Study of morphology and phylogeny of Mosgovoyia pectinata (Cestoda; Anoplocephalidae) from European wild hares (Lepus europaeus) in Northwestern Iran

One of the most important and common endoparasites in wild rabbits is a cestode known as Mosgovoyia. This study was aimed to identify Mosgovoyia pectinata in the wild rabbits (Lepus europaeus) from northwestern Iran based on microscopic and molecular methods and determine its phylogenetic position. For this purpose, the intestines of 45 hunted wild rabbits were examined and cestodes were collected. The morphological characteristics of cestodes were recorded microscopically (optical and Scanning Electron Microscope). For molecular analysis, after DNA extraction, approximately a 324-347 bp specific-species fragment of 18S rRNA gene were amplified by the designed primers. PCR products were sequenced. To determine the relationship between the obtained sequence and the sequences deposited to the GenBank, the phylogenetic tree was constructed with maximum likelihood method using MEGA X software. On microscopic examination, 17% of rabbits were infected with cestodes. Microscopic analyses were confirmed M. pectinata morphology characterizations. In molecular analysis, approximately 324-347 bp bands were visualized. The sequencing of PCR products confirmed 333 bands specific to M. pectinata. The alignment of the amplified fragment with the two isolates from Finland (AY752650.1) and United Kingdom (AY752648.1) showed significant intraspecific variations. The Iranian isolate revealed high homology with the British isolate (approximately 96%). To determine the phylogenetic relatedness, the Iranian isolate was placed in the same clade with the Finland and British isolates, as well as with a species of Schizorchis sp. Due to the limited information on this cestode, further studies are needed, especially with other gene regions.