Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the filarial nematode Micipsella numidica from the hare Lepus europaeus in Italy

Abstract

The genus Micipsella comprises three species of filariae to date identified in lagomorphs only, whereas the other genera belonging to the subfamily Splendidofilariinae are described as parasites of birds, reptiles and mammals. In the present study seven specimens of Micipsella numidica (Seurat, 1917), collected from the hare Lepus europaeus in Italy, were characterized genetically by molecular amplification of the mitochondrial genes (12S rDNA; cox1) and the 5S rDNA gene spacer region. Phylogenetic trees inferred using available sequences from filariae and those identified in this study evidenced a close relationship between M. numidica and Splendidofilariinae of other mammals and reptiles (Rumenfilaria andersoni and Madathamugadia hiepei). The present findings, apart from adding new data about the hosts in Italy, support the taxonomic position of M. numidica and highlight the substantial biological and molecular differences existing between Splendidofilariinae and other Onchocercidae. The study also contributes to our knowledge of the molecular/genetic diagnosis of filarial parasites of veterinary and medical concern in any vertebrate or invertebrate host.

Culex pipiens as a potential vector for transmission of Dirofilaria immitis and other unclassified Filarioidea in Southwest Spain

“…Because filarioid nematodes are difficult to collect, their diversity is mostly unknown, with only a few relatively recent studies reporting new species such as Pelecitus nematides from the Tehuantepec jackrabbit (Lepus flavigularis) ( Jiménez-Ruiz et al, 2004) and Diplotriaena railliet in birds such as Passer domesticus and P. pyrhonotus from Pakistan ( Chandio et al, 2015). Genetic studies were conducted for Micipsella numidica in the hare Lepus europaeus from Italy ( Gabrielli et al, 2015) and Rumenfilaria andersoni along with other 48 species of onchocercid subfamilies of filarial nematodes ( Lefoulon et al, 2012 andLefoulon et al, 2015). Regardless of our ability to assign the obtained filarioid DNA sequences to a given species or genus, reports such as these do suggest that diverse Filarioidea nematodes may be widely distributed in Europe, in a large range of hosts.…”