Phylogenetic relationships and systematics of tapeworms of the family Davaineidae (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea), with emphasis on species in rodents.

The present study aims at clarifying the poorly known phylogenetic relationships and systematics of cestodes of the family Davaineidae Braun, 1900 (Cyclophyllidea), primarily the genus Raillietina Fuhrmann, 1920 and of the subfamily Inermicapsiferinae (Anoplocephalidae) from mammals (mostly rodents, 31 new isolates) and birds (eight new isolates). Phylogenetic analyses are based on sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (28S) and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene (nad1). The main phylogenetic pattern emerging from the present analysis is the presence of three independent lineages within the main clade of the subfamily Davaineinae, one of which is almost entirely confined to species from rodents and the other two show a mixture of species from birds and mammals.

Systematic position of the enigmatic (Rêgo, 1967) (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea).

The systematic position of (Rêgo, 1967) (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea) from the hystricomorph rodent (Wagler) (Caviidae) in Brazil is reevaluated based on published information. is generally thought to belong to the family Catenotaeniidae, being thus the only catenotaeniid cestode parasitizing hystricomorph rodents and also the only catenotaeniid in South America. However, the present study shows that differs fundamentally from Janicki, 1904 sensu lato and other catenotaeniids with respect to several morphologic features, but shares these features with Beddard, 1914 sensu Beveridge (1994), a genus in the family Anoplocephalidae sensu stricto (i.

Identification of the tapeworm (Anoplocephalidae) in Faroese mountain hares ( ).

The mountain hares ( L., 1758) in the Faroe Islands, an archipelago located in the North Atlantic, are known to be commonly infected by tapeworms, the identity of which was unknown. The mountain hare, which now populates 15 of the 18 islands, was introduced from Norway in 1855.

Andryoides gen. n. and morphological key features in cestodes of the family Anoplocephalidae sensu stricto (Cyclophyllidea) in mammals.

As presently defined, the tapeworm genus Andrya Railliet, 1895 (Cyclophyllidea: Anoplocephalidae sensu stricto) includes the type species A. rhopalocephala (Riehm, 1881) in hares of the genus Lepus Linnaeus (Leporidae) in western Eurasia and four species in cricetid (Neotominae, Sigmodontinae) and octodontid rodents in North and South America. The host range of Andrya is puzzling, because it is the only genus of anoplocephalid (s.

Nematodes and cestodes of rodents in South Africa: baseline data on diversity and geographic distribution.

Currently, descriptive information on the host range and geographic distribution of helminth parasites associated with naturally occurring rodents in South and southern Africa is scant. Therefore, we embarked on a countrywide study to: (1) identify gastrointestinal helminths and their host range, and (2) provide baseline data on the geographic distribution of helminths across the country. Altogether, 55 helminth taxa were recovered from at least 13 rodent species (n = 1030) at 26 localities across South Africa.

Beta diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in two closely related South African rodents: species and site contributions.

A fundamental aim of parasite ecology is to understand the mechanisms behind spatial variation in diversity and structure of parasite assemblages. To understand the contribution of individual parasite species and their assemblages to spatial variation in parasite communities, we examined species contributions to beta diversity (SCBD) and local contributions to beta diversity (LCBD) of parasitic gastrointestinal helminths (nematodes and cestodes) in two closely related rodents, Rhabdomys dilectus and Rhabdomys pumilio, from 20 localities across South Africa. Although the two Rhabdomys spp.

Are gastrointestinal parasites associated with the cyclic population dynamics of their arctic lemming hosts?

Many rodents, including most populations of arctic lemmings (genus and ), have cyclic population dynamics. Among the numerous hypotheses which have been proposed and tested to explain this typical characteristic of some terrestrial vertebrate communities, trophic interactions have often been presented as the most likely drivers of these periodic fluctuations. The possible role of parasites has, however, only seldom been assessed.

First Report of Gastrointestinal Parasites from Ansell's Mole-Rat ( Fukomys anselli) in Zambia.

The endoparasite fauna of Ansell's mole-rat, Fukomys anselli (Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán and Kawalika) (Rodentia, Bathyergidae), was studied for the first time near Lusaka, Zambia. We recovered 7 endoparasite taxa including 5 nematodes ( Hexametra sp.; Protospirura numidica Seurat, 1914; Protospirura muricola Gedoelst, 1916; Protospirura sp.

Molecular taxonomy and subgeneric classification of tapeworms of the genus Moniezia Blanchard, 1891 (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) in northern cervids (Alces and Rangifer).

Phylogenetic relationships of tapeworms of the genus Moniezia Blanchard, 1891 (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) parasitizing the Eurasian elk Alces alces, the moose A. americanus and the reindeer/caribou Rangifer tarandus (Cervidae) were studied using DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genes (cox1 and nad1). Several isolates from domestic ruminants, representing Moniezia expansa (Rudolphi, 1810) sensu lato and M.

Community structure of helminth parasites in two closely related South African rodents differing in sociality and spatial behaviour.

To understand the effect of social and spatial behaviour of a host on parasite community organization, we studied species co-occurrence and nestedness of assemblages of gastrointestinal helminths in two closely related rodents, solitary and mobile Rhabdomys dilectus and social and territorially conservative Rhabdomys pumilio, and asked whether helminth communities of the two hosts are characterized by a non-random pattern and whether the occurrence or degree of this non-randomness (a) differs between hosts and (b) is associated with abundance, prevalence and diversity of helminths. We found that although the general pattern of helminth co-occurrence was similar in the two hosts, helminth infracommunities of R. dilectus and R.

Intra- and interspecific similarity in species composition of helminth communities in two closely-related rodents from South Africa.

To reveal factors responsible for spatial variation in parasite community composition we studied patterns of similarity in helminth species composition in two closely-related rodents (Rhabdomys pumilio and Rhabdomys dilectus) that differ in their social and spatial behaviour and live under different environmental conditions across 20 localities in South Africa. We asked whether the two hosts harbour similar assemblages, whether these are more dissimilar between than within hosts and if host social structure, behaviour or environment affects similarity patterns in helminth infracommunities within and among localities. We also investigated whether similarity in species composition of helminth component communities decreases with an increase of geographic distance between host populations.

Helminth parasitism in two closely related South African rodents: abundance, prevalence, species richness and impinging factors.

We investigated patterns of helminth infection in two closely related rodents (social Rhabdomys pumilio occurring mainly in xeric habitats and solitary R. dilectus occurring mainly in mesic habitats) at 20 localities in different biomes of South Africa and asked if between-species differences were mainly caused by difference in sociality or difference in environmental conditions of their respective habitats. Helminths recovered from the gastrointestinal tract totalled 11 nematode and 5 cestode species from R.

Parasites and invasions: changes in gastrointestinal helminth assemblages in invasive and native rodents in Senegal.

Understanding why some exotic species become widespread and abundant in their colonised range is a fundamental issue that still needs to be addressed. Among many hypotheses, newly established host populations may benefit from a parasite loss ("enemy release" hypothesis) through impoverishment of their original parasite communities or reduced infection levels. Moreover, the fitness of competing native hosts may be negatively affected by the acquisition of exotic taxa from invaders ("parasite spillover") and/or by an increased transmission risk of native parasites due to their amplification by invaders ("parasite spillback").

Description and life-cycle of Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea).

A new species of tapeworm, Taenia lynciscapreoli sp. n. (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea), is described from the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), the main definitive host, and the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus and Capreolus pygargus), the main intermediate hosts, from Finland and Russia (Siberia and the Russian Far East).

Reappraisal of Hydatigera taeniaeformis (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda: Taeniidae) sensu lato with description of Hydatigera kamiyai n. sp.

The common cat tapeworm Hydatigera taeniaeformis is a complex of three morphologically cryptic entities, which can be differentiated genetically. To clarify the biogeography and the host spectrum of the cryptic lineages, 150 specimens of H. taeniaeformis in various definitive and intermediate hosts from Eurasia, Africa and Australia were identified with DNA barcoding using partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene sequences and compared with previously published data.

Checklist of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda) of vertebrates in Finland.

