In a study of the oligochaete fauna and their actinosporean parasites in three lakes in Algonquin Park, Canada, a novel form of raabeia-type actinosporean was observed in a single specimen of Uncinais uncinata (∅ersted) (Naididae). This form differs from those previously described in its small size, and by having caudal processes that gradually widen and terminate with a single prominent branch.
The patterns of random amplified fragments and molecular karyotypes of 12 isolates of anuran trypanosomes continuously cultured in vitro were compared by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and pulsed field gradient gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The time interval between preparation of two series of samples was one year. Changes were not observed in the number and size of sharp, amplified fragments of DNA samples from both series examined with the ten primers used. Likewise, changes in the molecular karyotypes were not detected between the two samples of these isolates. These results suggest that the molecular karyotype and the RAPD patterns of the anuran trypanosomes remain stable after being cultured continuously in vitro for one year.
Two of 98 native littleneck clams, Protothaca staminea Conrad, from Cooper’s Cove, Sooke Basin were infected with an eimeriorin coccidian parasite. Merogonic, gamontogonic and sporogonie development were observed in renal tubular epithelial cells. Sporulation of the oocysts occurred within the host. Mature oocysts were spherical mean 41 pm (range 30-44), and contained about 32 subspherical sporocysts (9 x 10 pm), each of which contained 4 sporozoites. Spherical 19 pm (18-20), cyst-like structures and smaller multinucleate bodies, some of which resembled sporocysts, were also seen.A review of the coccidian parasites of bivalves led to the erection of the new genus, Margolisiella (family Eimeriidae Minchin, 1903) to accommodate M. kabatai sp. n., the parasite in Protothaca staminea described herein. Four previously described monoxenous species (Pseudoklossia patellae Debaisieux, P. chitonis Debaisieux, P. tellinovum Buchanan and P. halintis Friedman, Gardner, Hedrick, Stephenson, Cawthom et Upton) were also transferred to the new genus. The 2 remaining possibly heteroxenous species (P. pelseneeri Léger and P. glomerata Léger et Duboscq) were retained in the genus Pseudoklossia Léger et Duboscq (family Aggregatidae Labbé, 1899).