Reports of Pennellidae Burmeister, 1835 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) post metamorphosed females off the coast of southern Africa

Seven species belonging to Pennellidae are reported from marine teleosts caught off southern Africa. Additionally, complete re-descriptions are provided for Propeniculus stromatei and Sarcotretes scopeli. Examination of Lernaeenicus gonostomae, deposited in the Iziko South African Museum, indicated that it has the morphological features of Sarcotretes rather than Lernaeenicus and thus should be moved to Sarcotretes i.e. S. gonostomae n. comb. for which a re-description is also provided. Reports of new host records include those of Pennella instructa from Seriola lalandi; Propeniculus stromatei from Rhabdosargus holubi and Pomadasys commersonnii; Sarcotretes scopeli from Nansenia tenera, and Sarcotretes longirostris from Centrolophus niger. New geographical records include those of P. instructa, P. stromatei, S. scopeli, S. longirostris, and L. longiventris off southern Africa. Additionally, an attempt to estimate the evolutionary relationships amongst some genera is done from partial COI sequences deposited in Genbank.

Lophoura Kölliker in Gegenbaur, Kölliker & Müller, 1853 species (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Sphyriidae) off South Africa with a key to all valid species

Lophoura Kölliker in Gegenbaur, Kölliker & Müller, 1853 is one of the eight genera of Sphyriidae which currently consists of 19 accepted species. Lophoura species are mesoparasites of various teleosts occurring worldwide. Post metamorphic females are highly transformed with longitudinally elongated cephalothoraces and elongated necks bearing holdfast organs anteriorly. The shape and structure of the holdfast organ is mostly the main character used for the identification of species. Additionally, the structure of the posterior processes attached laterally to the perianal swelling on the posterior margin of the trunk is also used to distinguish different species. The posterior processes consist of a central porous peduncle with stalks of varying shapes and sizes. The morphology of Lophoura males bear resemblance to that of lernaeopodid males. Re-descriptions of the habitus of the post metamorphic females of L. tetraloba Ho & Kim I.H., 1989, L. cf. edwardsi Kölliker, 1853, L. caparti (Nuńes-Ruivo, 1962) and L. cornuta (Wilson C.B., 1919), including notes on the immature females of L. tetraloba and L. cf. edwardsi, are provided. Additionally, information regarding the structure and position of some of the appendages of L. tetraloba, L. cf. edwardsi and L. caparti is provided. Furthermore, the study provides the first illustrated descriptions of the male of L. tetraloba. A description is also done of an incomplete unidentied Lophoura species which differs from other accepted species. A morphological identification key to post metamorphic females of all accepted Lophoura species is provided, as well as new host and geographical records of Lophoura species.

Symbiotic Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) of the hammerhead shark species Sphyrna zygaena (Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae) and stingray Dasyatis pastinaca (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) off the Canary Islands, with a re-description of Pseudocharopinus pillaii Kabata, 1979

The biology, including accompanying ectoparasitic fauna, remains unstudied for several elasmobranchs off the Canary Islands in spite of concerns over their conservation. Within this region, this is the first report of copepod associations with these fishes. Twenty smooth hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna zygaena, and one common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca, were inspected for symbionts on their body surface. Symbiotic siphonostomatoids were collected from 18 S. zygaena hosts and represent two different species, i.e., Alebion crassus (Caligidae) and Pandarus cranchii (Pandaridae). A high prevalence of 90% and a mean infection of 8.3 individuals per infected host were exhibited by A. crassus, while only a single P. cranchii was collected. Both these findings represent new geographical records. Additionally, one free-ranging common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca was opportunistically inspected and 11 Pseudocharopinus pillaii (Lernaeopodidae) collected which constitutes a new host record and a new geographical record. A re-description with detail regarding the morphology of the appendages is provided for the first time. Due to the morphological similarity between P. pillaii and P. malleus, a molecular analysis of the partial mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene was done in an attempt to determine if there is molecular divergence between the two species. This provided an estimate of the phylogenetic relationships amongst four Pseudocharopinus species (P. bicaudatus, P. pteromylaei, P. malleus, and P. pillaii) with Charopinus dubius as an outgroup as an alternative hypothesis to compare with the previous morphological topology estimated for all Pseudocharopinus species.

