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  • Molecular and morphological evidence for the occurrence of Anisakis sp. A (Nematoda, Anisakidae) in the Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris

Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 2008 - Volume 82, Issue 04  

Research Papers

Molecular and morphological evidence for the occurrence of Anisakis sp. A (Nematoda, Anisakidae) in the Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris

R. Iglesiasa1 c1, S. D'Amelioa2, S. Ingrossoa2, S. Farjallaha3, J.A. Martínez-Cedeiraa4 and J.M. García-Estéveza1

a1 Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Functional Biology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n, 36310 Vigo, Spain

a2 Department of Sciences of Public Health, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy

a3 Unité de Recherche: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources UR/09-30, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Monastir 5000, Tunisie

a4 Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamíferos Mariños (CEMMA), Apdo. 165, 36380 Gondomar (Pontevedra), Spain

Abstract

Twenty-three adults (only one male) and two fourth-stage larvae of Anisakis, recovered from the stomach of a Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) stranded in Galicia (NW Spain), were studied morphologically and molecularly. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing studies carried out on the ribosomal DNA spacers and on the cox2 mitochondrial gene confirm that these nematodes belong to the taxon Anisakis sp. A, which was previously detected as a larval stage in fishes from Madeiran waters. In addition, our molecular studies demonstrate that Anisakis sp. A and the taxon Anisakis sp., previously found in other Mesoplodon spp., are the same species. The adults of Anisakis sp. A are morphologically similar to A. ziphidarum but with a shorter body length and longer spicules (right spicule 2.42 mm, left spicule 2.30 mm). Since the poor condition of the male tail cuticle prevented a proper description of the caudal plates and the pattern of caudal papillae, we propose to retain the name Anisakis sp. A until new males are described correctly.

(Accepted April 24 2008)

(Online publication June 10 2008)

Correspondence:

c1 E-mail: rib@uvigo.es