Molecular and morphological data confirmed first record of abbreviata kazakhstanica markov and paraskiv, 1956 (Spirurida: Physalopteridea) in iran

Abstract

Background: The genus Abbreviata (Spirurida: Physalopteridea) currently contains 47 species. Physalopteridae nematodes infect a large number of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The current study is a report of the first morphological and molecular identification of A. kazakhstanica (Spirurida: Physalopteridea) in Pseudopus apodus in Iran. Methods: Eleven road-killed P. apodus, were collected from, Iran during 2016-2018. The nematodes were isolated from stomach. After morphological study, the genomic DNA of the parasites was extracted using CTAB method. The DNA was used for PCR amplification of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1). The PCR products were sequenced, the sequence data were analyzed and multiple align-ments were conducted using the Clustal Omega. Results: After detailed microscopic examination, the A. kazakhstanica was identi-fied. The cox1 sequences confirmed the species of helminth. The new sequences of A. kazakhstanica were submitted to GenBank under the accession number MK578751-2. Conclusion: Regarding the limited data on parasitological status of Iranian rep-tiles, more specific and comprehensive investigations are needed to identify the parasitic fauna.