Molecular evidence for a cryptic species within the parasitic nematode Macroponema comani (Strongyloidea: Cloacininae)

Abstract

Nematodes resembling Macroponema comani, a common parasite of eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus, in eastern Australia were collected from an unexpected host species, the northern wallaroo, Macropus robustus woodwardi, in the Northern Territory, representing a highly disjunct occurrence. Although these specimens showed no morphological differences when compared with Ma. comani from M. giganteus, sequencing of the first and second internal transcribed spacers ITS-1 and ITS-2 of the nuclear ribosomal DNA revealed seven base pair differences in each spacer region between the two taxa. These differences included a number of autapomorphies. Sequences from both taxa differed significantly from those of Ma. beveridgei, a common parasite of the common wallaroo, Macropus robustus robustus and the euro, M. robustus erubescens. Based on these findings, the specimens in M. r. woodwardi are considered to represent a crypic species.