ORIGINAL ARTICLE /ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL
A NEW SPECIES OF TEMNOCEPHALA BLANCHARD (PLATYHELMINTHES,
TEMNOCEPHALIDA) ECTOSYMBIONT OF KEMPNYIA RETICULATA (KLAPÁLEK)
(INSECTA, PLECOPTERA) IMMATURES FROM BRAZIL
UMA NOVA ESPÉCIE DE TEMNOCEPHALA (PLATYHELMINTHES,
TEMNOCEPHALIDA) ECTOSIMBIONTE SOBRE IMATUROS DE KEMPNYIA
RETICULATA (KLAPÁLEK) (INSECTA, PLECOPTERA) DO BRASIL
UNA NUEVA ESPECIE DE TEMNOCEPHALA (PLATYHELMINTHES,
TEMNOCEPHALIDA) ECTOSIMBIONTE SOBRE INMATUDOS DE KEMPNYIA
RETICULATA (KLAPÁLEK) (INSECTA, PLECOPTERA) DE BRASIL
1 2 3
Samantha A. Seixas ; José F. R. Amato & Suzana B. Amato
1Setor de Evolução e Ecologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, Centro Universitário
UNIVATES, Rua Avelino Tallini 171, Prédio 8, salas:102/104, Bairro Universitário, CEP 95900-000, Lajeado, RS, Brasil.
PNPD/CAPES Post-Doctoral Fellow. E-mail: seixas.sa@gmail.com
2Rua Cabral, 875/301, Bairro Rio Branco, CEP 90420-121, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. E-mail: josefelipeamato@gmail.com
3Laboratório de Helmintologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do
Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43435, sala 208, Bairro Agronomia, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. E-
mail: sbamato@ufrgs.br
Neotropical Helminthology, 2015, 9(2), jul-dec: 277-284.
ABSTRACT
Keywords: aquatic insects - Neotropic Region - plecopterans - taxonomy - Temnocephalidae.
Temnocephalans were found on immature Kempnyia reticulata (Klapálek) collected in a first
order section of Córrego Bonito (19°58'28,4”S, 40°31'54,4”W), in the Estação Biológica de
Santa Lúcia (EBSL), Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Of 29 immature specimens
examined, 5 (17.24%) were positive for specimens of Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849. Juveniles
and adult parasites were found on the head, mesonotum and, median legs of the hosts. Eggs were
found in larger numbers in the intrathoracic gills. The most distinctive characters of the
Temnocephala stoneflyi n. sp. were in the cirrus and the dorsolateral 'excretory' syncytial
epidermal plates (EPs). The comparison of the general anatomy and, in particular, the
morphology of the cirrus and EPs with those of Temnocephala curvicirri Amato & Amato, 2005
described from aquatic heteropterans and Temnocephala caddisflyi Amato, Amato & Seixas,
2011 described from trichopterans, showed that although these characters are similar, they are not
equal, differing primarily in size and morphology of the cirrus, that has an intermediary size
between the three species and smaller EPs, which also have a different format. The egg deposition
sites are different and this is the third species with the reproductive system characterized as being
'complex'.
277
ISSN Versión impresa 2218-6425 ISSN Versión Electrónica 1995-1043
INTRODUCTION
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Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015
Temnocephala decarloi Moretto, 1978 was the
first species described as epibiont on insects. It
was found on Belostoma cummingsi De Carlo,
1935 collected in Otamendi, Delta del Paraná,
Província de Buenos Aires, Argentina
(Moretto, 1978). The species was recorded
again in Argentina by Damborenea & Cannon
(2001). Vianna & De Melo (2002) recorded
temnocephalans on belostomatids and
naucorids in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Three species have been described as epibionts
on insects in Brazil. Amato & Amato (2005)
described Temnocephala curvicirri Amato &
Amato, 2005 on two species of Belostoma
Latreille, 1807; and Amato et al. (2007)
described Temnocephala minutocirrus Amato,
Seixas & Amato, 2007 on Cryphocricos
granulosus De Carlo, 1967, a naucorid
hemipteran. Both records were made in the
State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Temnocephala caddisflyi Amato, Amato &
Seixas, 2011 was described as epibiont on
'caddisfly' larvae (Trichoptera) in the State of
Minas Gerais, Brazil. Amato et al. (2011) made
an extensive study of the peculiar reproductive
system of the species T. curvicirri and T.
caddisflyi, which, most probably, is shared by
T. decarloi.
Species of Kempnyia Klapálek, 1914 are
endemic to the southern half and central
regions of Brazil. The immatures are usually
found in the litter retained by currents,
although they can also be found in puddles
with low current and accumulated litter, which
are formed during periods of drought (Bispo &
Froehlich, 2004). Avelino-Capistrano et al.
