title: Dujardinascaris gigantea sp. n. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the critically endangered crocodile Alligator sinensis Fauvel (Reptilia: Crocodylia).
abstract: The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis Fauvel (Reptilia: Crocodylia) is considered as one of the most critically endangered species of the 23 extant crocodiles. However, our knowledge of the helminth parasites of this rare animal is completely lacking. During a helminthological survey of reptiles in China, we found a new ascaridoid nematode, Dujardinascaris gigantea sp. n. from A. sinensis. The morphology of D. gigantea sp. n. was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species was also characterised using molecular methods by sequencing and analysing the small ribosomal DNA (18S) and the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2).
authors.forename: Jin-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, 050024, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China, liangliangex369@126.com.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yan-Ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Lu-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D017162:Ascaridida / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D056727:Endangered Species; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning