Abstract
Pest snails are economically important pests of the grain industry. Nematode based bioagent appears to be a hope for controlling pest snails in an environment friendly way. Based on the dataset of 18S rRNA gene sequences, we propose a molecular phylogeny of nematodes baited with Cernuella virgata in soils collected from southern states of Australia. A total of 12 species (representing eight genera of nematodes) were identified and the inferred phylogenetic trees (Neighbor-Joining and Minium Evolution) placed them within three (I, IV and VII) out of the seven clades, indicating the possibility of multiple origins of snail parasitism. In Clade I and Clade VII, nematodes associated with Cernuella virgata formed sister group relationships with some slug – parasitic nematodes. We assume that snail – parasitic nematodes and slug - parasitic nematodes might share common ancestors in their evolutionary histories.
Highlights
Nematode is one of the most abundant and diverse phylum in the animal kingdom [1]
The corresponding 18S rRNA gene sequences of these nematode isolates matched 12 nematode species listed in the GENBANK database (Table 1)
According to the currently accepted classification of nematodes [19], the species fell into eight genera (Pristionchus, Mononchoides, Acrobeloides, Cephalobus, Mesorhabditis, Oscheius, Rhabditis, Heterorhabditis), and three orders (Diplogasterida, Rhabditida and Panagrolaimida) (Table 1)
Summary
Nematode is one of the most abundant and diverse phylum in the animal kingdom [1]. Due to the lack of objective criteria for assessing homology of morphological characters regarding many nematodes, the systematics of this phylum has been contentious [2]. With the rapid development of molecular phylogeny, the evolutionary history of Nematoda was reassessed and new phylogenetic framework was pointed out [3,4,5]. Ross et al [2] reported the molecular phylogeny of slug-parasitic nematodes based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. A total of eight slug parasitic nematode species (Agfa flexilis, Alloionema appendiculatum, Angiostoma limacis, Angiostoma dentifera, Cosmocercoides dukae, Mermithid sp., Phasmarhabditis Hermaphrodita and Phasmarhabditis neopapillosa) from six families (Agfidae, Alloionematidae, Angiostomatidae, Cosmocercidae, Mermithidae and Rhabditidae) were included in their study. Five out of the eight nematode species were clustered within Clade V, forming a monophyletic group covering two families (Agfidae, Angiostomatidae) and one genus (Phasmarhabditis). By considering the morphological diversity among these families, they stated that rapid evolution had occurred during the evolutionary history of slug – parasitic nematodes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callMore From: Journal of Phylogenetics & Evolutionary Biology
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.
