Morphological and genetic characterization of Porrocaecum angusticolle (Molin, 1860) (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha) from the common buzzard Buteo buteo (Linnaeus) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) in Czech Republic

Porrocaecum angusticolle is a nematode species mainly parasitic in the birds of Accipitriformes and Strigiformes. However, some aspects of the morphology of P. angusticolle remain insufficiently known. In the present study, the detailed morphology of P. angusticolle was studied using light and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy, based on newly collected specimens from the common buzzard Buteo buteo (Linnaeus) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) in Czech Republic. Some previously unreported morphological features of taxonomic significance were observed. The nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers, including partial large ribosomal DNA (28S), complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1 + 5.8S + ITS-2), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox 1) and subunit 2 ( cox2 ) of P. angusticolle were sequenced for molecular identification of this species. There was no intraspecific genetic variation detected in the 28S and ITS regions among different individuals of P. angusticolle , but low level of intraspecific nucleotide divergence was found in the cox 1 (0.26–0.78%) and cox 2 regions (1.0%). The 28S and cox 2 of P. angusticolle were sequenced for the first time. Our molecular evidence supported the validity of both P. angusticolle and P. depressum . The newly obtained genetic data are helpful for further studies of DNA-based taxonomy, population genetics and phylogeny of the genus of Porrocaecum . • Morphology of P. angusticolle was studied using SEM for the first time. • 28S and cox 2 sequences of P. angusticolle were reported for the first time. • Low level of intraspecific genetic variation was detected in cox 1 (0.26–0.78%) and cox 2 (1.0%) regions. • Molecular data supported the validity of both P. angusticolle and P. depressum .