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Phylogenetic relationships of philometrid nematodes (Philometridae Baylis & Daubney, 1926) inferred from 18S rRNA, with molecular characterisation of recently described species

  • Fish Parasitology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Nematodes of the family Philometridae Baylis & Daubney, 1926 (Dracunculoidea Stiles, 1907) are generally poorly known, and there are many taxonomic issues within the family. Philometrids are parasites of fish and are found in various locations throughout the host, including within the subcutaneous tissues and musculature, the abdominal cavity and gonads; vast sexual dimorphism often means the males are not collected, leading to many species being described solely on female characteristics. Although there have been a number of studies utilising molecular data, the vast majority of species are yet to be sequenced. This study undertook genetic sequencing of 15 recently described species of philometrids across 4 genera, many of which were from specimens collected from waters off Australia. All of the sequences obtained were closely related with representatives of the family Philometridae. Species were found to be distributed in the phylogenetic trees within 4 clades based on a combination of site of infection within the host and host habitat. Family of host and geographical location was not as important for position within the trees. Clade A contained philometrids collected from the abdominal cavities and head tissues of South American freshwater fish. Clade B contained philometrids primarily from the abdominal cavities of freshwater European cyprinids. Clade C contained philometrids primarily from the ovaries of marine fish. Clade D contained philometrids from the body tissues of marine and freshwater fish. The potential co-evolutionary patterns between philometrids and their fish hosts are highlighted as an area of future research. This research also highlighted the importance of correct identification of any sequenced specimen.

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All samples used in this study were collected from specimens that have been deposited in relevant curated museum collections as outlined in the relevant publications. All sequences created in this study have been deposited in GenBank.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the many researchers who have collected the nematodes from fish that have been used in this study. The nematodes from those studies have been collected under a range of animal ethics approvals and financial support, all of which have been listed in the relevant publications.

Funding

The molecular sequencing work for this paper was supported by a Charles Sturt University Senior Research Fellowship awarded to SS (A516-828-66770).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    Diane P. Barton & Shokoofeh Shamsi

  2. Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    František Moravec

  3. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    Xiaocheng Zhu

  4. Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    Shokoofeh Shamsi

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  1. Diane P. Barton
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  2. František Moravec
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  3. Xiaocheng Zhu
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  4. Shokoofeh Shamsi
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Contributions

Conceptualization: Shokoofeh Shamsi and František Moravec. Methodology: František Moravec, Diane Barton, Shokoofeh Shamsi and Xiaocheng Zhu. Formal analysis and investigation: Xiaocheng Zhu and Diane Barton. Writing — original draft preparation: Diane Barton; Writing — review and editing: Xiaocheng Zhu, František Moravec and Shokoofeh Shamsi. Funding acquisition: Shokoofeh Shamsi.

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Correspondence to Diane P. Barton or Shokoofeh Shamsi.

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All samples used in this study were collected from specimens covered by previous animal ethics approvals which are detailed in the relevant publications.

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Shokoofeh Shamsi is a Section Editor of this Journal.

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Section Editor: Matthew Thomas Wayland

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Barton, D.P., Moravec, F., Zhu, X. et al. Phylogenetic relationships of philometrid nematodes (Philometridae Baylis & Daubney, 1926) inferred from 18S rRNA, with molecular characterisation of recently described species. Parasitol Res 121, 127–141 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07373-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07373-8

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