Morphological and molecular characterization of Posthodiplostomum sp. (Digenea: Diplostomidae) metacercaria in the muscles of snakeheads (Channa punctata) from Manipur, India

Abstract The spotted snakehead, Channa punctata Bloch, 1793, is a locally important fish species commonly consumed by the natives in the state of Manipur, Northeast India. The fish host C. punctata from Lamphel area revealed a diplostomid metacercarial infection. Morphologically, the recovered metacercaria was identified as a species of Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936. Molecular characterization using the ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA 18S, ITS2 and 28S regions) and the mitochondrial CO1 region supplements the identification. Molecular analysis revealed the metacercaria to be closely related to Posthodiplostomum sp. Japan isolate, with sequence similarity variation from 97.5–99.7 % while considering for the three rDNA markers. The secondary structure of the ITS2 region further corroborated these results; the typical four-helix model, when compared to the taxon from Japan, showed differences only in twelve bases (with seven transitions and five transversions). In phylogenetic analysis also, the metacercaria claded with the genus Posthodiplostomum, coming closer to the Japanese isolate, thus supplementing the morphological identification of the metacercaria.

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Morphological and molecular characterization of Termitomyces (Lyophyllaceae, Agaricales) in Thailand

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d210620 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

NICHAREE JANNUAL ◽

MINGKWAN NIPITWATTANAPHON ◽

SASITORN HASIN ◽

Tharnrat Kaewgrajang

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Its2 Region ◽

Diagnostic Key ◽

Morphological And Molecular Characterization ◽

Home Consumption

Abstract. Jannual N, Nipitwattanaphon M, Hasin S, Kaewgrajang T. 2020. Morphological and molecular characterization of Termitomyces (Lyophyllaceae, Agaricales) in Thailand. Biodiversitas 21: 2481-2491. Termitomyces is considered to be a highly prized delicacy collected both for home consumption and for sale in local markets. Although the taxonomic information about this genus is well known in Africa, the identification of Termitomyces species in Thailand is unclear. Therefore, this study presented an assessment of phylogenetic relationships in the genus Termitomyces by means of sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the species characterization by combination of morphological data and molecular data. Total of 61 Termitomyces specimens was collected from a variety of geographical localities of Thailand. They were classified into six species, including T. clypeatus, T. cylindricus, T. fuliginosus, T. heimii, T. microcarpus, and T. striatus based on morphological characteristics combining with molecular characteristics. This is the first diagnostic key of Thai Termitomyces.

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Evidence of the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs and associated ticks in Egypt

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-020-02733-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

R. Elhelw ◽

M. Elhariri ◽

D. Hamza ◽

M. Abuowarda ◽

E. Ismael ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Molecular Characterization ◽

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Tick Infestation ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Its2 Region ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Tick Vectors

Abstract Background Borrelia burgdorferi is the spirochete that causes Lyme Borreliosis (LB), which is a zoonotic tick-borne disease of humans and domestic animals. Hard ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites that serve as vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi. Studies on the presence of Lyme borreliosis in Egyptian animals and associated ticks are scarce. Methods This study was conducted to detect B. burgdorferi in different tick vectors and animal hosts. Three hundred animals (dogs=100, cattle=100, and camels=100) were inspected for tick infestation. Blood samples from 160 tick-infested animals and their associated ticks (n=1025) were collected and examined for the infection with B. burgdorferi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The identified tick species were characterized molecularly by PCR and sequencing of the ITS2 region. Results The overall tick infestation rate among examined animals was 78.33% (235/300). The rate of infestation was significantly higher in camels (90%), followed by cattle (76%) and dogs (69%); (P = 0.001). Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, and both Hyalomma dromedarii and Amblyomma variegatum, were morphologically identified from infested dogs, cattle, and camels; respectively. Molecular characterization of ticks using the ITS2 region confirmed the morphological identification, as well as displayed high similarities of R. sanguineus, H. dromedarii, and A. Variegatu with ticks identified in Egypt and various continents worldwide. Just one dog (1.67%) and its associated tick pool of R. sanguineus were positive for B. burgdorferi infection. The 16S rRNA gene sequence for B. burgdorferi in dog and R. sanguineus tick pool showed a 100% homology. Conclusion Analyzed data revealed a relatively low rate of B. burgdorferi infection, but a significantly high prevalence of tick infestation among domesticated animals in Egypt, which possesses a potential animal and public health risk. Additionally, molecular characterization of ticks using the ITS2 region was a reliable tool to discriminate species of ticks and confirmed the morphological identification.

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