Published July 4, 2008 | Version v1
Taxonomic treatment Open

Macvicaria Gibson & Bray 1982

  • 1. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane ,, Australia
  • 2. The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  • 3. Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom

Description

Genus Macvicaria Gibson & Bray, 1982

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 1B181DB5-4D60-4744-9520-730FD9B6AAB0

(syn. Cryptacetabulum Shalaby & Hassanine, 1997)

Species of Macvicaria have been separated into five morphological groups, A to E, based on the distribution of vitelline follicles, the size of the cirrus-sac and the arrangement of the testes. It should be pointed out that it is diffi cult to assign some species to a particular group, so considerable care should be taken when using these groups. A sixth group, F, comprises worms of unresolved status. All new combinations were originally in Plagioporus.

Group A. Species with lateral vitelline fields continuous in the ventral sucker area, oblique to tandem testes and cirrus-sac not normally extending posterior to the ventral sucker: Macvicaria alacris (Looss, 1901) Gibson & Bray, 1982; M. soleae (Nicoll, 1910) Gibson & Bray, 1982; M. microtestis Zdzitowiecki & Cielecka, 1997; M. oligolecithosus (Wang, Wang & Zhang, 1992) n. comb.

Comment: Nicoll (1910) figured and described M. alacris and M. soleae as having oblique testes; Gibson & Bray (1982) figured them with tandem testes.

Group B. Species with lateral vitelline fields continuous in the ventral sucker area, tandem testes and a cirrus-sac usually not extending posterior to the ventral sucker: Macvicaria aegyptensis (Shalaby & Hassanine, 1997) Cribb, 2005; M. crassigula (Linton, 1910) Bartoli, Bray & Gibson, 1989; M. cynoglossi (Madhavi, 1975) Bray, 1990; M. chrysophrys (Nagaty & Abdel Aal, 1969) Bray, 1985 (syn: Plagioporus saoudi Ramadan, 1985); M. dactylopagri (Manter, 1954) n. comb.; M. dubia (Stossich, 1905) Bartoli, Bray & Gibson, 1989; M. eleuthoronemae (Wang, Wang & Zhang, 1992) n. comb.; M. longicauda (Hafeezullah, 1971) Bijukumar, 1997; M. maillardi Bartoli, Bray & Gibson, 1989; M. mormyri (Stossich, 1885) Bartoli, Gibson & Bray, 1993; M. obovata (Molin, 1859) Bartoli, Bray & Gibson, 1989; M. ophthalmolyci Zdzitowiecki, 1990; M. sillagonis (Yamaguti, 1938) Bray, 1985; M. taksengi Bray, 1985; M. hunghuaensis (Qiu & Li in Shen & Qiu, 1995) n. comb.

Comments: M. cynoglossi has obliquely tandem to tandem testes and can be accommodated in either Group A or B.

Although the cirrus-sac in M. ophthalmolyci extends posterior to the ventral sucker, we have not placed it in Group C because its cirrus-sac does not extend appreciably beyond the posterior margin of this sucker, as in the worms in the Group C, and because its general body form is different from the worms in Group C.

Macvicaria cynoglossi, M. ophthalmolyci, and M. dactylopagri can be distinguished from all the other worms in Group B as follows: M. cynoglossi has lobed testes, M. ophthalmolyci has the shortest forebody and the largest ventral sucker, and M. dactylopagri has the smallest post-testicular space, the largest oral sucker relative to the ventral sucker, and a genital pore which is closest to the anterior end.

Group C. Species with continuous lateral vitelline fields in the ventral sucker area, tandem to oblique or oblique testes and a cirrus-sac extending posterior to the ventral sucker: Macvicaria jagannathi (Gupta & Singh, 1985) Bijukumar, 1997; M. longibursata Zdzitowiecki & Cielecka, 1997; M. longisaccus (Fischthal & Kuntz, 1964) Bray, 1985; M. deeghaensis (Gupta & Gupta, 1988) n. comb.; M. gerridis (Fischthal & Thomas 1970) n. comb.; M. longicirrata (Manter, 1963) n. comb.; M. skorai Zdzitowiecki, 1999; M. synagris (Yamaguti, 1952) n. comb.

