Temnocephala rochensis Ponce de Léon, 1979, was the second of four species of Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849 to be described as ectosymbiont of ampullariid apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822). There have been no records of this Uruguayan species after its initial description. As part of the present study, 111 specimens of P. canaliculata were collected between 2003 and 2009. Temnocephalans found in the pallial cavity were identified as T. rochensis, occurring in single infestations, or concurrently with Temnocephala haswelli Ponce de Léon, 1989. Specimens of T. rochensis showed a conspicuous red eye pigment which faded after ethanol fixation. Important taxonomic characters of the reproductive system were evidenced by several techniques, and documented photographically for the first time for this species: 1) the typical curved cirrus of the species showing very short and stout spines; 2) the vagina with the proximal portion dilated, forming a "vesicula intermedia"; and 3) the distal portion very muscular, as well as the large and symmetrical vaginal sphincter were documented in detail with Nomarski's DIC microscopy. Eggs were observed in the suture, in the spire, and in the umbilicus of the shell; they had a short peduncle or were sessile, always with short and curved, sometimes straight apical filaments. The rounded shape of the dorsolateral 'excretory' syncytial epidermal plates had central nephridiopores. This is the first record of this species outside of Uruguay and in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Even with extended sampling efforts in the eastern region of Rio Grande do Sul, T. rochensis has not been found, showing a geographical distribution restricted to the southern region, close to its type locality of Laguna Negra, Uruguay.

The impact of the discovery of Temnocephala haswelli Ponce de Léon, 1989, described as ectosymbionts of ampullariid apple snails outside of Uruguay, motivated us to collect a large number of specimens of Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822) from several localities in the southern portion of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This species was recorded three times after its description: in a study of chromosomes, in a study about the ultrastructure of the collar receptor cells, and in a study of the Haswell glands, all conducted in Uruguay. A total of 301 specimens of P. canaliculata were collected from 1999 to 2007. Temnocephalans found in the pallial cavity were identified as T. haswelli, which occurred in single infestations or concurrently with Temnocephala iheringi Haswell, 1893. Helminths usually showed a light-orange body pigmentation and conspicuous, intense red-eye pigment. Many taxonomic characters evidenced by several techniques were documented photographically for the first time. The typical curved cirrus, approximately 90°, typical of the species, showed some variation in the width of the shaft base, whereas the first longitudinal row of spines of the introvert appeared with shorter spines. The vagina was found to be thick-walled, but not very muscular, and to have a single, large and slightly asymmetrical sphincter, with the posterior portion of slightly larger diameter. Eggs were observed in the umbilicus and along the suture, but predominantly in the body whorl of the shell. Egg peduncles were found to be very short or, most of the time, the eggs were sessile, always with a long apical filament. The rounded shape of the dorsolateral 'excretory' syncytial epidermal plates had external margins reaching the ventrolateral region of the body and eccentric nephridiopores. This is the first record of the species outside Uruguay and in Brazil.

The original description of Temnocephala iheringi Haswell, 1893 was based on specimens collected by Hermann von Ihering from undetermined ampullariid apple snails, which at that time were identified as Ampullaria sp., and sent to William H. Haswell, with the type locality simply indicated as Brazil. The type specimens studied by Haswell were not found in the scientific collections of Brazil, Europe or Australia, and should be considered lost. In 1941, Pereira & Cuocolo collected specimens from apple snails, identified as Pomacea lineata (Spix in Wagner, 1827), at two localities (Guaicurús and Salobra) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, central Brazil. These specimens could not be located either and should, thus, be considered lost as well. Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822), the main host of T. iheringi in southern Brazil, is known to have a geographical distribution that reaches Uruguay and 400 km beyond the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Three hundred and one mollusks were collected from 1999 to 2007. Temnocephalans found in the pallial cavity presented a greenish body pigmentation (adults) and lacked eye pigment of any color, including the red-eye pigment, typical of Neotropical species of Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849; straight cirrus, with a thick band at base of the introvert' swelling; and a single, circular, asymmetric vaginal sphincter, wider in diameter in the posterior portion. As the species occurs concurrently with two other species, at least in P. canaliculata from Rio Grande do Sul, the eggs of T. iheringi could not be reliably distinguished. A redescription of the species is provided. A comparison of data from the present work with those of earlier papers published on T. iheringi from Argentina showed that the Argentinean specimens had the smallest measurements.

Temnocephala minutocirrus sp. nov., ectosimbionte sobre Cryphocricos granulosus De Carlo, 1967, é descrita para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Cento e nove naucorídeos foram examinados, dos quais 36 (33%) estavam positivos para esta espécie do gênero Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849. Em uma amostra de 94 hemípteros, 49 (52%) eram ninfas de 4º instar, das quais, 6% estavam infestadas; 45 (48%) eram adultos, braquípteros 40 (18 machos e 22 fêmeas) ou macrópteros 5 (1 macho e 4 fêmeas), 67% dos quais estavam infestados (29% machos e 38% fêmeas), para esta espécie de temnocefalídeo. Ovos dos temnocefalídeos estavam fixados na face ventral do hemíptero, sobre as coxas, trocânteres e esterno, entre o primeiro, segundo e terceiro pares de pernas e na face dorsal, sobre o escutelo, clavo e hemiélitros. Temnocefalídeos juvenis e adultos sempre se apresentaram sem pigmentação corporal. Os caracteres mais distintivos da nova espécie são: 1) cirro muito curto, levemente curvo, com o 'introvert' correspondendo a 37% do comprimento total; 2) placas dorsolaterais, sinciciais 'excretoras' elípticas, com poro excretor equatorial, próximo do limite interno da placa; 3) dois pares de 'grandes glândulas do disco' (paranefrócitos?) centrais, imediatamente à frente dos testículos; 4) testículos relativamente grandes, mas desiguais em tamanho, par anterior menor, sempre na mesma zona, aqueles do mesmo lado, parcialmente sobrepostos; e 5) vagina com parede muscular fracamente desenvolvida e sem esfíncteres musculares.

