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Redescription and Molecular Characterization of Pachysentis canicola Meyer, 1931 (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the Maned Wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) in Texas

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Abstract

Background

The original description of Pachysentis canicola Meyer, 1931 was based on an unknown number of specimens from an undetermined species of Canis in Brazil from the Berlin Museum. It has since been reported from other carnivores in South and North America. Our specimens from the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), in Texas, represent a new host record, and has shed more light on morphometric characteristics missing from the original description, and expanded the range of variations in characters that remained fixed since 1931 and that have been repeated in other taxonomic accounts. We have found additional specimens in striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis Schreber, also in Texas.

Methods

We have performed metal analysis on hooks using EDXA (energy dispersive X-ray analysis). Sequences for the 18S gene and ITS1-5.8-ITS2 region of rDNA were generated to molecularly characterize the species for the first time.

Results

Worms with a massive trunk and a globular proboscis with prominent dome-like apical organ and 12 irregular spiral rows of 4–5 hooks deeply embedded in cuticular folds each, totaling 48–60 hooks. We have included line drawings of the male and female reproductive systems, among other structures, also missing from the original and subsequent descriptions. We describe a new population of P. canicola from Texas and report on the metal analysis of its hooks using EDXA. We also assess the phylogenetic position of P. canicola supporting its independent status in the family Oligacanthorhynchidae, inferred from the two molecular markers.

Conclusions

This is the foremost molecular characterization of any species of Pachysentis and will provide significant insights and reference for future molecular study of species of Pachysentis, especially from this newly described Texas population.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the Department of Biology, Brigham Young University (BYU), Provo, Utah, and by an Institutional Grant from the Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI), Scottsdale, Arizona. We thank Madison Laurence, Bean Museum (BYU) and Nataliya Rubtsova (PCI) for expert help in the preparation and organization of plates and figures and to Michael Standing, Electron Optics Laboratory (BYU), for his technical help and expertise. We would like to acknowledge the laboratory facilities provided by the Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, India. The authors would also like to thank the staff at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas, especially Dr. Holly Haefele and Allyssa Roberts, LVT, for procuring the specimens that were used for this project as well as to thank Dr. Michael Kinsella (HelmWest Laboratory, Missoula, Montana) and Dr. Michael Garner (Northwest Zoo Path, Monroe, Washington) for their assistance with their original recognition of these parasites as acanthocephalans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Parasitic Diseases, 11445 E. Via Linda 2-419, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA

    Omar M. Amin

  2. Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, U.P., 250004, India

    Anshu Chaudhary & Hridaya S. Singh

  3. Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, 1114 MLBM, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Richard A. Heckmann

  4. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, 2155 County Road 2008, Glen Rose, TX, 76043, USA

    Julie Swenson

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  1. Omar M. Amin
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  2. Anshu Chaudhary
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  5. Hridaya S. Singh
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Correspondence to Omar M. Amin.

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Richard A. Heckmann—deceased.

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Amin, O.M., Chaudhary, A., Heckmann, R.A. et al. Redescription and Molecular Characterization of Pachysentis canicola Meyer, 1931 (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the Maned Wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) in Texas. Acta Parasit. 67, 275–287 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-021-00458-5

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