Molecular data confirm the taxonomic position of Hymenolepis erinacei (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) and host switching, with notes on cestodes of Palaearctic hedgehogs (Erinaceidae)

Abstract

The cestode Hymenolepis erinacei is regarded as a widely distributed parasite in European hedgehogs of the genus Erinaceus, although the taxonomic position of this hymenolepidid has been debated for a considerable period of time. We present the first molecular data for this cestode, including partial DNA sequences of mitochondrial 16S and nuclear 28S ribosomal genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis clusters H. erinacei in one clade together with representatives of the genus Hymenolepis from rodents. Characteristic morphological features, including the oval embryophore without filaments and shape of the embryonic hooks of H. erinacei are described. Features of these cestode eggs are proposed as a basis for non-invasive detection of parasitic infections in small mammal populations. The present study explores phylogenetic relationships within the genus Hymenolepis and the host switching related to H. erinacei. Cases of host switching in other genera of the family Hymenolepididae are reviewed. A short critical review of cestodes parasitizing hedgehogs in the Palaearctic is presented.

Molecular confirmation of Hymenolepis hibernia in field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) from St Kilda has potential to resolve a host-parasite relationship

“…The tapeworm species H. diminuta was previously reported in the A. sylvaticus mouse population from St Kilda ( Morton-Boyd, 1959 ). However, species identification of helminth parasites by morphology can be challenging, not least in the case of Hymenolepis sensu lato ( Makarikov and Tkach, 2013 ; Binkienė et al, 2018 ). Biochemical, growth and behavioural studies suggest that H. hibernia and H. diminuta are genetically distinct, with H. hibernia being adapted to Palaearctic mice from the genus Apodemus , whereas H. diminuta is a rat tapeworm ( Montgomery et al, 1987 ).…”

Redescription and taxonomic position of Rodentolepis (sensu lato) asymmetrica (Janicki, 1904), with the erection of Kontrimavichusia n. g. (Eucestoda: Hymenolepididae) from arvicoline rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

“…To build a phylogenetic tree and reconstruct relationships between the R. asymmetrica and other hymenolepidids, we used maximum likelihood with a general time reversible model as distance substitution. For phylogenetic analyses, we used 5 newly obtained nucleotide sequences of R. asymmetrica and those of hymenolepidids published in previous studies outlined in table 2 (Lockyer et al, 2003;Waeschenbach et al, 2007;Haukisalmi et al, 2010;Greiman & Tkach, 2012;Tkach et al, 2013;Widmer et al, 2013;Makarikov et al, 2015;Nkouawa et al, 2016;Binkienė et al, 2019;Haas et al, 2020). Dilepis undula (Schrank, 1788) was used as an outgroup as proposed by Neov et al (2019) for the phylogeny of Hymenolepididae.…”

Phylogeny of hymenolepidids (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from mammals: sequences of 18S rRNA and COI genes confirm major clades revealed by the 28S rRNA analyses

“…The pioneer study by Haukisalmi et al (2010) proposed the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the relationships among mammalian hymenolepidids, which was based on sequencing partial (D1-D3) 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene; it revealed the presence of four major phyletic lineages in the group, which were named 'Ditestolepis clade', 'Arostrilepis clade', 'Hymenolepis clade' and 'Rodentolepis clade'. Subsequently, Neov et al (2019) analysed the phylogenetic relationships of this group based on partial (D1-D3) 28S rRNA gene of 12 selected taxa as well as sequences obtained by Haukisalmi et al (2010) and other authors (Greiman & Tkach, 2012;Greiman et al, 2013;Tkach et al, 2013Tkach et al, , 2018Binkienė et al, 2015Binkienė et al, , 2019Makarikov et al, 2015Makarikov et al, , 2018, comprising a total of 40 taxa. This study confirmed the same major clades but also added more details on the evolution of the host-parasite associations and the main morphological characteristics of the members of this group.…”

“…(2019) analysed the phylogenetic relationships of this group based on partial (D1–D3) 28S rRNA gene of 12 selected taxa as well as sequences obtained by Haukisalmi et al . (2010) and other authors (Greiman & Tkach, 2012; Greiman et al ., 2013; Tkach et al ., 2013, 2018; Binkienė et al ., 2015, 2019; Makarikov et al ., 2015, 2018), comprising a total of 40 taxa. This study confirmed the same major clades but also added more details on the evolution of the host–parasite associations and the main morphological characteristics of the members of this group.…”

“…a The generic allocation of this species is uncertain Pistone et al (2017). mentioned it as a member of Hymenolepis; this genus currently includes mammalian cestodes only (e.g Binkienė et al, 2019). and the affiliation of 'H.…”