Renylaima capensis n. gen., n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) from the urinary system of the shrew Myosorex varius Smuts, 1832 (Insectivora: Soricidae)

Sirgel, W. F.; Mas‐Coma, Santiago

doi:10.1007/s00436-010-1823-0

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…The genital pore is clearly visible in a non-protruding atrium, located ventrally (Figures 4B5H), in a location similar to the one in the adult stage [39]. This larval form indicates that the normal brachylaimid life cycle with two intermediate pulmonate hosts also applies here.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…There are, however, several species-specific features, such as the very fine spinulation regularly distributed all over the body almost up to the posterior end of the body, the postequatorial location of the acetabulum, a sucker ratio of less than 1 compared to 1 in the adult stage [39], a prepharynx sometimes present (Figure 4A), and a very small tail not always present (Figures 4A5B), even in intrasporocystic mature cercariae (Figure 3C). But the most exceptional characteristic of the mature cercariae of R. capensis concerns the genital structures, located in the postacetabular region between the caecal ends and at a short distance from the acetabulum of 22.9-34.4 μm (mean 26.7 μm).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The body of the metacercaria is covered with spines in the same pattern as that in the adult specimens occurring in the shrews [39]. Tegumental spines are visible up to the posterior extremity of the body and their length is 7.1-8.5 μm at the level of pharynx and preacetabular region.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In these curious adults, the single postovarian testis is relatively much larger and elongated than either the anterior or posterior testes of the bitesticular specimens [39]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Peculiar characteristics such as the absence of a cirrus pouch and cirrus, the presence of a genital atrium that can be evaginated to produce a prominent ventral extention of the body, and a surprising 11.1% of monotesticular forms due to the lack of an anterior testis, as well as the fact that the urinary system of a mammal host is an extraordinary microhabitat for a trematode, indicated that this digenean represents a new genus and species for which the name Renylaima capensis was proposed [39]. The present article aims to describe the elucidation of its life cycle and transmission by means of the parasitological study of its larval stages, its epizootiological data in local snail and shrew hosts, and its verification with mtDNA marker sequencing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life cycle of Renylaima capensis, a brachylaimid trematode of shrews and slugs in South Africa: two-host and three-host transmission modalities suggested by epizootiology and DNA sequencing

et al. 2012

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BackgroundThe life cycle of the brachylaimid trematode species Renylaima capensis, infecting the urinary system of the shrew Myosorex varius (Mammalia: Soricidae: Crocidosoricinae) in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, South Africa, has been elucidated by a study of its larval stages, epizootiological data in local snails and mammals during a 34-year period, and its verification with mtDNA sequencing.MethodsParasites obtained from dissected animals were mounted in microscope slides for the parasitological study and measured according to standardized methods. The mitochondrial DNA cox1 gene was sequenced by the dideoxy chain-termination method.ResultsThe slugs Ariostralis nebulosa and Ariopelta capensis (Gastropoda: Arionidae) act as specific first and second intermediate hosts, respectively. Branched sporocysts massively develop in A. nebulosa. Intrasporocystic mature cercariae show differentiated gonads, male terminal duct, ventral genital pore, and usually no tail, opposite to Brachylaimidae in which mature cercariae show a germinal primordium and small tail. Unencysted metacercariae, usually brevicaudate, infect the kidney of A. capensis and differ from mature cercariae by only a slightly greater size. The final microhabitats are the kidneys and ureters of the shrews, kidney pelvis and calyces in light infections and also kidney medulla and cortex in heavy infections. Sporocysts, cercariae, metacercariae and adults proved to belong to R. capensis by analysis of a 437-bp-long cox1 fragment, which was identical except for three mutations in metacercariae, of which only one silent. Epizootiological studies showed usual sporocyst infection in A. nebulosa and very rare metacercarial infection in A. capensis, which does not agree with high prevalences and intensities in the shrews.ConclusionsThe presence of monotesticular adult forms and larval prevalences and intensities observed suggest that R. capensis may use two transmission strategies, a two-host life cycle by predation of A. nebulosa harbouring intrasporocystic cercariae may be the normal pattern, whereas a second mollusc host is just starting to be introduced. In shrews, a tissue-traversing, intraorganic migration followed by an interorganic migration to reach and penetrate the outer surface of either of both kidneys should occur. For first slug infection, the fluke takes advantage of the phenomenon that M. varius always urinate during defaecation. Consequently, in Brachylaimidae, the second intermediate mollusc host should evolutionarily be seen as a last addition to the cycle and their present adult stage microhabitat restricted to digestive tract and related organs as a loss of the tissue-traversing capacity of the metacercaria.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 60%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In these curious adults, the single postovarian testis is relatively much larger and elongated than either the anterior or posterior testes of the bitesticular specimens [39]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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