Redescription of Raillietiella mottae (Raillietiellidae: Pentastomida) a generalist parasite of insectivorous lizards: phenotypic plasticity revealed by molecular data

Author(s)

da Silva, erica Gomes ; de Oliveira, Monique Celiao ; Brandao, Hiasmim Chaves ; Chaves, Rozzanna Esther Cavalcanti Reis de Figueiredo ; Monteiro, Sara Rikeley Paulino ; Koroiva, Ricardo ; Guedes, Thais Barreto ; Vasconcellos, Alexandre ; Almeida, Waltecio de Oliveira

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Parasitology Research; v. 123, n. 10, p. 8-pg., 2024-10-01.

Abstract

Pentastomida are lung parasites of a variety of hosts, mainly reptiles. Raillietiella is the genus with the largest number of species, whose taxonomic identification is still largely based on morphological data alone. In this classification, differences divide the genus into morphotypic groups. The Raillietiella parasites of insectivorous lizards, for example, are divided into "Group I" with species with hooks with sharp tips and "Group II" with posterior hooks with blunt tips. In the present work, we used molecular analysis to infer the morphological variation in hooks and size of specimens of Raillietiella mottae, parasites of several species of insectivorous lizards. Our results demonstrate that morphological differences comprise a phenotypic plasticity of a single species, whose variation is associated with host species, with females being larger and with hooks with blunt tips in nocturnal geckos and smaller ones with sharp tips in diurnal insectivorous lizards of different species, sizes, and habitats. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/09428-2 - Evolution and Biogeography of the herpetofauna: patterns, process and implications for conservation in a scenario of environmental and climate changes
• Grantee: Thaís Barreto Guedes da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 21/07161-6 - Evolution and biogeography of the herpetofauna: patterns, process and implications for conservation in a scenario of environmental and climate changes
• Grantee: Thaís Barreto Guedes da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants