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Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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New Records of Horsehair Worms (Nematomorpha) from India and a Summary of All Known Indian Species
Taxonomy, 2020Co-Authors: Arun K. Yadav, Dimos Khynriam, Limatemjen, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesaAbstract:Twenty-one species of the phylum Nematomorpha from India have been described. In this paper, Acutogordius sulawensis is reported for the first time in this country, with new locality records of some Chordodes, Gordius and Acutogordius species from the north-east region of India. The total number of nematomorph species now known from India is thus raised to twenty-two species. This paper supplements information about nematomorph species added to the Indian fauna after 2004.
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Intra- and interspecific genetic diversity of New Zealand hairworms (Nematomorpha).
Parasitology, 2017Co-Authors: Zachary J. C. Tobias, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Arun K. Yadav, Robert PoulinAbstract:Hairworms (Nematomorpha) are a little-known group of parasites, and despite having been represented in the taxonomic literature for over a century, the implementation of molecular genetics in studies of hairworm ecology and evolution lags behind that of other parasitic taxa. In this study, we characterize the genetic diversity of the New Zealand nematomorph fauna and test for genetic structure within the most widespread species found. We provide new mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal sequence data for three previously described species from New Zealand: Gordius paranensis, Parachordodes diblastus and Euchordodes nigromaculatus. We also present genetic data on a previously reported but undescribed Gordius sp., as well as data from specimens of a new Gordionus sp., a genus new for New Zealand. Phylogenetic analyses of CO1 and nuclear rDNA regions correspond with morphological classification based on scanning electron microscopy, and demonstrate paraphyly of the genus Gordionus and the potential for cryptic species within G. paranensis. Population-level analyses of E. nigromaculatus showed no genetic differentiation among sampling locations across the study area, in contrast to previously observed patterns in known and likely definitive hosts. Taken together, this raises the possibility that factors such as definitive host specificity, intermediate host movement, and passive dispersal of eggs and larvae may influence host-parasite population co-structure in hairworms.
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First report of the Gondwana genus Beatogordius from India, with further records of two Chordodes species (Gordiida, Nematomorpha).
ZooKeys, 2017Co-Authors: Arun K. Yadav, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, LimatemjenAbstract:Three horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) are recorded from Nagaland, India. The first species is Chordodes combiareolatus, which was recently described from Nagaland. The second is Chordodes cf. furnessi, earlier reported from Meghalaya, and some new observations are added. The third is a new species, described as Beatogordius nagalandissp. n. This is the first report of the genus Beatogordius in India and this observation fits well into the Gondwana distribution of the genus. The species is quite similar to Beatogordius chinensis, reported from South China.
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Reconstructing the anterior part of the nervous system of Gordius aquaticus (Nematomorpha, cycloneuralia) by a multimethodological approach
Journal of morphology, 2016Co-Authors: Stephan Henne, Frank Friedrich, Jörg U. Hammel, Andy Sombke, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesaAbstract:The Nematomorpha (horsehair worms) and Nematoda (round worms) are sister taxa (together Nematoida) and closely related to Scalidophora (Priapulida, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera). To date, all species were assumed to possess a specific brain type, i.e., the “cycloneuralian” brain that forms a ring-shaped neuropil around the pharynx and is composed of anteriorly and posteriorly located somata. However, descriptions of the nematomorph nervous system are rare and somewhat variable, calling in to question the validity of the cycloneuralian condition. To clarify whether there is a typical cycloneuralian pattern in the nematomorph brain, we investigated the anterior end of Gordius aquaticus with different methods: histology, immunohistochemistry and micro-CT analysis. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made from histological serial sections. The brain is composed of a central neuropil and a ring-shaped structure with associated somata. The unpaired ventral nerve cord emerges from the posteroventral part of the brain. A pharynx/esophagus is absent. In addition to the brain, a peripheral nerve plexus was detected. In summary, we interpret the architecture of the brain as potentially derived from a cycloneuralian structure, but being highly modified. The central position of the neuropil is possibly a consequence of the reduction of the anterior intestinal system as a result of the parasitic lifestyle. The ring-shaped arrangement of the somata may be a remnant of a cycloneuralian arrangement, after the two rings of somata (= cycloneuralian condition) either fused or one ring was reduced to form one massive ring-shaped structure in G. aquaticus. J. Morphol., 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Nematomorpha from the Philippines, with description of two new species.
