Angiostoma meets Phasmarhabditis: a case of Angiostoma kimmeriense Korol & Spiridonov, 1991

摘要

Angiostoma kimmeriense (= A. kimmeriensis) Korol & Spiridonov, 1991 was re-isolated from the snail Oxyhilus sp. in the West Caucasus (Adygea Republic) and characterised morphologically and molecularly. The morphology of the genus Angiostoma Dujardin, 1845 was discussed and vertebrate associated species suggested to be considered as species insertae sedis based on the head end structure (3 vs 6 lips). Phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of three RNA domains (D2-D3 segment of LSU rDNA and ITS rDNA) did not resolve the relationships of A. kimmeriense, as the most similar sequences of these loci were found between members of another gastropod associated genus, Phasmarhabditis Andrassy, 1976. However, such biological traits of A. kimmeriense as its large size, limited number of parasites within the host and the site of infection, point to a parasitic rather than pathogenic/necromenic way of life typical for Phasmarhabditis.