Seasonal change and phylogenetic position of Kamegainema cingula (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) parasitic in Japanese giant salamanders

Abstract

Kamegainema cingula (Linstow, 1902) (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) parasitizes subcutis of cryptobranchid salamanders in Japan and the U.S.A. Kamegainema is a monotypic genus including only K. cingula. Here, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of K. cingula in other dracunculid and micropleurid species. We also reported the seasonal change of the present species in the infection rate in the skin of Andrias species in Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, Japan. We collected this species from the skin of Andrias japonicus and hybrids (A. japonicus × Andrias davidianus) from spring to early summer. Female K. cingula likely mature and release larvae during this season in Japan. In addition, K. cingula formed a sister clade to Micropleura as well as Dracunculus in our phylogenetic analysis.