Zootaxa, 2016Co-Authors: Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Christian SchwarzAbstract:With the exception of one species, no horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) were known to date from the Philippines. We report here several records, almost all from Panay Island. Two species, Gordius jorriti and Acutogordius finni, are described as new species. Two species of Chordodes, C. caledoniensis and C. cf. moutoni, were found. In addition, further specimens from the genera Gordius, Acutogordius and Chordodes could not be determined to species level.
Frederic Thomas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evolution of parasite-induced behavioral alterations.
2010Co-Authors: Frederic Thomas, Thierry Rigaud, Jacques BrodeurAbstract:Parasite-induced alteration of host behavioral phenotypes is a widespread strategy of host exploitation among pathogens. It has been reported in viruses, fungi bacteria, protozoans, nematodes Nematomorpha, trematodes cestodes, acanthocephalans, and parasitoids. Behavioral changes displayed by parasitized hosts can vary greatly in their magnitude, from slight shifts in the percentage of time spent in performing a given activity to the production of complex and spectacular behaviors. For evolutionary biologists, determining why and how this strategy of host exploitation evolves is a fascinating but complex research topic.
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First analysis of the proteome in two nematomorph species, Paragordius tricuspidatus (Chordodidae) and Spinochordodes tellinii (Spinochordodidae)
Infection Genetics and Evolution, 2005Co-Authors: David Biron, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Cécile Joly, Laurent Marché, Nathalie Galéotti, Vincent Calcagno, Lionnel Renault, Frederic ThomasAbstract:The proteome of most parasite species is currently unknown. Hairworms (Nematomorpha), 300 species distributed around the world, are parasitic in arthropods (mainly terrestrial species) when juveniles, but they are free-living in aquatic environments when adult. Most aspects of their systematics and biology are currently unknown. The aim of this paper was (i) to report a novel and reproducible protocol for the analysis of the proteome of hairworms using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and mass spectrometry (matrix laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)) and (ii) to determine the level of proteomic divergence between two sympatric but taxonomically unrelated nematomorph species in the adult stage, Paragordius tricuspidatus Dufour (Nematomorpha, Gordiidae) and Spinochordodes tellinii Camerano (Nematomorpha, Gordiidae). In total, 689 protein spots were observed for P. tricuspidatus, 575 for S. tellinii. Only 36.2% spots were shared between the two species. Quantitative analysis of the proteins which are common to both parasite species reveals substantial differences in the pattern of protein expression. These results suggest a rapid evolutionary divergence between these two nematomorph families. Also, to test the value of our MALDI-TOF protocol, we used Actin-2 (Act-2), a protein highly conserved in the course of evolution. Peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) data obtained for Act-2 of P. tricuspidatus and S. tellinii suggest a very high homology with Act-2 of different worms species belonging to the Bilateria phylum (Annelida and Nematoda) and more specifically to Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida, Lumbricidae) and Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda, Rhabditidae). We discuss our results in relationship with current ideas concerning the use of proteomics in systematics
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Biology of the phylum Nematomorpha.