Late postnaupliar development of the freshwater copepods Lovenula falicifera and Metadiaptomus colonialis (Calanoida: Diaptomidae) from South Africa

The life cycle of calanoid copepods consists of eggs hatching into nauplii (6 stages) which then moult into copepodids (5 stages), followed by the final moult into the adult female and male. The family Diaptomidae contains two subfamilies, Diaptominae and Paradiaptominae, with paradiaptomids almost exclusively consisting of African taxa. The copepodid stages III, IV and V were described for some freshwater diaptomine genera (i.e., Eudiaptomus Kiefer, 1932, Aglaodiaptomus Light, 1938, Skistodiaptomus Light, 1939, Leptodiaptomus Light, 1938, Megadiaptomus Kiefer, 1936 and Diaptomus Westwood, 1836). Copepods collected from Turfloop Dam, South Africa, with a plankton net were fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol. Calanoid copepods were studied under stereo- and light microscopes, using the wooden slide technique and features drawn. Examined specimens were identified as the copepodid stages of two African species, Lovenula falcifera (Lovén, 1845) and Metadiaptomus colonialis (van Douwe, 1914). Copepodids of the two species can be distinguished by their body size and the structure and size of the maxillipeds. The description and illustrations of three postnaupliar stages (CoIII, CoIV and CoV) are provided for both species. The identification of different stages is based on the number of urosomites, antennule development, the segmentation of legs 1-4, and the development of the fifth leg. These copepodids are compared with those of other described diaptomid genera.

Neoalbionella izawai n. sp. from the smallfin gulper shark Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker and additional host records for N. etmopteri (Yamaguti, 1939) off South Africa

Neoalbionella Özdikmen, 2008 comprises 10 accepted species, which all infect sharks of Squaliformes and Carcharhiniformes. Adult females belonging to species of Neoalbionella, based on the maxillule palp armed with three setae and the maxilliped subchela claw with only one secondary denticle, were collected from sharks off the coast of South Africa. Neoalbionella izawai n. sp. collected from the anterodorsal part of the spiracle opening of Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker differs from its congeners by having maxillae that are separated except at the tapering tips where they are fused and that are longer than the trunk, uropods originating from the pointed posterior margin of the trunk and that are well developed, and maxillipeds without an additional spine at the base of the subchela barb. Neoalbionella etmopteri (Yamaguti, 1939) is herein reported from two new hosts (Etmopterus spp.) off South Africa.

Cladistic analysis of the morphological characters of Pseudocharopinus Kabata, 1964 and keys to the species of Pseudocharopinus and Charopinus Krøyer, 1863 based on the morphology of adult females

Kabata separated species of Pseudocharopinus Kabata, 1964 and Charopinus Krøyer, 1863 in 1964 based mainly on four characteristics. Currently Pseudocharopinus has 11 species while Charopinus consists of three species considered valid. Pseudocharopinus malleus (Rudolphi in Nordmann, 1832) and Charopinus dubius T. Scott, 1900 were collected and studied from hosts off South Africa. Additional to previous reports from South African waters, P. malleus is reported from Torpedo sinuspersici Olfers and T. fuscomaculata Peters while C. dubius is reported from Leucoraja wallacei (Hulley) and Rajella dissimilis (Hulley), all new host records. In an attempt to estimate the evolutionary relationships among Pseudocharopinus spp. a cladistic analysis was performed by means of parsimony using described and illustrated features of the adult females. Due to the mostly unresolved 50% majority rule tree, a key for the identification of the adult females of Pseudocharopinus spp. is compiled. Additionally, a key for the identification of adult females of Charopinus spp. is provided.