Comments: Gibson & Bray (1982) remarked on the close resemblance of Plagioporus gerridis Fischthal & Thomas, 1972 to Pachycreadium Manter, 1954. This worm does not appear to conform to Manter’s (1954) concept of the genus in relation to the position of the genital pore, which Manter said was median or sub-median, or with Manter’s (1940) figure (as Plagioporus gastrocotylus) and Yamaguti’s (1971) figure of the type-species Pachycreadium gastrocotylum Manter, 1940, which showed that the vitelline fields were separate in the forebody, dorsally and ventrally. The definition of Pachycreadium in Bartoli, Gibson & Bray (1988) addressed these two points, among others, thereby excluding Plagioporus gerridis from Pachycreadium. In the light of this development, we propose the new combination M. gerridis for Plagioporus gerridis, which we have placed in Group C. The paratype of P. gerridis (USPC Coll. No. 70680) that we examined did not show the type of vitelline distribution figured and described by Fischthal & Thomas (1972). In the paratype, the vitelline follicles do not extend into the forebody as they do normally in species of Macvicaria. However, it is possible that the figure of this species was drawn from the holotype and that the vitelline distribution we observed in the paratype is a variant of the type figured by Fischthal & Thomas. The holotype was not available for study.

Bray (1985) remarked on the similarity of Plagioporus longicirratus Manter, 1963 to Gaevskayatrema spp. except in its having vitelline follicles which extended posterior to the testes. He suggested that P. longicirratus might be congeneric with P. synagris Yamaguti, 1952. We have compared the measurements and descriptions of the two worms and found them to be different. P. longicirratus is a more elongate worm with a width to length ratio of 1:3.64 versus 1: 2.7 in P. synagris; it has a smaller ventral sucker with a sucker width ratio of 1:1.18-1.2 versus 1:2.5, a smaller pharynx, with a pharynx to oral sucker width ratio of 1:1.7 versus 1:1.5, a longer forebody of 41.5% versus 29.2% of body-length, a smaller post-testicular space 6.7% versus 16.7% of body-length, longer eggs 72-73 versus 57-66 and a more posteriorly located genital pore 27.4% versus 13.2% of body-length from anterior extremity in P. synagris. On the basis of our observations we conclude that these two worms are distinct. The vitelline follicles of P. longicirratus extend posterior to the posterior testis, so, it does not fit into Gaevskayatrema Gibson & Bray, 1982 (Gibson & Bray, 1982; Cribb, 2005). We have transferred the two species to Macvicaria and included them in Group C.

Group D. Species with vitelline follicles interrupted bilaterally in the ventral sucker region, tandem testes and a cirrus-sac not extending posterior to the ventral sucker: Macvicaria antarctica (Kovaljova & Gaevskaya, 1974) Zdzitowiecki, 1990; M. georgiana (Kovaljova & Gaevskaja, 1974) Zdzitowiecki, Pisano & Vacchi, 1992; M. heronensis Bray & Cribb, 1989; M. issaitschikowi (Layman, 1930) Bray, 1985; M. muraenolepidis Zdzitowiecki, 1990; M. selachophidii Reimer, 1987.

Comments: Macvicaria selacophidii was figured and described by Reimer (1987) from a single specimen with no clear indication of the anterior limit of the vitelline follicles. It is not certain if this worm belongs in Macvicaria, but we have placed it with other species in Group D because it shares some of their characteristics and also because we have observed variations within a single species of Macvicaria that include the absence of vitelline follicles from the forebody. Bray & Cribb (1989) remarked that this worm was probably a species of Allopodocotyle Pritchard, 1966 because the vitelline follicles are posterior to the ventral sucker, we share their view, however, any conclusive remarks should await examination of more specimens. No other author appears to have commented on the status of this species.

Group E. Species with vitelline follicles bilaterally interrupted in the ventral sucker area, oblique testes and a cirrus-sac usually not extending posterior to the ventral sucker: Macvicaria dampieri Bray, 1990; M. japonica (Yamaguti, 1938) Bray & Cribb, 1989; M. macassarensis (Yamaguti, 1952) Bray & Cribb, 1989; M. pennelli (Leiper & Atkinson 1914) Zdzitowiecki, 1987; M. branchiostegi (Yamaguti, 1937) Bray, 1990.

Comments: M. pennelli was figured and described as having oblique testes by Gibson (1976) and oblique or tandem testes by Zdzitowiecki (1990) and Zdzitowiecki et al. (1992). Gibson (1976) described the cirrus-sac as reaching posteriorly to a level between middle and posterior margin of the ventral sucker; Zdzitowiecki (1990) made the same observation and mentioned that the cirrus-sac sometimes extended posterior to the posterior margin of the ventral sucker. The distribution of the vitelline follicles in this worm varies; the lateral fields may be continuous, as figured by Gibson (1976), or may be interrupted, as figured by Zdzitowiecki (1990) who observed both conditions in his material.

Yamaguti (1937) described the vitelline follicles in M. branchiostegi as surrounding the posterior portion of the oesophagus and entire length of the intestine. There is a slight indication of lateral interruption in the area of the ventral sucker in his figure. For this reason, we have placed this worm in the same group as other species whose lateral vitelline fields are interrupted in the area of the ventral sucker (Group E).

Group F. Species of Plagioporus (sensu lato) which conform with Gibson & Bray’s (1982) definition of Macvicaria in every way except in their very tiny eggs; P. interruptus Manter, 1954; and in the distribution of vitelline follicles; P. (Plagioporus) kyusen Yamaguti, 1959; and Plagioporus sp. of Al-Yamani & Nahhas (1981). Bray (1985) remarked that the latter form resembled Macvicaria but refrained from transferring it to this genus, suggesting that it required further study before a definite decision can be made regarding its status.

Notes

Published as part of Aken'Ova, Thelma, Cribb, Thomas & Bray, Rodney, 2008, Eight new species of Macvicaria Gibson and Bray, 1982 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from temperate marine fishes of Australia, pp. 23-58 in ZooKeys 1 on pages 25-27, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1.8, http://zenodo.org/record/576395

Files

Files (10.9 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:7497ae19bccb0e41f5c45c8e5e3cd11d
10.9 kB Download

System files (72.1 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:202fea71aefcad79567e13fb65c88322
72.1 kB Download

Linked records

Additional details

Biodiversity

Family
Opecoelidae
Genus
Macvicaria
Kingdom
Animalia
Order
Plagiorchiida
Phylum
Platyhelminthes
Scientific name authorship
Gibson & Bray
Taxon rank
genus
Taxonomic concept label
Macvicaria &, 1982 sec. Aken'Ova, Cribb & Bray, 2008

References

  • Gibson DI, Bray RA (1982) A study and reorganization of Plagioporus Stafford, 1904 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) and related genera, with special reference to forms from European Atlantic waters. Journal of Natural History 16: 529 - 559.
  • Shalaby IMI, Hassanine RME-S (1997) Cryptacetabulum aegyptensis n. gen. n. sp. (Trematoda, Digenea: Opistholebetidae) from a Red Sea fish; as described by light and scanning electron microscopy. Journal of the Egyptian German Society of Zoology 24: 247 - 259.
  • Nicoll W (1910) On the Entozoa of fishes from the Firth of Clyde. Parasitology 3: 322 - 359.
  • Zdzitowiecki K, Cielecka D (1997) Digenea of fishes of the Weddell Sea. II. The genus Macvicaria (Opecoelidae). Acta Parasitologica 42: 77 - 83.
  • Wang Y-Y, Wang P-Q, Zhang W-H (1992) Opecoelid trematodes of marine fishes from Fujian Province. Wuyi Science Journal 9: 67 - 89 (In Chinese).
  • Cribb TH (2005) Family Opecoelidae Ozaki, 1925. In: Jones A, Bray RA, Gibson DI (Eds) Keys to the Trematoda. Volume 2. Wallingford: CABI Publishing and the Natural History Museum, 443 - 531.
  • Linton E (1910) Helminth fauna of the Dry Tortugas. II. Trematodes. Papers from the Tortugas Laboratory of the Carnegie Institute of Washington 4: 11 - 98.
  • Bartoli P, Bray RA, Gibson DI (1989) The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of sparid fishes of the Western Mediterranean. III. Macvicaria Gibson and Bray, 1982. Systematic Parasitology 13: 167 - 192.
  • Madhavi R (1975) Digenetic trematodes from marine fishes of Waltair Coast, Bay of Bengal. Family Opecoelidae. Rivista di Parassitologia 36: 153 - 164.
  • Bray RA (1990) Two new opecoelids (Digenea) in the flatfish Pseudorhombus jenynsi (Bleeker) from Shark Bay, Western Australia. Systematic Parasitology 15: 33 - 40.
  • Nagaty HF, Abdel Aal TM (1969) Trematodes of fishes from the Red Sea. Part 18. On two new and one known allocreadiid species. Journal of the Egyptian Veterinary Medical Association 29: 1 - 5.
  • Bray RA (1985) Macvicaria taksengi n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) in marine teleosts from Pinang, Malaysia. Systematic Parasitology 7: 75 - 80.
  • Manter HW (1954) Some digenetic trematodes from fishes of New Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 82: 475 - 568.
  • Hafeezullah M (1971) Opecoelid trematodes of marine fishes of India. Parasitology 62: 321 - 329.
  • Bartoli P, Gibson DI, Bray RA (1993) The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of sparid fishes of the western Mediterranean. VI. A rediscription of Macvicaria mormyri (Stossich, 1885) n. comb. and a key to the opecoelids from western Mediterranean sparids. Systematic Parasitology 26: 59 - 67.
  • Zdzitowiecki K (1990) Antarctic representatives of the genus Macvicaria Gibson and Bray, 1982 (Digenea: Opecoelidae), with description of two new species. Systematic Parasitology 16: 169 - 179.
  • Yamaguti S (1938) Studies on the helminth fauna of Japan Part 21. Trematodes of fishes, IV. Kyoto; Satyu Yamaguti, 139 pp.
  • Gupta PC, Singh RB (1985) Four new digenetic trematodes from marine fishes off Puri coast, Bay of Bengal. Indian Journal of Parasitology 9: 25 - 34.
  • Fischthal JH, Kuntz RE (1964) Digenetic trematodes of fishes from Palawan Island, Philippines. Part II. Five Opecoelidae, including three new species. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington: 40 - 46.
  • Gupta PC, Gupta VC (1988) On three opecoelid trematodes (Digenea) from marine fishes, Bay of Bengal, India. Proceedings of Parasitology, 6: 59 - 68.
  • Fischthal JH, Thomas JD (1970) Digenetic trematodes of marine fishes from Ghana: Family Opecoelidae. Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington 37: 129 - 141.
  • Manter HW (1963) Studies on digenetic trematodes of fishes of Fiji. II. Families Lepocreadiidae, Opistholebetidae, and Opecoelidae. Journal of Parasitology 49: 99 - 113.
  • Zdzitowiecki K (1999) Digeneans of the families Opecoelidae and Lepocreadiidae, parasites of Lepidonotothen macrophthalma from the North Scotia Ridge, and remarks on the discrimination of Neolepidapedon magnatestis and N. trematomi. Acta Parasitologica 44: 233 - 240.
  • Yamaguti S (1952) Parasitic worms mainly from Celebes. Part 1. New digenetic trematodes of fishes. Acta Medicinae Okayama 8: 146 - 198.
  • Fischthal JH, Thomas JD (1972) Digenetic trematodes of marine fishes from Senegal. Bulletin l'Institut Fondamental Francais d'Afrique Noire. Ser A. Sciences Naturelles, 34: 292 - 322.
  • Manter HW (1940) Digenetic trematodes of fishes from the Galapagos Islands and the neighbouring Pacific. Allan Hancock Pacific Expeditions 2: 364 - 473.
  • Yamaguti S (1971) Synopsis of digenetic trematodes of vertebrates. Tokyo; Keigaku, Vol. 1. 1074 pp. Vol. 2. 349 pp.
  • Bartoli P, Gibson DI, Bray RA (1988) The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of sparid fishes of the western Mediterranean. I. Pachycreadium Manter, 1954. Systematic Parasitology 12: 231 - 239.
  • Zdzitowiecki K, Pisano E, Vacchi M (1992) Additional data to Antarctic representatives of the genus Macvicaria Gibson & Bray, 1982 (Digenea, Opecoelidae), with a key to species occurring in the Antarctic. Acta Parasitologica 37: 131 - 134.
  • Bray RA, Cribb TH (1989) Digeneans of the family Opecoelidae Ozaki, 1925 from the Southern Great Barrier Reef, including a new genus and three new species. Journal of Natural History, 23: 429 - 473.
  • Layman EM (1930) Parasitic worms from fishes of Peter the Great Bay. Izvestiya Tikhookeanoskoi Nauchno-Promyslovoi Ostantsii 3: 1 - 120. [In Russian and German].
  • Reimer LW (1987) Opecoelidae (Trematoda) von Meeresfischen vor Mocambique. Angewandte Parasitologie 28: 143 - 158.
  • Yamaguti S (1937) Studies on the Helminth fauna of Japan. Part 17. Trematodes from a marine fish, Brachiostegus japonicus (Houttuyn). Place of publication not given; Satyu Yamaguti, 15 pp.
  • Gibson DI (1976) Monogenea and Digenea from fishes. Discovery Reports 36: 244 - 253.
  • Al-Yamani FY, Nahhas FM (1981) Digenetic trematodes of marine fishes from the Kuwaiti coast of the Arabian Gulf. Kuwait Bulletin of Marine Science 3: 1 - 22.