Morphological and molecular genetic analysis of Synhimantus (Synhimantus) laticeps (Rudolphi, 1819) (Nematoda, Acuariidae) from the barn owl (Tyto alba) and the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Austria

Abstract

SummaryIn the framework of the biodiversity initiative and barcoding project "Austrian Barcode of Life" (ABOL) post mortem examinations of the gastro-intestinal tracts of different species of wild birds were carried out and several adult helminths were retrieved. In the gizzard of two barn owls (Tyto alba) and one common kestrel (Falco tinnuculus) acuariid nematodes belonging to the species Synhimantus (Synhimantus) laticeps (Rudolphi, 1819) were discovered. This report illustrates the identifi cation of this parasitic nematode by morphometric comparison and scanning electron microscopic photographs. Furthermore, genetic identifi cation of individual parasites based on a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene was carried out. This report constitutes the fi rst COI-based DNA barcoding of S. (S.) laticeps and its fi rst record in the barn owl (Tyto alba) in Austria.

Morphologic and Genetic Analysis of Synhimantus (Synhimantus) laticeps from a Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus)

“…Acosta et al [6] measured the length of 15 males of S. laticeps and obtained a medium value of 8.89 ± 1.17 (6.83-10.60) mm. In the present study, two females were measured, with a value of 19.8 mm, which agrees with other studies [3,12] that obtained larger dimensions in females, regarding length and width, when compared to the only male included in the studies. Considering the scarcity of the existing data, the measurements carried out in this study corroborate previous data and add new information for a more rigorous and reliable morphological characterization of S. laticeps.…”

“…One of the most important structures for the identification of S. laticeps is the presence of cutaneous cordons anastomosed on the lateral surface [ 3 , 8 ]. All the measurements obtained in the present report are in line with others, regarding the length and width of specimens, cordons, deirids, and larvated eggs, as well as the measurements of the esophagus (muscular and glandular) [ 2 , 3 , 12 , 21 ].…”

“…To our knowledge, this is the first report, including genetic confirmation ( Figure 8 ) of S. laticeps in a long-eared owl ( A. otus ) in Portugal. There is little information about this parasite in terms of genotyping [ 12 , 22 , 23 ]. A study was carried out in free-ranging birds from Germany [ 22 ], and the obtained sequence was submitted to GenBank (accession number EU004818), which is 100% identical to the 18S rRNA sequences of S. laticeps obtained in the present study, available at GenBank under accession numbers OP597687 and OP597688.…”

“…They were assessed for their structures using a Leica ® (Wetzlar, Germany) DM2000 Led microscope coupled to a digital camera Leica ® ICC50 W, with the support of LAS V4.13 software, and photos of important structures were taken. The helminths were identified at the genus level using determination keys [ 10 , 11 ] and other studies for further details [ 2 , 8 , 12 ]. The acuariid nematodes of terrestrial birds, subfamily Acuariinae, are characterized by cephalic ornamentation, consisting of cordons extending longitudinally and expanding on the cervical region.…”

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Desportesius invaginatus (Nematoda: Acuariidae) from Egretta garzetta and Bubulcus ibis in Korea

“…Morphologically, Synhimantus laticeps is characterized by two cutaneous cordons which are recurrent and anastomosing in pairs and the conspicuous tricuspid cervical papillae (deirids), both located in the cervical region on each lateral surface (9). The location of the vulva in S. laticeps is near mid-body (10). Desportesius differs from Synhimantus in that the vulva is located at the posterior end of the body.…”