Temnocephala minutocirrus sp. nov., an ectosymbiont on Cryphocricos granulosus De Carlo, 1967, is described from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. One hundred and nine naucorids were examined, of which 36 (33%) were positive for this species of Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849. In one sample of 94 creeping water bugs, 49 (52%) were 4th instar nymphs, 6% of which were infested; 45 (48%) were adults, either brachypterous (40 with 18 males and 22 females) or macropterous (5 with 1 male and 4 females), 67% of which were infested (29% males and 38% females). Temnocephalan eggs were found both ventrally and dorsally: fixed on coxae, trochanters, and along the sternum between fore middle, and hind pairs of legs; basal of the abdominal area; and on the scutellum, clavus, and hemelytra. Juvenile and adult temnocephalans were always devoid of body pigmentation, and were found living on the ventral body surface, preferably over the sternum, between the middle and hind pairs of legs. The most distinctive features of this new species are: 1) unusually short cirrus, slightly curved, with introvert corresponding to 37% of its total length; 2) dorsolateral 'excretory' syncytial epidermal plates, elliptic, with excretory pore relatively equatorial, closer to inner limit of each plate; 3) two pairs of large disc gland cells (paranephrocytes?) located centrally, just ahead of testes; 4) testes relatively large, but unequal in size, anterior pair smaller, always in the same zone, those of the same side, partially superposed; and (5) vagina with weak muscular wall and without muscular sphincters.

Temnocephala trapeziformis sp. nov., ectosimbionte sobre Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 é descrita para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, região sul do Brasil. Sessenta e oito caranguejos foram examinados, sendo que 61 (89,7 %) estavam positivos para esta espécie do gênero Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849. Posturas estavam localizadas, sobre as pleuras da carapaça, nas cavidades orbitais e no quarto par de pereiópodos, locais onde também foram encontrados espécimes jovens e adultos. Os temnocefalídeos sempre se apresentaram sem pigmento corporal, embora o pigmento vermelho dos olhos tenha sido preservado nos espécimes fixados em formalina 10% fosfato tamponada (90ºC). Os caracteres mais distintos da nova espécie são: 1) a forma e o tamanho do cirro e as características do 'introvert', 2) as placas sinciciais 'excretoras' trapeziformes, com o nefridióporo sempre deslocado para o canto inferior interno de cada placa, e 3) o número, o tamanho e a distribuição das glândulas produtoras de rabdites, observadas em espécimes muito jovens.

Temnocephala trapeziformis sp. nov., ectosymbiont on Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 is described from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Sixty-eight crabs were examined, of which 61 (89.7 %) were positive for this species of the genus Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849. Eggs, as well as adult and young specimens, were found on the pleural areas of the carapace, in the orbital cavities, and, usually, on the fourth pair of pereiopods. The temnocephalans were always devoid of body pigmentation, although they kept the red eye pigment, undiluted in specimens fixed by hot (90ºC) phosphate buffered 10% formalin. The most distinctive characters of the new species are: 1) the shape and size of the cirrus and the characteristics of its introvert section; 2) the trapezoidal shape of the dorsolateral post-tentacular 'excretory' epidermal syncytial plates, with the nephridiopore in the lower inner corner of the plate; and 3) the number, size, and distribution of the rhabdite producing glands, as observed in very young specimens.

Temnocephala lutzi Monticelli, 1913, ectosimbionte sobre caranguejos braquiúros de água doce do gênero Trichodactylus Latreille, 1828, é assinalada pela primeira vez no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, região sul do Brasil. Duzentos e setenta e nove caranguejos foram examinados: 211 de Trichodactylus panoplus (von Martens, 1869) e 68 de Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828, dos quais 51 (24,17%) e 28 (41,17%) estavam positivos para T. lutzi, respectivamente. Caranguejos das duas espécies apresentaram posturas de T. lutzi com os ovos fixados, exclusivamente, no interior das câmaras branquiais, sobre o assoalho e/ou na face interna das brânquias. Espécimes juvenis e adultos foram encontrados dentro e fora das câmaras branquiais. Os temnocefalídeos sempre se apresentaram sem pigmento corporal, embora o pigmento vermelho dos olhos tenha sido preservado nos espécimes fixados em formalina. Os cirros em T. lutzi apresentaram-se com a forma típica da espécie, as placas sinciciais dorsolaterais, pós-tentaculares 'excretoras', demonstradas através de duas técnicas especiais (nitrato de prata e MEV), apresentaram a forma elíptica com o nefridióporo central.

Temnocephala lutzi Monticelli, 1913, ectosymbiont on brachyuran freshwater crabs of the genus Trichodactylus Latreille, 1828 is recorded for the first time in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Two hundred and seventy-nine crabs of two species were examined: 211 Trichodactylus panoplus (von Martens, 1869) and 68 Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 of which 51 (24.17%) and 28 (41.17%) were positive for T. lutzi, respectively. Crabs of both species carried eggs fixed, exclusively, on the floor of the branchial chambers and/or on the lower side of the gills. Adult as well as young specimens were found inside and outside the branchial chambers. The temnocephalans were always devoid of body pigmentation, although they kept the red eye pigment undiluted in specimens fixed by formalin. The cirrus of T. lutzi showed the typical shape for the species, while the dorsolateral, post tentacular 'excretory' syncytial plates, demonstrated by two special techniques (silver nitrate staining and SEM), appeared with an elliptical shape and a central nephridiopore.