Molecular phylogenetic relationship between Philometroides tahieli (Nematoda, Philometridae) and other philometrids from South America

BARNECHE, JORGE; ACOSTA ALBARRACIN, MARTIN; REIG CARDARELLA, GERMAN FLAVIO; BALCAZAR, DARIO; MONTES, MARTIN MIGUEL; CROCI, YASMIN; MARTORELLI, SERGIO ROBERTO

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2022

0932-0113

In South America, the family Philometridae is represented by several genera and species. In particular, Philometra andPhilometroides are the most speciose genera. In Argentina, only Philometroides tahieli has been reported so far. The mainobjective of this study was to analyze the phylogenetic relationship between Ps. tahieli and other South American philometridsusing molecular data. The molecular analysis was performed using a female specimen of Ps. tahieli found on theopercular muscle of a juvenile Micropogonias furnieri from brackish waters in Argentina. Phylogenetic relationships werestudied based on partial sequences of the 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA genes. In the 18S rDNA tree, Ps. tahieli was mainlygrouped with other Philometroides from freshwater hosts from China, sharing the site of infection (head tissues or muscles).In the 28S rDNA tree, obtained with fewer sequences, Ps. tahieli is related species from subcutaneous tissues of head. Thisstudy contributes with information on philometrids and confirms the presence of different lineages among South Americanspecies, with Ps. tahieli representing a new one. Further studies on South American species using more molecular markersand new morphological characters will improve our knowledge of philometrid biodiversity and phylogeny.