Molecular evidence for a cryptic species within the parasitic nematode Macroponema comani (Strongyloidea: Cloacininae).
Nematodes resembling Macroponema comani, a common parasite of eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus, in eastern Australia were collected from an unexpected host species, the northern wallaroo, Macropus robustus woodwardi, in the Northern Territory, representing a highly disjunct occurrence. Although these specimens showed no morphological differences when compared with Ma. comani from M. giganteus, sequencing of the first and second internal transcribed spacers ITS-1 and ITS-2 of the nuclear ribosomal DNA revealed seven base pair differences in each spacer region between the two taxa. These differences included a number of autapomorphies. Sequences from both taxa differed significantly from those of Ma. beveridgei, a common parasite of the common wallaroo, Macropus robustus robustus and the euro, M. robustus erubescens. Based on these findings, the specimens in M. r. woodwardi are considered to represent a crypic species.
Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
Nicole
N
Tan
Neil B
NB
Chilton
Florence
F
Huby-Chilton
Aaron R
AR
Jex
Robin B
RB
Gasser
Ian
I
Beveridge
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity; D013320:Strongyloidea / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal