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Gu XH, Chen HX, Hu JJ, Li L. Morphology and ASAP analysis of the important zoonotic nematode parasite Baylisascaris procyonis (Stefahski and Zarnowski, 1951), with molecular phylogenetic relationships of Baylisascaris species (Nematoda: Ascaridida). Parasitology 2024; 151:200-212. [PMID: 38087962 PMCID: PMC10941036 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Species of Baylisascaris (Nematoda: Ascarididae) are of great veterinary and zoonotic significance, owing to cause Baylisascariosis or Baylisascariasis in wildlife, captive animals and humans. However, the phylogenetic relationships of the current 10 Baylisascaris species remain unclear. Moreover, our current knowledge of the detailed morphology and morphometrics of the important zoonotic species B. procyonis is still insufficient. The taxonomical status of B. procyonis and B. columnaris remains under debate. In the present study, the detailed morphology of B. procyonis was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy based on newly collected specimens from the raccoon Procyon lotor (Linnaeus) in China. The results of the ASAP analysis and Bayesian inference (BI) using the 28S, ITS, cox1 and cox2 genetic markers did not support that B. procyonis and B. columnaris represent two distinct species. Integrative morphological and molecular assessment challenged the validity of B. procyonis, and suggested that B. procyonis seems to represent a synonym of B. columnaris. Molecular phylogenetic results indicated that the species of Baylisascaris were grouped into 4 clades according to their host specificity. The present study provided new insights into the taxonomic status of B. procyonis and preliminarily clarified the phylogenetic relationships of Baylisascaris species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hong Gu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Hebei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Eco-Environment; College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
- Hebei Research Centre of the Basic Discipline Cell Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Xia Chen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Hebei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Eco-Environment; College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
- Hebei Research Centre of the Basic Discipline Cell Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, 650091, Kunming, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Hebei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Eco-Environment; College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
- Hebei Research Centre of the Basic Discipline Cell Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 050024 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
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Roca-Geronès X, Fisa R, Montoliu I, Casadevall M, Tobella C, Bas JM, Palomba M, Mattiucci S. Genetic diversity of Contracaecum rudolphii sp. A (Nematoda: Anisakidae) parasitizing the European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii from the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1122291. [PMID: 36816183 PMCID: PMC9932775 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1122291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sibling species of the Contracaecum rudolphii (s.l.) complex are habitual endoparasites of cormorants of the Phalacrocoracidae family, worldwide. In Europe, the two species, C. rudolphii sp. A and C. rudolphii sp. B, have been identified. However, information regarding the occurrence and distribution of these anisakids in cormorants from Spain is scarce. In the present study, 20 specimens of the European Shag, Ph. aristotelis desmarestii, from the western Mediterranean Spanish marine coast were parasitologically analyzed for the presence of nematodes. All hosts were found parasitized with Contracaecum specimens (n = 1,517). A representative subsample was genetically identified as C. rudolphii sp. A by sequence analysis of the mtDNA cox2 gene and the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the rDNA. This represents the first report of C. rudolphii sp. A from the Spanish Mediterranean waters. Population genetic analysis was performed including other C. rudolphii sp. A specimens from the west Sardinian and the Tyrrhenian Sea. At the intraspecific level, a significant genetic differentiation (Fst ≈ 0.08, p < 0.00001) between the metapopulation from the Spanish Mediterranean coast and that from the Sardinian waters was observed; whereas, no differentiation was found between metapopulations of the parasite from the Spanish and the Tyrrhenian Italian coast. The findings highly support the hypothesis of the adaptation of the life cycle of C. rudolphii sp. A in brackish and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the results on the population genetics of C. rudolphii sp. A suggest the possible role of the migration routes of wintering populations of cormorants in the Mediterranean Sea in influencing the parasite genetic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Roca-Geronès
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Xavier Roca-Geronès ✉
| | - Roser Fisa
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Montoliu
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Margarida Casadevall
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Carles Tobella
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Josep M. Bas
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Simonetta Mattiucci ✉
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Juránková J, Hofmannová L, Frgelecová L, Daněk O, Modrý D. Baylisascaris transfuga (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda) from European brown bear (Ursus arctos) causing larva migrans in laboratory mice with clinical manifestation. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:645-651. [PMID: 34984542 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07417-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Due to the recent recovery of brown bear populations in Central Europe, information about their ascarid parasite, Baylisascaris transfuga is necessary as the parasite represents a part of natural ecological networks. B. transfuga can lead to larva migrans syndrome in accidental hosts, but its zoonotic potential has not been confirmed. The resent study compares development of larva migrans in infected mice inoculated with two infectious doses (ID 200 and ID 2000) of B. transfuga embryonated eggs, and the clinical manifestation to evaluate the pathogenicity of the larvae. Histopathology revealed that the liver was the most severely infected organ. The moderately infected organs included lung, brain, skeletal muscles and jejunum and the less infected ones were the eyes, heart, kidneys and spleen. The high pathogenicity of B. transfuga to mice was reflected in high mortality (33,3%) after infection, with mortality increasing with higher infectious dose. The results extend the knowledge of the interaction of B. transfuga and its aberrant hosts and contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology and transmission of this bears roundworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Juránková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Lada Hofmannová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, Prague 6, 165 03, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Frgelecová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Daněk
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Hwang MH, Chin TW, Yu PH. ENDOPARASITES OF FORMOSAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS THIBETANUS FORMOSANUS) DURING ACORN SEASON IN YUSHAN NATIONAL PARK, TAIWAN. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:345-56. [PMID: 33822155 DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Parasite infection is one of the most important factors in wildlife conservation. However, fecal parasite profiles of threatened Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are only sporadically reported, and the effect of parasitic diseases on the survival of the locally endangered Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) in Taiwan remains undetermined. The study objective was to investigate the gastrointestinal parasite profiles of Formosan black bears in Yushan National Park, the only known high-density habitat for the species in Taiwan. Bear fecal samples were collected in the acorn season (from October to February) from January 2008 to October 2012. To avoid bias created by repeat sampling, the parasite profiles of fecal samples collected in 2010 from 46 individually identified bears (which were identified by genetic analysis) were also examined. Parasites were isolated by various methods and identified by morphologic characteristics. A total of 220 samples were analyzed and the results were compared between seasons, sexes, and individuals. The overall frequency of parasite infection was 77.3%, and it varied by species, with Baylisascaris transfuga infection being the most frequent. We suggest that one factor underlying the high frequency and high intensity of infection that we observed is the fact that the bears seasonally congregated at high density in a small area. To our knowledge, this is the first thorough study of gastrointestinal parasites in Asiatic black bears. The long-term nature of the investigation and the relatively stable frequency and intensity of infection suggest that parasitic diseases could serve as bioindicators of ecosystem health.
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Sharifdini M, Heckmann RA, Mikaeili F. The morphological and molecular characterization of Baylisascaris devosi Sprent, 1952 (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda), collected from Pine marten (Martes martes) in Iran. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:33. [PMID: 33419477 PMCID: PMC7791847 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04513-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Baylisascaris devosi is an intestinal nematode found in several carnivores including fisher, wolverine, Beech marten, American marten and sable in different parts of the world, but this nematode has not been reported from Pine marten. Therefore, this study aimed to identify Baylisascaris isolated from a Pine marten in Iran using morphological and molecular approaches. Methods Specimens of B. devosi were collected from one road-killed Pine marten in northern Iran. Morphological features were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis and ion sectioning. The molecular characterization was carried out using partial Cox1, LSU rDNA and ITS-rDNA genes. Results The nematodes isolated from the Pine marten were confirmed to be B. devosi based on the morphological features and the sequence of ribosomal and mitochondrial loci. X-ray scans (EDAX) were completed on gallium cut structures (papillae, eggs, male spike and mouth denticles) of B. devosi using a dual-beam scanning electron microscope. The male spike and mouth denticles had a high level of hardening elements (Ca, P, S), helping to explain the chemical nature and morphology of the worm. Based on these genetic marker analyses, our sequence had the greatest similarity with Russian B. devosi isolated from sable. Conclusions In this study, to our knowledge, the occurrence of B. devosi infection in Pine marten is reported for the first time. Molecular analysis showed that these three genes are suitable molecular markers for identification and inferring phylogenetic relationships of Baylisascaris species. Furthermore, the high divergence of Cox1 between Baylisascaris species indicates that Cox1 could be used for their phylogenetic and taxonomic studies. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Sharifdini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Richard A Heckmann
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, 1114 MLBM, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA
| | - Fattaneh Mikaeili
