First Record of A Species of Mermithidae Braun, 1883 Infecting a Decapod, Palaemon paludosus (Palaemonidae).

First Record of A Species of Mermithidae Braun, 1883 Infecting a Decapod, Palaemon paludosus (Palaemonidae). J Parasitol. 2019 Apr;105(2):237-247 Authors: Warren MB, Dutton HR, Whelan NV, Yanong RPE, Bullard SA Abstract The hemocoel of 26 of 30 (86%) eastern grass shrimps, Palaemon paludosus (Gibbes, 1850) (Decapoda: Palaemonidae), captured during June 2017 from several freshwater lakes near Leesburg and Lake Kissimmee, Florida, was infected by juveniles of a nematode species (Mermithidae sp.). Some infected eastern grass shrimps were preserved whole for histopathology, whereas others were dissected to excise parasitic juvenile nematodes, and still others were kept alive in glass aquaria such that post-parasitic (emerged) juvenile nematodes could be opportunistically observed alive and ultimately preserved. Parasitic and post-parasitic juvenile nematodes had cuticle cross-fibers, cephalic papillae, cup-shaped amphids, a horn-shaped vagina, a trophosome, and a caudal appendage, which collectively diagnosed them as Mermithidae sp. They differed from those of nematomorphs (Nematomorpha) by lacking 4 giant cells anteriorly, tegumental bristles, scale or plate-like areoles, a bifurcate or trifurcate posterior end, and an anus. A phylogenetic analysis of the small subunit rDNA (18S) that included all of the available mermithid sequences corresponding to morphologically diagnosed specimens recovered Mermithidae sp. within the clade of mermi...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research