The recognition of cryptic parasite species has implications for evolutionary and population-based studies of wildlife and human disease. Echinostome trematodes are a widely distributed, species-rich group of internal parasites that infect a wide array of hosts and are agents of disease in amphibians, mammals, and birds. We utilize genetic markers to understand patterns of morphology, host use,...

The present geographical distribution of Lymnaea columella, as recorded in the National Freshwater Snail Collection, is described and discussed. It appears that L. columella is the most successful colonist of all the freshwater snail species in South Africa, and, together with Bulinus tropicus and Lymnaea natalensis, it forms the most widely distributed freshwater snail species in the region. D...

This paper focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of Lymnaea truncatula, the intermediate, snail host of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, as reflected by the 723 samples in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The 221 different loci (1/16-degree squares) on record reflect an extensive but discontinuous distribution, except in L...

Evolutionary Aspects of Neuropeptides and their Genes Structure and evolution of insulin and insulin-like growth factors in chordates p. 15 Relationships among the FMRFamide-like peptides p. 25 Molecular evolution of neurohypophysial hormone precursors p. 39 A vasopressin-related peptide in the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis: Peptide structure, prohormone organization, evolutionary and functional as...

Experimental infections of Lymnaea truncatula with a digenean species (Fasciola gigantica, F. hepatica, or Paramphistomum daubneyi) were performed under laboratory conditions to study the effect of four sources of food (microalgae, romaine lettuce, wheat germs, or modified Boray diet) on cercarial production. The mean number of F. hepatica, F. gigantica, or P. daubneyi cercariae was significant...

In cnidarian symbiosis research, studying algal uptake, maintenance, and expulsion typically requires quantification of density in host tissue. Multiple methods are used to measure including vitro cell counts holobiont homogenate situ tentacle clippings. The relative precision both types measurement has not previously been reported for the model Exaiptasia diaphana fully symbiotic state. object...

Partial DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I and II genes were used to construct a molecular phylogeny based on representative species from 10 of the 20 genera of Sesiidae. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian analysis were utilized. Sequencing of a 606-base pair region of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI), tRNA leucine, and COII gene revea...

Larvae of many species of Sesiidae, the clearwing moths, are important pests in commercial nurseries, urban landscapes, timber stands, vineyards, and orchards. They cause economic loss by larval boring in stems and roots of herbaceous and woody plants. Researchers and growers often monitor for the presence of economically important sesiid adults with pheromone traps. These traps often attract m...