A checklist of tapeworms (Cestoda) of vertebrates (fishes, birds and mammals) in Finland is presented, based on published observations, specimens deposited in the collections of the Finnish Museum of Natural History (Helsinki) and the Zoological Museum of the University of Turku, and additional specimens identified by the present author. The checklist includes 170 tapeworm species from 151 host species, comprising 447 parasite species/host species combinations. Thirty of the tapeworm species and 96 of the parasite/host species combinations have not been previously reported from Finland.

Cryptic diversity in hymenolepidid tapeworms infecting humans.

An adult hymenolepidid tapeworm was recovered from a 52-year-old Tibetan woman during a routine epidemiological survey for human taeniasis/cysticercosis in Sichuan, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 showed that the human isolate is distinct from Hymenolepis diminuta and Hymenolepis nana, the common parasites causing human hymenolepiasis. Proglottids of the human isolate were unfortunately unsuitable for morphological identification.

Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic revision of Paranoplocephala Lühe, 1910 sensu lato (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae).

An extensive phylogenetic analysis and genus-level taxonomic revision of Paranoplocephala Lühe, 1910-like cestodes (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae) are presented. The phylogenetic analysis is based on DNA sequences of two partial mitochondrial genes, i.e.

Phylogenetic characterisation of Taenia tapeworms in spotted hyenas and reconsideration of the "Out of Africa" hypothesis of Taenia in humans.

The African origin of hominins suggests that Taenia spp. in African carnivores are evolutionarily related to the human-infecting tapeworms Taenia solium, Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica. Nevertheless, the hypothesis has not been verified through molecular phylogenetics of Taenia.

Afrojoyeuxia gen. n. and Hunkeleriella gen. n., two new genera of cestodes (Cyclophyllidea: Anoplocephalidae) from African rodents.

Based on the study of type material, two new genera of cestodes (Cyclophyllidea: Anoplocephalidae) are proposed for Paranoplocephala Lüihe, 1910 sensu lato species from African rodents. Afrojoyeuxia gen. n.

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Taenia (Cestoda: Taeniidae): proposals for the resurrection of Hydatigera Lamarck, 1816 and the creation of a new genus Versteria.

The cestode family Taeniidae generally consists of two valid genera, Taenia and Echinococcus. The genus Echinococcus is monophyletic due to a remarkable similarity in morphology, features of development and genetic makeup. By contrast, Taenia is a highly diverse group formerly made up of different genera.

Molecular identification of Taenia spp. in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from Finland.

Cestodes of the genus Taenia are parasites of mammals, with mainly carnivores as definitive and herbivores as intermediate hosts. Various medium-sized cats, Lynx spp., are involved in the life cycles of several species of Taenia.

Phylogenetic relationships of the anoplocephaline cestodes of Australasian marsupials and resurrection of the genus Wallabicestus Schmidt, 1975.

A phylogenetic analysis was carried out on rDNA of 45 species of anoplocephaline cestodes from marsupial hosts. The exclusively Australasian genera Progamotaenia Nybelin, 1917, Triplotaenia Boas, 1902, Paramoniezia Maplestone & Southwell, 1923 and Phascolotaenia Beveridge, 1976 formed a monophyletic clade, and the previously suggested relationship between the Australasian species of the cosmopolitan genus Bertiella Stiles & Hassall, 1902 and species of Progamotaenia was supported. A low degree of phyletic co-evolution was detected within endemic Australasian clades.

Taenia arctos n. sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Taeniidae) from its definitive (brown bear Ursus arctos Linnaeus) and intermediate (moose/elk Alces spp.) hosts.

Taenia arctos n. sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Taeniidae) is described from the brown bear Ursus arctos Linnaeus (definitive host) and moose/elk Alces spp.

Distribution and genetic variation of hymenolepidid cestodes in murid rodents on the Canary Islands (Spain).

Background: In the Canary Islands there are no previous data about tapeworms (Cestoda) of rodents. In order to identify the hymenolepidid species present in these hosts, a survey of 1,017 murine (349 Rattus rattus, 13 Rattus norvegicus and 655 Mus musculus domesticus) was carried out in the whole Archipelago. Molecular studies based on nuclear ITS1 and mitochondrial COI loci were performed to confirm the identifications and to analyse the levels of genetic variation and differentiation.