries, Inside each P. vulgata population the growth rate 3.8 limited by intraspecific competition for the available food

    Composition Formula for Saigo Fractional Integral Operator Associated with V-Function

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    In this study, we form integral formulas for Saigo’s hypergeometric integral operator involving V-function. Corresponding assertions for the classical Riemann–Liouville (R-L) and Erdélyi–Kober (E-K) fractional integral operator are extrapolated. Also, by putting in the transformations of Beta and Laplace, we can establish their composition formulas. By selecting the appropriate parameter values, the V-function may be reduced to a variety of functions, including the exponential function, Mittag–Leffler, Lommel, Struve, Wright’s generalized Bessel function, and Bessel and generalized hypergeometric function

    Gel'mintofauna volkov (Canis lupus L.)

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    The author examined the internal parasites of 18 wolves hunted down on the terrain of the Lublin province during the period 1950-1956. To this material were included also tapeworms from 14 wolves from the Białowieża virgin forest (Puszcza Białowieska) (1941-1943). The infection of the wolves from the Lublin province with worms amounted to 100 per cent. In the collected material the author differentiated 5 species of worms: Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782), Krause, 1914, Taenia hydatigena Pallas, 1766, Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884), Crenosoma vulpis (Dujardin, 1845) and Trichinella spiralis (Oven, 1835) Railliet, 1895. The wolf proved to be a new host to Crenosoma vulpis (Dujardin, 1845). In the material collected in Białowieża the author found the following taeniae: Taenia hydatigena Pallas, 1766 and Mesocestoides lineatus Goeze, 1872. The highest number of species of parasites in the wolves was demonstrated in the Soviet Union. Their number reaches 15 species. Exclusively for this area were demonstrated out of the trematodes only Alaria alata, of the tapeworms: Diphyllobothrium decipens, Dipylidium pasquala, Taenia krabei and Taenia polyacantha. The followin nematodes were isolated: Toxocara leoninu, Ancylostoma caninum, Spirocerca lupi , Eucoleus aerophilus and Dioctophyme renale. Out of the Acanthocephala was isolated Ancicola skrjabini. On the Alaska terrains were isolated 8 species of worms out of them only the trematode Alaria canis was exlusive for Alaska. In Poland 6 species of worms were found. Up to the present time were demonstrated for Poland exclusively 3 species. They are Euparyphium malis, Crenosoma vulpis and Thominx böhmi
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