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Introduction Monogenean outbreaks threaten the health of farmed fish stocks and severely affect aquaculture production. The meagre Argyrosomus regius is a promising species for diversification in Mediterranean fish farming: in the wild, this species is known to host a variety of ectoparasites, however reports of infection and pathology in farmed fish are rather infrequent. The present investigation reports the occurrence of an outbreak of monogenean infection in A. regius broodstock, with identification of the parasite species involved and associated histopathological findings. Methodology During a mortality outbreak registered in a meagre broodstock batch, parasites were isolated from gills and skin and preserved in 70% ethanol and 10% buffered formalin. Gill samples were also fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histology. The parasites were subjected to morphological analysis in light and scanning electron microscopy, and to molecular analysis amplifying and sequencing the complete ITS and partial 28S rDNA. Results and Conclusions Two monogenean species were identified, based on their morphology: the calceostomatid Ktariella polyorchis, reported for the first time in farmed A. regius, and the diplectanid Diplectanum sciaenae, already reported from A. regius broodstock in Spain. K. polyorchis were mainly found on the skin, mainly along the dorsal part of the body and tail, and in the oral cavity, while D. sciaenae were recovered from the gills. At histological level, the presence of D. scienae was associated to severe gill damage with diffuse epithelial hyperplasia and sloughing off in the lamellae, focal necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, hyperemia, telangiectasias and hemorrhages. Histological lesions were similar to those observed in previous reports and confirmed D. scienae as health-threatening parasite of meagre. Our findings suggest a role of both K. polyorchis and D. sciaenae as pathogenic parasites of A. regius farmed in the Mediterranean area, although at the moment they have been reported only from broodstock. In addition, we provide the first sequence data for these two monogenean species, as a further diagnostic tool for their correct taxonomical identification in possible future outbreaks.

Marine parasites are an important but often neglected component of ecosystems. This is particularly true for cnidarian parasites and their life cycles; few evidences of trophic transmission of trematodes from jellyfish to fish have been reported. This context inspired our idea of investigating one of the most complex and diffused jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea, Rhizostoma pulmo. This work is the first attempt to study Trematoda parasites in Adriatic scyphomedusae. The goals are to 1) determine prevalence and intensity of metacercariae in Rhizostoma pulmo, 2) identify the species involved through morphological and molecular analysis, 3) test whether infection parameters change in different body parts and in relation to jellyfish size. While waiting for molecular results, all parasites morphologically investigated potentially belonged to the genus Opechona. The total number of parasites varied between 18.7 ± 6.7 parasite per individual in 0-2 cm diameter jellyfish up to 510.2 ± 136.4 parasites in larger ones. The 100% of infected individuals suggests that R. pulmo is a true host of digenetic trematodes, at least for this Opechona sp., and therefore important for their life cycle in the region. This also supports the theory that fish predate on Rhizostoma p., since trophic interactions are necessary for this genus to complete their cycles. Parasitology may be another way to investigate fish-jellyfish predation, integrating methods like gut contents and stable isotopes analysis. Further aspects should be investigated such as the characterization of parasites life cycle, the differences between the scyphozoan species and the potential role of blooms as elevators for parasites towards the fish compartment.

INTRODUCTION. Monogeneans of the Family Calceostomatidae Parona & Perugia, 1890 parasitize different species of Sciaenids worldwide: among these, the calceostomatid Ktariella polyorchis Vala & Euzet, 1977 has been described infecting the gills of wild meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) caught off Tunisia and Egypt. The present investigation reports for the first time the occurrence of K. polyorchis in broodstock of A. regius from a Croatian farm. MATERIALS AND METHODS. At the farm, gills samples and skin scrapings were collected from heavily infected fish and preserved in 70% ethanol and 10% buffered formalin. Ethanol-fixed parasites were subjected to morphological analysis following clarification in Amman’s lactophenol. Before clearing the parasites, a section of the body without diagnostic characters was excised with a sterile scalpel and processed for molecular analysis, amplifying and sequencing the complete ITS and partial 28S rDNA. For observation in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), formalin-fixed specimens were dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, critical point dried and sputter coated with gold-palladium. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Although being reported mainly from the gills, in our samples K. polyorchis were mainly found on the fins and skin, while the gills were infected with another monogenean species, the diplectanid Diplectanum sciaenae Van Beneden & Hesse, 1863; this finding may indicate a possible displacement of K. polyorchis in concurrent heavy infections with D. sciaenae. Originally assigned to the genus Calceostoma Van Beneden, 1958 based on the morphology of the anterior region and of the armature in the haptor, K. polyorchis was subsequently assigned to a separate genus based on the morphology of the male reproductive system. Our study adds further morphological information, providing the first detailed description of the parasite surface by SEM analysis, and the first molecular data, useful in future taxonomical and phylogenetic studies.

Cephalopods have been included in the European Directive (EU Directive 63/2010), that rules the use of animals for scientific purposes. Therefore, animals welfare and health should be assured. Considering cephalopods, only few information are available on their microbiological status, microbiological agents affecting them and the micro-organism host interaction. The Working Group ‘Stress and diseases’ of the COST Action FA1301, CephsInAction, is aimed to classify diseases of cephalopods and establish guidelines for diseases prevention. Diseases can affect animals on different levels: they could show clinical signs (lesions, ulcer, bleeding), behavioural abnormalities (i.e. lethargy, being not attracted by the prey, inking) or can not respond as usual to normal stimuli. Therefore, experiments can be not reproducible, data can be highly affected and the research can be not robust at all. Nowadays, veterinarians, researchers and technical personnel involved in cephalopods projects don’t have many available tools for monitoring the health status and there are only few qualified experts to evaluate the cephalopods well-being. For this reason, we have collected all papers available on clinical reports and experimental infections and we have analysed them for all scientific information reported. Based on these annotations, we propose a cephalopods diseases database, including pathogens, hosts, symptoms, tissues affected, diagnostic methods, survival rate and possible treatment. Filters for pathogens or for symptoms can be applied. Moreover, the database is correlated to one atlas corresponding to lesions and symptoms. Animal care-takers, researchers running experiments and technician will have the tool to discriminate lesions (physiology vs pathology), to recognize and study the pathogen, to reduce the spread of infection and to find possible treatment. Moreover, the personnel responsible for the animal welfare, designated veterinarians and officers will have one possible tool to check if animals are kept in a good health status and according to the authorized experimental project. In the future, this database will be continuously updated with case-reports and to make it available to researchers, designated veterinarians and officers.

The work focused on ultrastructural and molecular characterization of protozoan parasites of the genus Aggregata (Apicomplexa, Aggregatidae) in specimens of the common octopus Octopus vulgaris obtained from Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas (Southern Italy, Central Mediterranean). Aggregata spp. are reported to parasitize cephalopod species and to be responsible of severe pathologies, which seem to be mostly evident in cultured cephalopods. In the Central Mediterranean the parasite is known to occur with high prevalence, however its taxonomic status in this area is still under debate. Following detection and purification of parasitic stages from octopus tissues, genomic DNA was extracted from Aggregata sporocysts. 18S rRNA gene of the parasite was amplified by PCR using specific primers and the sequences obtained were compared to those available from Aggregata octopiana type species infecting O. vulgaris in Northeastern Atlantic. Samples for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were treated using standardized protocols specifically designed for the processing of Aggregata spp. parasites. Histological preparations obtained from samples of infected oesphagus, crop, caecum, intestine and mantle of O. vulgaris showed the presence of both gamogonic and sporogonic stages of Aggregata and allowed the use of a semiquantitative method to compare the intensity of infection per each sampled locality. Information from histology was integrated with the analysis of parasite ultrastructure by TEM, which allowed the observation of important taxonomic features to distinguish between different species of Aggregata.

Cephalopods are known to harbor parasitic organisms in almost every organ of their body. The growing importance of cephalopods for both commercial and research purposes requires a better understanding about their health and welfare, which includes a detailed characterization of their parasites and diseases, especially of those infectious agents that are able to affect the physiology of cephalopod hosts or their marketability as fishery products. Information about the parasitic fauna of cephalopods also prove very useful for scientists since it may help elucidating some aspects of cephalopod biology and ecology in natural environment. During the last decades, the development of new investigation techniques, such as the increased use of molecular tools, allowed the identification of new parasite species and helped to solve the taxonomic uncertainty resulting from difficulties associated with morphological identification of small-sized and often cryptic organisms, which had produced, over time, a high synonymy rate among parasitic taxa. The present work intends provide an update of the last 25 years of research about cephalopod infectious agents, by considering over two hundred new publications, since they were first extensively surveyed in 1990. The number of new parasite descriptions, new host records and new infection reports was reviewed as well as the geographic distribution of reports in order to characterize the worldwide pattern of research efforts in cephalopod parasites. The total amount of literature available so far was also considered and analyzed in order to detect potential variations in parasite biodiversity among cephalopod groups as well as among geographic areas and to identify parasitic groups, host groups and geographic areas that require more investigation. Special attention is paid to potentially pathogenetic agents and to treatments available or attempted so far.

Introduction and Aims Octopus vulgaris is a highly valuable food resource and good candidate for marine aquaculture. Over the past years, more than a hundred of published papers have been devoted to increase the growth performance of captive octopuses and overcome the problems associated with the adaptation of these animals to farming conditions. Despite this effort, the farming of O. vulgaris is still far from being a large-scale, economically profitable activity due to high costs, heavy losses in terms of mortality and inadequate growth. Malabsorption syndrome due to parasite load, and competition for food due to elevated territoriality of animals in the cages have been considered as the main limiting factors for a successful ongrowing of O. vulgaris. Approaches and Results In order to explore possible factors limiting growth of animals, historical long-term data on the growth of O. vulgaris in standardized uniform maintenance conditions have been correlated with confounding factors such as season, temperature, genetic factors, parasitic infections. In addition, effect of habituation to a social context have been applied to increase the willingness of octopuses to actively feeding on administered prey items. We show that parasitic load is not directly correlated with decreased growth, but to metabolic factors linked to genetic differences and possibly to changes of temperature in the holding conditions. Habituation to a social condition, allow subordinate individuals to re-equilibrate the feeding hierarchy and reduce the competition for food, thus also increasing the chances for a more uniform growth of animals held in the same cage. Standardized Fulton Condition Index confirm the view that inter-individual differences in animals’ growth are largely linked to metabolic and genetic factors Conclusions Non invasive strategies to facilitate selection of individuals for the rearing are suggested, thus to maximize animals’ growth. In addition, improvement of aquaculture success is presented through the application of a behavioral-welfare approach.

Nematodes belonging to the genus Contracaecum (family: Anisakidae) are heteroxenous parasites with a complex life cycle. Contracaecum larvae infecting farmed fish and fishery products are economically important causing market rejection in massive infection and may have zoonotic potential. In Israel, Contracaecum larvae have been described morphologically in several fish species; however, none of these descriptions were supported by molecular tools. In 2019–2020, hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus x Oreochromis niloticus) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), farmed in polyculture were found to be heavily infected with nematodes referable to Contracaecum larvae. Prevalence of infection in hybrid tilapia and red drum was 53.8% and 40.9%, respectively. A combined (morphological and molecular) approach revealed that both infected fish species were parasitized by the same species of Contracaecum, although larvae in hybrid tilapia were localized in the pericardial cavity whereas in red drum, they were observed in the abdominal cavity. Genetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer rDNA and cox2 mtDNA showed high similarity to unidentified Contracaecum larvae detected in several fish species in Ethiopia, Egypt and Kenya. In this study, molecular and morphological analyses place the possible new species in the C. multipapillatum complex and was provisionally named C. multipapillatum E. Further analyses combining morphological and molecular approaches are required on adult specimens collected from piscivorous birds living in the same area to support the identification of a potentially new species.

The fan mussel, Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus 1758), is an endemic bivalve of the Mediterranean basin, protected by international legislation as an endangered species. In the early summer of 2018, a mass mortality event (MME) of P. nobilis was recorded in the Gulf of Taranto (Southern Italy, Ionian Sea). Moribund specimens of P. nobilis were collected by scuba divers and processed by bacteriological, parasitological, histopathological and molecular analyses to investigate the causes of this MME. Different developmental stages (i.e., plasmodia, spores and sporocysts) of a presumptive haplosporidian parasite were observed during the histological analysis in the epithelium and in the lumen of the digestive tubules, where mature spores occurred either free or in sporocysts. The spores presented an operculum and an ovoid shape measuring 4.4 µm (±0.232) in length and 3.6 µm (±0.233) in width. BLAST analysis of an 18SrRNA sequence revealed a high nucleotide similarity (99%) with the reference sequence of Haplosporidium pinnae available in GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the sequence of the pathogen in a paraphyletic clade with the reference sequence of H. pinnae, excluding other haplosporidians (i.e., Bonamia and Minchinia genera). Based on data reported, H. pinnae was the causative agent of MME in the populations of P. nobilis sampled in the Ionian Sea, where the conservation of this endangered species is heavily threatened by such a protozoan infection. Further investigations should contribute to knowledge about the life cycle of H. pinnae in order to reduce spread of the pathogen and to mitigate the burden of the disease where P. nobilis is facing the risk of extinction.

The nematode Eustrongylides excisus is a parasite of freshwater fish- and fish-eating birds, with known differences on prevalence values among fish species. Thus, the present study aims to explore the hypothesis that the feeding behavior and the size of fish belonging to different trophic levels could explain such differences. For that, 14 sampling sites were selected to perform a fish parasitological survey on Lake Garda (Italy) during spring-summer 2020. Amplification of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences of nematodes morphologically ascribable to the genus Eustrongylides allowed to identify them as E. excisus. From the five studied fish species (Perca fluviatilis, Lepomis gibbous, Coregonus lavaretus, Alosa fallax lacustris and Micropterus salmoides), only three presented the parasite E. excisus: P. fluviatilis, L. gibbous and M. salmoides, with significant differences in prevalence values among species (p = 0.002). Additionally, there were differences in prevalence values within the same fish species captured from different sampling sites. Findings showed that mainly piscivorous fish were positive for E. excisus and how the prevalence was highest in M. salmoides. As regard the fish size, a negative correlation between body size and E. excisus was found in P. fluviatilis due to the feeding habit of juvenile perch which feed mainly zooplankton and benthic invertebrates (i.e., oligochaetes, which are the first intermediate hosts of E. excisus). The study findings advance novel knowledge in the field of pathogens of zoonotic importance in the aquatic environment.

We compiled an updated global catalogue of parasites in cephalopods. Data were used to assess changes in taxonomic distinctness of parasites over two centuries and across the world’s oceans, to quantify turnover and nestedness components of parasite β-diversity, and to attempt estimating their γ-diversity at a global scale. A total of 309 parasites infecting 164 cephalopods were found. We hypothesize that this diversity counts for less than half the potential parasite richness in this molluscan taxon. Taxonomic breadth of parasites was significantly above expectations from null models for Mediterranean Sea and NE Atlantic Ocean, whereas the opposite occurred for NW Pacific Ocean, where a few closely related genera characterized the parasite pool. β-diversity of parasites was very high and dominated by turnover, except for the Atlantic Ocean where a nested pattern among sub-basins emerged. Taxonomic relatedness of parasite species remained substantially unchanged through time, but species replacements largely occurred over the last two centuries. Our findings highlighted potential hotspots of taxonomic distinctness in cephalopod parasites, geographic regions deserving future research, and the need for a deeper understanding of the magnitude of marine parasite diversity, their biogeography, and their role in marine ecosystems. Our global overview may represent a baseline step for future advances in this direction.

The genus Clinostomoides Dollfus, 1950 was erected to accommodate a single worm from Ardea goliath sampled in the Belgian Congo. The specimen was distinguished from other clinostomids by its large size and posterior genitalia. In the following years, metacercariae of Clinostomoides brieni, have been described in Clarias spp. in southern and western Africa. A few authors have referred to Clinostomum brieni, but all such usages appear to be lapsus calami, and the validity of Clinostomoides remains widely accepted. In this study our aim was: position C. brieni among the growing clinostomids molecular database, and redescribe the species with emphasis on characters that have emerged as important in recent work. We sequenced two nuclear (partial 18S and ITS) and one mitochondrial marker (partial cytochrome c oxidase I) and studied morphology in metacercariae from hosts and localities likely to harbour the type species (Clarias spp., Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa). Phylogenetic analysis shows C. brieni belongs within Clinostomum Leidy, 1856. We therefore transfer C. brieni to Clinostomum, amend the diagnosis for the genus Clinostomum and provide a critical analysis of other species in Clinostomoides, all of which we consider species inquirendae, as they rest on comparisons of different developmental stages.

In the Afrotropic region, the genus Clinostomum is represented by four accepted and four unnamed species distinguished using molecular data. Here, we describe one of the four unnamed species as Clinostomum ukolii n. sp. based on metacercariae from siluriform fishes (Synodontis batensoda, Schilbe intermedius) collected in Nigeria and South Africa. The new species is distinguished by molecular data (39 new sequences of partial cytochrome c oxidase I≥ 6.7% divergent from those of other species) and morphological differences from named and unnamed species in the same region. Metacercariae of C. ukolii n. sp. can be distinguished based on size, tegumental spines, and various aspects of the genital complex, including its position, lobation of the anterior testis, and the disposition and shape of the cirrus pouch. Although descriptions of new species of digeneans are typically based on the morphology of adults, we argue that in cases where data are available from metacercariae from regionally known species, new species can be described based on metacercariae, particularly when supported by molecular data, as here. Moreover, sub-adult reproductive structures can be clearly visualized in metacercaria of Clinostomum. Considering metacercariae as potential types for new species could advance clinostome systematics more rapidly, because metacercariae are encountered much more often than adults in avian definitive hosts.

Introduction: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) represent a privileged observatory to monitor disease outbreaks in the marine environment. Recently, several episodes of mass mortality events (MME) of the noble pen shell Pinna nobilis occurred in different parts of the Mediterranean Sea. In the present work we report a MME occurred in 2018, involving a protected population of P. nobilis within the MPA of Porto Cesareo (Southern Italy, Ionian Sea) which had been previously characterized and monitored within the framework of the “Marine Strategy” Directive (2008/56/EC). Methodology: Data on abundance and size structure of the P. nobilis population had been collected since September 2017 through scuba diving visual census. Following a MME occurred in June 2018, one moribund specimen was sampled by professional divers of Porto Cesareo MPA within the reserve boundaries. The specimen was subjected to a complete diagnostic exam, including parasitological, histopathological and molecular analyses. Results: The mortality affected 100% of the protected population. The diagnostic exams allowed to detect the presence of Haplosporidium pinnae, identified through amplification and sequencing of partial 18S rDNA region, in the intestine and digestive gland. Histopathological analyses revealed the presence of haplosporidian-like protozoa in different life cycle stages within the digestive gland. The epithelium of digestive tubuli showed a diffused degeneration with extended infiltrate of brownish pigment referable to brown cells, which replaced almost completely the decaying glandular tissue. Conclusion: Haplosporidium pinnae has been already indicated as responsible for other MME of P. nobilis occurred in Western and Central Mediterranean Sea. The implementation of routine monitoring programs to assess the presence and distribution of transmissible agents in wild marine environment is an essential step to protect biodiversity. Such procedures are especially relevant within the context of a MPA, and should focus on the identification of sanitary risks that could impair conservation efforts. With respect to H. pinnae, further studies aimed at elucidating the life-cycle of the parasite and its causative role in recent MME of noble pen shell are of primary importance.

Introduction: Oomycetes belonging to the genus Saprolegnia cause high mortality rates in freshwater fish culture. The lack of alternative treatment with effectiveness comparable to the banned malachite green (MG), urge the identification of new molecules active against this pathogen. This work focused on an in vitro screening aimed at assessing the effectiveness of 35 compounds against Saprolegnia spp. in order to select molecules that could be of major interest for further in vivo investigations and applications in aquaculture. Methodology: In vitro trials were carried out on two Saprolegnia parasitica strains and one S. delica strain. Tests were performed according to existing protocols to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) in agar and the Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) after one hour of contact in water. Compounds were provided diluted in DMSO at a concentration of 10 mM (with the exception of Dequalinium Chloride, diluted at 2 mM) that were further diluted to working concentrations of 0.00001; 0.0001; 0.001; 0.01; 0.1 and 0.25 mM. Pure DMSO was also screened at the same amount present in different concentrations, until 1mM, in order to check its own inhibitory or lethal effects. Each strain was tested in triplicate. Results: Triplicates were consistent among each other. DMSO showed no inhibitory effects against Saprolegnia at concentrations from 0.00001 to 0.25 mM, but was able to inhibit the oomycete at higher concentrations also when used alone. MICs were determined for 15 out of 35 compounds examined. The lowest MIC was defined for zinc pyrithione (0.01 mM). Seven compounds had a MIC of 0.1 mM, seven of 0.25 mM, while the other 20 were ineffective at the tested concentrations. Conclusion: Although it was not possible to define MICs for several compounds at the tested concentrations, most of the molecules showed the ability to slow down the radial growth and/or to inhibit the aerial mycelium. These compounds, although not showing a high efficacy against Saprolegnia in in vitro trials, could be effective in decreasing the invasive capacity of the oomycete in the host, therefore representing good candidates for further in vivo studies.

Raphidascarididae are among the most abundant and widespread parasitic nematodes in the marine environment. The life-cycle of most raphidascaridid species is poorly known and information about their distribution and host range is lacking in many geographical areas, as is the taxonomy of several species. A study of larval and adult stages of Hysterothylacium fabri (Rudolphi, 1819) Deardorff and Overstreet, 1980 (Nematoda: Raphidascarididae) infecting the striped goatfish Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mullidae) and the Mediterranean stargazer Uranoscopus scaber Linnaeus, 1759 (Uranoscopidae) from the Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean) has been carried out by combining light and scanning electron microscopy observations and molecular analyses through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing of the ITS rDNA gene. Results indicate that U. scaber and M. surmuletus represent suitable definitive and intermediate/paratenic hosts of H. fabri, respectively, in the Mediterranean and highlight the importance of combining genetic and morphological data to study the taxonomy and epidemiology of parasites widely distributed in different fish species and aquatic ecosystems.

13 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, Coccidian parasites of the genus Aggregata are known to parasitize cephalopods as definitive hosts, however one of the genus members, A. octopiana, has shown an unresolved phylogeny within the same definitive host, the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Our study represents a large-scale investigation aimed at characterizing morphological traits and phylogeny of A. octopiana isolated from O. vulgaris inhabiting three distinct geographic areas of the central Mediterranean: The Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. The morphology of sporogonic stages of the parasite in octopus tissues was assessed by light and electron microscopy; molecular characterization has been carried out using the 18S rRNA locus. Our results support the hypothesis that two morphologically and genetically different A. octopiana infect O. vulgaris in the investigated areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Additional nuclear and mitochondrial markers for Aggregata should provide further information and better resolution of its phylogeny, This work has been initiated through the networking initiatives of the COST Action FA1301 (CephsInAction) and thanks to the support of a COST FA1301-Short Term Scientific Mission (P. Tedesco, from Italy to Vigo, Spain). The study has been supported through RITMARE Flagship project (MIUR-SZN) to PT and GF. G. Catanese would like to thank INIA for the INIA/CCAA research contract program

