A new species of Hedruris (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from freshwater turtles, its life cycle and biogeographic distribution of the genus. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palumbo, E.; Servián, A.; Sánchez, R.; Diaz, J.I.
• Is Part Of: Journal of helminthology. Volume 94(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Hedruris, -- Hydromedusa tectifera, -- Phrynops hilarii, -- Nematoda, -- Neotropics, -- parasites, -- turtles; Helminthology -- Periodicals; 592.3
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X19000877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-149X

Abstract

Abstract: We describe Hedruris dratini n. sp. (Nematoda, Hedruridae) from Hydromedusa tectifera and Phrynops hilarii in Argentina based on morphological and molecular characters. Also, we provide information about its life cycle. The new species differs from other species of the genus by possessing the excretory pore, nerve ring and deirids at equal distance from the anterior end. Additionally, H. dratini n. sp. has mammilated eggs and males possess nine pairs of caudal papillae. The subadults and adults of H. dratini n. sp and H. orestiae were characterized by sequencing the small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S). We present for the first time a life cycle of a species of Hedruris that includes an amphipod as intermediate host and a reptile as definitive host. Furthermore, we analysed the host and geographic distribution of all Hedruris species. Although the genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and parasitizes a great host diversity, the majority of species have a Gondwanian distribution, with amphibians being the preferred hosts.