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. 2022 Jun;121(6):1799-1804.
doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07507-6. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

28S rRNA sequences for Linguatula spp

Shokoofeh Shamsi  1 , Xiaocheng Zhu  1   2 , Ali Halajian  3   4 , Diane P Barton  5
Affiliations

28S rRNA sequences for Linguatula spp

Shokoofeh Shamsi et al. Parasitol Res. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Identification of specimens belonging to the genus Linguatula (Pentastomida) is relatively easy due to their unique morphology. However, differentiation between species of Linguatula can be challenging for several reasons, including considerable differences between different developmental stages of the parasite within and between species. Currently, 18S rRNA and Cox1 sequences are the only available comparable sequences in GenBank, but recent research has discussed the utility of 28S rRNA for pentastomid phylogenetics. This study presents 28S rRNA gene sequences for two members of the genus Linguatula. Sequences of 28S rRNA were successfully obtained from well-identified samples of L. serrata (collected in Australia) and L. nuttalli (collected in South Africa), with voucher specimens. Phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rRNA region showed 6% difference between L. serrata and L. nuttalli, with low levels of intraspecific variation. In comparison, 18S rRNA and Cox1 sequences from the same specimens showed 0.23% and 13% interspecific differences, respectively. The results of this study show that 28S rRNA has greater genetic diversity to allow for improved differentiation between species of Linguatula than 18S rRNA but is on par with Cox1. Records that do not provide adequate morphological or molecular data to justify independent specific diagnoses must be regarded cautiously, and the need for continued research on species of Linguatula, using a combined morphological and molecular analysis, across a number of different hosts, development stages, geographical regions and molecular markers is highlighted.

Keywords: Linguatula nuttalli; Linguatula serrata; Molecular sequences; Pentastomida; Phylogeny.

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Conflict of interest statement

Shokoofeh Shamsi is on the Editorial Board of this Journal.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Neighbour joining tree showing the grouping of Linguatula serrata and Linguatula nuttalli for A 28S sequences, B 18S sequences and C Cox1 sequences used in this study. All 28S sequences, except the outgroup species, were obtained from this research. Indels were ignored from analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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