Integrative taxonomy: combining molecular and morphological characteristics to identify Lymnaea (Galba) cubensis, intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica.

Despite the epidemiological importance of the Lymnaeidae family regarding transmission of Fasciola hepatica, knowledge about the diversity and distribution of these molluscs and the role of each species in the expansion of fasciolosis remains sparse. Classical morphological (n=10) identification was performed in lymneids from Lagoa Santa, a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, along with molecular and phylogenetic analysis (n=05) based on the partial nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI mtDNA) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer II (ITS-2 rDNA). The shell morphology made it possible to distinguish the lymneids of Lagoa Santa from Pseudosuccinea columella. Differences found in the penile complex and prostate shape allowed this species to be distinguished from Galba truncatula. However, the homogeneity of reproductive tract characteristics among Lymnaea (Galba) cubensis, L. viator and L. neotropica confirmed that these characteristics show low taxonomic reliability for identifying cryptic species. Genetic divergence analysis for the COI mtDNA gene and ITS-2 region of rDNA revealed greater similarity to Lymnaea (Galba) cubensis. Thus, correct species differentiation is important for monitoring the epidemiological risk of fasciolosis in the state of Minas Gerais, where cases of the disease have increased over recent years.

Predicting the distribution of Omalonyx (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Succineidae) species from literature review, museum databases and new sampling efforts in Brazil / Predição da distribuição de Omalonyx (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Succineidae) a partir da revisão da literatura, dados de museu e novo esforço amostral no Brasil

Abstract Accurate distributional information is crucial for studies on systematics, biodiversity and conservation. To improve the knowledge regarding the geographical distribution of Omalonyx in South America, we present updated information based on data from a literature review, institutional collections and malacological surveys. All this information composed the dataset used to predict species distribution employing the Maximum Entropy Algorithm (MaxEnt). The model was run using data on species distribution, altitude and bioclimatic variables (WorldClim database). The model had consistent performance, and areas presenting similar conditions to areas where the species were recorded were considered areas of occurrence. The predicted occurrence areas included those that were already surveyed and those that are considered potential occurrence areas. The results demonstrate that the genus has widespread distribution in the Neotropical region and occurs in the tropical, temperate and arid regions of South America and Lesser Antilles. Omalonyx spp. were recorded in all South American countries and hydrographic regions. However, in some countries, there were only isolated records (ex: Colombia and Ecuador). Here, we also present the first record of Omalonyx spp. in four Brazilian States (Acre, Rondônia, Piaui, and Amapá). The genus was found in all hydrographic regions within Brazil and among 27 federative unities; it was absent from only two unities (Roraima State and Distrito Federal). This work contributes to the knowledge on Omalonyx spp. distribution and provides an important basis for the work of ecologists and taxonomists.

Resumo A informação precisa sobre a distribuição é crucial para os estudos sobre sistemática, biodiversidade e conservação. Para melhorar o conhecimento sobre a distribuição geográfica de Omalonyx na América do Sul, apresentamos informações atualizadas com base em dados de revisão de literatura, coleções institucionais e pesquisas malacológicas. Toda essa informação compôs o conjunto de dados usado para predição da distribuição de espécies empregando o Algoritmo de Entropia Máxima (MaxEnt). O modelo foi executado usando dados de distribuição de espécies, altitude e variáveis bioclimáticas (banco de dados WorldClim). O modelo apresentou um desempenho consistente e as áreas que apresentaram condições semelhantes às áreas onde as espécies foram registradas, foram consideradas áreas de ocorrência. As áreas de ocorrências previstas incluíram aquelas que já foram pesquisadas e aquelas que são consideradas áreas de ocorrência potencial. Os resultados demonstram que o gênero tem uma distribuição Neotropical ampla e que ocorre nas regiões tropical, temperada e árida da América do Sul e nas Pequenas Antilhas. Omalonyx spp. foram registradas em todos os países e bacias sul-americanas. No entanto, em alguns países, apenas registros isolados foram encontrados (ex: Colômbia e Equador). Aqui, também apresentamos o primeiro registro de Omalonyx spp. em quatro estados brasileiros (Acre, Rondônia, Piauí e Amapá). O gênero foi encontrado em todas as regiões hidrográficas no Brasil e nas 27 unidades federativas; sendo ausente em apenas duas unidades federativas (Estado de Roraima e Distrito Federal). Esse trabalho contribui para o conhecimento da distribuição das espécies de Omalonyx e fornece uma importante base para trabalhos de ecólogos e taxonomistas.

Molecular identification of Spirometra spp. (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) in some wild animals from Brazil.

Species of the genus Spirometra are diphyllobothriid tapeworms with complex life cycles and are involved in human sparganosis, a neglected disease that affects individuals worldwide. Although some species were reported in wild felids and human cases of sparganosis were described in Brazil, the biology and taxonomy of these parasites are poorly understood. In the present study, samples of diphyllobothriids (eggs and/or proglottids) obtained from the stools of wild carnivores (Leopardus pardalis and Lycalopex vetulus) and plerocercoid larvae found in a snake (Crotalus durissus) from Brazil were analysed by amplifying a fragment of the gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1). The DNA sequences obtained here for the first time from the Spirometra spp. from Brazil were used to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships with other species. Molecular data identified two species in the Brazilian samples (evolutionary divergence of 17.8-19.2%). The species were identified as Spirometra sp. 1, found in Le. pardalis, and Spirometra sp. 2 found in Ly. vetulus and C. durissus, and they differed from Asian isolates of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (17.5-20.2% and 12.2-15.6%, respectively), a species previously considered to be distributed worldwide. Moreover, Spirometra sp. 1 is genetically distinct from Sparganum proliferum from Venezuela (19.6-20.4%), while Spirometra sp. 2 is more closely related with the Venezuelan species (6.1-7.0%). Sequences of Spirometra sp. 2 revealed that it is conspecific with the Argentinean isolate of Spirometra found in Lycalopex gymnocercus (1.9-2.2%). Taxonomic and phylogenetic aspects related to New World species of Spirometra are briefly discussed.