USGS ScienceSearch

Geology topics

H. W. Stunkard

Publications and source records attributed to H. W. Stunkard.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

The life-cycle of the digenetic trematode, Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) Odhner, 1911 (Syn. P. rubtenuis [Linton, 1907] Hanson, 1950), and description of Cerceria adranocerca n. sp

The genus Proctoeces was erected by Odhner ( 191 1) to contain Distonium maculatuni Looss, 1901, from Labrus merula and Crenilabrus spp . at Triest. Odhner had found the parasite in Blennius ocellaris at Naples. One adult specimen from Chrysophrys bifasciata and two immature specimens from lulis lunaris taken in the Red Sea, were described as a new species, Proctoeces erythraeus . Dawes (1946) listed P. erythraeus as a synonym of P. maculatus (Looss) , but the species was recognized by Manter ( 1947) on the basis of six specimens he had collected from Calamus calamus and Calamus bajonado at the biological laboratory of the Carnegie Institution at Dry Tortugas, Florida. Several additional species have been de scribed. Fujita ( 1925) reported a metacercaria from the Japanese oyster, Ostrea gigas , as a new species, Proctoeces ostreae . The paper was translated by R. Ph. Dollfus who noted (p. 57) ,“Il est à souhaiter que des recherches chez les poissons mangers de Lamellibranches, sur les côtes de la préfecture d'Hiroshima, permettent de découvrir des exemplaires complètement adultes de Proctoeces ostreae Fuj., chez lesquels l'extension des vitellogènes et les dimensions des oeufs puissent être observées avec précision; il sera alors possible de savoir définitivement si P. ostreae Fuj. doit ou non tomber en synonymie avec P. maculatus (Looss)." Yamaguti (1934) described P. maculatus from Sparus aries , Sparws macrocephalus, Pagrosomus auratus , and Epinephelus akaara in Japan. Several specimens from Pagrosomus auratus , which differed from P. maculatus in larger size, larger eggs, and trilobed ovary, he described as a new species, Proctoeces major . Yamaguti ( 1938) reported P. nzaculatus from Sensicossyphus reticulatus and described a larva from the liver of the pelecypod mollusk, Brachidontes senhausi , as an unidentified member of the genus Proctoeces. Manter ( 1940) described Proctoeces tnagnorus from a single specimen found in the intestine of Caulolatilus ano ,nalus, taken at Cerros Island, Mexico. Hanson ( 1950) identified two specimens collected from Calamus sp . at Bermuda by the late F. D. Barker as Distontuni subtenue Linton, 1907, a species described originally from Calantus calanius in the same area. Comparison of these specimens with those from Tortugas identified by Manter as P. erythraeus established their identity, and P. erythraeus was suppressed as a synonym of Proctoeces subtenue (Linton, 1907). Hanson corrected the statement of Manter (1947), noting that it is the vitellaria, not the uterus, which never extends into the post testicular region.

Biological Bulletin

The killifish, fundulus heteroclitus, second intermediate host of the trematode, Ascocotyle (Phagicola) dimunuta

Ascocotyle (Phagicola) diminuta was described by Stunkard and Haviland (1924)from the intestine of wild rats collected at the Clason Point dump near New York by the City Board of Health. Feeding experiments have demonstrated that metacercariae encysted in the gills of the common killifish, Fundulus hetero clitus , are stages in the life-cycle of this parasite. The larvae have been found also, although rarely and in small numbers, in the gills of the striped killifish, Fundulus majalis . Since both species of Fundulus are susceptible, it appears probable that the habits of F. heteroclitus occasion greater exposure of this species to the cercariae. It is possible that infection of the fishes occurs during the spawning season when they are in water of low salinity. The asexual stages of these trematodes and the mollusks which harbor them are yet unknown.

Biological Bulletin