Molecular evidence linking the larval and adult stages of Mexiconema cichlasomae (Dracunculoidea: Daniconematidae) from Mexico, with notes on its phylogenetic position among Dracunculoidea

2018/07/10 by A.L. May-Tec, Ana Luisa May-Tec, Andrés Martínez-Aquino +5
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Fish biology, ecology, and behavior #Marine Biology and Ecology Research #Parasite Biology and Host Interactions

paper · doi:10.1017/s0022149x18000524

openalex publication_date 2018/07/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

We describe the larval developmental stages and life cycle of the dracunculid nematode Mexiconema cichlasomae in both the intermediate, Argulus yucatanus (Crustacea: Branchiura), and definitive hosts, Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Perciformes: Cichlidae), from the Celestun tropical coastal lagoon, Yucatan, Mexico. The morphological analyses showed significant differences between the total length of L1 found in M. cichlasomae gravid female and L2-L3 in A. yucatanus. This result indicates that the M. cichlasomae larval development occurs in the intermediate host. We obtained sequences from the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal marker from larval stages of M. cichlasomae in A. yucatanus and adult nematodes in C. urophthalmus. Our morphological and molecular results support conspecificity between M. cichlasomae larvae in A. yucatanus and the adult stages in C. urophthalmus. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic position of M. cichlasomae among the Daniconematidae, and provide evidence of the monophyly of the daniconematids associated with branchiurid intermediate hosts. Based on the phylogenetic results, we support the transfer of the Mexiconema genus to the family Skrjabillanidae and do not support the lowering of family Daniconematidae to subfamily.

Citations

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• Systematics of Mexiconema cichlasomae (Nematoda: Daniconematidae) Based on Sequences of SSU rDNA
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• Redescription and genetic characterization of Cystidicoloides vaucheri, including first description of male and current status on the phylogeny of Cystidicolidae (Nematoda: Habronematoidea)

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