Pinworms of the red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) in Colombia: gathering the pieces of the pinworm-primate puzzle

Publication date: Available online 4 December 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Brenda Solórzano-García, Andrés Link Ospina, Silvia Rondón, Gerardo Pérez-Ponce de LeónAbstractPinworms of primates are believed to be highly host specific parasites, forming co-evolutionary associations with their hosts. In order to assess the strength and reach of such evolutionary links, we need to have a broad understanding of the pinworm diversity associated with primates. Here, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach to assess pinworm diversity in red howler monkeys in Colombia. Molecular and morphological evidence validate the presence of at least four different species of Trypanoxyuris occurring in red howler monkeys: T. minutus, a widely distributed species, and three new species, T. seunimiii n. sp., T. kemuimae n. sp. and T. kotudoi n. sp. The mitochondrial COI gene and the 28S ribosomal gene were used for phylogenetic assessments through Bayesian inference. The three new species were morphologically distinct and formed reciprocally monophyletic lineages. Further molecular lineage subdivision in T. minutus and T. kotudoi n. sp. without morphological correspondence, suggests the potential scenario for the existence of cryptic species. Phylogenetic relationships imply that the different species of Trypanoxyuris occurring in each howler monkey species were acquired through independent colonization events. On-going efforts to un...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research