Schistobrachia kabata sp. nov. (Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae) from rajiform hosts off South Africa

The genus Schistobrachia Kabata, 1964 (Lernaeopodidae: Siphonostomatoida) currently accommodates five species of which two infect holocephalans and three utilize elasmobranchs. Kensley & Grindley (1973) reported three females from "Dipturus batis" (Linnaeus, 1758) collected in Table Bay, South Africa, which they assigned to S. ramosa (Krøyer, 1863), a species previously known only from the North Atlantic. Re-examination of these specimens (labelled Charopinus ramosus Krøyer, 1863 and deposited in the Iziko South African Museum) and additional Schistobrachia material newly collected from the gills of various Rajiformes off the South African west and south coasts, showed that Kensley & Grindley's (1973) earlier record of S. ramosa was misidentified and in reality represents a distinct species, S. kabata sp. nov. Both sexes of the new species are described using light and/or scanning electron microscopy.

Does Alella Leigh-Sharpe, 1925 (Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae) really consist of seven species?

Alella Leigh-Sharpe, 1925 (Lernaeopodidae) consists of seven species, namely A. pagelli (Krøyer, 1863), A. canthari (Heller, 1865), A. macrotrachelus (Brian, 1906), A. ditrematis (Yamaguti, 1939), A. pterobrachiata (Kabata, 1968), A. tarakihi Hewitt & Blackwell, 1987 and A. gibbosa van Niekerk & Olivier, 1995. Specimens of Alella collected from Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål), R. holubi (Steindachner), R. globiceps (Valenciennes) and Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål) (Sparidae) from South African waters were examined. The specimens from R. sarba are from the same host individuals that A. gibbosa were described. However, comparing the armature of the appendages, no consistent and conclusive differences were found between the examined specimens and the other congeners. Additionally, a comparison of the morphology of the appendages and their armature of the examined specimens and those described and illustrated for the known species also revealed limited differences which may be due to regional or intraspecific variation and inconsistent observations rather than distinguishing characteristics of different species. Therefore it is proposed that Alella only has one valid species namely A. pagelli.

Barnard's Brachiella sp., Parabrachiella supplicans (Barnard, 1955) and Eubrachiella sublobulata (Barnard, 1955) (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae) deposited in the Iziko South African Museum

The family Lernaeopodidae Milne Edwards, is one of the largest families in Siphonostomatoida Thorell, with more than 260 valid species. Brachiella sp., Parabrachiella supplicans (Barnard) and Eubrachiella sublobulata (Barnard) collected from Table Bay by Barnard in 1955 off Liza ramada (Risso), Genypterus capensis (Smith) and Congiopodus torvus (Gronov) respectively, are re-examined. Brachiella sp. is identified as Parabrachiella mugilis (Kabata, Raibaut & Ben Hassine) and is synonymized with Parabrachiella exilis (Shiino) based on the general morphology of the female habitus, the type host and the attachment site on the host. Parabrachiella supplicans is redescribed and synonymized with Parabrachiella genypteri (Capart) also collected off G. capensis from Fort Rock Point, Namibia. Additionally, Eubrachiella sublobulata is redescribed and represents a different geographical range and host record for the genus Eubrachiella as species were previously reported from teleosts of Antarctic waters.

How females of Achtheinus spp. (Pandaridae: Siphonostomatoida) attach to their elasmobranch hosts with notes on their effects on the hosts' fins

Copepods of the genus Achtheinus Wilson, 1908 (Pandaridae) are parasites of elasmobranchs that attach to their fins, gill slits and around the nostrils. Specimens of Achtheinus pinguis Wilson, 1912 were collected and examined using histology and scanning electron microscopy to determine their way of attachment to the host and the possible effect on the host. They insert their antennae deep into the dermis of the shark's skin, which causes the most damage due to possible tissue compression and/or fibrosis as well as rupture of the connective tissue. Additionally, the presence of the copepod on the skin causes cell erosion of the epidermal cells and thus reduces the number of epidermal layers. The maxillipeds are used to attach to the placoid scales that cover the shark's skin and probably serve to keep the copepod and inserted antennae in position. This is accomplished by the insertion of the placoid scales into the flaccid corpus of the maxillipeds. Observed damage seems to be negligible to the shark apart from the possibility of secondary infection.

