The parasitic polychaete known as Asetocalamyzas laonicola (Calamyzidae) is in fact the dwarf male of the spionid Scolelepis laonicola (comb. nov.)статья
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Дата последнего поиска статьи во внешних источниках: 18 июля 2013 г.
Аннотация:The morphology of the obligately ectoparasitic polychaete Asetocalamyzas laonicola
was studied by light and electron microscopy, and its taxonomic position was determined
using molecular methods. The parasite has an extensive coelomic cavity, complete septae, and
well-developed segmental nephridia, circulatory, and digestive systems. The nervous system is
rudimentary and without ganglia. The parasite’s anterior region penetrates the tissues of the
host, and opens into the host’s body cavity. The epidermal tissues of the parasite and the host
are highly integrated in the area of contact, and the parasite’s cuticle is continuous with that
of the host. Blood vessels of the parasite and the host may interlace in the fusion zone. The
dorsal side of the parasite faces the dorsal side of the host. All parasites were males, but all
hosts were females. In order to elucidate the uncertain systematic position of the parasite,
molecular systematic studies were conducted. Parasite and host 18S rDNA sequences were
virtually identical and revealed that both belong to the spionid cluster. These sequences
differed from those of Scolelepis squamata and Scolelepis bonnieri by 2.7% and 0.9%, respectively.
In addition, of seven partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene obtained
from three parasites and four hosts, six were identical, and in one host–parasite pair, COI
sequences differed by one substitution. Partial ITS2 sequences from one host–parasite pair
were analyzed and also found to be similar but not identical, with two indels in a 645-bp
alignment. We conclude that the parasite is in fact a dwarf male of its conspecific spionid
female host. Consequently, A. laonicola is transferred to Scolelepis (Spionidae), forming the
new combination Scolelepis laonicola.