Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 8 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:41:49 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Helminth and protozoan parasites of subterranean rodents (Chordata, Mammalia, Rodentia) of the world https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/97126/ ZooKeys 1151: 159-203

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1151.97126

Authors: Altangerel T. Dursahinhan, Daniel A. Kenkel, Scott L. Gardner

Abstract: Published studies and ten new unpublished records included herein reveal that approximately 174 species of endoparasites (helminths and protozoans) are known from 65 of 163 species of rodents that occupy the subterranean ecotope globally. Of those, 94 endoparasite species were originally described from these rodents. A total of 282 host-parasite associations are summarized from four major zoogeographic regions including Ethiopian, Palearctic/Oriental, Nearctic, and Neotropical. Thirty-four parasite records from the literature have been identified to only the level of the genus. In this summary, ten new records have been added, and the most current taxonomic status of each parasite species is noted. Interestingly, there are no data on endoparasites from more than 68% of described subterranean rodents, which indicates that discovery and documentation are at an early stage and must continue.

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Checklist Wed, 1 Mar 2023 14:26:06 +0200
Mini-exon gene reveals circulation of TcI Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in bats and small mammals in an ecological reserve in southeastern Mexico https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/78664/ ZooKeys 1084: 139-150

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1084.78664

Authors: Eliza F. Gómez-Sánchez, Héctor Ochoa-Díaz-López, Eduardo E. Espinoza-Medinilla, D. Daniel Velázquez-Ramírez, Nancy Gabriela Santos-Hernandez, Christian Ruiz-Castillejos, Dolores G. Vidal-López, Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez, Any Laura Flores-Villegas, Eduardo López-Argueta, José A. De Fuentes-Vicente

Abstract: A wide variety of mammals are involved in the sylvatic cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. In many areas in Latin America where T. cruzi is endemic, this cycle is poorly known, and its main reservoirs have not been identified. In this study we analyzed T. cruzi infection in bats and other small mammals from an Ecological Reserve in southeastern Mexico. From January through March 2021, we captured wild individuals to extract cardiac and peripheral blood, and infection was detected by PCR of the mini-exon gene. In bats, the prevalence of infection was 16.36%, while in small mammals the prevalence was 28.57%. All of the samples that were positive for T. cruzi were identified as the TCI genotype. Our findings suggest that this zone, situated at the periphery of urban zones might have epidemiological relevance in the sylvatic cycle of T. cruzi and needs to be monitored. The infection of bats in this area is particularly concerning since the flight pattern of this populations overlaps with human settlements. Despite being subject to conservation protections, there continue to be anthropogenic actions that disturb the study area, which could exacerbate risks to public health.

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Research Article Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:56:45 +0200
An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/67403/ ZooKeys 1069: 1-313

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1069.67403

Authors: Blaine A. Mathison, Sarah G. H. Sapp

Abstract: The classification of “parasites” in the medical field is a challenging notion, a group which historically has included all eukaryotes exclusive of fungi that invade and derive resources from the human host. Since antiquity, humans have been identifying and documenting parasitic infections, and this collective catalog of parasitic agents has expanded considerably with technology. As our understanding of species boundaries and the use of molecular tools has evolved, so has our concept of the taxonomy of human parasites. Consequently, new species have been recognized while others have been relegated to synonyms. On the other hand, the decline of expertise in classical parasitology and limited curricula have led to a loss of awareness of many rarely encountered species. Here, we provide a comprehensive checklist of all reported eukaryotic organisms (excluding fungi and allied taxa) parasitizing humans resulting in 274 genus-group taxa and 848 species-group taxa. For each species, or genus where indicated, a concise summary of geographic distribution, natural hosts, route of transmission and site within human host, and vectored pathogens are presented. Ubiquitous, human-adapted species as well as very rare, incidental zoonotic organisms are discussed in this annotated checklist. We also provide a list of 79 excluded genera and species that have been previously reported as human parasites but are not believed to be true human parasites or represent misidentifications or taxonomic changes.

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Checklist Tue, 9 Nov 2021 15:08:25 +0200
Description of Triatoma huehuetenanguensis sp. n., a potential Chagas disease vector (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/27258/ ZooKeys 820: 51-70

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.820.27258

Authors: Raquel Asunción Lima-Cordón, María Carlota Monroy, Lori Stevens, Antonieta Rodas, Gabriela Anaité Rodas, Patricia L. Dorn, Silvia A. Justi

Abstract: A new species of the genus Triatoma Laporte, 1832 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) is described based on specimens collected in the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Triatoma huehuetenanguensis sp. n. is closely related to T. dimidiata (Latreille, 1811), with the following main morphological differences: lighter color; smaller overall size, including head length; and width and length of the pronotum. Natural Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) infection, coupled with its presence in domestic habitats, makes this species a potentially important vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in Guatemala.

