SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION OF PARASITOLOGISTS 48th Annual Meeting Program & Abstracts April 16-18, 2015 The University of Oklahoma Biological Station Lake Texoma, Oklahoma Affiliate, American Society of Parasitologists SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION OF PARASITOLOGISTS Officers President Sara V. Brant Museum of Southwestern Biology Division of Parasites University of New Mexico MSC03 2020 Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 President-Elect (Program Officer) Megan Wise de Valdez Program of Biology Texas A&M-San Antonio One University Way San Antonio, TX 78224 Immediate Past President Ben Hanelt Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology Department of Biology University of New Mexico MSC03 2020 Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 Secretary-Treasurer Tamara J. Cook Department of Biological Sciences Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX 77341-2116 Representative to ASP Council Matt Bolek Department of Integrative Biology Oklahoma State University 501 Life Sciences West Stillwater, OK 74078 AGENDA Thursday, April 16, 2015 5:00–9:00 pm Registration 6:30 pm Dinner 7:15 pm Presenters’ Meeting 8:30 pm Social Hour(s) Friday, April 17, 2015 7:30–8:30 am 8:50 am 9:00-10:15 am 10:15-10:30 am 10:30 am –11:45 pm 12:00–1:00 pm 1:30–2:45 pm 3:00–3:15 pm 3:15–4:15 pm 4:30–5:30 pm 5:30–6:30 pm 6:30–8:00 pm 8:00–9:00 pm 9:00–10:00 pm Foyer of Dining Hall Dining Hall Library Dining Hall Breakfast & Registration Dining Hall Opening Remarks Library 1. Oral Presentations (#1–5) Library Break 2. Oral Presentations (#6–10) Library Lunch Dining Hall 3. Oral Presentations (#11–15) Library Break 4. Oral Presentations (#16–19) Library Refreshments at the Pavilion on the Lawn Dinner Dining Hall SWAP Business Meeting Library President’s Reception Dining Hall AND 5. Poster Session (#20–26) Dining Hall Social Hour(s) Dining Hall Saturday, April 18, 2015 7:30–8:30 am Breakfast Dining Hall 8:45-10:00 am 6. Oral Presentations (#27-31) Library 10:00 am Adjournment ABSTRACTS WITH A “UG” ARE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PAPERS IN THE COMPETITION; THOSE WITH A “G” ARE GRADUATE STUDENT PAPERS IN THE COMPETITION. UNLESS NOTED, SPEAKER IS FIRST AUTHOR LISTED. 1 Friday, April 17, 2015—Morning Sessions—Oral Presentations LIBRARY 8:50am Opening Remarks – President SARA BRANT 1. Oral Presentations (#1–5) Chairpersons Benjamin McGehee – Texas A&M-San Antonio Gizelle Vasquez – Angelo State 9:00 am G 1. The relationship between parasitic infection and reproductive potential of two cyprinids with different reproductive strategies. B. Ruehle, C. Higgins, and K. Herrmann, Department of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Parasites can inflict a number of effects on their hosts, of interest to this study are the effects on the reproductive potential in fishes. Two hypotheses have been proposed for this relationship: 1) during the breeding season energy is reallocated from the immune system to reproduction, 2) parasitic infection utilizes the host’s energy reducing the amount available for reproduction. So, the first objective of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between parasite load and reproductive potential in fish and whether this relationship differs between males and females. The second objective is to examine two cyprinids, Cyprinella venusta, a crevice-spawner and Notropis volucellus, a broadcast-spawner, to determine if this relationship varies between the two species. Fish were collected from a single site on the Paluxy River, TX and returned to the lab to measure parasite load, distinguished as either endo- or ectoparasites, and reproductive potential using the gonadosomatic index (GSI). Prevalence was calculated for the four major groups of parasites for C. venusta: trematodes (86.4%), cestodes (8.4%), nematodes (43.5%), and protozoans (39.0%); for N. volucellus: trematodes (24.0%), cestodes (0.60%), nematodes (33.3%), and protozoans (62.3%). Preliminary results show a significant, positive correlation between number of endoparasites and ectoparasites and GSI in male C. venusta, and between number of endoparasites and GSI in female C. venusta. These correlations indicate that the individuals with the highest GSI also harbor the most parasites, suggesting a relationship between reproductive potential and infection. 2 9:15 am G 2. Evaluating the role of paratenic hosts in the evolution of complex life cycles: Ecological bridges or evolutionary stepping stones? Heather A. Stigge and Matthew G. Bolek, Oklahoma State University The evolution of life cycles is a fundamental concept in parasitology. Previous work has focused on the addition of definitive or intermediate hosts while ignoring the role of paratenic hosts in the evolution of complex life cycles. The trematode Halipegus eccentricus (Hemiuridae) is a unique system to examine the potential benefits associated with paratenic hosts because this is one of the few species that both utilizes a paratenic host and the entire life cycle can be experimentally manipulated in the lab. This study compares the rate of establishment, duration of migration, and time to maturity of metacercariae of H. eccentricus that infect anurans via the odonate paratenic hosts and metacercariae of the same age from time control 2nd intermediate hosts. Metacercariae from experimentally infected odonates were pipetted into the stomach of toads; whereas control groups of toads were exposed to metacercariae from experimentally infected microcrustaceans. From each group of infections, a subset of toads was dissected 2 DPE to estimate the initial rates of establishment. The mouths of the remaining toads were monitored daily for the presence of worms and if the worms produced eggs. Halipegus eccentricus from odonates are capable of establishing infections at significantly higher rates, and on average, these worms migrate to the mouth and mature faster than those from 2nd intermediate hosts. All hemiurid trematodes use microcrustaceans as 2nd intermediate hosts, however, this study illustrates that the addition of a paratenic host to the conserved life cycle may benefit these parasites by increasing transmission and altering life history traits. Given the presence of paratenic hosts across distinct groups of parasites, it seems likely that paratenic hosts play a major role in the evolution of complex life cycles by serving as a transition from the status of a host species that is not used to an obligate one. Our work provides the first experimental evidence that supports this hypothesis. 3 9:30 am G 3. The most recent findings on the life-cycle of Huffmanela huffmani Morayex 1987 (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae: Huffmanelinae). The nematode parasite Huffmanela huffmani was first discovered some three decades ago in the gas bladders of centrarchids from the San Marcos Springs (SMS) in central Texas, and was subsequently described by Frank Moravec from what was then Czechoslovakia. Moravec also erected the genus Huffmanela and the subfamily Huffmanelinae to contain the species, and simultaneously reassigned several misclassified histozoic species of Capillaria into Huffmanela. Today there are 22 species of Huffmanela have been reported, with the majority known from eggs alone, and all but H. huffmani from marine fishes. All known species are histozoic, and diagnosable by egg morphology, location of egg deposition, and species of fish host. At the time of this writing, not one of the Huffmanela life cycles has been reported. Herein we report the results of exposing suspect invertebrate taxa from the SMS to H. huffmani eggs, the current status of attempts to infect fish by feeding them experimentally infected invertebrates, and insight into other aspects of H. huffmani life history. These findings, though incomplete at this writing, are highly suggestive that the life cycle of H. huffmani has finally been elucidated, making it the first known life cycle of the Huffmanelinae. 4 9:45 am UG 4 -Changes in bacterial resistance and longevity of crickets infected with Gordian worms (Nematomorpha). P.M. Ravindran, and B. Hanelt. Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, 163 Castetter Hall, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA. The stress of harboring parasites alters a host’s physiological state as it induces an acute stress response. In many animals, the acute stress response correlates with immunosuppression. Thus, theory predicts that when these animals are subjected to parasite infection, they also become more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. This eco-immunological tradeoff has been well studied in arthropods including crickets. The parasite Paragordius varius (Gordian worm) relies on its cricket host, Acheta domesticus, for the resources to grow from a 30µm larva to a 25cm adult; upon parasite maturation, the parasite’s mass often exceeds that of the host’s. At the end of the host-parasite association, the parasite relies on a physiologically-capable host for transport and release into aquatic environments, where P. varius reproduces. Therefore, the need for a healthy, immune-competent host and the immunosuppression caused by enormous stress of hairworm infection appears to pose a conflict within the energy balance of the host-parasite unit. To begin teasing this conflict apart, we tested 1) the resistance of the host-parasite unit to tertiary bacterial threats and 2) the long-term survival of the host-parasite unit. Adult female crickets were exposed to 10-50 P. varius cysts. Controls were sham exposed. At 21 days post exposure (DPE), crickets were injected with an LD50 dose of the bacterial insect pathogen Serratia marcescens. Mortality in both groups was observed until 31 DPE at which time crickets (alive and dead) in the experimental group were dissected to ensure infection with P. varius; uninfected individuals were removed from further analysis. In the second experiment, survival rates of P. varius-infected crickets were compared with those of uninfected controls. Surprisingly, we found that the experimental group, also infected with P. varius, had greater survival success to LD50 doses of S. marcescens than uninfected control crickets. Furthermore, survival curves showed greater short-term and long-term survival of P. varius infected crickets compared to control crickets. The results of these experiments suggest that Gordian worm infections may boost immune activity of host-parasite units, fundamentally allowing for greater disease resistance and increased longevity compared to uninfected control animals. Although the particular mechanisms leading to these results have yet to be determined, several alternative explanations will be discussed. 5 10:00 am G 5. Effects of Paragordius varius (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) on the cricket host Acheta domesticus Christina Williams*¹, Larisa Vredevoe¹, Gita Kolluru¹, and Ben Hanelt². ¹California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. ²University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Freshwater gordiids have complex life cycles which include multiple hosts and a free-living aquatic phase. At the end of their parasitic phase, gordiids manipulate the behavior of their terrestrial arthropod hosts, causing them to enter aquatic environments where adult worms emerge often at the expense of host mortality. All gordiids develop in the hemocoel of their terrestrial arthropod host. Incredibly, within the host, gordiids grow from a small length of 60–100 μm to a length of over 2 m for some species. Anecdotal field observations indicate that arthropod hosts appear to show a high degree of hairworm induced pathology. Some reports indicate that after worms emerge from their hosts, only the gut remains within the arthropod’s body cavity, whereas other studies indicate that the production of eggs by female arthropod hosts is inhibited or absent altogether. The focus of this investigation was to evaluate if infection by hairworms alters growth rate, depletes fat body, and reduces fecundity in their arthropod host. To test the effect of hairworm parasitism on the arthropod host, 4 week old female house crickets (Acheta domesticus) were infected with the hairworm Paragordius varius. Once worms emerged from their cricket hosts, cricket body length, femur length, and ovipositor length as well as fat body content and egg production were measured and compared with control sham-infected crickets. Our results indicate that cricket body length and ovipositor length, as well as fat body content and egg production were significantly reduced in infected crickets compared to sham-infected control crickets. This work is the first to experimentally document the negative effects of hairworm parasitism on their arthropod hosts and will be discussed and compared to field observations on arthropod hairworm infections. 10:15 – 10:30 - BREAK 6 LIBRARY 2. Oral Presentations (#6-10) Chairperson/Projectionist Alfonso Vazquez – Texas A&M-San Antonio Erika Ebbs – University of New Mexico 10:30 am UG 6. A new species of Gordionus (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) described from the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. R. J. Swanteson-Franz1, A. Schmidt-Rhaesa 2, M.G. Bolek3, and B. Hanelt1. 1 Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, 163 Castetter Hall, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA; 2 Zoological Museum and Institute, Biocenter Grindel, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; 3Department of Zoology, 501 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA. The 19 genera within the phylum Nematomorpha contain approximately 350 species. The cosmopolitan genus Gordionus contains about 58 species, six of which occur in the contiguous United States of America. Recently, two new Gordionus species were described from high altitude streams within the southern Rocky Mountains, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Here we describe a Gordionus species that morphologically appears to be distinct. The species is from a high altitude stream in the southern Rocky Mountains, from near Taos New Mexico, USA. The site consisted of first order streams at 3,175‒3,250m altitude in aspen/pine woodland. Gordionus n. sp. has one areole type, which varies in shape and size between body areas and was also found to vary substantially within single body regions. On the posterior end, areoles can vary from narrow, shingle-like, overlapping plates, to relatively broad areoles with serrated edges. Nearby, other areoles were found to be small and contain arch-like ornaments. Finally, in the midbody, areoles were mound-like with interareolar furrows containing spines and fine bristles. The male cloacal opening is surrounded inside and outside by narrow branching bristles that bifurcate or trifurcate deeply; the furcae then often subdivide several additional times terminally. Adhesive warts are lacking. This potentially is the third Gordionus species described from high elevation streams in the Rocky Mountains. However, despite our best efforts to use genetic markers to resolve the relationship of Gordionus n. sp. within the genus, we have run into several consistent problems. These problems of genetic relationships will be discussed; as well as with the meaning of finding so many species at high altitudes, as it is possible that this genus has gone through a species radiation in high altitude habitats. 7 10:45 am G 7. A New Genus of Lecanicephalidean Tapeworm with Comments on its Distribution within a Host Species. Kaylee Herzog and Kirsten Jensen. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas. Generic diversity within the Lecanicephalidea has nearly doubled within the last two decades; to date, 24 genera are recognized, parasitizing primarily batoid hosts. Examination of eight specimens of the dasyatid stingray Himantura granulata collected in 2012 from the Solomon Islands revealed the presence of two species of lecanicephalideans—a large and a small-bodied species—representing a new genus. Individual specimens representing this new genus have also been found parasitizing several other dasyatid hosts from elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific (i.e., at least six other species of Himantura and one species of Neotrygon). This new genus most closely resembles Seussapex in its possession of a scolex proper with four acetabula in the form of suckers and a large, retractable apical structure. However, it can be distinguished from Seussapex and the remaining valid lecanicephalidean genera by the unique morphology of its apical organ, which is in the form of a scalloped, muscular disk with eight marginal sucker-like depressions. The two new species exhibiting this unusual apical organ morphology are readily distinguishable from one another in that the larger species is at least two orders of magnitude larger than the smaller species and possess two to three times the number of immature proglottids. Moreover, the two species exhibit an intriguing distribution among the eight stingray specimens examined: the larger species was found only in smaller, immature stingray specimens (disk width <35cm) while the smaller species was found mostly in larger, mature stingray specimens (disk width >100cm) and, on rare occasion, in some immature specimens as well. Despite the morphological differences noted between the two species, their sequence data for the D1-D3 28s rDNA gene region is essentially identical. Ultimately, differences in the complete cestode fauna between immature and mature host specimens may be attributable to a host diet shift, or an age-diversity relationship. 8 11:00 am G 8. Lecanicephalidean tapeworms (Cestoda) of the freshwater whipray, Himantura polylepis, from Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo. Rachel Guyer and Kirsten Jensen, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA The lecanicephalidean cestodes parasitizing the spiral intestine of the endangered (IUCN, 2013) freshwater whipray, Himantura polylepis (Bleeker, 1852), are investigated for the first time. A total of seven hosts were collected between 2003 and 2008 at two collection sites off the east coast of Borneo: five from freshwater about 16 km up the Kinabatangan River (Malaysia) and two in the estuarine/marine waters off Tarakan (Indonesia). Collectively, these hosts were parasitized by seven new species representing four genera of lecanicephalideans: three new species of Tetragonocephalum Shipley and Hornell, 1905; two new species of Polypocephalus Braun, 1878; and one species each of two as of yet undescribed genera. Specimens of each of the new taxa were prepared for light and scanning microscopy to examine morphological features. Molecular sequence data using the D1-D3 28S rDNA region confirmed morphological assessment of species boundaries exhibiting genetic differences between two of the new species of Tetragonocephalum (19 base pairs) and the two new species of Polypocephalus (59-61 base pairs). Five of the seven species were only present at either the Kinabatangan River (freshwater) or Tarakan (estuarine/marine) localities; two were present at both collection sites. These seven new species bring the total number of known cestodes from H. polylepis to seventeen species across nine genera of four orders (i.e. Lecanicephalidea, Onchoproteocephalidea, Rhinebothriidea, and Trypanorhyncha). Despite the characterization of the freshwater whipray as an obligate freshwater species, overall the composition of tapeworms that parasitize this species is consistent with those of other dasyatid stingrays from euryhaline environments (e.g. H. dalyensis) and marine environments in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere. 9 11:15 am G. 9. The biogeogrphay of freshwater Huffmanela (Nematoda: Trichosomididae: Huffmanelinae) Huffmanela huffmani (Nematoda: Trichinelloidea: Trichosomoididae) Moravec 1987 is a parasitic nematode known from the swimbladder of centrarchid fishes, and is endemic to only the upper spring run of the San Marcos River in Texas. Because all 21 other Huffmanela species are marine, and because numerous invertebrates from the San Marcos Springs (SMS) have been determined to be marine relics, H. huffmani is also considered to be a marine relic. We investigated past- and presentday factors which may have contributed to the marine-to-freshwater transition of the suite of marine relics in the SMS, which includes H. huffmani. We also examined fishes from several other springs suspected of perhaps supporting Huffmanela populations either in the past or in the present. One of these localities (Clear Creek Springs and the upper spring run of the San Saba River) contained centrarchids with high prevalence and intensity of a Huffmanela species. This is the only other known site in the world to support freshwater Huffmanela and, based on egg morphology, this population may be an undescribed species. Comal Springs, a sister spring of SMS, and which has been negative for Huffmanela, proved to have supported a Huffmanela population as late as 1951. We also studied the biology of the putative crustacean intermediate host and its congeners from other central Texas springs. Apparently, the very restricted distribution of H. huffmani is not a function of the distribution of susceptible intermediate hosts; however, based on host reaction and distribution patterns, some susceptible intermediate hosts appear to have co-evolved with Huffmanela. 10 11:30 am G 10. Amphibian Trypanosomes from North Central Oklahoma: Morphology, motility, and host specificity. Ryan P. Shannon, and Matthew G. Bolek. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. During May-August of 2014, a total of 140 amphibians from 5 families and 9 species were collected from 5 locations in Oklahoma and examined for blood parasites, leeches and leech hematomas. Of those, only aquatic bullfrogs (Rana catesbeaiana) and semi-terrestrial southern leopard frogs (Rana sphenocephala) were infected with blood parasites, but no leeches or leech hematomas were observed on any of the amphibians examined. Five species/morphotypes of blood protozoa infected adult southern leopard frogs from 2 locations and 1 species of blood protozoan infected adult bullfrogs (R. catesbeiana) from 1 location. Bullfrogs and southern leopard frogs were both infected with Hepatozoon catesbianae; whereas 4 trypanosome morphotypes were present in southern leopard frogs and conform to previous descriptions of (1) Trypanosoma ranarum, (2) Trypanosoma rotatorium, and (3) Trypanosoma chattoni. Among trypanosome morphotypes, videomicroscopy revealed distinct differences in trypanosome motility in frog blood plasma. The larger morphotype of T. rotatorium moved laterally in relation to its anterior-posterior axis; whereas the smaller morphotype of T. rotatorium moved anteriorly with its curved anterior end. In contrast, T. chattoni did not exhibit any motility. Both leeches and hematophageous dipterans have been reported as vectors for amphibian trypanosomes. However, little information is available on the specific vectors for species of Trypanosoma infecting southern leopard frogs in our study area. To address this issue, a preliminary host specificity study was performed. Amphibian leeches Placobdella picta collected on salamanders infected with Trypanosoma ambystomae from Nebraska were fed on frogs infected with Oklahoma trypanosomes. Frogs acquired additional infections of T. ambystomae, however subsequent leech feedings on uninfected southern leopard frogs only transmitted the salamander trypanosome, suggesting Oklahoma trypanosomes might not use leeches as vectors. Although differences were found in morphology and swimming behavior, it remains unclear if these morphotypes represent distinct species. Noon–1:00 pm — LUNCH (DINING HALL) 11 Friday, April 17, 2015—Afternoon Sessions—Oral Presentations LIBRARY 3. Oral Presentations (#11-15) Chairperson/Projectionist Carrie Lierz – Peru State Kameron Soules – Sam Houston State 1:30 pm UG 11. 2015 Survey of Environmental Amoeba – Focusing on Taylor Ferry, Lake Fort Gibson Oklahoma. Z. Hassan, R.W. Maples and M.J. Howard. Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Tulsa. Over time, many free-living amoeba species have been found to cause diseases in humans. Species can cause diseases such as Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), and others. Different species of amoeba can be found in public fresh water sources that are frequently visited by individuals in the community. One of the most harmful pathogenic amoeba is Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). This opportunistic parasite is known to enter the body though the nasal cavity and rapidly infect the central nervous system (PAM), which is almost always fatal. We are conducting a survey of the amoeba levels found at Taylor Ferry, Lake Fort Gibson in Oklahoma. This site was chosen after being implicated in the first case of PAM in Oklahoma (August 1998). We are collecting water and soil samples during the months of January through March. DNA is extracted from positive cultures and tested using rtPCR to determine which species of amoeba are present. We expect to find significant numbers of amoeba species present in the samples, especially in the later collections as the weather becomes warmer. We will likely find Acanthamoeba spp., possibly Balamuthia mandrillaris, and potentially Naegleria fowleri and other species of Naegleria. Based on our results, we hope to be able to caution the public about the safety of their water sources in order to prevent unsuspecting individuals from contracting any fatal diseases. Work is currently in progress. 