Advances in parasitology, 2005Co-Authors: Ben Hanelt, Frederic Thomas, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesaAbstract:Compared with most animal phyla, the Nematomorpha, also known as hair worms, is a relatively understudied metazoan phylum. Although nematomorphs make up only 1 of 3 animal phyla specializing solely on a parasitic life style, little attention has been focused on this enigmatic group scientifically. The phylum contains two main groups. The nectonematids are parasites of marine invertebrates such as hermit crabs. The gordiids are parasites of terrestrial arthropods, such as mantids, beetles, and crickets. Members of both of these groups are free-living as adults in marine and freshwaters respectively. In recent years, large strides have been made to understand this group more fully. New information has come from collection efforts, new approaches in organismal biology, modern techniques in microscopy and molecular biology. This review will focus on the advances made in four main areas of research: (1) morphology, (2) taxonomy and systematics, (3) life cycle and ecology and (4) host behavioural alterations. Recent research focus on the structure of both nectonematids and gordiids has added new insights on the morphology of adult worms and juveniles. The nervous system of gordiids is now well described, including the documentation of sensory cells. In addition, the availability of material from the juvenile of several species of gordiids has made it possible to document the development of the parasitic stage. New collections and reinvestigations of museum specimens have allowed for a critical reevaluation of the validity of established genera and species. However, traditional taxonomic work on this group continues to be hampered by two impeding factors: first is the lack of species-specific characters; and second is the problem of intraspecific variation, which has likely led to the description of numerous synonyms. Modern molecular techniques have been used recently to support independently the broad relationships among gordiids. During the turn of the millennium, the study of the life cycle and general ecology of gordiids enjoyed a revival. The pivotal outcome of this research was the domestication of a common American gordiid species, Paragordius varius. This species was the first of this phylum to be laboratory-reared. Through this research, the life cycle of several distantly related gordiid species was investigated. Other work showed that gordiids persist in the environment in the cyst stage by moving through different hosts by paratenesis. These cysts have been shown to retain infectivity for up to a year. These factors have likely contributed to the finding that gordiid cysts are one of the most common metazoans in some aquatic environments. Finally, recent work has focused on elucidating the mechanism of how gordiids make the transition from terrestrially based definitive hosts to a free-living aquatic environment. It has been shown that hosts are manipulated by the parasites to enter water. Using this study system, and using histology and proteomic tools, the method of manipulation used by these parasites is being further investigated. This manipulation, and the reaction of the cricket to this manipulation, has been postulated to benefit both the parasite and the host. Although large strides have been made within the last 10 years in the understanding of nematomorphs, we make the case that a lot of basic information remains to be uncovered. Although seemingly a daunting task, the recent advances in information and techniques lay a solid foundation for the future study of this unique group of parasites.
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Biochemical and histological changes in the brain of the cricket Nemobius sylvestris infected by the manipulative parasite Paragordius tricuspidatus (Nematomorpha)
International journal for parasitology, 2003Co-Authors: Frederic Thomas, David Biron, P Ulitsky, Roger Augier, N Dusticier, D Samuel, Colette Strambi, Myriam CayreAbstract:Hairworms (Nematomorpha) alter the behaviour of their insect hosts, making them commit 'suicide' by jumping into an aquatic environment required by the adult parasite for the continuation of its life cycle. To explore the physiological and neuronal basis of this behavioural manipulation, we first performed a biochemical study to quantify different neurotransmitters or neuromodulators (monoamines and amino acids) in the brain of crickets (Nemobius sylvestris) uninfected and infected by the hairworm Paragordius tricuspidatus. We also analysed several polyamines and amino-acids having no known neuromodulatory function. The presence/absence of the parasite explained the largest part of the variation in compound concentrations, with infected individuals displaying on average lower concentrations than uninfected individuals. However, for three amino acids (taurine, valine and tyrosine), a significant part of the variation was also correlated with the manipulative process. In order to compare neurogenesis between infected and uninfected crickets, we also performed a histological study on mushroom bodies in the cricket's brain. The mitotic index exhibited a two-fold increase in infected crickets as compared with uninfected crickets. This is the first study to document changes in the brain of insects infected by nematomorphs.