(2 01 3 ) r e co r de d t h e p r es e n c e o f
temnocephalans epibiont on immatures of
Kempnyia reticulata (Klapálek, 1916)
collected in the State of Espírito Santo, without
describing the species.
The present study describes a new species of
Temnocephala epibiont on K. reticulata found
in the 'Reserva Biológica de Santa Lúcia',
Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
RESUMO
Palavras-chave: insetos aquáticos - plecópteros - Região Neotropical - taxonomia - Temnocephalidae.
Temnocefalídeos foram encontrados sobre imaturos de Kempnyia reticulata (Klapálek, 1916)
coletados no Córrego Bonito, em uma seção de primeira ordem (19°58'28,4”S, 40°31'54,4”W),
na Estação Biológica de Santa Lúcia (EBSL), Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Vinte e nove
imaturos foram examinados, cinco (17.24%) estavam positivos para espécimes de
Temnocephala Blanchard, 1849. Juvenis e adultos foram encontrados sobre a cabeça, o mesonoto
e as pernas médias de seus hospedeiros. Ovos foram encontrados em grande número sobre as
brânquias intratorácicas. Os caracteres mais distintivos de Temnocephala stoneflyi n. sp foram o
cirro e o par de sincícios pós-tentaculares, ou placas excretoras (PEs). A comparação da anatomia
geral e, em particular, da morfologia do cirro e das PEs com Temnocephala curvicirri Amato &
Amato, 2005 epibionte sobre heterópteros aquáticos e Temnocephala caddisflyi Amato, Amato
& Seixas, 2011 epibionte sobre tricópteros, mostrou que, embora sejam de mesmo tipo e
natureza, estes caracteres não são iguais, diferindo principalmente em tamanho e morfologia do
cirro, que possui um tamanho intermediário entre as três espécies, e PEs menores e de formato
diferente. Os locais de postura dos ovos diferem e esta é a terceira espécie com o sistema
reprodutor caracterizado como 'complexo'.
Seixas et al.
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Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015
as slides containing individual cirri mounted in
Faure´s mounting medium, were deposited in
the following scientific collections: 1.
'Coleção Helmintológica do Instituto Oswaldo
Cruz (CHIOC)', Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; and
2. 'Coleção Helmintológica do Laboratório de
Helmintologia', Departamento de Zoologia,
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
(UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS. The remainder
host specimens were deposited in the 'Coleção
Helmintológica do Laboratório de
Helmintologia', UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS.
Temnocephala stoneflyi n. sp.
(Figs 3 - 11)
Description. Based on 4 specimens collected: 2
whole mounted adults; 1 specimen mounted on
a stub for SEM; 2 dissected cirri mounted in
(F).
External characteristics. Red pigmentation of
the eyes absent. Two small EPs, rounded
slightly r than wide (Fig. 6), right plate longe
166.34 (n = 1) long, 122 (n = 1) wide;
Excretory pore in the anterior portion of the
plate (Fig. 6 - ep).
Female reproductive system not observed.
Male reproductive system. Cirrus classified as
'complex', composed of long shaft and long
introvert, both curved (lateral view), directed
ventrally, 697.5 (n = 1) long, shaft curved
(approximately 169º) 340 (n = 1) long, shaft
maximum width at base 30 (n = 1) (Fig. 18);
introvert curved (approximately 133º) at mid-
region, introvert total length (ventral) 157.5 (n
= 2), introvert total length (dorsal) 200-357.5
(279, n = 2, 111), 130 (n = 2), ventral portion
without spines, 155-160 (157.5, n = 2, 3) long,
introvert´s swelling portion length (ventral
side) 27.5 (n = 2), introvert´s swelling portion
length (dorsal side) 40-47.5 (44, n = 2, 5). Ratio
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Twenty-nine immature K. reticulata were
collected from July 2008 to February 2009 in a
first order section of Córrego Bonito
(19°58'28,4”S, 40°31'54,4”W), in the 'Estação
Biológica de Santa Lúcia (EBSL)', Santa
Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The
insects were collected by Avelino-Capistrano,
examined for temnocephalans and deposited in
the Coleção do Departamento de Entomologia,
Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio
d e J a n e i r o ( M N R J ) . H o s t s w i t h
temnocephalans were sent to the Laboratório
de Helmintologia, Universidade Federal do
Rio Grande do Sul. The temnocephalans from
plecopterans were studied through a series of
techniques fully described by Amato et al.
(2007) and Seixas et al. (2010), focusing
especially on the: 1. morphology of the cirrus
structure; 2. shape of individual eggs as well as
the areas of egg deposition on the host; and, 3.
paired, dorsolateral, post-tentacular 'excretory'
syncytial plates (EPs). Photomicrographs were
taken with a Zeiss Axiolab microscope, a Leica
DMR Hc Microscope, and Nomarski
interference contrast prisms. The photographic
images and line drawings were scanned and
®
prepared using Adobe's Photoshop CC and
®
CorelDraw X5 , respectively. The image of the
cirrus with total focus was obtained with
®
Hel i c o n Focu s 5.3 . 7 . 2 sof t w a re.
Measurements are in micrometers (μm) unless
otherwise indicated and were taken from
specimens killed under slight cover slip
pressure and mounted in Canada balsam;
ranges are followed (between parentheses) by
the mean, the standard deviation values, and
the number of specimens measured for a given
character (when different than 2).
Measurements of cirrus were taken from
extracted cirri mounted in Faure´s mounting
medium (F), and follow Amato et al. (2011).
Measurements of the introvert and shaft
curvature angles were made with Zeiss
®
Axiovision 4.8 software. Specimens, as well
A new species of Temnocephala from Brazil
RESULTS
280
Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015 Seixas et al.
Figures 1-2. Immature of Kempnyia reticulata. (1) Specimen infested with temnocephalids, dorsal view. Bar = 5 mm. (2) Detail of
the temnocephalid (arrow) and of the eggs (arrow head) fixed to the host. Bar = 2 mm. Figures 3-5. Temnocephala stonefly n. sp. i
(3) Pedunculated eggs. Bar = 250 μm. (4) Detail of a pedunculated egg and filament (arrow). Bar = 250 μm. (5) Adult specimen
mounted in toto, stained with acetic carmine/fast green. Bar = 250 μm.
Site of infestation: Juveniles and adults of T.
stoneflyi n. sp. were living on the head,
mesonotum and, median legs of the
immatures.
Prevalence: 17.2%.
Helminth specimens deposited: 'Coleção
Helmintológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz':
CHIOC 38203 (SBA 3113-1-1holotype);
CHIOC 38204 (SBA3112-1-1- cirrus).
between total length of cirrus/ maximum width
of shaft´s base 23: 1; ratio between total length
of cirrus/ total length of introvert 2.5: 1.
Taxonomic summary.
Type host: Immature Kempnyia reticulata
(Klapálek, 1916) (Insecta, Plecoptera,
Perlidae).
Type localit y: Córre go da Div isa
(19°58'28,4S, 40°31'54,4”W), 'Reserva
Biológica de Santa Lúcia', Santa Teresa, State
of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
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Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015 A new species of Temnocephala from Brazil
Figure 6. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the right post-tentacular 'excretory' syncytial plate of Temnocephala stonefly i
n. sp. showing the excretory pore (ep). Bar = 20 µm.
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Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015 Seixas et al.
Figures 7-11. Cirrus of Temnocephala stonefly n. sp. seen with DIC. (7) Cirrus 'complex' showing the retractor muscle which i
projects toward the front of the cirrus (arrow). Bar = 50 µm. (8) Limit of introvert-shaft (arrow head), portion of the retractor
muscle which projects toward the front of the cirrus (asterisk) and the introvert inflation. Bar = 50 µm. (9-10) Sequence of
different focus views of the distal portion of the cirrus, showing the introvert inflation and the small spines; long spines which are
®
in the internal wall of the structure. Bar = 20 μm. (11) Image created by the Helicon Focus software 5.3.7.2 made from the
sequence of picture stacking of the distal portion of the cirrus. Bar = 20 μm.
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Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015 A new species of Temnocephala from Brazil
133º – T. stonefly n. sp.). The epibionts of the i
K. reticulata immatures have the largest
introvert curvature among the three species.
The shaft is smaller in the specimens of T.
stonefly n. sp. and the relationship between the i
lengths of the introvert/length of shaft (2.5:1)
is smaller than that found in T. caddisflyi
(2.8:1) and in T. curvicirri (4.5:1).
Temnocephala curvicirri and T. caddisflyi
have EPs with a similar shape, but different
size, which go beyond the equatorial line of the
body in T. caddisflyi (Amato & Amato 2005;
Amato et al. 2011). Comparing the EPs of the
two species with those of T. stonefly n. sp., the i
new species has the excretory plates of
different shape and size (Fig. 6), they are
rounded while the excretory pore is in the
anterior half of the plate. The excretory plates
are smaller in length (166 µm) than those of T.
caddisflyi (368 µm in average) and T.
curvicirri (492 µm in average).
Just a few specimens of T. stoneflyi n. sp. were
sent to the 'Laboratório de Helmintologia,
UFRGS' and the majority were not correctly
fixed. Given the small number of samples, the
female reproductive system was not described.
To Jorge Ernesto de Araújo Mariath and
Rinaldo Pires dos Santos, Laboratório de
Anatomia Vegetal, Instituto de Biociências,
UFRGS, for the permission to use the Leica
DMR HC microscope to make the DIC
photomicrographs; to Fernanda Avelino-
Capistrano at the 'Departamento de
Entomol o g i a , M useu Nacion a l d a
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro' for the
collection of the insect hosts; to Adriano
®
Cavalleri for the help with the Helicon Focus
5.3.7.2 software; to the staff of the 'Centro de
Microscopia Eletrônica', UFRGS for the SEM
operation; to CAPES (Coordenão de
Aperfeiçoamento do Pessoal de Nível
DISCUSSION
As observed in T. caddisflyi and T. curvicirri,
the species epibiont on immatures of K.
reticulata has a cirrus classified as 'complex',
and, most probably, it must also have a
'complex' vagina. The feminine reproductive
system of T. stonefly n. sp. could not be clearly i
seen, although the 'complex' vaginas, as
described for the epibionts found on
belostomatids and trichopterans are quite
similar (Amato & Amato, 2005; Amato et al.,
2011). When the 'complex' cirrus of the two
species of epibionts found on insects are
compared with that of T. stonefly n. sp., we i
observed that the new species has the total size
of the cirrus of an intermediary size among the
three (1003 µm in average - T. curvicirri; 560
µm in average - T. caddisflyi, and 697 µm in
average - T. stonefly n. sp.) and the largest total i
length of the introvert (155 µm in average - T.
curvicirri; 140 µm in average - T. caddisflyi
and 157 µm in average - T. stonefly n. sp.).i
Amato et al. (2011) mentioned this species (as
unpublished data) when they compared the
shape of the inflation of the introvert among
the species with cirrus classified as 'complex'.
Temnocephala caddisflyi and T. curvicirri
have approximately the same number of spine
rows and the number of spines per row, as well
as a similar shape (low cylinder in T. caddisflyi
and tall cylinder in T. curvicirri). The inflation
of the introvert of T. stonefly n. sp. has size and i
number of spine rows similar to those two
species mentioned above, although the shape is
globular (Figs 9-11). When curvature angles of
the shaft are compared (158º T. caddisflyi;
129º T. curvicirri, and 169º T. stonefly n. i
sp.), it is possible to see that the epibionts
found on plecopterans have the shaft with the
smallest curvature (almost straight), while T.
curvicirri shows the largest curvature among
the three species. The inverse occurs when the
curvature angle of the introvert is analyzed
(135º T. caddisflyi; 145º T. curvicirri, and
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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Neotropical Helminthology. Vol. 9, Nº2, jul-dec 2015 Seixas et al.
Temnocephala (Platyhelminthes:
Temnocephalida) in immatures of
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Redescription of Temnocephala iheringi
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Superior) for the Doctoral Scholarship
awarded to SAS (2008-2013); to Débora N.
Souza and Lucas Casagrande for their help in
the laboratory; and, especially, to Philip J.
Scholl, for kindly reviewing the English in the
several versions of the manuscript.
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o f Te m n o c e p h a l a B l a n c h a r d
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ectosymbiont on creeping water bugs,
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Amato, JFR, Amato, SB, Seixas, SA, Vidigal,
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Received June 23, 2015.
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