Cytochrome oxidase I sequences reveal possible cryptic diversity in the cosmopolitan symbiotic copepod Nesippus orientalis Heller, 1868 (Pandaridae: Siphonostomatoida) on elasmobranch hosts from the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa

Over the past decade, numerous molecular phylogenetic studies uncovered cryptic diversity within the Copepoda, yet very few investigations focused on symbiotic copepods. Here we report mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I diversity in the cosmopolitan elasmobranch symbiont Nesippus orientalis off the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa. Analysis of partial COI sequences of copepods sampled from a diversity of shark hosts, revealed the presence of two divergent clades. Diversity within the clades does not appear to be structured based on host species, host individual, geographic locality or time of sampling. However, divergence between the two clades seems to be related to host species. Phylogenetic analyses of representatives from the two clades, along with Nesippus spp., Caligus spp. and Lepeophtheirus spp. outgroups, further supports the distinction between the two clades. Future molecular phylogenetic investigations of widespread copepod symbionts most likely will reveal far greater levels of biodiversity than currently recognized.

A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), spiders were collected from all the field layers in the Polokwane Nature Reserve (Limpopo Province, South Africa) over a period of a year (2005–2006) using four collecting methods. Six habitat types were sampled: Acacia tortillis open savanna; A. rehmanniana woodland, false grassland, riverine and sweet thorn thicket, granite outcrop; and Aloe marlothii thicket. A total of 13 821 spiders were collected (using sweep netting, tree beating, active searching and pitfall trapping) represented by 39 families, 156 determined genera and 275 species. The most diverse families are the Thomisidae (42 spp.), Araneidae (39 spp.) and Salticidae (29 spp.). A total of 84 spp. (30.5%) were web builders and 191 spp. (69.5%) wanderers. In the Polokwane Nature Reserve, 13.75% of South African species are presently protected.

Description of the adult female and male of Naobranchia kabatana n. sp. (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) from Muraenesox bagio (Hamilton) (Muraenesocidae) caught in the Indian Ocean off South Africa

Naobranchia Hesse, 1863 is a genus of the family Lernaeopodidae. This report presents an illustrated description of the adult female and male of a new species of this genus collected from the gill filaments of Muraenesox bagio (Hamilton) (pike conger) caught off the coast of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Its morphological features were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Characteristic features of the female Naobranchia kabatana n. sp. include egg-sacs situated along most the length of the trunk, cephalothorax and trunk of about equal lengths, and egg-sacs, lacking distinct sclerotised bands, which meet at the posterior end of the body and usually obscure the abdomen and caudal rami in ovigerous specimens. The male has no division into the cephalothorax and trunk, resulting in an unsegmented body with a prominent genito-abdominal papilla in a subterminal position.

New host and geographical records of siphonostomatoid copepods associated with elasmobranchs off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa

The Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) consists of 40 families comprised mainly of symbiotic members. Representatives of 12 families occur in symbiosis with elasmobranchs. Only eight families, 19 genera and 35 species have been reported from 37 elasmobranchs off the coast of South Africa. Elasmobranchs caught in the nets of the Natal Sharks Board and by fishermen of the Meer-en-See Boat Club, KwaZulu-Natal Province were examined for symbiotic siphonostomatoids. Additional to previous families reported, members of Cecropidae and Sphyriidae are being reported. Genera for the first time reported from South African waters include Entepherus, Carnifossorius, Eudactylina, Eudactylinodes, Kroeyerina, Pannosus, Phyllothyreus and Paeon. Therefore, currently ten siphonostomatoid families are reported from 49 species of elasmobranchs including 27 genera and 58 species.

Nesippus orientalis Heller, 1868 (Pandaridae: Siphonostomatoida): descriptions of the adult, young and immature females, a first description of the male and aspects of their functional morphology

Nesippus orientalis Heller, 1868, a cosmopolitan species found in the mouth and on the gill-arches of a number of shark hosts, is distinguished from other species by the presence of dorsal plates on the fourth thoracic segment. Specimens were collected from various sharks caught in the nets of the Natal Sharks Board, off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Collected specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol and studied using the wooden slide technique and scanning electron microscopy. Careful examination of adult females revealed features previously not described in detail. Furthermore, some female specimens were still grasping the placoid scales of their hosts. These specimens showed how the maxillipeds are used to clasp the host. Immature, young females and males, some still attached to the young females, were also collected. The males use their maxillipeds, which have a slightly different structure to those of the female, to hold onto the females.