Lopes, Vanesa... et al.-- 8 pages, 1 table, Cephalopods are the sole invertebrates included in the list of regulated species following the Directive 2010/63/EU. According to the Directive, achieving competence through adequate training is a requisite for people having a role in the different functions (article 23) as such carrying out procedures on animals, designing procedures and projects, taking care of animals, killing animals. Cephalopod Biology and Care Training Program is specifically designed to comply with the requirements of the “working document on the development of a common education and training framework to fulfil the requirements under the Directive 2010/63/EU”. The training event occurred at the ICM-CSIC in Barcelona (Spain) where people coming from Europe, America and Asia were instructed on how to cope with regulations for the use of cephalopod molluscs for scientific purposes. The training encompasses discussion on the guidelines for the use and care of animals and their welfare with particular reference to procedures that may be of interest for neuroscience. Intensive discussion has been carried out during the training sessions with focus on behavioural studies and paradigms, welfare assessment, levels of severity of scientific procedures, animal care, handling, transport, individual identification and marking, substance administration, anaesthesia, analgesia and humane killing, The COST Action FA1301 CephsInAction, and the Association for Cephalopod Research supported the Training School “Cephs Biology and Care (CBC-ASP2016)” and the participation of 10 Trainers and 14 Trainees. Sponsorships from Leica and Tecniplast has also been granted

A redescription of Philometra globiceps (Rudolphi 1819), the type species of Philometra Costa 1845 (Philometridae), is provided on the basis of specimens collected from the gonads, stomach, pyloric caeca, intestine and gallbladder of the marine fish Uranoscopus scaber Linnaeus (Uranoscopidae, Perciformes) caught in the Ionian Sea off Ugento, southern Italy. Light microscopical and scanning electron microscopical examinations (latter used for the first time in this species) of the specimens revealed some previously unreported morphological features, such as the location of submedian pairs of cephalic papillae of external circle on four elevated cuticular lobes in gravid females, the presence of amphids, genital papillae and phasmids in males, the lamellate structure of the distal end of gubernaculum appearing as a dorsal protuberance in lateral view and the structure of the male caudal end. A taxonomically important feature of P. globiceps is the details in the dorsal transverse lamella-like structures on the distal end of the gubernaculum, by which this species can be separated from other gonad-infecting species of this genus. Apparently, P. globiceps is a specific parasite of U. scaber and all previous records of this species from hosts belonging to other fish families are evidently based on misidentifications.

Background Betanodaviruses are the causative agents of Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy (VER). To date, more than 50 species have proved to be susceptible and among them, those found in genus Epinephelus are highly represented. Clinical disease outbreaks are generally characterized by typical nervous signs and significant mortalities mainly associated with aquaculture activities, although some concerns for the impact of this infection in wild fish have been raised. In this study, the authors present the first documented report describing an outbreak of VER in wild species in the Mediterranean basin. Case presentation In late summer - early winter 2011 (September-December), significant mortalities affecting wild Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus), Golden grouper (Epinephelus costae) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were reported in the municipality of Santa Maria di Leuca (Northern Ionian Sea, Italy). The affected fish showed an abnormal swimming behavior and swollen abdomens. During this epizootic, five moribund fish showing clear neurological signs were captured and underwent laboratory investigations. Analytical results confirmed the diagnosis of VER in all the specimens. Genetic characterization classified all betanodavirus isolates as belonging to the RGNNV genotype, revealing a close genetic relationship with viral sequences obtained from diseased farmed fish reared in the same area in previous years. Conclusion The close relationship of the viral sequences between the isolates collected in wild affected fish and those isolated during clinical disease outbreaks in farmed fish in the same area in previous years suggests a persistent circulation of betanodaviruses and transmission between wild and farmed stocks. Further investigations are necessary to assess the risk of viral transmission between wild and farmed fish populations, particularly in marine protected areas where endangered species are present.