Strigeid trematodes of the genus Apatemon Szidat, 1928 are intestinal parasites of fish-eating birds, utilizing various fish species as second intermediate hosts. In this study, we report morphometrical and molecular characterization of Apatemon sp. metacercariae parasitizing killifish Nothobranchius furzeri (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) in south-east Mozambique. Metacercariae obtained from the cerebral cavity of killifish and two adult individuals isolated from experimentally infected ducklings were used for detailed morphological and molecular description, both resulting in generic affiliation to Apatemon. This is the first molecularly confirmed record of this trematode genus in Africa. Considering the morphological variability and wide host range of individual Apatemon species, the combination of both morphological and molecular analyses is indispensable for valid identification of this parasite. The results of our molecular analysis together with phylogenetic reconstruction indicated the presence of a new African lineage, reflecting potentially high diversity within the genus Apatemon comparable with other digenean genera.

• Klíčová slova
• Africa, Apatemon, Morphology, Nothobranchius furzeri, Strigeidae, Taxonomy,
• MeSH
• Cyprinodontiformes * MeSH
• geny helmintů MeSH
• infekce červy třídy Trematoda parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• metacerkárie anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• multigenová rodina MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• proteiny červů analýza   MeSH
• respirační komplex IV analýza   MeSH
• RNA helmintů analýza   MeSH
• Trematoda anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Mosambik MeSH
• Názvy látek
• proteiny červů MeSH
• respirační komplex IV MeSH
• RNA helmintů MeSH

The present study describes the anatomy and surface topography of the metacercaria of Microphallusprimas (Jägerskiöld, 1909) infecting the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) in Aveiro estuary, northern Portugal. The metacercaria species identification resulted from the combined use of morphological and molecular data, particularly the 28S rDNA gene. The metacercariae encysted preferentially in the host's hepatopancreas and also in the gonads. Isolated cysts were present in two distinct forms, spherical and oval, and were shown to be the identical species by the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequence. Chemically excysted metacercariae were studied by light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their specific characteristics observed include the particular aspect of the vesiculo-prostatic pouch surrounded by a very thin membrane, the presence of a prominent muscular papilla, and an obvious metraterm. The dorsal and ventral tegumental surfaces of the metacercaria were densely packed with similar squamous spines, which decreased in number and size towards the hindbody. The edges of the posterior and ventral face of the body were coated with numerous microvilli, whose function remains unknown. In order to identify the species of metacercariae, we compared a 28S partial rDNA sequence of the two forms of cysts with the same 28S partial region of M. primas available in GenBank. With this comparison, we determined that the sequences had a 100% similarity and therefore belonged to the same species, i.e., M. primas.

• MeSH
• DNA helmintů chemie   MeSH
• krabi parazitologie   MeSH
• larva genetika   růst a vývoj   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• metacerkárie genetika   růst a vývoj   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• Trematoda klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Portugalsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA helmintů MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH