Abstract
Abstract: The goal of the present study was to analyze the metacercariae found in adult amphibians collected in the Argentinean Chaco region. A total of 194 frogs, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus latinasus, and Lepidobatrachus laevis was examined for digeneans. Three different larval trematodes of the genus Strigea (Digenea, Strigeidae) were found infecting the liver, mesentery, body cavity, and muscle of frogs. These metacercariae are described and illustrated for the first time and provide new information on the composition of metacercariae in amphibians, thus contributing to the knowledge of larval trematodes biodiversity in the Neotropical region. We also present new information on the morphology and morphometry of strigeid metacercariae.
Key words
Trematoda; Metacercariae; Amphibian; Argentina
INTRODUCTION
The study of metacercariae in amphibians is significant because these hosts transmit metacercariae to terrestrial vertebrates, which are potential final hosts where these larvae can complete their life cycle. The identification of these larvae is not trivial, once they have few morphological features with taxonomic value.
In Argentina, HamannHAMANN MI and GONZÁLEZ CE. 2009. Larval digenetic trematodes in tadpoles of six amphibian species from Northeastern Argentina. J Parasitol 5: 623-628. and Gonzáles (2009) have reported morphological and metric features of metacercaria species of the families Diplostomidae Poirier, 1886, Plagiorchiidae Lühe, 1901, Ophistogonimidae Freitas, 1956, and Echinostomatidae Poche, 1926 in Argentinean hosts. However, metacercariae of the family Strigeidae Railliet, 1919 in amphibians of the Neotropical region have not yet been morphologically characterized or illustrated (see Lunaschi and DragoLUNASCHI L and DRAGO FB. 2007 Checklist of digenean parasites of amphibians and reptiles from Argentina. Zootaxa 1476: 51-68. 2007). In this context, our aim is to describe the morphological and metric features of strigeid metacercaria species in naturally infected frogs from the Argentinean Chaco Region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 194 adult frogs, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus latinasus, and Lepidobatrachus laevis was collected in 3 localities of Argentina (Table I). All adult specimens were killed using a chloroform (CHCI3) solution. The present study is in accordance with all the regulations and ethical and legal considerations for the capture and use of animals established by the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina. The esophagus, stomach, gut, lungs, liver, kidneys, body cavity, musculature, integument, and brain were examined for parasites. Metacercariae were counted and isolated from host tissues and then removed from cysts by using preparation needles. They were studied either in vivo mounted in 0.6% saline solution or killed in hot distilled water, fixed in 70% ethyl alcohol, stained with hydrochloric carmine, and mounted in Canada balsam. Measurements are given in micrometers (μm), and range (mean ± SD). Metacercariae were identified following Yamaguti (1975)YAMAGUTI S. 1975. A synoptical review of life histories of digenetic trematodes of vertebrates, Tokyo, Japan: Keigaku Publishing Company, 590 p. and Niewiadomska et al. (2002)NIEWIADOMSKA K. 2002. Superfamilia Diplostomoidea Poirier, 1886. In: Gibson DI et al. (Eds), Keys to the Trematoda: CABI, Publishing & The Natural History Museum, London, UK, p. 159-166.. Photographs were taken with a Leica DFC 295 camera mounted on a Leica DM 2500 microscope, Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany. For examination using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), some specimens were dehydrated through an ethanol series, acetone, and ether. The specimens were gold-coated and examined using a Jeol 5800LV, Jeol, Tokyo, Japan. Representative specimens were deposited at the Helminthological Collection of the Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Corrientes, Argentina.
Strigeid metacercariae recorded in amphibian hosts from Argentinean Chaco region.(Voucher id)Body cavity(CECOAL 5142)Body cavityChaco Province 25°36’S, 3°15’WCorrientes Province 27°40’S, 58°48’ WApr. 2003
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Strigea sp. 1
Cyst (measurements based on 10 cysts): Tetracotyle cyst, egg-shaped, 760-1100 (949.5 ± 115.9) long x 540-650 (594.0 ± 37.5) wide; cyst inner wall of parasite origin with a hyaline layer, covered by a radiated layer, surrounded by an elastic layer apparently formed by the intermediate host as a reaction against the parasite (Figures 1a, 2a). Larvae not easily released.