12 1:45 pm UG 12. Whole Genome Sequencing: Identification of N. fowleri at Fort Gibson Lake. R. W. Maples, Z. Hassan, and M. J. Howard. Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Tulsa. Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba known to cause Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, causes a fatal brain disease. The 96% mortality rate causes concern especially since there isn’t much public awareness of this disease or the organism. Taylor Ferry, at Fort Gibson Lake Oklahoma, has had previous positive detection of the amoeba which is evident in a case from August 1998. This case spurred further investigative responses. Marsha Howard’s research group is currently trying to explore different avenues in order to learn more about this organism and possibly improve on its detection. Lake water and soil samples have been collected from this location and cultured on nonnutrient agar plates spread with washed E. coli. Positive growth was subcultured until a pure culture of amoeba was obtained. The DNA was then extracted using a Tris-HCl lysing buffer with proteinase K. DNA samples will be NanoDropped to confirm the presence and amount of DNA present. A whole genomic analysis will be performed for the development of local primers to be made. This provides more insight to the amoebic genes as a whole which could indicate that regional variance is present. The amoebic DNA will then be amplified using rtPCR in order to identify and quantify the species present. It is expected to see some variance in that some of the pathogenic determining genes follow a basic evolutionary approach. This work is currently in progress. 13 2:00 pm G 13. Morphological and molecular characterization of two population of Phyllodistomum in Hidalgo, México. C. E. BautistaHernández, E. A. Martínez-Salazar, G. Pulido-Flores and S. Monks, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, México. Unidad Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas. Species of Phyllodistomum, with a worldwide distribution, inhabit the urinary bladder of amphibians and both marine and freshwater fishes. The taxonomy of the genus is controversial because members exhibit high intraspecific morphological variation. At present, there are six nominal species distributed in México, four infecting marine fish and two, P. lacustri and P. inecoli, that infect freshwater fishes. In Mexico, P. lacustri generally infects ictalurids and P. inecoli, poeciliids, but a recent study identified three cryptic species of the P. lacustri complex in three drainages of México. During a study of the helminths of poeciliids of northeastern Hidalgo, we found two geographically separated populations of Phyllodistomum that appeared to be different from the known species of México. The morphology of individuals of each population was studied and each was found to be distinct from each other. Following the methodology of recent studies, we extracted DNA from worms preserved in ethyl alcohol, and compared sequences 28s rDNA from each population with sequences from Genebank. Despite of morphological divergence, neither intra- nor inter-population genetic variation was significant in the samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the populations from Hidalgo formed a monophyletic clade with P. inecoli. Members of the clade diverged only by 0.08%, indicating that they were conspecific. Heterandria bimaculata, in central Veracruz, is the type host for P. inecoli, but the Hidalgo populations were found in Pseudoxiphophorus jonesii and Xiphophorus hellerii, the former a species native to east-central México and the other was introduced from populations of southeastern México and Honduras. This study provides new host and locality records for P. inecoli. 14 2:30 pm G 14. The Schistosoma indicum species group in Nepal with comments on a distinctive lineage of schistosome and use of the Indoplanorbis exustus species complex of snail hosts Ramesh Devkotaa, Sara V. Branta,b and Eric S. Lokera,b a Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology (CETI), Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, New Mexico, USA b Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, New Mexico, USA The species diversity, host-parasite relationships and phylogenetic affinities of the Schistosoma indicum species group in tropical Asia are poorly known. Over a seven-year time interval we collected and screened 19,360 freshwater snails in Nepal and here provide the first report from this country of the presence of cercariae representing three S. indicum group species, all of which were recovered from Indoplanorbis exustus. Sequence data for 28S, 16S, 12S and cox1 genes from the specimens were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships against known species available in GenBank. One species is almost certainly S. spindale, though genetically, this species diverges slightly with the S. spindale available from elsewhere in Asia. The second is S. nasale, which exhibited little genetic divergence from specimens from Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. We expected to find S. indicum in Nepal but were surprised that the third lineage we found (designated S. indicumlike) differs substantially from the few available specimens of S. indicum obtained from Bangladesh. We found no evidence suggestive of introgression between S. spindale and our S. indicum-like lineage, even though they overlap broadly in geography and in host species use. There is strong support for a close relationship between the S. haematobium and S. indicum species groups, but with a tendency, with limited support, for the S. haematobium group to nest within the S. indicum group, with S. nasale basal. Additionally, for both uninfected I. exustus, and for some trematode-positive I. exustus specimens, sequence analysis for ITS1, cox1 and 16S genes indicates a surprising amount of diversity within I. exustus, resulting in four major lineages rather than one, all four of which contain multiple Nepalese specimens. This suggests that additional study, including critical morphology of the various Indoplanorbis lineages and appreciating the role of each in transmitting specific schistosomes needs to be undertaken. 15 2:45 pm G 15. Invasion genetics of the globally invasive snail, Physella acuta (Draparnaud 1805) and its potential as an intermediate host to larval trematodes.Erika Taylor Ebbs, Eric S. Loker and Sara Vanessa BrantCenter for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, Division of Parasitology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico Invasive snails can dramatically affect ecosystems due in part to the trematodes comminutes they harbor. Physella acuta is a globally invasive snail, native to North America where it hosts a variety of trematodes. Prior to this study global genetic diversity and host-parasite relationships were unknown. In the old world P. acuta can be common but its role as an intermediate host is unclear; trematode survey data suggests the maintenance of life cycles within Europe but possibly not Africa or Asia. Does time since invasion and genetic diversity of invasive populations explain the heterogeneity of trematode infections across geography? We investigated the invasion genetics of P. acuta, using a molecular population genetic approach over a 10-year period. Genetic structure and diversity are dissimilar between native and invasive snail populations. Within the invasive range we find highly structured and genetically homogenized subpopulations, with low between population migration suggesting that founding events were independent and relatively recent. Further, historical demographic analyses support that founding populations invaded Europe over 150 years prior to Africa. These results may explain the discrepancies in trematode survey data between the two regions, and provide insight into the amount of genetic diversity and time invasive snail populations require to establish trematode assemblages. Suggesting that with time parasite spillback may become more common wihtin P. acuta, potentially impacting the epidemiology of snail transmitted disease around the globe. These findings are discussed within the context of the dermatitis producing avian schistosome, Trichobilharzia querquedulae (Physella transmitted), which was recently reported as globally distributed. Results from this study, in conjunction with trematode surveys of P. acuta and other invasive snails (Potamopyrgus, Bithynia), allows us to make predictions about the future distribution of Physella mediated cercarial dermatitis and the frequency of outbreaks. 3:00-3:15pm BREAK 16 LIBRARY 4. Oral Presentations (#16-19) Chairperson/Projectionist C. Bryce Hubbell – Angelo State Kian Borrengasser – Peru State 3:15 pm UG 16. Mosquito species distribution in residential areas across San Antonio, Texas. Amarillys Barquin, Alfonso Vasquez, Michelle Mendoza, and Megan Wise de Valdez Program of Biology, Texas A&M-San Antonio, One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224 The purpose of this study is to provide a preliminary survey of mosquito species of veterinary and medical importance in residential backyards across San Antonio, Texas. The number of stray dogs in San Antonio is approximately 150,000 and they are known reservoirs for heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, posing a risk to companion pets. According to data collected in 2014 by The Companion Animal Parasite Council, 19.75% of all positive heartworm cases in U.S. come from Texas, and 8.19% of all positive cases in Texas are from Bexar County. In addition, because San Antonio is in close proximity to areas where mosquito-vectored diseases such as Dengue Fever and West Nile are endemic, assessing the presence of mosquitoes known to vector these human diseases is important. Seventeen zip codes across San Antonio were sampled for mosquito species during the summer and early fall of 2014. Both CDC light traps baited with dry ice and BG-Sentinel traps (non-baited) were used to collect mosquito species. We identified 28 mosquito species within six genera: Aedes, Culex, Ochelrotatus, Orthopodomyia, Psorophora, and Anopheles. Aedes was the most prevalent genus, with Aedes aegypti found in all zip codes sampled. Five of the mosquito species known to vector D. immitis were found, including Ae. aegypti. Additionally, eleven of the mosquito species known to carry and transmit West Nile Virus were present. In future studies we aim to improve our collection methods , sample additional locals, correlate data with weather patterns, and include various trapping techniques. Finally, we aim to collect data on the incidence of D. immitis and correlate it with mosquito species distribution. 17 3:30 pm G 17. Comparative Helminth Community Structure in Two Species of Arctic-nesting Waterfowl: Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) and Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons). Nicole J. Traub, Autumn J. Smith-Herron, Courtney L. Amundson, and Paul L. Flint, Texas Invasive Species Institute, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, 77341 and U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska, 99508. Waterfowl can have relatively high parasite burdens in some cases resulting in demographic consequences for the hosts; however, little is known about the timing and pathways of infection and if there is interand intra-specific transfer on the breeding grounds. This study investigates the helminth communities of two waterfowl species, greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) and Pacific black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans), breeding in Sub-Arctic (Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Western Alaska (YK)) and Arctic Alaska (Beaufort Sea coast in Northern Alaska (N)) collected during July–August 2014. Black brant and greater white-fronted geese breed sympatrically, but differ in both migration route and wintering areas. Thus, similarities in helminth communities between species suggest inter-specific transmission of helminthes on the breeding grounds. We sampled brant from both N and YK to evaluate the relative contribution of site (Arctic and sub-arctic) on helminth community structure. We collected both species from N to assess evidence of interspecific transmission. To date, 100% of necropsied hosts are infected. Fourteen species of helminths have been identified from 5 microhabitats (gizzard, proventriculus, duodenal loop, gastric ceca, and small intestine). Trichostrongylus tenuis, the dominant nematode, occurred in 77.59% of hosts examined. Tschertkovilepis setigera, the dominant cestode, occurred in 70.69% of hosts examined. Preliminary findings suggest that parasite communities are somewhat similar between host species at a site, but community differences exist between sites. Thus, helminth community structure in this area may be driven by host habitat or climate. With the exception of direct lifecycle nematodes, component communities differ between host wintering and breeding grounds. Our results provide baseline information with which to better investigate infra- and component community dynamics of helminths transmitted at high latitudes, and understand helminth infection of migratory waterfowl hosts throughout the annual cycle. 18 3:45 pm G 18. Helminths in Scaled Quail from West Texas. K. A. Bedford, A. M. Fedynich, and D. Rollins1, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation1. Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) have declined in Texas, prompting interest in quail helminths and their effects on host populations. Little is known regarding helminth communities in scaled quail. Our objectives are to (1) document helminth species infecting scaled quail in west Texas, (2) determine helminth prevalence, intensity, and abundance, and (3) assess whether infections are influenced by host age, host sex, and season of collection. Twenty-eight and 95 scaled quail were donated by hunters during the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 hunting seasons, respectively. Fourteen quail were also trapped in 2012 and 20 in 2013. Seven helminth species were found. Of these, three species (all nematodes) occurred in ≥ 25% prevalence: the cecal worm Aulonocephalus pennula (98%), the eye worm Oxyspirura petrowi (52%), and the gizzard worm Procyrnea pileata (25%). Additionally, A. pennula was found in the greatest intensities and accounted for 94% of the total worms found (9,245). Host age and season influenced O. petrowi prevalence; however, host sex did not affect prevalence of the three helminth species. Oxyspirura petrowi abundance varied with host age by season. Abundance of the other species did not differ by host age, host sex, or season. Additional samples will be collected during the 2014–2015 Texas quail-hunting season. Our research provides insight about helminth community structure and pattern in scaled quail and is the first survey to compare helminth infections over multiple years in west Texas. 19 4:00 pm UG 19. Intestinal Helminth Survey of Feral Hogs from Texas. K. Skinner, A. Barquin, B. McGehee, A. Vasquez, and M. Wise de Valdez – Program of Biology Texas A&M University San Antonio. Feral hogs, or Sus scrofa, are known widely throughout Texas as an overall pest to land management and livestock enterprises in general. Close to half of the Nation’s feral hog population resides in Texas; potentially creating a health risk for domesticated livestock. For this reason knowing more about the intestinal helminthes of feral hogs is important. We collected a total of 67 large and small intestines from feral hogs on day of slaughter from a USDA processing facility in South Texas from September 2014 to March 2015. The facility accepts hogs from more than 20 different holding facilities located throughout the state; each serves a specific region ranging from a 30 - 200 mile collection radius. The facilities were noted on day of intestine collection. Our findings thus far have shown that 15 of the 67 hogs were infected, with the majority of infected hogs coming from facilities in Central Texas. Out of the 15 infected hogs, we found that 6 males were infected and 9 females were infected. Infection status was not affected by gender (P = 0.25). Weight of infected and uninfected hogs were not significantly different (P=0.57). Parasites collected included a total of 5 Ascaris spp., 57 Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, 6 smaller, yet to be identified, Acanthocephalans, and 492 yet to be identified hookworms. While there were no significant correlations between weight and infection status or gender and infection status, future studies should include a greater number of hogs with more precise location information so that infection status and parasite diversity can be made relevant to local livestock enterprises. 20 ORAL PRESENTATIONS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 COMPLETED 4:30–5:30 pm – REFRESHMENTS AT THE PAVILION ON THE LAWN (weather allowing). A light relaxing primer before dinner. 5:30–6:30 pm – DINNER (DINING HALL) 6:30–8:00 pm – SWAP BUSINESS MEETING AND PRESENTATION OF STUDENT AWARDS (LIBRARY) 8:00-9:00 pm POSTER SESSION and PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION Please come to enjoy posters while relaxing with some wine and cheese 21 Friday, April 17, 2015—Evening Session—Poster Presentations DINING HALL and FOYER 5. Poster Presentations (#20-26) 8:00–9:00 pm Posters are available for viewing during the entire meeting in the Dining Hall. Authors of posters will be available for questions during the assigned poster session period. 20. Aulonocephalus pennula in Scaled Quail from West Texas and South Texas. S. A. Shea*, K. A. Bedford, A. C. Olsen, A. M. Fedynich, and D. Rollins, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation. Aulonocephalus pennula is a common heteroxenous nematode at the infracommunity and component community level in scaled quail (Callipepla squamata). This helminth species is of interest to quail biologists and parasitologists since infections may cause intestinal blockage and compete with the host for nutrients within the ceca. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and abundance of A. pennula in hunter-donated scaled quail from south Texas and west Texas during two consecutive hunting seasons, 2012–2013 and 2013–2014. Prevalence was 91% (n = 23) and 99% (n = 123) in the sample of scaled quail from south and west regions of Texas, respectively, during the two hunting seasons. The abundance of A. pennula in collected scaled quail was 57.3 ± 26.9 (SE) in south Texas and 57.1 ± 6.1 (SE) in west Texas. Additional findings are included in this presentation. Our research sheds light on A. pennula in scaled quail from two distinct ecoregions in Texas. 22 21. Prevalence of endoparasitic helminthes of the Small Indian Mongoos (Herpestes auropunctatus) on the island of Puerto Rico. J. A. Martinez, I. Castro-Arellano, T. R. Simpson, and D. G. Huffman, Department of Biology, Texas State University The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus, henceforth mongoose) was introduced to Puerto Rico in the late 1800’s as a biological control for Rattus spp. in sugarcane fields. The mongoose is an opportunistic generalist capable of adapting to a wide range of food types from plant matter, insects, crustaceans, reptiles and amphibians, to small mammals and birds, and readily exhibits prey switching in the face of limited food resources. Because of the diversity of its food preferenda, the mongoose has the potential to be exposed to infection with a diverse array of endoparasitic helminths. However, while considerable research has been conducted on the mongoose on Trinidad, Grenada and St. Croix, little to no research has been reported on the Puerto Rico population. The community of helminths associated with the mongoose on Puerto Rico may have important disease management implications for humans and domestic animals, since recent findings indicates a trend toward increased utilization of agricultural and human recreational sites by the mongoose. Previous researchers have found humans in Puerto Rico infected with helminths to which the mongoose is known to be susceptible. However, the Puerto Rico population of the mongoose has not been systematically surveyed for helminths. In our study, we are conducting systematic helminthological examinations of the Puerto Rico population of the mongoose, with special attention to species that may pose risks to humans and domestic animals. We will report on our initial findings and provide details of our continuing research effort. 23 22. Microhabitat Selection and Eyefluke Infection Levels within Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis). S. L. Griffin, N. Carpenter, and K. K. Herrmann, Department of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State University, and A. Smith-Herron, Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University. Eyefluke studies commonly document microhabitat locations within the eyes of many fish species. Some eyefluke species have a preference for the vitreous humour, some for the retina, and others the lens. Preliminary data indicated high eyefluke infection levels in the pigment layer of eyes in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in local study sites. These species of eyeflukes have been well studied, but G. affinis have not been documented as a host. The objective of this study was to examine eyefluke infections in G. affinis and document the microhabitat selection of the various species. Twenty G. affinis were collected and processed resulting in 40 eye dissections. Individual weight, length, and sex were recorded prior to dissection. Left and right eyes were differentiated to reveal potential eye preference. Eye layers were separated, and specific location and quantity of metacercariae were recorded. Tissues from an additional 7 G. affinis eyes were histologically analyzed to confirm microhabitat location. Histology confirmed that infections in the pigment layer were specifically in the vitreous layer of the choroid. A total of 465 metacercariae were collected with 444 metacercariae being in the vitreous layer of the choroid, 9 metacercariae found in the lens, and 12 metacercariae in the eye orbit. Results show an average of 11.1 metacercariae per eye in the vitreous layer of the choroid with a 100% prevalence and abundance of 22.2 flukes per fish. Lens metacercariae averaged 0.23 individuals per eye with 40% prevalence and abundance of 0.45 flukes per fish. Eye orbit metacercariae averaged 0.3 individuals per eye with 40% prevalence and abundance of 0.6 flukes per fish. This data represents the first documentation of eyefluke microhabitat within the vitreous layer of the choroid in G. affinis. 24 23. Is diversity of the parasitic helminth community in Cyprinella venusta affected by anthropogenic disturbance in ephemeral rivers? E. Barnes, N. Carpenter, and K.K. Herrmann, Department of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State University. Parasites in aquatic environments can serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Ecosystems in good health tend to support a higher diversity of species, both free living and parasitic, than those in poor condition. For parasites with complex life cycles, multiple host species must be present in order for a parasite species to exist in that system. Further, many parasites have transmission stages that are highly sensitive to changes in water quality. Therefore endoparasitic helminthes make excellent bioindicators. In order to understand the effect of anthropogenic disturbance on parasite abundance and diversity in ephemeral aquatic ecosystems of north central Texas, we examined the endohelminth communities of blacktail shiners (Cyprinella venusta) in the Paluxy River, historically undisturbed, and the Bosque River, historically disturbed. Twenty fish were collected from three sites on each river and dissected in the laboratory. Overall prevalence and abundance of trematodes and nematodes was greater in the undisturbed river, as well as cestodes which were not found at any site on the disturbed river. Five species of trematode were recovered from these fish, one adult and four metacercaria. For the two most common trematode species, Posthodiplostomum sp. 4 had a greater prevalence and abundance in the undisturbed river (81.7% and 4.37, respectively) than in the disturbed river (58.3% and 1.63, respectively). Clinostomum marginatum also had a greater prevalence in the undisturbed river (18.3%) than disturbed one (5.0%). While abundance of C. marginatum was higher on the disturbed river than the undisturbed (0.367 and 0.183, respectively), a single fish accounts for this discrepancy. Nematodes followed a similar pattern with prevalence and abundance greater in the undisturbed (45.0% and 1.417, respectively) than on the disturbed river (28.3% and 0.533, respectively). Preliminarily, diversity and abundance of endohelminths in C. venusta seem to be greater in the less disturbed river system. 25 24. The Current State of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis in the United States: Is There Cause for Concern? M.J. Howard. Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Tulsa. Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of a rapid infection of the central nervous system (CNS) that is almost always fatal, Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). PAM occurs when the amebae enter the nasal cavity, usually of a child, during swimming. Since 1962 there have been 133 confirmed cases of PAM in the United States. In 1998 the first confirmed case of PAM in Oklahoma was reported. Since then, there have been five more confirmed cases in Oklahoma, as well as cases in surrounding states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and most recently Kansas). It was assumed that the amoeba responsible for this disease is only present in warm, shallow, stagnant water. However, previous work indicates that these organisms are present in all types of water sources year round. Recent years have also seen an expansion on the areas typically associated with PAM, with 2 cases occurring in Minnesota, 2 in Kansas, and 1 each in Missouri and Indiana. Cases of PAM have also recently been associated with tap water. In the summer of 2013, the 3rd survivor of PAM happened in Arkansas. However, only a few weeks later, a young boy in Florida, receiving the same treatment as the Arkansas patient, did not survive. Continued research is needed to identify the specific areas these amoebas inhabit across the country. Then measures can be taken to prevent infection from occurring. 26 25. Parasites and Hosts in the Robert L. and Virginia R. Rausch Collection: Taxonomic and Geographic Distribution. Brooke Thurston, Niccolette Ochoa, Ryan L. Barber, Elias A. Salazar, Lizon Cenac, Laurel Cenac, Mariel L. Campbell. Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Robert L. and Virginia R. Rauch spent a lifetime studying the distribution, ecology, taxonomy, epidemiology, and natural history of parasites and their hosts in Alaska, Canada, and other regions in the Arctic and Subarctic. The Rauschs left a legacy of over 280 publications backed up by thousands of museum specimens of parasite and host vouchers. These include representatives of the genera Echinococcus, Taenia, Diphyllobothrium, and Trichinella in all stages of the life cycle as well as tissue sections and parasites preserved in situ with the host. In 2007 the Rausch Helminthological Collection was donated to the Division of Parasitology of the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico, where specimens are being curated and inventoried. In addition, 50,000 records of the Rausch specimen ledger are in the process of being transcribed and uploaded to a publiclyaccessible online collections database, Arctos, shared by other institutions which are also holders of Rausch specimens. We present a preliminary investigation of the taxonomic, temporal and geographic distribution of Rausch museum vouchers based on over 37,000 records in Arctos and at other institutions. 27 26. Helminth parasites of mammals from Yukon Territory, Canada. L. Barber and Mariel L. Campbell, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131. The Collaborative & Integrative Inventories of Biomes of the Arctic (CIIBA) is a research effort begun in 2013 which focuses on the flora and fauna of Beringia, the territory (larger than the continental US) that occupies NE Asia and NW North America. This project builds on previous efforts of the Beringian Coevolution Project (BCP), begun in 2001, to inventory mammal species and their parasites along latitudinal transects through Alaska, west-central Siberia and central Canada. In the first three transects conducted in the summers of 2013 and 2014 in Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories, the CIIBA inventory has generated a collection of over 3,000 small mammals and associated ecto- and endoparasites. We present here a preliminary summary of the major groups of helminth parasites recovered from small mammals of Yukon Territory in BCP and CIIBA surveys from 20012014, based on specimen searches using the Arctos museum collections database. 28 Saturday, April 18, 2015—Morning Session—Oral Presentations LIBRARY 6. Oral Presentations (#27-31) Chairperson/Projectionist Nicole Traub – Sam Houston State Priyanka Ravindra – University of New Mexico 8:45 am 27. Effects of trematode parasitism on the functional shell morphology of snail shells in flow and nonflow environments. Kyle D. Gustafson* and Matthew G. Bolek, Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Upon infection, the shell of a snail becomes the home for a trematode and it is to the parasite’s advantage optimize, or not interfere with, the function of the shell to increase its chances of survival and life cycle completion. However, trematodes are also known to be pathogenic to their hosts and it is not clear if parasitism will cause gastropods to express specific morphological changes dependent on their environment or as a result of pathology. To address these hypotheses, we conducted a field study and complimentary laboratory experiment to examine the effects of trematode parasitism on the functional shell morphology (shape, size, and crush resistance) of Physa acuta snails in flow and non-flow environments. Our field results indicate that pond snails had larger, more crush resistant shells with narrow apertures and tall spires relative to stream snails. Trematode parasitism had no apparent effect on the crush resistance of pond snails but significantly reduced the crush resistance of stream snails. Laboratory P. acuta snails from nonflow tanks were also generally, but not significantly, larger than flow tank snails. Similar to our field study results, nonflow snails had significantly more crush resistant shells than flow snails. Additionally, the shapes of flow and nonflow snails significantly differed where nonflow snails exhibited shapes consistent with pond snails and flow snails exhibited shapes similar to stream snails. For laboratory snails, trematode parasitism reduced crush resistance regardless of their flow/nonflow environment. Our results demonstrate that habitat and/or flow environment was the primary factor affecting P. acuta shell morphology and that trematode parasitism played a secondary role. The limitations and implications of this study are discussed. 29 9:00 am 28. A current assessment of the thiarid snail invasion of Central Texas waters. S. F. Harding, M. L. D. Worsham, D. G> Huffman, and J. Jackson: Aquatic Station Department of Biology Texas State University and Bio-West Inc. The invasion of the spring runs of the San Marcos (SMR) and Comal Rivers (CR) by the thiarid snails Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera is well documented. However, studies of the parasitological consequences of this invasion have been lopsided, with the primary focus being Centrocestus formosanus (from M. tuberculata), and the parasitological consequence of the invasion of both thiarids is more complex than once thought. Until 2009, the known distribution of M. tuberculata in Central Texas was restricted to thermally stable spring runs, and it did not survive in connecting surface-fed streams due to lethal winter temps. In 2012, mature snails were found in the Guadalupe River (GR) some 15 km downstream from the CR, in water as cold as 12° C, and remained below 18° C for 36 d. Then in 2014, abundant live snails were detected in the SMR 50+ river km downstream from the headsprings. The inevitable conclusion that arises from these alarming findings is that numerous fisheries in surface-fed streams are no longer safe from the parasites transmitted by these thiarids. Our team has started a longitudinal sampling effort along the SMR & GR in an attempt to synthesize a model of how this snail has adapted to thrive in waters colder than its published lethal thermal minimum. We will investigate the phenotypic & genotypic variation amongst sampled morphs, the finescale ecological & thermal distributions, as well as the differential parasitic contribution of recognizable morphs in all three river systems. 30 9:15 am 29. Metacercaria of Macroderoides from cranial bones of Dionda diaboli refugium stock, with notes on infection of other small fishes from spring-fed systems in west Texas. D. G. Huffman, M. L. D. Worsham, S. F. Harding, and D. Hahn. Department of Biology, Texas State University. The Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli) is a federally protected species with a very limited geographic distribution. A captive refugium population is maintained at the USFWS San Marcos Aquatic Resource Center. Periodically, wild minnows are collected from native locations and brought to the facility for use as breeders. On several occasions fish collected from the Pinto Creek would abruptly exhibit erratic darting and spinning behaviors and later die of exhaustion and emaciation. In 2013, a fresh-dead “spinner” was given to us for parasitological examination. Numerous metacercarial cysts of a trematode later identified as Macroderoides sp were found encysted in the neurocranial and splanchnocranial bones. Seven species of Macroderoides are known from North America, but metacercariae are only known for two species, and neither is reported from cranial bones. Genetic analysis of the cranial cysts was ambiguous, with 18S rRNA congruent with M. typicus and the ITS region congruent with M. spiniferus. The cause/effect picture of the neurosis is complicated by two issues: (1) three small F1 spinners produced at the hatchery have also exhibited spinning behavior in the absence of cranial cysts, and (2) the spinning neurosis is inconsistent with behavior expected from pressure on the brain. We hypothesize that Macroderoides might be transmitting a Neorickettsialike organism to the parental stock which is transferred to the F1 spinners transovarially, or that the worms induce an epigenetic change in the parental stock that manifests in the F1 spinners. We are currently waiting for more specimens for further genetic analysis of the metacercariae and possible prospecting for Neorickettsia. 31 9:30 am 30. Caryophyllaeid Tapeworms from Freshwater Fishes in the Big Thicket National Preserve and Surrounding Areas. Michael A. Barger and James Shaffer, Department of Natural Science, Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska, U.S.A. Since 2007, 133 catastomids representing 6 species (Carpiodes carpio, Erimyzon oblongus, Erimyzon sucetta, Ictiobus bubalus, Minytrema melanops, and Moxostoma poecilurum) have been collected from 15 sites in the ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams of the Trinity River and Neches River systems in southeastern Texas as part of an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in the Big Thicket National Preserve. Members of all sucker species harbored caryophyllaeid tapeworms (overall prevalence = 0.34), including the following species: Biacetabulum banghami, Calintinella etnieri, Glaridacris confusus, Glaridacris laruei, Homeomorpha mackiewiczi, Isoglaridacris agminis, and Promonobothrium minytremi. In addition, Khawia iowensis was found in 1 Cyprinus carpio. To date, smallmouth buffalo (I. bubalus) and spotted suckers (M. melanops) harbored the most species (3 each), with buffalo most commonly and heavily infected, harboring nearly 80% of the worms found in all suckers. In addition to the recently described genus and species, H. mackiewiczi, 3 additional new species have been collected and will be described when sufficient material is available (1 each from C. carpio, E. oblongus, and I. bubalus). These data suggest that there is substantial undiscovered caryophylllaeid diversity in the drainages of the Gulf Coast that more-or-less parallels the pattern emerging from recent work on the trematode parasites of fishes in this region. In addition to species discovery, these collections are being used in studies clarifying taxonomic relationships among species, e.g., a preliminary taxonomic analysis of the morphologically similar G. confusus and G. laruei has been completed. 32 9:45 am 31. Phylogenetic position of Vexillata in the Heligmosomoidea. S. Monks, J. Falcón-Ordaz, S. L. Gardner, and G. Pulido-Flores, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México, and Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Nematodes are both interesting and frustrating from a phylogenetic viewpoint because they are a large group and, although they have similar general morphology, the subgroups have novel characteristics that set each apart. Heligmosomoidea is one such group; members have a system of longitudinal cuticular ridges, the synlophe, which are pinched out from the sides of the adult worms. Cuticular structure has been given the most taxonomic weight in the recognition of genera and species, but it has not often been examined in a cladistic framework. Important features include the number of spines and the size and orientation of the lateral extensions. The purpose of this study was to use these and other morphological characteristics to produce a hypothesis of the position of Vexillata Travassos (1937) in the Superfamily Heligmosomoidea. The type species of members of the six families (eight subfamilies) were included in the study, with data taken from the original descriptions and direct observation of specimens. The ingroup (Heligmosomoidea) included 13 representative species and the outgroup consisted of representatives of Trichostrongyloidea (Trichostrongylus calcaratus) and Haemonchinae (Boehmiella wilsoni). As a first step, 11 qualitative characters, with 23 character states, were used. The data was analyzed using PAUP 4.10b, maximum parsimony, characters unordered and weighted equally. The analysis resulted in 16 equally parsimonious trees, 25 steps, CI=0.92, RI=0.93. The relationships between members of three of the families, Viannaidae, Heligmosomidae, and Heligmonellidae were not resolved, although V. vexillata was sister taxa to Pudica pudica (Pudicinae: Heligmonellidae). Based on these results, Vexillata should be assigned to Heligmonellidae (bursal rays 2-2-1, caudal spine absent in females, angular orientation of the synlophe). Pudica pudica and V. vexillata both have the spines of the synlophe directed from right to left. The next step in the study is to include data from meristic and continuous characters. 10:00 am – ADJOURNMENT Safe travels home! See you next year! 33 NOTES: 34 Year 1970-1973 1973-1977 1977-1979 1979-1982 1982-1987 1987-1990 1990-1993 1993-1996 1996-1998 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2007-2008 2009-2010 2011-2014 2015-2018 Rep to ASP Council Thomas C. Orihel Walter M. Kemp David G. Huffman John Janovy, Jr. Donald W. Duszynski John R. Bristol Danny Pence Lynn Ann Hertel Cynthia Chappell Lee Couch Scott L. Gardner Richard E. Clopton Scott L. Gardner Michael A. Barger Scott D. Snyder Jerry L. Cook Tamara J. Cook Matthew G. Bolek Richard E. Clopton Matthew G. Bolek Year 1969-1971 1971-1974 1974-1977 1977-1980 1980-1983 1983-1986 1986-1989 1989-1992 1992-1995 1995-2001 2001-2005 2005-2011 2011-2014 2014- Secretary-Treasurer Betty June Myers Gilbert A. Castro Thomas G. Meade David A. Becker David G. Huffman A. Alan Kocan Lillian F. Mayberry David T. John Eric S. Loker John Janovy, Jr. John Hnida Jerry L. Cook Debra T. Clopton Tamara J. Cook 35 President Year President-Elect--------------- G. Robert Coatney 1969 Franklin SogandaresBernal Leroy J. Olson Lionel Warren Betty June Myers Thomas C. Orihel Donald V. Moore Gilbert A. Castro Richard D. Lumsden Calvin G. Beames, Jr. Calvin G. Beames, Jr. Donald W. Duszynski Walter M. Kemp John E. Ubelaker Larry S. Roberts Robert O. McAllister Ben G. Harris John R. Bristol Timothy P. Yoshino A. Alan Kocan John Janovy, Jr. Marc H. Dresden Lillian F. Mayberry George L. Stewart Cynthia L. Chappell David T. John Jerry Y. Niederkorn Lee Couch Steve J. Upton Chris T. McAllister Patricia G. Wilber Richard E. Clopton Brent B. Nickol Dennis J. Richardson Sidney A. Ewing Scott D. Snyder Tamara J. Cook Michael A. Barger Scott L. Gardner J. Teague Self 1970 Franklin Sogandares-Bernal 1971 Leroy J. Olson 1972 Betty June Myers 1973 Clark P. Read (Donald V. Moore) 1974 Robert E. Kuntz 1975 Gilbert A. Castro 1976 Richard D. Lumsden 1977 John R. Seed 1978 Calvin G. Beames, Jr. 1979 Donald W. Duszynski 1980 Walter M. Kemp 1981 John E. Ubelaker 1982 Larry S. Roberts 1983 David G. Huffman 1984 Ben G. Harris 1985 John R. Bristol 1986 Timothy P. Yoshino 1987 A. Alan Kocan 1988 John Janovy, Jr. 1989 Marc H. Dresden(Lillian F. Mayberry)1990 Lillian F. Mayberry 1991 George L. Stewart 1992 Cynthia L. Chappell 1993 David T. John 1994 Jerry Y. Niederkorn 1995 Lee Couch 1996 Steve J. Upton 1997 Chris T. McAllister 1998 Patricia G. Wilber 1999 Richard E. Clopton 2000 Brent B. Nickol 2001 Dennis J. Richardson 2002 Sidney A. Ewing 2003 Scott D. Snyder 2004 Tamara J. Cook 2005 Michael A. Barger 2006 President Year President-Elect--------------- Scott L. Gardner F. Agustín Jiménez Kirsten Jensen John Hnida Matthew G. Bolek Alan M. Fedynich Charles K. Blend Ben Hanelt Sara V. Brant 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 F. Agustín Jiménez Kirsten Jensen John Hnida Matthew G. Bolek Alan M. Fedynich Charles K. Blend Ben Hanelt Sara V. Brant Megan Wise de Valdez The University of Oklahoma Biological Station is at the end of Oklahoma University Road, off of U.S. Hwy. 377, which is also Oklahoma State Hwy. 99, between Whitesboro, TX and Madill, OK.