Abstract: A new species of Characithecium, a genus of monogenean parasites of Neotropical characids, is described from specimens collected on the body surface and gills of Astyanax aff. fasciatus and Astyanax jacuhiensis from Lake Guaíba, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new species is similar to Characithecium costaricensis, but differs by having the haptor separated from the body by a long peduncle, and by having an accessory piece composed of 2 subunits in the male copulatory complex - 1 ventral pincer-shaped at the distal end, and 1 dorsal with an expanded rod-shaped proximal end and the distal end containing 3 elongated projections-, and the dorsal bar usually presenting a small median elevation in the anterior margin. This study increases the number of species of Characitecium to 7 and expands our knowledge on the diversity of monogenean parasites of characids.

Resumen: Una especie nueva de Characithecium, género que comprende especies de parásitos monogenéticos de carácidos neotropicales, se describe a partir de especímenes colectados de la superficie corporal y las branquias de los peces Astyanax aff. fasciatus y Astyanax jacuhiensis en el lago Guaíba, estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Esta especie nueva es similar a Characithecium costaricensis pero se diferencia por tener el haptor separado del cuerpo por un pedúnculo largo y por presentar una estructura accesoria compuesta por 2 subunidades en el complejo copulador masculino -una ventral con forma de pinza en el extremo posterior y otra dorsal con forma de barra en el extremo anterior y posterior, la cual tiene 3 prolongaciones alargadas-. Además, la barra dorsal usualmente presenta una pequeña elevación media en el margen anterior. Este estudio aumenta el número de especies de Characitecium a 7 y mejora nuestro conocimiento sobre la diversidad de parásitos monogenéticos en carácidos.

Os hemócitos atuam no sistema de defesa contra organismos invasores e partículas estranhas, auxiliando o reconhecimento do que é próprio do corpo dos grastrópodes e o que não é. São escassas as informações e estudos sobre os hemócitos em espécies de moluscos saudáveis (sem infecções), principalmente em Bradybaena similaris (Fèrussac, 1821) and Megalobulimus abbreviatus (Bequaert, 1948). Portanto, este trabalho tem como objetivos a caracterização e quantificação dos hemócitos presentes na hemolinfa destas duas espécies. Neste trabalho, foram identificados três tipos celulares na hemolinfa de ambas espécies: as células redondas, hialinócitos e granulócitos. Os três tipos de hemócitos foram medidos e foi calculada a média do diâmetro total e do núcleo para cada um deles. Para B. similaris, o diâmetro médio das células redondas foi de 10,7 µm, dos hialinócitos foi de 20 µm e dos granulócitos de 25,4 µm. Para M. abbreviatus, o diâmetro médio foi de 11,7 µm para as células redondas, de 21,5 µm para os hialinócitos e de 30,5 µm para os granulócitos. Embora os hialinócitos possuam médias parecidas entre B. similaris e M. abbreviatus, foram detectadas diferenças significativas do diâmetro celular total e diâmetro do núcleo (p<0,0001) dessas células entre as espécies estudadas. A densidade média de células por ml, sem distinção de tipo celular foi de 197.813 células/ml para M. abbreviatus, e de 416.333 células/ml para B. similaris. Diferentemente de outros gastrópodes, os hemócitos mais frequentes em M. abbreviatus e em B. similaris foram os hialinócitos.

Hemocytes act in the defense system against invading organisms, foreign particles aiding the recognition of what is own to the body of gastropods and what is not. Information and studies on the hemocytes in species of mollusks healthy (no infections), especially in Bradybaena similaris (Fèrussac, 1821) and Megalobulimus abbreviatus (Bequaert, 1948) are scarce. Therefore, this work aims at characterization and quantification of hemocytes present in the hemolymph of these two species. In this work three cell types were identified in the hemolymph of both species: round cells, hyalinocytes and granulocytes. The three types of hemocytes were measured, and the average of total diameter and the nucleus for each was calculated. On B. similaris, the average diameter of round cells was 10.7 µm, of hyalinocytes was 20 µm and of granulocytes was 25.4 µm. On M. abbreviatus, the average diameter of round cells was 11.7 µm, of hyalinocytes was 21.5 µm and of granulocytes was 30.5 µm. Although the hyalinocytes have similar averages between B. similaris and M. abbreviatus, the cells were demonstrated significant differences in their total diameter and size of the nucleus (p<0.0001). The average density of cells per ml without distinction of cellular type was 197,813 cells/ml for M. abbreviatus, and 416,333 cells/ml for B. similaris. The most frequent hemocytes in M. abbreviatus and B. similaris were hyalinocytes, unlike other gastropods.

Helminths with heteroxenous cycles provide clues for the trophic relationships of definitive hosts, representing important sources of information for assessing niche overlap between males and females of non-dimorphic species. We necropsied 151 rufous-bellied thrushes (Turdus rufiventris) captured in a metropolitan region in southern Brazil to analyze whether the structure of parasite communities is influenced by host sex or age. Most thrushes (93%) were parasitized by at least 1 species. The helminth community of Turdus rufiventris was composed of 15 species with prevalences from <1% to 60%. Although the prevalence of Conspicuum conspicuum, Microtetrameres pusilla and Aproctella stoddardi was higher in adults, Syngamus trachea was more prevalent in juveniles. Adults showed greater species richness of parasites than juveniles, probably as a consequence of an increase in the opportunities of infection with a larger set of parasites with aging. Adult males and females presented similar species richness of helminths and quite similar communities, allowing us to conclude that they prey upon the same invertebrates, including earthworms, snails, isopods, millipedes, cockroaches and grasshoppers. Therefore, trophic niche overlap between adult males and females is greater than between adults and juveniles.

Los helmintos que presentan ciclos heterogéneos proveen pistas importantes sobre las relaciones tróficas que mantienen con sus hospederos definitivos. Estas pistas son además importantes fuentes de información que permiten evaluar el sobrelapamiento de sus nichos cuando comparamos machos y hembras en especies no dimórficas. Así, se practicaron necropsias en 151 zorzales colorados (Turdus rufiventris) que fueron capturados en una región metropolitana al sureste de Brasil, a fin de analizar de qué manera la estructura de la comunidad de parásitos podría estar influenciada por la edad o sexo del hospedero. La mayoría de los zorzales (93%) fueron parasitados por al menos 1 especie. La comunidad de helmintos de Turdus rufiventris estuvo compuesta por 15 especies, con prevalencias entre 1% a 60%. Aunque la prevalencia de Conspicuum conspicuum, Microtetrameres pusilla y Aproctella stoddardi fue más alta en adultos, Syngamus trachea tuvo una mayor prevalencia en juveniles. Los adultos mostraron una mayor riqueza de parásitos que los juveniles. Probablemente, ésto sea consecuencia de una mayor posibilidad de infectarse conforme avanza la edad de los individuos; sin embargo, machos y hembras adultos presentaron una riqueza similar en la concentración de helmintos en comunidades semejantes. Esto podría apoyar a concluir que podrían estar alimentándose del mismo tipo de invertebrados como son: lombrices, caracoles, isópodos, ciempiés, cucarachas y saltamontes. Concluimos que la sobreposición del nicho trófico es mas clara entre machos y hembras adultos que entre los juveniles.

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.

Cystacanths of Centrorhynchus sp., were found in the coelomic cavity of anurans Rhinella fernandezae (Gallardo, 1957), collected in the municipality of Imbé, on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. In a sample totaling 90 anurans, the prevalence of cystacanths was 84%, and the mean intensity of infection was 4.79 helminths/host. This is the first record of Centrorhynchus sp. cystacanths in anurans from Southern Brazil and from the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

Se encontrararon cistacantos de Centrorhynchus sp. en la cavidad celómica del anuro Rhinella fernandezae (Gallardo, 1957), recolectado en el municipio de Imbé, en la costa norte de Rio Grande do Sul en el sur de Brasil. En una muestra de 90 anuros, la prevalencia de cistacantos fue del 84%, y la intensidad media de infección fue del 4.79 helmintos/hospedero. Este es el primer registro de cistacantos de Centrorhynchus sp., en anuros en el sur de Brasil y en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul.

A introdução de espécies tem alterado a diversidade dos parasitos e seus hospedeiros em todo o mundo. No caso dos hospedeiros introduzidos, a idade da população parece ser um bom preditor da riqueza parasitária. A alteração do habitat é outra variável que pode ter impacto sobre as interações parasito-hospedeiro, pois afeta a disponibilidade de hospedeiros intermediários. O pardal (Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) é um bom modelo para testar essas predições. Ele foi introduzido em várias partes do mundo e pode ser encontrado ao longo do gradiente urbano-rural. Um total de 160 pardais, provenientes de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foram necropsiados, dos quais 19 % (30) estavam parasitados com pelo menos uma das cinco espécies de helmintos encontradas (Digenea: Tamerlania inopina Freitas, 1951 and Eumegacetes sp.; Eucestoda: Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann, 1907) Fuhrmann, 1932; Nematoda: Dispharynx nasuta (Rudolphi, 1819) Stiles & Hassall, 1920 and Cardiofilaria pavlovskyi Strom, 1937). Não houve diferença entre machos adultos e fêmeas adultas e entre adultos e juvenis na prevalência e intensidade de infecção das espécies, na riqueza de parasitos e na diversidade das comunidades de helmintos. Também não houve diferença significativa no número de pardais infectados em cada estação e na riqueza de helmintos e abundância das espécies entre as paisagens rural e urbana. Somente a prevalência de C. passerina variou sazonalmente (p=0,0007). Uma redução no número de espécies de parasitos de P. domesticus desde a sua distribuição original (13) ao seu ponto de entrada no Brasil, a cidade do Rio de Janeiro (nove), até Porto Alegre (cinco), é compatível com a hipótese de que a idade da população hospedeira é um bom preditor da riqueza de parasitos.

Species introductions have altered host and parasite diversity throughout the world. In the case of introduced hosts, population age appears to be a good predictor of parasite richness. Habitat alteration is another variable that may impact host-parasite interactions by affecting the availability of intermediate hosts. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) is a good model to test these predictions. It was introduced in several parts of the world and can be found across rural-urban gradients. A total of 160 house sparrows from Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were necropsied. Thirty house sparrows (19 %) were parasitized with at least one out of five helminth species (Digenea: Tamerlania inopina Freitas, 1951 and Eumegacetes sp.; Eucestoda: Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann, 1907) Fuhrmann, 1932; Nematoda: Dispharynx nasuta (Rudolphi, 1819) Stiles & Hassall, 1920 and Cardiofilaria pavlovskyi Strom, 1937). Overall, there was no difference in prevalence and intensity of infection of any parasite species, parasite richness and community diversity between adult males and females and adults and juveniles. The number of infected sparrows among seasons, the richness of helminths and the abundance of species were also similar between rural and urban landscapes. Only the prevalence of C. passerina varied seasonally (p=0.0007). A decrease in the number of parasite species from the original range of P. domesticus (13) to its port of entrance in Brazil, the city of Rio de Janeiro (nine), to Porto Alegre (five) is compatible with the hypothesis that host population age is a good predictor of parasite richness.

Com o objetivo de conhecer a helmintofauna do marrecão, Netta peposaca (Vieillot, 1816), na América do Sul, 108 aves foram amostradas. Os pontos de captura foram os municípios de Santa Vitória do Palmar e Jaguarão, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil (pólo de invernia), e em Alvear, Província de Corrientes, região norte da Argentina (pólo de nidificação), entre 2002 e 2004. As aves foram congeladas em gelo seco logo após o abate. Durante o procedimento de necropsia tiveram o sexo identificado, e foram classificadas de acordo com estado de maturação sexual, em juvenil e adulto. O cestóide Diploposthe laevis (Bloch) Jacobi, 1896 foi encontrado com prevalência média de 68,5% e intensidade média de infecção de dois espécimes por hospedeiro. A prevalência média de D. laevis em Alvear (25,9%) foi maior do que a encontrada em Jaguarão e Santa Vitória do Palmar, Rio Grande do Sul (19%) fato que pode estar relacionado ao pólo de nidificação e ao período onde as aves devem ingerir um maior volume de alimento. Este é o primeiro registro de uma espécie do gênero Diploposthe em anatídeos na América do Sul, e o primeiro registro desta espécie em N. peposaca. Detalhes da bolsa do cirro e a vagina foram descritos com base em cortes histológicos.

One hundred eight rosy-billed pochards, Netta peposaca (Vieillot, 1816), collected in Brazil and Argentina were examined for endoparasites. Collection sites included the municipalities of Santa Vitória do Palmar and Jaguarão, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (wintering site) and Alvear, Corrientes Province, northern Argentina (nesting site). Birds were frozen in dry ice after collection. During necropsy they were categorized according to sex and maturation, either adult or juvenile. The cestode Diploposthe laevis (Bloch) Jacobi, 1896 was found (prevalence 68.5%, mean infection was 2). The mean prevalence of D. laevis in Alvear (25.9%) was higher than found in Jaguarão and Santa Vitória do Palmar, Rio Grande do Sul (19%), and could be related to the nesting site and to the period when the birds may ingest a higher amount of food. This is the first record of a species of the genus Diploposthe in anatideans from South America, and the first record of the species in N. peposaca. Details of the cirrus pouch and vagina were described based on histological sections.

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.

Espécimes adultos de Paratanaisia bragai foram coletados de ductos renais de Columba livia infectados naturalmente, fixados em glutaraldeído 2,5% e processados para microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Foram identificados dois tipos distintos de escamas, escamas bífidas e simples, dispostas em fileiras transversais no tegumento das faces dorsal e ventral do corpo. Também mostrando em detalhes a ventosa oral subterminal, bem desenvolvida e acetábulo de tamanho reduzido, localizado no terço médio do corpo, circundado por pequenas protuberâncias e quatro papilas dispostas regularmente na sua margem.

Adult specimens of Paratanaisia bragai collected from renal ducts of Columba livia naturally infected, were fixed in glutaraldehyde 2.5% and processed for scanning electron microscopy. Two distinct types of scales had been identified, bifid and simple scales, disposed in transversal rows, on the tegument of dorsal and ventral face of the body. Also show in details the oral sucker subterminal, well developed and acetabulum of size reduced, located in third medium of the body, surrounded for small protuberance and four papillae on its edge.

Três espécies de aves, dois anatídeos, Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) (marreca-caneleira) e Netta peposaca (Vieillot, 1816) (marrecão) e um phalacrocoracídeo, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789) (biguá) foram coletados em vários locais na Província da Planície Costeira e no Lago Guaíba, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O número de aves examinadas de cada espécie de hospedeiro, assim como os valores de prevalência e intensidade média de infecção foram: 33 D. bicolor, 3%, 1 helminto/hospedeiro; 20 N. peposaca 15%, 4,3 helmintos/hospedeiro e 47 P. brasilianus 2,1%, 1 helminto/hospedeiro. O espécime coletado no biguá e um dos espécimes, entre aqueles, coletados nos marrecões estavam na cloaca. Os outros espécimes coletados nos marrecões e o único espécime coletado nas marrecas-caneleiras, respectivamente, estavam na bolsa de Fabricius. Este é o primeiro registro de P. ovatus em biguás e em marrecões. A distribuição geográfica conhecida de P. ovatus é estendida para o sul do Brasil e para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.

Three species of birds, two anatids, Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) (Fulvous Whistling Duck) and Netta peposaca (Vieillot, 1816) (Rosy-billed Pochard), and one phalacrocoracid, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789) (Neotropical Cormorant) were collected from several localities in the Coastal Plain Province and in Lago Guaíba, State of Rio Grande do Sul. The number of birds examined of each host species with the respective values of prevalence and mean intensity of infection of P. ovatus were: 33 D. bicolor, 3%, 1 helminth/host; 20 N. peposaca 15%, 4.3 helminths/host, and 47 P. brasilianus 2.1%, 1 helminth/host. The single specimen collected from the Neotropical cormorants and one of the specimens collected from the rosy-billed pochards, were in the cloaca. The remaining specimens from the rosy-billed pochards and the single specimen from the fulvous whistling ducks were in the bursa of Fabricius. This is the first record of P. ovatus in Neotropical cormorants and rosy-billed pochards. The known geographical distribution of P. ovatus is extended to the southernmost State of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul.