Metacercaria (measurements based on 10 excysted metacercariae):Larva tetracotyliform, body bipartite, division into fore and hindbody (Figure 1b), 380-535 (435.5 ± 48.62) in total length. Pseudosuckers cochleariform, posterolateral to oral sucker (Figure 2b). Forebode cup-shaped, 260-390 (306.0 ± 37.5) x 204-288 (240.9 ± 23.4), with oblique aperture, minute tegumental spines, and ciliated papillae (Figure 2d, e). Oral sucker subterminal, 55-70 (64.0 ± 6.13) x 50-70 (63.5 ± 8.25). Pharynx strongly muscular, 30-36 (32.4 ± 2.76) x 26-39 (31.4 ± 3.78); ratio pharynx length to oral sucker length 1:0.4-0.6. Ventral sucker, 60-84 (70.2 ± 8.6) x 80-95 (86.0 ± 6.18). Sucker width ratio 1:1.1-1.7. Holdfast organ composed of 2 lobes, with tegumental spines (Figure 2c). Ventral lobe reaching the anterior margin of forebody, occasionally projected from opening. Proteolytic gland as 2 conspicuous masses at base of forebody. Hindbody cylindrical and curved dorsally, 100-155 (129.5 ± 18.8) x 109-148 (130.5 ± 15.1). Genital primordia present in hindbody. Excretory ducts in the forebody, with the excretory bodies free in its canals (Figure 1b).
Strigea sp. 1. (a) cyst; (b) whole-mount of excysted larva, ventral view. Strigea sp. 2. (c) cyst; (d) whole-mount of excysted larva, ventral view. Strigea sp. 3. (e) cyst; (f) larva encysted, ventral view; (g) larva encysted, lateral view; (h) whole-mount of excysted larva, ventral view. Scale bars: b, d, f, g, h = 50 μm; a, c, e = 150 μm.
Strigea sp. 1. (a) cysts; (b) whole-mount, ventral view; (c) tegumental spines of holdfast organ; (d) cephalic end, ventrolateral view; (e) cephalic region (note ciliated papillae). Strigea sp. 2. (f) cysts; (g) whole-mount, ventrolateral view. Strigea sp. 3. (h) cyst. Abbreviations: pa, papillae; ho, holdfast organ; ps, pseudosuckers; sp, spines.
Prevalence and maximum intensity:One of 1 frog examined (100%), 300 cysts approximately.
Strigea sp. 2
Cyst (measurements based on 10 cysts):Tetracotyle cyst oval, 400-500 (454.6 ± 32.7) long x 230-351 (325.0 ± 38.7) wide, cyst inner wall of parasite origin with a hyaline layer, covered by a radiated layer, surrounded by an elastic layer apparently formed by the intermediate host as a reaction against the parasite (Figures 1c, 2f). Larvae not easily released.
Metacercaria (measurements based on 10 excysted metacercariae):Larva tetracotyliform, body bipartite, division into fore and hindbody (Figure 1d), 335-480 (405.0 ± 52.0) in total length. Forebody cup-shaped, 220-380 (303.3 ± 52.4) x 195-300 (270.8 ± 39.0), with a large opening and covered with minute tegumental spines. Pseudosuckers glandulo-muscular, on the anterolateral edges beside the oral sucker (Figure 2g). Oral sucker subterminal, 50-83 (63.3 ± 11.9) x 55-80 (61.1 ± 8.1). Pharynx strongly muscular, 25-45 (38.0 ± 9.2) x 30-42 (35.5 ± 6.4); ratio pharynx length to oral sucker length 1:0.4-0.8. Ventral sucker, 63-81 (73.8 ± 9.0) x 85-90 (86.8 ± 2.5). Sucker width ratio 1:1.1-1.5. Holdfast organ lobes not projecting from opening. Proteolytic gland compact and conspicuous, posterior to holdfast organ. Hindbody 55-100 (85.0 ± 18.7) x 80-165 (137.0 ± 32.9). Genital primordia, a small single mass, present in hindbody. Excretory ducts in the forebody, with the excretory bodies free in its canals (Figure 1d).
Prevalence and maximum intensity: One of 8 frogs examined (12.5 %), 198 cysts.
Strigea sp. 3
Cyst (measurements based on 10 cysts):Tetracotyle cyst, elongated-oval shaped, 340- 450 (377.8 ± 34.4) long x 185-255 (227.2 ± 16.9) wide, cyst inner wall with a hyaline layer of parasite origin, covered by a radiated layer, surrounded by an elastic layer apparently formed by the intermediate host as a reaction against the parasite (Figures 1e, 2h). Larvae not easily released.
Metacercaria (measurements based on 10 metacercariae): Larva tetracotyliform; body bipartite, division into fore and hindbody. Forebody bell-shaped, 140-215 (170.5 ± 18.6) x 60-75 (66.4 ± 5.0), with a large opening (Figure 1h). Pseudosuckers well developed, glandulomuscular, on the anterolateral edges beside the oral sucker. Oral sucker subterminal, 20-35 (26.2 ± 4.5) x 20-35 (27.2 ± 4.3). Pharynx strongly muscular, 14-15 (14.7 ± 0.6) x 10-11 (10.3 ± 06); ratio pharynx length to oral sucker length 1:0.4-0.6. Ventral sucker, 20-32 (24.5 ± 4.4) x 23-35 (28.5 ± 4.0). Sucker width ratio 1:0.8-1.6. Holdfast organ lobes not projecting from opening. Proteolytic gland inconspicuous. Hindbody inconspicuous 10x30. Excretory ducts occupying the ventral, lateral and dorsal regions of the forebody (Figure 1f, g), with small spherical calcareous concretions free in its canals.
Prevalence and maximum intensity:Seven of 185 frogs examined (3.8%), 500 cysts approximately.
Here we found 3 strigeid metacercariae in the Chaco region of Argentina. These metacercariae are added to the larvae previously described parasitizing different amphibians of Corrientes Province, Argentina (Hamann and González 2009), and are new records of metacercariae for the Chaco region. The main morphological differences between these 3 larvae are shown in Table II. We are aware that this study presents many gaps, which, hopefully, will be supplemented by future molecular analyses and life-cycle studies. Specifically, we contribute new information on morphological and metric data, when they are not known more than adult stage in most of the strigeid species recorded from Argentinean wild birds (see DragoDRAGO FB and LUNASCHI LI. 2015. Update of checklist of digenean parasites of wild birds from Argentina, with comments about the extent of their inventory. Neotrop Helminthol 9: 325-350. and Lunaschi 2015).
ACKNOWLEGMENTS
We thank the Secretary of Natural Resources of Chaco, Formosa and Corrientes Provinces, Argentina to authorize the capture of the toads for this research. Financial support was provided by CONICET of Argentina, through grant PIP 0111 to M. I. Hamann.
REFERENCES
- DRAGO FB and LUNASCHI LI. 2015. Update of checklist of digenean parasites of wild birds from Argentina, with comments about the extent of their inventory. Neotrop Helminthol 9: 325-350.
- HAMANN MI and GONZÁLEZ CE. 2009. Larval digenetic trematodes in tadpoles of six amphibian species from Northeastern Argentina. J Parasitol 5: 623-628.
- LUNASCHI L and DRAGO FB. 2007 Checklist of digenean parasites of amphibians and reptiles from Argentina. Zootaxa 1476: 51-68.
- NIEWIADOMSKA K. 2002. Superfamilia Diplostomoidea Poirier, 1886. In: Gibson DI et al. (Eds), Keys to the Trematoda: CABI, Publishing & The Natural History Museum, London, UK, p. 159-166.
- YAMAGUTI S. 1975. A synoptical review of life histories of digenetic trematodes of vertebrates, Tokyo, Japan: Keigaku Publishing Company, 590 p.
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
08 Apr 2019 -
Date of issue
2019
History
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Received
12 Jan 2018 -
Accepted
29 Apr 2018
