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Genetic evidence for a complex of species within Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) (Nematoda: Stronglyloidea) from macropodid marsupials

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Abstract

An electrophoretic analysis using 17 enzyme loci was carried out on specimens of the gastric nematode of macropodid marsupials, Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926), collected from Macropus eugenii (Desmarest), M. fuliginosus (Desmarest), M. giganteus Shaw, M. robustus Gould, M. rufogriseus (Desmarest), M. rufus (Desmarest), Thylogale billardierii (Desmarest) and Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest) from south-eastern Australia. The extent of fixed genetic differences between nematodes from different host species ranged from 0–53%. The two distinct morphological forms of the parasite found in M. rufogriseus differed at 50% of loci. Specimens present in M. fuliginosus and M. giganteus were indistinguishable genetically, as were nematodes from M. rufus and M. robustus. Of the two morphologically distinct congeners included in the analysis as controls, Rugopharynx epsilon (Johnston & Mawson, 1939) was genetically distinct (46–69% fixed genetic differences) from all specimens of the R. australis complex while R. rufogrisea Magzoub, 1964 was closely related to one of the two species occuring in M. rufogriseus. It was concluded that R. australis is a species complex, with a genetically distinct species present in M. eugenii, M. fuliginosus/M. giganteus, M. robustus/M. rufus, W. bicolor and T. billardierii, and two species in M. rufogriseus.

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Author notes

  1. Neil B. Chilton & Ian Beveridge

    Present address: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

  2. Ross H. Andrews

    Present address: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Adelaide, 5000, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, 5000, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Neil B. Chilton, Ross H. Andrews & Ian Beveridge

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  1. Neil B. Chilton
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  2. Ross H. Andrews
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  3. Ian Beveridge
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Chilton, N.B., Andrews, R.H. & Beveridge, I. Genetic evidence for a complex of species within Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) (Nematoda: Stronglyloidea) from macropodid marsupials. Syst Parasitol 34, 125–133 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00009686

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