Abstract

Summary A population of Ficophagus was discovered in the syconia of sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) grown in New Delhi (India). Based on morphology, morphometric characters and molecular data, we redescribed the population as Ficophagus religiosus. Here, major morphological characteristics are described in depth, with measurements of the male-female specimens’ taxonomic characters and photomicrography. Ficophagus religiosus can be easily identified by the spiral to J-spiral-shaped body, labial disc not offset, SE pore close to the base of the lip region, stylet length 17.7 (16-19) μm in males, and 19 (15-22) μm in females, a short post-uterine sac of length 8.3 μm (5-10 μm), a spicule with broad and high condylus, capitulum flat or depressed, a small bluntly rounded rostrum, the spicule tip (bluntly rounded or pointed), no cucullus, no gubernaculum, three pairs (P3, P3a, P4) of subventral caudal papillae, and broadly or bluntly rounded tail tip, without mucron. Additionally, new sequence data for the D2-D3 region of 28S rDNA (LSU) and 18S rDNA (SSU) marker genes are provided. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods were used to infer phylogenetic relationships of the Indian population of F. religiosus with other Ficophagus species. Phylogenetic analyses based on D2-D3 and SSU molecular markers resulted in a clear separation of F. religiosus from other Ficophagus species. The present study redescribes the species F. religiosus and provides molecular data to identify and establish phylogenetic relationships with other species.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.