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Do hairworms (Nematomorpha) manipulate the water seeking behaviour of their terrestrial hosts
Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2002Co-Authors: Frederic Thomas, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Guilhaume Martin, C. Manu, Patrick Durand, François RenaudAbstract:Several anecdotal reports in the literature have suggested that insects parasitized by hairworms (Nematomorpha) commit `suicide' by jumping into an aquatic environment needed by an adult worm for the continuation of its life cycle. Based on 2 years of observations at a swimming pool in open air, we saw this aberrant behaviour in nine insect species followed by the emergence of hairworms. We conducted field and laboratory experiments in order to compare the behaviour of infected and uninfected individuals of the cricket Nemobius sylvestris. The results clearly indicate that crickets infected by the nematomorph Paragordius tricuspidatus are more likely to jump into water than uninfected ones. The idea that this manipulation involved water detection from long distances by infected insects is not supported. Instead, our observations suggest that infected insects may first display an erratic behaviour which brings them sooner or later close to a stream and then a behavioural change that makes them enter the water.
Arun K. Yadav - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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New Records of Horsehair Worms (Nematomorpha) from India and a Summary of All Known Indian Species
Taxonomy, 2020Co-Authors: Arun K. Yadav, Dimos Khynriam, Limatemjen, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesaAbstract:Twenty-one species of the phylum Nematomorpha from India have been described. In this paper, Acutogordius sulawensis is reported for the first time in this country, with new locality records of some Chordodes, Gordius and Acutogordius species from the north-east region of India. The total number of nematomorph species now known from India is thus raised to twenty-two species. This paper supplements information about nematomorph species added to the Indian fauna after 2004.
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Intra- and interspecific genetic diversity of New Zealand hairworms (Nematomorpha).
Parasitology, 2017Co-Authors: Zachary J. C. Tobias, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Arun K. Yadav, Robert PoulinAbstract:Hairworms (Nematomorpha) are a little-known group of parasites, and despite having been represented in the taxonomic literature for over a century, the implementation of molecular genetics in studies of hairworm ecology and evolution lags behind that of other parasitic taxa. In this study, we characterize the genetic diversity of the New Zealand nematomorph fauna and test for genetic structure within the most widespread species found. We provide new mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal sequence data for three previously described species from New Zealand: Gordius paranensis, Parachordodes diblastus and Euchordodes nigromaculatus. We also present genetic data on a previously reported but undescribed Gordius sp., as well as data from specimens of a new Gordionus sp., a genus new for New Zealand. Phylogenetic analyses of CO1 and nuclear rDNA regions correspond with morphological classification based on scanning electron microscopy, and demonstrate paraphyly of the genus Gordionus and the potential for cryptic species within G. paranensis. Population-level analyses of E. nigromaculatus showed no genetic differentiation among sampling locations across the study area, in contrast to previously observed patterns in known and likely definitive hosts. Taken together, this raises the possibility that factors such as definitive host specificity, intermediate host movement, and passive dispersal of eggs and larvae may influence host-parasite population co-structure in hairworms.
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First report of the Gondwana genus Beatogordius from India, with further records of two Chordodes species (Gordiida, Nematomorpha).
ZooKeys, 2017Co-Authors: Arun K. Yadav, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, LimatemjenAbstract:Three horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) are recorded from Nagaland, India. The first species is Chordodes combiareolatus, which was recently described from Nagaland. The second is Chordodes cf. furnessi, earlier reported from Meghalaya, and some new observations are added. The third is a new species, described as Beatogordius nagalandissp. n. This is the first report of the genus Beatogordius in India and this observation fits well into the Gondwana distribution of the genus. The species is quite similar to Beatogordius chinensis, reported from South China.
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On the recovery of horsehair worms, Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) from pork in Shillong, India.
Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology, 2016Co-Authors: Arun K. Yadav, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, R. Laha, Arnab SenAbstract:The members of the phylum Nematomorpha, called as horsehair or gordian worms, are the parasites of arthropods and emerge from their host for reproduction and early development in water. There are about 360 species of nematomorphs described till date. Although, horsehair worms are parasites of arthropod species, sporadic cases of their occurrence have also been reported from several other hosts, including man. This paper describes a case history of the occurrence of two nematomorph worms in the meat of a pig in Shillong, India. The worms were reported to have emerged in live condition from pork bought by a consumer from local market in Shillong. One of the recovered specimens was studied by scanning electron microscopy for species determination and identified as Gordius sp., mainly on the basis of flat polygonal areoles and fine bristles on the cuticle.
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Applications of Scanning Electron Microscopy in Taxonomy and Biodiversity Studies on Gordiids (Nematomorpha)
Journal of Advanced Microscopy Research, 2014Co-Authors: Arun K. YadavAbstract:Horsehair or gordian worms are a group of parasites under phylum Nematomorpha. As compared to most other animal phyla rather little attention has been given to the taxonomy and biodiversity of this group. About 350 species of gordian worms have been described worldwide so far and descriptions of many species are either inadequate or incomplete. The projected global species diversity of Nematomorphs has been estimated to be around 2,000 species, and a more extensive taxonomic and biodiversity research on this group can fill up this vacuum. Of various genera in the phylum Nematomorpha, Chordodes constitutes as the largest group, comprising of about 96 species. The cuticle of Chordodes species is considered to be very complex, as it possesses several different shapes and sized structures called areoles. The highest diversity of areoles has been recorded in the genus Chordodes. To distinguish between the species of Chordodes, a range of morphological characters are used, however, what is considered to be more important is the shape and size of various types of areoles and their distribution pattern in different body regions. In the past, many Chordodes species were studied mostly by means of light microscopy (LM), wherein species descriptions and determinations were made on the basis of presence or absence of different types of areoles or their spatial distribution on body cuticle. However, using LM alone, the exact nature of the cuticular pattern of these areoles could not be elucidated sufficiently for many Chordodes species, which very often resulted into ambiguities and difficulties in their proper identification. In the recent years, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been applied to describe many Chordodes species and it has proven to be a useful tool to elucidate the fine cuticular armature of these worms in a more reliable manner. This article discusses the role of SEM in understanding the nature of various types of areoles present on Chordodes cuticle and their potential significance in taxonomic and biodiversity studies of this group.
David Biron - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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First analysis of the proteome in two nematomorph species, Paragordius tricuspidatus (Chordodidae) and Spinochordodes tellinii (Spinochordodidae)
Infection Genetics and Evolution, 2005Co-Authors: David Biron, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Cécile Joly, Laurent Marché, Nathalie Galéotti, Vincent Calcagno, Lionnel Renault, Frederic ThomasAbstract:The proteome of most parasite species is currently unknown. Hairworms (Nematomorpha), 300 species distributed around the world, are parasitic in arthropods (mainly terrestrial species) when juveniles, but they are free-living in aquatic environments when adult. Most aspects of their systematics and biology are currently unknown. The aim of this paper was (i) to report a novel and reproducible protocol for the analysis of the proteome of hairworms using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and mass spectrometry (matrix laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)) and (ii) to determine the level of proteomic divergence between two sympatric but taxonomically unrelated nematomorph species in the adult stage, Paragordius tricuspidatus Dufour (Nematomorpha, Gordiidae) and Spinochordodes tellinii Camerano (Nematomorpha, Gordiidae). In total, 689 protein spots were observed for P. tricuspidatus, 575 for S. tellinii. Only 36.2% spots were shared between the two species. Quantitative analysis of the proteins which are common to both parasite species reveals substantial differences in the pattern of protein expression. These results suggest a rapid evolutionary divergence between these two nematomorph families. Also, to test the value of our MALDI-TOF protocol, we used Actin-2 (Act-2), a protein highly conserved in the course of evolution. Peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) data obtained for Act-2 of P. tricuspidatus and S. tellinii suggest a very high homology with Act-2 of different worms species belonging to the Bilateria phylum (Annelida and Nematoda) and more specifically to Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida, Lumbricidae) and Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda, Rhabditidae). We discuss our results in relationship with current ideas concerning the use of proteomics in systematics
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Biochemical and histological changes in the brain of the cricket Nemobius sylvestris infected by the manipulative parasite Paragordius tricuspidatus (Nematomorpha)
International journal for parasitology, 2003Co-Authors: Frederic Thomas, David Biron, P Ulitsky, Roger Augier, N Dusticier, D Samuel, Colette Strambi, Myriam CayreAbstract:Hairworms (Nematomorpha) alter the behaviour of their insect hosts, making them commit 'suicide' by jumping into an aquatic environment required by the adult parasite for the continuation of its life cycle. To explore the physiological and neuronal basis of this behavioural manipulation, we first performed a biochemical study to quantify different neurotransmitters or neuromodulators (monoamines and amino acids) in the brain of crickets (Nemobius sylvestris) uninfected and infected by the hairworm Paragordius tricuspidatus. We also analysed several polyamines and amino-acids having no known neuromodulatory function. The presence/absence of the parasite explained the largest part of the variation in compound concentrations, with infected individuals displaying on average lower concentrations than uninfected individuals. However, for three amino acids (taurine, valine and tyrosine), a significant part of the variation was also correlated with the manipulative process. In order to compare neurogenesis between infected and uninfected crickets, we also performed a histological study on mushroom bodies in the cricket's brain. The mitotic index exhibited a two-fold increase in infected crickets as compared with uninfected crickets. This is the first study to document changes in the brain of insects infected by nematomorphs.