SCHISTOBRACHIA JORDAANAE N. SP. (COPEPODA: SIPHONOSTOMATOIDA: LERNAEOPODIDAE) FROM GILL FILAMENTS OF A DIAMOND RAY (GYMNURA NATALENSIS) CAPTURED IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND A KEY TO SPECIES OF SCHISTOBRACHIA, DENDRAPTA, AND BRIANELLA

Schistobrachia jordaanae n. sp. (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae) is described from adult female specimens collected from gill filaments of a diamond ray Gymnura natalensis (Gilchrist and Thompson, 1911) captured in the Indian Ocean off the South African coast. Schistobrachia jordaanae is best distinguished from its congeners by 2 unique characteristics: it possesses a necklike region between the origin of its maxillae and maxillipeds and the tips of its maxillae bifurcate repeatedly to form a rootlike anchor.

Branchotenthes robinoverstreeti n. gen. and n. sp. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) from gill filaments of the bowmouth guitarfish, Rhina ancylostoma (Rhynchobatidae), in the Indian Ocean

Branchotenthes robinoverstreeti n. gen. and n. ap. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) infects the gill filaments of the bowmouth guitarfish, Rhina ancylostoma Bloch and Schneider, 1801 (Rhynchobatidae) in the southwest Indian Ocean off Trafalgar, South Africa. The new species is most easily distinguished from other hexabothriids by the combination of having a symmetrical haptor, C-shaped haptoral sucker sclerites that are approximately equal in size, haptoral suckers that are equal in size and arranged in 3 tandem pairs that each straddle the longitudinal axis of the haptor, glandular-walled vasa efferentia that are dilated in the distal portion and unite medially before connecting to the vas deferens, a thick-walled male copulatory organ with an oblong proximal portion and an unarmed and finger-like distal portion, parallel vaginae that each possess a thin-walled and sperm-filled proximal portion that is strongly sinuous as well as a thick-walled and musculoglandular distal portion that extends sinuously anteriad, and an egg with a filament at each end. This is the first report of a hexabothriid from asharkfin guitarfish (Rhynchobatidae). A key to the genera of Hexabothriidae is provided.

Lamproglena hoi n.sp. (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) from two yellowfish hosts, Barbus marequensis and Barbus polylepis, caught in a river in Mpumalanga, South Africa

Lamproglena hoi n.sp. species was collected from the gill filaments of largescale yellowfish, Barbus marequensis A. Smith, 1841 and smallscale yellowfish, Barbus polylepis Boulenger, 1907 from the Spekboom River, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The genus Lamproglena is characterized. Morphological features of L. hoi are described and illustrated by means of drawings and scanning electron micrographs. This species is also compared with congener species described from other Barbus spp.

Observations on a lesser-known monogenean, Udonella myliobati, from a copepod parasite, Lepeophtheirus natalensis, parasitizing the spotted ragged-tooth shark, Carcharias taurus, from South African waters

The phylogeny of the genus Udonella has been disputed for quite some time, but recent phylogenetic analysis of molecular data confirms that the genus is a monopisthocotylean monogenean. Specimens of Udonella myliobati parasitizing the copepod Lepeophtheirus natalensis, an ectoparasite of the spotted ragged-tooth shark, (Carcharias taurus), were collected and studied. A total of 771 monogenean specimens were recovered from 54 infected copepods examined, with a mean intensity of 14,3 worms per copepod. Most of the monogeneans were found attached to the dorsal surface of the lateral and frontal marginal membranes of the copepod carapace. Eggs, with filaments and adhesive discs, were found ventrally on the host, mainly attached to the maxillae and maxillipeds, in clusters of 12-14. Observations on the morphology, distribution and behaviour of this monogenean are presented with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy.