Description and molecular analysis of an Italian population of Centrorhynchus globo caudatus (Zeder, 1800) Lühe, 1911 (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from Falco tinnunculus (Falconidae) and Buteo buteo (Accipitridae)

Abstract

Centrorhynchus globocaudatus (Zeder, 1800) Lühe, 1911 (Centrorhynchidae) was reported in birds of prey. Our population from Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus (Falconidae) and Buteo buteo Linnaeus (Accipitridae) in northern Italy was morphologically distinct from others described elsewhere. The worms are elongate and cylindrical. Proboscis long, apically truncated and bare, with wider base and variably faint constriction at point of attachment of receptacle. Large anterior hooks well rooted; posterior spiniform hooks with reduced roots; transitional hooks with scutiform roots in-between. Four tubular cement glands extend into prominent ducts overlapping a large Saefftigen's pouch. Bursa large, with sensory plates. Vagina with laterally slit orifice in sub-ventral pit of globular terminal extension. Thick-shelled eggs ovoid without polar prolongation of fertilization membrane. In our specimens, proboscis hooks, receptacle, male reproductive system, and lemnisci especially in males varied in size from those from Ukraine, India, Egypt, Kyrgystan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Asian Soviet Republics. Our description of the Italian specimens includes new morphological information supported by scanning electron microscopy and microscope images, molecular analysis and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) of hooks. Additional new details of proboscis hook roots, micropores and micropore distribution are described. Metal composition of hooks (EDXA) demonstrated high levels of calcium and phosphorous, and high levels of sulphur in core and cortical layers of eggs. The molecular profile based on sequences of 18S and cytochrome c oxidase 1 genes is also provided, as well as phylogenetic reconstructions including all available sequences of the family Centrorhynchidae, although further sequences are needed in order to clarify their phylogenetic relationships.

A comparative assessment of the morphology ofProfilicollis altmani(Acanthocephala, Polymorphidae) from crustaceans and shore birds in Peru, with special notes on hook elemental analysis (EDXA), SEM imaging, histopathology, and molecular profile

“…5), rooted with prominent anterior manubria (Figs. [17][18][19][20]. Hook tips with high level of sulfur and low levels of phosphorous and calcium and midhook showing opposite trend.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and on 20 cystacanths (13 males and 7 females) measured and studied with microscopic images (Figs. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] from whole mounts obtained from E. analoga in Peru is provided below.…”

“…Fifth hook abruptly shorter but thickest, 6th hook, smallest; hooks gradually increasing in size posteriorly to maximum basally (Figs. [17][18][19][20]. Complete measurements of hooks in 1 longitudinal row in Table 2.…”

New morphological and molecular perspectives aboutMacracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus(Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from wild boar,Sus scrofaLinn., in Ukraine

“…Results of X-ray scans of eggs are available in one other terrestrial species of acanthocephalans, Centrorhynchus globocaudatus (Zeder, 1800) Lühe, 1911 (Centrorhynchidae) reported in birds of prey worldwide (Amin et al, 2020b). Our specimens were obtained from Falco tinnunculus Linn.…”

“…Note especially fig. 18 of the gallium cut section of an egg of C. Globocaudatus (in Amin et al, 2020b) for eggshell layers.…”