O presente trabalho é parte de um estudo maior sobre a helmintofauna dos cormorões Neotropicais conhecidos no Brasil como biguás, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789), particularmente, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os nematóides que foram encontrados soltos no proventrículo/ventrículo ou em grupos compostos por adultos de várias idades e larvas de vários estágios (L3 e L4), formando granulomas eosinofílicos tiveram prevalência de 100% em 47 biguás do Lago Guaíba, Município de Guaíba. A morfologia dos lábios e dos interlábios, o padrão de distribuição das papilas caudais em machos examinados com microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) e as extremidades dos espículos permitiram a determinação da espécie como Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 sensu lato (s. l.). Este é o primeiro registro de C. rudolphii na região Sul do Brasil.

The present report is part of a larger study on the helminth fauna of Neotropical Cormorants, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789) in Brazil, particularly, in the southernmost State of Rio Grande do Sul. The nematodes which were found loose in the proventriculus/ventriculus or in groups of adults of different ages and of L3 and L4 larval stages, forming eosinophylic granulomas had a prevalence of 100% in 47 Neotropical cormorants from Lago Guaíba, Municipality of Guaíba. The morphology of the labia/interlabia, the distribution pattern of the caudal papillae in males examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the tips of the spicules allowed determination of the species as Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 sensu lato (s. l.). This is the first record of C. rudolphii in southern Brazil.

Os nematóides do gênero Syncuaria Gilbert, 1927 são parasitos de aves das ordens Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes e Podicipediformes. Onze espécies são consideradas válidas neste gênero, no entanto, somente duas, Syncuaria buckleyi (Ali, 1957) Wong, Anderson & Bartlett, 1986 e Syncuaria squamata (Linstow, 1883) Wong, Anderson & Bartlett, 1986 parasitam aves do gênero Phalacrocorax Brisson, 1760. Entre 1999 e 2003 foram coletados 47 biguás, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789) no Lago Guaíba, Município de Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Oito destas aves estavam infectadas por S. squamata. A prevalência e a intensidade média de infecção na amostra foram de 8,5% (8 de 47) e 2,5 helmintos/hospedeiro, respectivamente. Esta comunicação amplia a distribuição geográfica conhecida dos helmintos do gênero Syncuaria para o Brasil.

The nematodes of the genus Syncuaria Gilbert, 1927 are parasites of birds of the orders Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, and Podicipediformes. Eleven species are considered valid in this genus, however, two species, Syncuaria buckleyi (Ali, 1957) Wong, Anderson & Bartlett 1986 and Syncuaria squamata (Linstow, 1883) Wong, Anderson & Bartlett, 1986 are parasites of birds of the genus Phalacrocorax Brisson, 1760. Between 1999 and 2003, 47 Neotropical Cormorants, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin, 1789) were collected at Lago Guaíba, Municipality of Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Eigth of these birds were infected with S. squamata. The prevalence and the mean intensity of infection were 8.5% (8 of 47) and 2.5 helminths/host, respectively. This communication extends the known geographical distribution of nematodes of the genus Syncuaria to Brazil.

O desenvolvimento larval de Paratanaisia bragai foi estudado através de infecções experimentais em Subulina octona e se completou aos 40 dias pós-infecção, com o encistamento da metacercária. A localização e morfologia dos estágios larvais foram documentadas através de fotomicrografias.

The larval development of Paratanaisia bragai was studied by means of experimental infections of Subulina octona, and it was completed 40 days post-infection, with encystment of the metacercaria. The morphology of the larval stages and the site of infection in the snail host were documented through of photomicrography.