Molecular and new morphological data on the turtle nematode Hedruris dratini found parasitizing Pseudis minuta (Anura: Hylidae).

MONTES, MIGUEL MARTIN; CROCI, YASMIN; BARNECHE, JORGE; BALCAZAR, DARIO; CARDARELLA REIG,GERMAN F.; MARTORELLI, SERGIO

JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY

AMER SOC PARASITOLOGISTS

Lugar: Washington, Estados Unidos; Año: 2022

0022-3395

Hedruris is worldwide distributed parasitizing lampreys, fishes, frogs, and lizards. InSouth America five species on frogs (H. heyeri, H. juninensis, H. moniezi, H.mucronifer), three on fishes (H. basilichtensis, H. orestiae and H. suttonae), and one inturtles (H. dratini) were reported. We searched for parasites in a frog (Pseudis minuta)found dead in Pescado stream. The nemadote Hedruris sp. was found and subsequentlysubjected to integrative analyses. The 18S rDNA was sequenced and specimens wereanalysed with electron and optical microscopy. The genetic analysis clustered thisnematode with H. dratini. The morphology was similar to that species, but differing inthe deirid simple in turtles and bifid in frogs. That could be a result of several causes,such as host interaction with the parasite, a theratologic feature, or it could be masking ahigh degree of morphology. It is necessary in addition to the morphological study, amolecular information to elucidate the real affiliation of the older Hedruris spp.described. The definitive host for H. dratini should be the turtle, according to theintensity of infestation reported, and the frog is a host infected by accident.Notwithstanding, the nematode could be using different hosts, or the frog was feedingon the amphipod hosting the intermediate stage. This is the first Hedruris parasite onfrogs sequenced and represents, after H. mucronifer, the second report of the genus fromArgentina on anurans.