Morphological and molecular characterization of brown-banded broodsacs and metacercariae of Leucochloridium (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) parasitizing the semi-slug Omalonyx unguis (Succineidae) in Argentina.
J Invertebr Pathol
; 204: 108112, 2024 Jun.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38631556
ABSTRACT
Trematodes of the genus Leucochloridium exhibit an unusual transmission strategy among mollusks (intermediate host). The fully developed sporocyst, housing encysted metacercariae, displays vivid coloration and rhythmic activity in the snail's tentacle, mimicking insect larvae. These strategies attract insectivorous birds, their final hosts, thereby increasing the chances of completing their life cycle. In South America, the reports of adults and larval stages of Leucochloridium are scarce. Brown-banded broodsac of Leucochloridium sp. were obtained from Omalonyx unguis collected in a shallow lake from Corrientes Province, Argentina. Here, we morphologically characterized the larval stages (broodsac and metacercaria), identified the parasite through DNA sequences from nuclear 28S-rRNA (28S) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes, and explored its evolutionary affinities with the Leucochloridium species available in GenBank. The present broodsac displays brown bands, with a yellowish background in the first two-thirds and yellowish-white in the last third. Based on morphological comparisons, the broodsac and metacercaria described in this study could not be conclusively categorized under any known South American species of Leucochloridium. In relation to the phylogenetic reconstructions, Leucochloridium sp. consistently clustered with L. perturbatum, and species delimitation analyses resulted in recognized Leucochloridium sp. from Argentina as a distinct species. The DNA sequences obtained in this study constitute the first genetic data generated for sporocyst broodsacs in South America. Future studies, incorporating morphology, genetic, and biological data, will be essential for both species identification and the elucidation of leucochloridiid diversity in the region.
Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Trematoda
Limites:
Animals
Pays/Région comme sujet:
America do sul
/
Argentina
Langue:
En
Journal:
J Invertebr Pathol
Année:
2024
Type de document:
Article