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Integrative taxonomy of Raillietiella gigliolii Hett, 1924 (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) – molecular and morphological evidence from Neotropical Amphisbaenians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2025

R.G. da Silva Open the ORCID record for R.G. da Silva [Opens in a new window] ,
A. A. M. Teixeira Open the ORCID record for A. A. M. Teixeira [Opens in a new window] ,
R. E. C. R. F. Chaves ,
S. C. Ribeiro Open the ORCID record for S. C. Ribeiro [Opens in a new window] ,
R. R. Ferreira Open the ORCID record for R. R. Ferreira [Opens in a new window] ,
A. Vasconcellos  and
W. O. Almeida
R.G. da Silva*
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
A. A. M. Teixeira
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
R. E. C. R. F. Chaves
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
S. C. Ribeiro
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil Laboratório de Biologia e Ecologia de Animais Silvestres – LABEAS, Universidade Federal do Cariri – UFCA, CEP 63260-00, Brejo Santo, Ceará, Brazil
R. R. Ferreira
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
A. Vasconcellos
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
W. O. Almeida
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Diversidade Biológica e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: R.G. da Silva; Email: rosianegoncalvesbio@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the morphology and genetics of Raillietiella gigliolii, an endoparasitic pentastomid found in amphisbaenians. The research was based on specimens deposited in the Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), as well as newly collected individuals from the Brazilian Caatinga. Detailed morphological descriptions were carried out, including measurements of the hooks, cephalothorax, tail, buccal cadre, and the copulatory spicule in males. In parallel, the first molecular characterisation of this species was performed, targeting the mitochondrial COI gene (barcode region). All specimens exhibited consistent morphotypes, particularly in the shape of the hooks, with no observable variation between males and females, nor between individuals parasitising different hosts (Amphisbaena alba and A. vermicularis). Molecular analyses revealed a well-supported monophyletic clade, with no detectable genetic divergence among individuals, confirming both the morphological stability and genetic delimitation of the species. These findings support the recognition of R. gigliolii as a clearly delineated species, currently restricted to amphisbaenians, which does not exhibit significant morphological variability, in contrast to other congeners.

Keywords

DNA barcodingparasite biodiversityrespiratory parasitesmolecular phylogeny

Information

Type
Short Communication
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 99 , 2025 , e94
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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