METHODS: Fresh specimens of chondracanthids were collected from the buccal cavity of two species of deep-sea fishes (fish hosts were frozen), Chaunax abei Le Danois, 1978 (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) and Setarches longimanus (Alcock, 1894) (Perciformes: Setarchidae), caught at a depth of 212 m in Suruga Bay, Japan (34° 37'48.87″ N, 138° 43'2.958″ E). Both the species are described and illustrated based on ovigerous females.
RESULTS: The genus Avatar gen. nov. can readily be distinguished from all other chondracanthid genera by the following combination of features: cephalothorax slightly wider than long with anterior pair of large and posterior pair of small lateral lobes, and two pairs of ventro-lateral processes; the very posteriormost part of the first pedigerous somite contributes to the neck; cylindrical trunk with two pairs of blunt proximal fusiform processes; antennule with small knob terminally; antenna bearing distal endopodal segment; labrum protruding ventrally; two pairs of biramous legs each with 2-segmented rami. Kokeshioides gen. nov. has the following combinations of features that distinguish it from other chondracanthid genera: body flattened, without lateral processes; cephalothorax much wider than long, with paired anterolateral and posterolateral lobes, folded ventrally; the very posteriormost part of the first pedigerous somite contributes to the neck; mandible elongate; legs unique, heavily sclerotized, represented by two pairs of acutely pointed processes.
CONCLUSION: With the addition of two new genera presently reported, the family Chondracanthidae currently includes 52 valid genera. Among the described genera Avatar gen. nov. seems to be very primitive, while Kokeshioides gen. nov. is highly advanced. The deduced evolutionary history of chondracanthid genera is also discussed.
OBSERVATIONS: Thirty-eight previous parasite studies in rodents conducted in Malaysia were reviewed, and 44 ectoparasites species and 58 endoparasites species across 19 rodent species were revealed. Six ectoparasite and eight endoparasite species were identified as zoonotic among these parasites. Morphological identification of parasite species typically succeeded only at the genus level because of their identical morphological characteristics. However, these studies used a molecular approach to identify parasites at the species level using species-specific primers. The pathological findings of various organs of infected rodents were also summarized, including gross and histological lesions exhibited by parasites.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This review highlights the list of parasites infecting rodents in Malaysia, provides information on the molecular and pathological findings from previous studies, and identifies some of the limitations and knowledge gaps that suggest future research to address the issues, including the paucity of information on blood parasites, molecular, and histopathological studies of parasites in rodents.
METHODS: A total of 30 macaques were sampled for blood, faeces and hair plucks to detect parasite.
RESULTS: Out of 21 faecal samples examined, 11 (52%) were determined positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasites, namely Trichostrongylus spp., Strongyloides spp., Anatrichosoma spp., Capillaria spp., Trichuris spp. and Paramphisotomum spp. Filaria was detected in one (3%) of the blood samples. For ectoparasites, only lice, Pedicinus sp., were found in 9 (30%) macaques.
CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative that the parasitic status of these animals be determined so that necessary actions and preventive measures can be implemented to prevent zoonotic transmissions.