Abstract
AbstractLungworms from the genusRhabdiasare common parasites of amphibians and reptiles distributed worldwide. To assess the diversity ofRhabdiasspp., we performed molecular analyses of 35 specimens sampled in different regions of Brazil. Molecular analyses were based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit (28S) ribosomal and the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial genes. DNA sequence divergence was compared among ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, analyses using the general mixed Yule‐coalescent (GMYC) method based on the COI gene were used to identify possible cryptic diversity, and phylogenetic analyses using concatenated ITS and 28S ribosomal genes were used to test the monophyly of Rhabdiasidae. We revealed five morphospecies:R.cf.stenocephala,R. breviensis,R. pseudosphaerocephalaand two new species,Rhabdiassp.4 andRhabdiassp.5. DNA sequence levels of divergence among genes ITS, 28S and COI were compared, and the efficiency of the molecular markers to identify species (ITS and COI) and lineages (COI) was tested. GMYC was assigned to 17 well‐supported clades (i.e., 17 species), and cryptic diversity was detected in the Neotropical region as evidenced by the multiple lineages inR. breviensisandR. pseudosphaerocephala. In addition, our results suggest evidence for host–parasite cophylogeny in theR. pseudosphaerocephalacomplex and dispersal events among their populations. Phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of Rhabdiasidae and improved the resolution of main clades.Rhabdias breviensisis closely related toRhabdiascf.africanus,Rhabdiascf. stenocephala,R. pseudosphaerocephala,Rhabdiassp.4 andRhabdiassp.5 grouping together in a main clade with Neotropical‐related species. The large geographical distribution appeared to be a phylogenetic pattern among the species ofRhabdiasfrom the neotropics.
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