A parasitic nematode from the stomach of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica Temminck et Schlegel in western Japan, previously identified as Heliconema longissimum (Ortlepp, 1922), was morphologically re-examined and compared with the previous descriptions. In addition, the third-stage larva of this nematode is described, based on the specimens of encapsuled larvae found in musculature of two crabs, Hemigrapsus sp. and Perisesarma bidens (De Haan), caught from the upper-intertidal zone of the same locality. As a result of the morphological observation, seven pairs of postcloacal papillae in adult males are confirmed. This matches with the character of H. longissimum, but the shape of the fifth postcloacal papillae differs between the present material and H. longissimum; the former possesses pedunculate papillae in the fifth pair whereas the latter has sessile papillae. Since the pedunculate papillae can be found in the original description and the syntype specimens of H. anguillae Yamaguti, 1935 that has been synonymised with H. longissimum, we thus here resurrect H. anguillae as an accepted species. For the life-cycle of the present nematode, littoral crabs, including the two infected species, are likely to be the source of infections for Japanese eels, acting as intermediate hosts., Hirotaka Katahira, Kazuya Nagasawa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Salmincola markewitschi Shedko et Shedko, 2002 (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) is an ectoparasitic copepod mainly infecting the buccal cavities of white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis (Pallas) (Salmonidae). This species has only been recorded from Northeast Asia, where a morphologically similar congener Salmincola carpionis (Krøyer, 1837) is also distributed, using the same host species. These copepods are hard to distinguish from each other because of their similarities. We thus examined the newly collected specimens morphologically and genetically from five populations of white-spotted charr in Japan. Most of the specimens were morphologically consistent with S. markewitschi but showed great variations in the numbers of spines on the exopods of the antennae, shape of the maxilliped myxal palps, and the bulla diameter. Consequently, some specimens shared characteristics with S. carpionis. In addition to the mophological continuities, genetic analyses of 28S rDNA and COI mitochondrial DNA confirmed that all specimens belong to a single species. Further taxonomic revisions are required to draw conclusions of whether S. markewitschi is a valid species different from S. carpionis, by collecting samples from across their wide distributional ranges, such as Europe, North America, and Northeast Asia. A key to identification of species of Salmincola Wilson, 1915 occurring in Japan is also provided.