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Xie Y, Li Y, Gu X, Liu Y, Zhou X, Wang L, He R, Peng X, Yang G. Molecular characterization of ascaridoid parasites from captive wild carnivores in China using ribosomal and mitochondrial sequences. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:382. [PMID: 32727607 PMCID: PMC7391581 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04254-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the public health importance of toxocariasis/toxascariasis, only a few species of these ascaridoid parasites from wild canine and feline carnivores have been studied at the molecular level so far. Poor understanding of diversity, host distribution and the potential (zoonotic) transmission of the ascaridoid species among wild animals negatively affects their surveillance and control in natural settings. In this study, we updated previous knowledge by profiling the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of ascaridoid species among eleven wild canine and feline animals on the basis of a combined analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) gene and the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes. RESULTS In total, three genetically distinct ascaridoid lineages were determined to be present among these wild carnivores sampled, including Toxocara canis in Alopex lagopus and Vulpes vulpes, Toxocara cati in Felis chaus, Prionailurus bengalensis and Catopuma temmincki and Toxascaris leonina in Canis lupus, Panthera tigris altaica, Panthera tigris amoyensis, Panthera tigris tigris, Panthera leo and Lynx lynx. Furthermore, it was evident that T. leonina lineage split into three well-supported subclades depending on their host species, i.e. wild felids, dogs and wolves and foxes, based on integrated genetic and phylogenetic evidence, supporting that a complex of T. leonina other than one species infecting these hosts. CONCLUSIONS These results provide new molecular insights into classification, phylogenetic relationships and epidemiological importance of ascaridoids from wild canids and felids and also highlight the complex of the taxonomy and genetics of Toxascaris in their wild and domestic carnivorous hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yunjian Liu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Ran He
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xuerong Peng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Basic Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
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Barton DP, Martelli P, Luk W, Zhu X, Shamsi S. Infection of Hexametra angusticaecoides Chabaud & Brygoo, 1960 (Nematoda: Ascarididae) in a population of captive crested geckoes, Correlophus ciliatus Guichenot (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae). Parasitology 2020; 147:673-80. [PMID: 32046802 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020000219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Here we report on the infection of captive crested geckos Correlophus ciliatus Guichenot (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae), with adults of the ascaridoid nematode, Hexametra angusticaecoides Chabaud & Brygoo, 1960 (Ascarididae). A population of captive crested geckoes became ill and died within a short period of time. Nematodes were recovered from the crested geckoes examined from within the coelomic cavity, penetrating various organs and migrating through subcutaneous tissues, as well as emerging through the geckos' skin. One gecko was treated with levamisole following surgical excision of nematodes from under the skin; this gecko survived. The potential source of the nematode infection in the captive geckoes is discussed. It is most likely that wild-caught Madagascan mossy geckoes, Uroplatus sikorae Boettger (Reptilia: Gekkonidae), introduced the infection to the colony. Molecular sequences of the nematodes are the first produced for the members of this genus. A redescription of the species and its genetic characterization based on the internal transcribed spacer sequence data is provided, suggesting some of the morphological criteria that have been used in the past to distinguish between Hexametra spp. may have been intraspecific morphological variations.
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Camp LE, Radke MR, Shihabi DM, Pagan C, Yang G, Nadler SA. Molecular phylogenetics and species-level systematics of Baylisascaris. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2018; 7:450-462. [PMID: 30568876 PMCID: PMC6275171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleotide sequences representing nine genes and five presumptive genetic loci were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among seven Baylisascaris species, including one species with no previously available molecular data. These genes were used to test the species status of B. procyonis and B. columnaris using a coalescent approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on combined analysis of sequence data strongly supported monophyly of the genus and separated the species into two main clades. Clade 1 included B. procyonis, B. columnaris, and B. devosi, species hosted by musteloid carnivores. Clade 2 included B. transfuga and B. schroederi from ursids, B. ailuri, a species from the red panda (a musteloid), and B. tasmaniensis from a marsupial. Within clade 2, geographic isolates of B. transfuga, B. schroederi (from giant panda), and B. ailuri formed a strongly supported clade. In certain analyses (e.g., some single genes), B. tasmaniensis was sister to all other Baylisascaris species rather than sister to the species from ursids and red panda. Using one combination of priors corresponding to moderate population size and shallow genetic divergence, the multispecies coalescent analysis of B. procyonis and B. columnaris yielded moderate support (posterior probability 0.91) for these taxa as separate species. However, other prior combinations yielded weak or no support for delimiting these taxa as separate species. Similarly, tree topologies constrained to represent reciprocal monophyly of B. columnaris and B. procyonis individuals (topologies consistent with separate species) were significantly worse in some cases, but not others, depending on the dataset analyzed. An expanded analysis of SNPs and other genetic markers that were previously suggested to distinguish between individuals of B. procyonis and B. columnaris was made by characterization of additional individual nematodes. The results suggest that many of these SNPs do not represent fixed differences between nematodes derived from raccoon and skunk hosts. A phylogenetic hypothesis for Baylisascaris species was produced using nine genes. Genetic data was generated for two new species- B. devosi and B. tasmaniensis. Baylisascaris devosi and B. tasmaniensis were part of a monophyletic Baylisascaris. B. procyonis (raccoon) and B. columnaris (skunk) could not be reliably distinguished. Established SNPs may not be diagnostic for Baylisascaris from raccoons and skunks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Camp
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Marc R. Radke
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Danny M. Shihabi
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Christopher Pagan
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Steven A. Nadler
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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