Phylogenetic Relationships of Avian Cestodes from Brine Shrimp and Congruence with Larval Morphology.

ABSTRACT: Determining molecular markers for parasites provides a useful tool for their identification, particularly for larval stages with few distinguishable diagnostic characters. Avian cestodes play a key role in the food webs and biodiversity of hypersaline wetlands, yet they remain understudied. Using naturally infected Artemia, we identified cestode larvae (cysticercoids), assessed their genetic diversity, and explored phylogenetic relationships in relation to larval morphology and waterbird final hosts. We obtained partial 18S rDNA sequences for 60 cysticercoids of the family Hymenolepidae infecting Artemia spp. from seven localities and three countries (Spain, the USA, and Chile). We present the first DNA sequences for six taxa: Confluaria podicipina, Fimbriarioides</

SUBMITTER: Redon S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10854740 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature