Dr Leslie Chisholm

Dr Leslie Chisholm
  • Biography/ Background

    Leslie Chisholm an Honorary Researcher at the South Australian Museum and is a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Sciences, Engeineering and Technology at The University of Adelaide. She is also a member of the Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity at The University of Adelaide. She attained her BSc (1985) and MSc (1988) degrees at the University of Guelph, Canada in Marine Biology and Marine Ecology, respectively. Her MSc studies focused on the secondary production of copepods in the tropical waters off Jamaica, West Indies. She then switched to the study of marine parasites and worked with Dr Mary Beverley-Burton for 7 years at The University of Guelph investigating the taxonomy and systematics of monogenean (flatworm) parasites of marine fish. Monogeneans are a class of ectoparasites that commonly infect the skin, fins, gills, oral cavity, nasal tissue, urogenital system (cloaca, rectal gland, oviducts) of elasmobranch and teleost fish. They have a direct life-cycle (i.e. require no intermediate host) and as such they can proliferate rapidly on fish cultured in sea-cages and held in public aquaria. In 1995 Leslie won a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) scholarship and embarked on a PhD in the Parasitology Department at The University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane. Her work was mostly based at the UQ owned Heron Island Research Station on the southern tip of The Great Barrier Reef. There she investigated the biology and taxonomy of a family of monogeneans (Monocotylidae) that infect sharks and rays. After completion of her PhD in 1997, she took up a two-year NSERC Postdoctoral Award followed by a Research Associate position in the lab of Dr Ian Whittington to further her studies on the ecology of monocotylids on sharks and rays. In late 2001, she moved to Adelaide. Her first love is monogeneans from sharks and rays but she has recently extended her interests to those that infect gamefish such as marlin, tuna and swordfish. She has expertise in rearing minute monogenean larvae to explore their hatching strategies and infection biology.  She has more than 90 papers published in internationally recognised scientific journals.  She is often consulted by public aquaria for advice on identification and eradication of monogeneans infecting sharks and rays. She is currently editor of the International Ichthyoparasitology Newsletter which is published online annually and can be viewed at https://sypa75.wixsite.com/diplectanum/international-parasitological-newsl

    EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

    2023: Honorary Researcher, The South Australian Museum

    2018 - 2023: Senior Collection Manager, Parasitology, The South Australian Museum

    2016 - 2018:  Collection Manager, Parasitology, The South Australian Museum

    2014-2016: Collection Manager, Parasitology and SAM Collections Coordinator, The South Australian Museum

    2011-2013: Collection Manager, Parasitology & Arachnology Sections, The South Australian Museum

    2008-2011: Collection Manager, Parasitology Section, The South Australian Museum

    2002-2008: ARC Research Associate, SEES, The University of Adelaide.

    1999-2001: ARC Research Associate, Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, UQ.

    1997-1999: NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Parasitology, UQ.

    1995-1997: Part-time Research Assistant and PhD Student, Department of Parasitology, UQ.

    1989-1994: Research Associate, Department of Zoology, The University of Guelph, Canada.

    1992-1993: Consultant (Part-time), Department of Fisheries and Oceans. New Brunswick.

    1988-1989: Research Associate/Consultant, Ecological Services for Planning (ESP), Guelph, Canada.

    1987: Technician, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Canada.

    1985-1988: Teaching Assistant, The University of Guelph, Canada.

  • Qualifications

    BSc (Hons), The University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 1985

    MSc, The University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 1988

    PhD, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 1997

  • Publications

    *2006 - present (see attachment under Files for full publication list)

    91. Smales L.R., Wood J.A.L. & Chisholm, L.A. 2023. A review of the nematode assemblage of the Australian bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus (Peramelidae), from material held in the South Australian Museum with the description of Sprattellus cassonei n. sp. (Mackerrastrongylidae). Journal of Helminthology, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X23000639

    90. Smales L.R., Wood J.A.L. & Chisholm, L.A. 2023. A review of the nematode assemblages of the genus Perameles (Peramelidae), Australian bandicoots, held in the South Australian Museum. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, https://doi.org/10.1080/03721426.2023.2239547

    89. Smales L., Elliot A., Keatley S., Chisholm L. & Limbery A (2021). Morphological and molecular characterisation of a new species of Parastrongyloides (Rhabditida: Strongyloididae) from the short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus from Western Australia.  Acta Parasitologica, 67:153-160.

    88. Smales L., Elliot A. & Chisholm L. (2021). A survey of the nematode parasites of the short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae) from southwestern Australia with the description of a new subfamily and genus of the Subuluridae Travassos, 1914) (Nematoda: Ascaridida). Acta Parasitologica, 66:228-235.

    87. Kritsky D. & Chisholm L. (2020). Monocotylids (Monogenoidea) infecting elasmobranchs in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, with descriptions of Calicotyle cutmorei n. sp. (Calicotylinae) and Dendromonocotyle raiae n. sp. (Monocotylinae). Systematic Parasitology, 97: 569-589.

    86. Chisholm L., & Kritsky D. (2020). Heterocotyle whittingtoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of the black-spotted whipray, Maculabatis toshi (Myliobatiformes, Dasyatidae), collected in coastal waters of Queensland, Australia. Systematic Parasitology, 97: 561-567.

    85. Kheddam H., Chisholm L. & Tazerouti F. (2020 Septitrema lichae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the nasal tissues of the deep-sea kitefin shark, Dalatias licha (Squaliformes: Dalatiidae), off Algeria. Systematic Parasitology, 97: 553-559.

    84. Smales L., Barton D. & Chisholm L. (2019). Acanthocephalans from Australian elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes) with a description of a new species in the genus Gorgorhynchus Chandler, 1934 (Rhadinorhynchidae). Systematic Parasitology, 96: 565-573.

    83. Vaughan D., Chisholm L. & Hansen H. (2016). Electrocotyle whittingtoni n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae) from the gills of a captive onefin electric ray, Narke capensis (Narkidae) at Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town, South Africa. Parasitology Research, 115: 3575-3584.

    82. Kearn G. & Whittington I., Chisholm L. & Evans-Gowing R. (2016). A new species of Acanthocotyle Monticelli, 1888 (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea: Acanthocotylidae) from the ventral skin of the banded stingaree, Urolophus cruciatus (Lacepede, 1804), from Tasmania, Australia.

    81. Irigoitia M., Chisholm L. & Timi J. (2016). A new species of Dendromonocotyle Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the skin of Zearaja chilensis (Guichenot) (Rajiformes: Rajidae) from the Argentine Sea. Systematic Parasitology, 93: 367-374.

    80. Chisholm L. (2013). Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae), from the gills of Himantura walga (Dasyatidae) off Sarawak, Borneo. Systematic Parasitology, 84: 255-264.

    79. Platt T., Hoberg E., & Chisholm L. (2013). On the morphology and taxonomy of Griphobilharzia amoena Platt and Blair, 1991 (Schistosomatoidea), a dioecious digenetic trematode parasite of the freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus johnstoni, in Australia. Journal of Parasitology, 99, 888-891.

    78. Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2012. Three new species of Merizocotyle Cerfontaine, 1894 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the nasal tissues of dasyatid rays collected off Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo. Systematic Parasitology 82: 167-176.

    77. Portes Santos C, Santos A.L., Cunha R., & Chisholm L.A. 2012. A new species of Heterocotyle Scott, 1904 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Dasyatis guttata (Dasyatidae) in southwestern Atlantic waters off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Systematic Parasitology 81: 65-70.

    76. Vaughan D.B. & Chisholm L.A. 2011. Amendment of Pseudoleptobothrium Young, 1967 (Monogenea, Microbothriidae) with the description of Pseudoleptobothrium christisoni sp. nov. from the dermal denticles of Rhinobatos annulatus (Rhinobatidae) off the southern tip of Africa. Acta Parasitologica 56: 280-289.

    75. Vaughan D.B. & Chisholm L.A. 2010. A new species of Neoheterocotyle Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) off the gills of Rhinobatos annulatus Müller & Henle (Rhinobatidae) from the southern tip of Africa. Systematic Parasitology 77: 205-213.

    74. Theiss S.M., Kyne P.M. & Chisholm L.A. 2010. Distribution of the porcupine ray Urogymnus asperrimus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) in Australian waters, with new records from Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum: Nature 55: 101-105.

    73. Vaughan D.B. & Chisholm L.A. 2010. Heterocotyle tokoloshei sp. nov. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Dasyatis brevicaudata (Dasyatidae) kept in captivity at Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town, South Africa: description and notes on treatment. Acta Parasitologica 55: 108-114.

    72. Vaughan D.B. & Chisholm L.A. 2009. Three Dendromonocotyle species (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) reported from captive rays, including D. lotteri sp. n. from Himantura gerrardi (Elasmobranchii: Dasyatidae) in the public aquarium at the Atlantis resort, Dubai. Folia Parasitologica 56: 99-106.

    71. Perkins E.M., Donnellan S.C, Bertozzi T., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2009. Looks can deceive: Molecular phylogeny of a family of flatworm ectoparasites (Monogenea: Capsalidae) does not reflect current morphological classification. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 52: 705-714.

    70. Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2009. Dendromonocotyle urogymni sp. nov. (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) from Urogymnus asperrimus (Elasmobranchii, Dasyatidae) off eastern Australia. Acta Parasitologica 54: 113-118.

    69. Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2009. Malalophus jensenae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Aetomylaeus vespertilio (Myliobatidae) off northern Australia. Systematic Parasitology 73: 81-86

    68. Glennon V., Perkins E.M., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington, I.D. 2008. Comparative phylogeography reveals host generalists, specialists and cryptic diversity: Hexabothriid, microbothriid and monocotylid monogeneans from rhinobatid rays in southern Australia. International Journal for Parasitology 38: 1599-1612.

    67. Vaughan D., Chisholm L.A. & Christison K. 2008. Overview of South African Dendromonocotyle (Monogenea: Monocotylidae), with descriptions of 2 new species from stingrays (Dasyatidae) kept in public aquaria. Zootaxa 1826: 26-44.

    66. Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2007. Review of the Capsalinae (Monogenea: Capsalidae). Zootaxa 1559: 1-30.

    65. Glennon V., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2007. Experimental infections, using CFSE, of 2 rhinobatid (Elasmobranchii) species by unciliated larvae of the monogenean Branchotenthes octohamatus (Hexabothriidae): invasion route, host specificity and post-larval development. Parasitology 134: 1243-1252.

    64. Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2007. The oncomiracidium of Nasicola klawei (Monogenea: Capsalidae: Capsalinae). Parasitology Research 100: 467-471.

    63. Glennon V., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2006. Three unrelated species, 3 sites, same host – monogenean parasites of the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata, in South Australia: egg hatching strategies and larval behaviour. Parasitology 133: 55-66.

    62. Glennon V., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2006. Redescription of Calicotyle australis Johnston, 1934 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the type-host Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) off Adelaide, South Australia, including descriptions of live and silver stained larvae. Systematic Parasitology 63: 29-40.

    61. Glennon V., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2006. Pseudoleptobothrium aptychotremae Young, 1967 (Monogenea: Microbothriidae) redescribed from a new host, the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) in South Australia with a description of the larva and post larval development. Acta Parasitologica 51: 40-46.

    60. Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2006. Revision of Capsaloides (Monogenea: Capsalidae) with a redescription of C. magnaspinosus Price, 1939 from the nasal tissue of Tetrapterus audax (Istiophoridae) collected off Nelson Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Zootaxa 1160: 1-20.

     

    59. Glennon V., Chisholm L.A. & Whittington I.D. 2005. Branchotenthes octohamatus sp. n. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) from the gills of the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) in South Australia: description of adult and larva. Folia Parasitologica 52: 223-230. 

  • Professional Associations

    Member of the Australian Society for Parasitology
  • Files

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Entry last updated: Tuesday, 31 Oct 2023