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Research Article Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:10:19 +0200
New record of Epistylis hentscheli (Ciliophora, Peritrichia) as an epibiont of Procambarus (Austrocambarus) sp. (Crustacea, Decapoda) in Chiapas, Mexico https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/26417/ ZooKeys 782: 1-9

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.782.26417

Authors: Mireya Ramírez-Ballesteros, Gregorio Fernandez-Leborans, Rosaura Mayén-Estrada

Abstract: Epibiosis is very common between crustaceans and ciliates where the calcified surface of the crustacean body provides a suitable substrate for ciliate colonization. The aim of this contribution is to provide data about a new record between the epistylid ciliate Epistylis hentscheli Kahl, 1935, and the crayfish Procambarus (Austrocambarus) sp. The distribution of the epistylid on the basibiont body and its cellular/colonial characteristics were analyzed. Procambarus (Austrocambarus) sp. harbored colonies of E. hentscheli only on the pereiopods. This is the first record of this peritrich ciliate as an epibiont on Crustacea, having been previously found on algae and fish.

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Short Communication Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:27:21 +0300
Species check-list for Tintinnids of the Philippines Archipelago (Protozoa, Ciliophora) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/24806/ ZooKeys 771: 1-14

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.771.24806

Authors: Jane Abigail Santiago, Maria Carmen Lagman

Abstract: Tintinnids are an essential link between nano- and macro- planktons in the food webs of the marine environment. It is also known that tintinnids are one of themajor components of marine planktonic ciliates and has a cosmopolitan character. In the Philippine archipelago, which is recognized as a center of marine biodiversity, tintinnids checklist has not been done or published. Therefore, a checklist is presented in this study based on a compilation of previous tintinnids studies conducted at the Philippines waters. As a result of the studies done since 1941 up to present, a total of 114 taxa belonging to 14 families and 37 genera were listed. The Philippines coastal waters record a total of 50 species while the open seas document 72 species to date.

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Checklist Thu, 5 Jul 2018 11:16:16 +0300
What is a species? A new universal method to measure differentiation and assess the taxonomic rank of allopatric populations, using continuous variables https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/10965/ ZooKeys 757: 1-67

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.757.10965

Authors: Thomas M. Donegan

Abstract: Existing models for assigning species, subspecies, or no taxonomic rank to populations which are geographically separated from one another were analyzed. This was done by subjecting over 3,000 pairwise comparisons of vocal or biometric data based on birds to a variety of statistical tests that have been proposed as measures of differentiation. One current model which aims to test diagnosability (Isler et al. 1998) is highly conservative, applying a hard cut-off, which excludes from consideration differentiation below diagnosis. It also includes non-overlap as a requirement, a measure which penalizes increases to sample size. The “species scoring” model of Tobias et al. (2010) involves less drastic cut-offs, but unlike Isler et al. (1998), does not control adequately for sample size and attributes scores in many cases to differentiation which is not statistically significant. Four different models of assessing effect sizes were analyzed: using both pooled and unpooled standard deviations and controlling for sample size using t-distributions or omitting to do so. Pooled standard deviations produced more conservative effect sizes when uncontrolled for sample size but less conservative effect sizes when so controlled. Pooled models require assumptions to be made that are typically elusive or unsupported for taxonomic studies. Modifications to improving these frameworks are proposed, including: (i) introducing statistical significance as a gateway to attributing any weighting to findings of differentiation; (ii) abandoning non-overlap as a test; (iii) recalibrating Tobias et al. (2010) scores based on effect sizes controlled for sample size using t-distributions. A new universal method is proposed for measuring differentiation in taxonomy using continuous variables and a formula is proposed for ranking allopatric populations. This is based first on calculating effect sizes using unpooled standard deviations, controlled for sample size using t-distributions, for a series of different variables. All non-significant results are excluded by scoring them as zero. Distance between any two populations is calculated using Euclidian summation of non-zeroed effect size scores. If the score of an allopatric pair exceeds that of a related sympatric pair, then the allopatric population can be ranked as species and, if not, then at most subspecies rank should be assigned. A spreadsheet has been programmed and is being made available which allows this and other tests of differentiation and rank studied in this paper to be rapidly analyzed.

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Research Article Thu, 10 May 2018 14:33:44 +0300
DKey software for editing and browsing dichotomous keys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/21412/ ZooKeys 735: 131-140

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.735.21412

Authors: Adam Tofilski

Abstract: Despite advances in computer technology and the increasing availability of multiple-access taxonomic keys, traditional dichotomous keys remain the most often used taxonomic identification tools. On the other hand, there seems to be a lack of an editor of dichotomous keys, which is both freely available and easy to use. The DKey software was developed in order to alleviate this problem. A taxonomic key in text format can be imported to the software in order to edit it. Various editing options are possible, including: moving couplets, removing couplets, combining keys and renumbering keys. The software can output the key either in the traditional text format, ready for publication in a scientific journal, or in hypertext linked format, which makes identification faster and easier, due to the fact that pointers can be clicked in order to move to the next couplet. The DKey software should be useful for both taxonomic experts creating keys and those who use them for identification. The DKey software is freely available and open source.

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Research Article Tue, 6 Feb 2018 13:19:12 +0200