Robert Poulin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Intra- and interspecific genetic diversity of New Zealand hairworms (Nematomorpha).
Parasitology, 2017Co-Authors: Zachary J. C. Tobias, Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Arun K. Yadav, Robert PoulinAbstract:Hairworms (Nematomorpha) are a little-known group of parasites, and despite having been represented in the taxonomic literature for over a century, the implementation of molecular genetics in studies of hairworm ecology and evolution lags behind that of other parasitic taxa. In this study, we characterize the genetic diversity of the New Zealand nematomorph fauna and test for genetic structure within the most widespread species found. We provide new mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal sequence data for three previously described species from New Zealand: Gordius paranensis, Parachordodes diblastus and Euchordodes nigromaculatus. We also present genetic data on a previously reported but undescribed Gordius sp., as well as data from specimens of a new Gordionus sp., a genus new for New Zealand. Phylogenetic analyses of CO1 and nuclear rDNA regions correspond with morphological classification based on scanning electron microscopy, and demonstrate paraphyly of the genus Gordionus and the potential for cryptic species within G. paranensis. Population-level analyses of E. nigromaculatus showed no genetic differentiation among sampling locations across the study area, in contrast to previously observed patterns in known and likely definitive hosts. Taken together, this raises the possibility that factors such as definitive host specificity, intermediate host movement, and passive dispersal of eggs and larvae may influence host-parasite population co-structure in hairworms.
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Scanning electron microscopy and intraspecific variation in Euchordodes nigromaculatus from New Zealand
Journal of Helminthology, 1998Co-Authors: Andreas Schmidt-rhaesa, Frederic Thomas, Robert PoulinAbstract:AbstractTaxonomic characters of the male posterior end and the body cuticle of Euchordodes nigromaculatus (Nematomorpha) were described by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compared with the original description by Poinar (1991a) and with other Euchordodes species. Intraspecific variation was found in the body length, the distance between the cloacal opening and the posterior end and especially in the form of the male posterior end. The latter either possesses two short lobelike structures and a ventral groove or lacks these structures. The importance of SEM investigations and observations of intraspecific variation is stressed for the taxonomy of nematomorph species.
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Hairworms (Nematomorpha: Gordioidea) infecting New Zealand short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae).
The Journal of parasitology, 1995Co-Authors: Robert PoulinAbstract:A total of 282 short-horned grasshoppers (Acrididae) was collected in a mountainous area of New Zealand's South Island and examined for hairworm (Nematomorpha) infections. Thirteen percent of female Sigaus obelisci and 3% of female S. australis harbored hairworms; males of both species, as well as male and female S. campestris, were all uninfected. All hairworms recovered belong to the species Euchordodes nigromaculatus, previously known only from wetas (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae). No size differences were observed between infected and uninfected grasshoppers, and there was no relationship between host size and worm length. This is the first substantiated report of nematomorphs in grasshoppers in New Zealand.
