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Further studies on the morphology of Baylisascaris transfuga (Rudolphi, 1819) (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha: Ascarididae) from the polar bear Ursus maritimus Phipps (Carnivora: Ursidae)

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Abstract

Baylisascaris transfuga (Rudolphi, 1819) is a common parasitic nematode in the digestive tract of various species of bears worldwide, with great veterinary significance. However, our present knowledge on the morphology of B. transfuga remains insufficient. In the present study, the detailed morphology of B. transfuga was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), based on specimens collected from the polar bear Ursus maritimus Phipps (Carnivora: Ursidae) in the Shijiazhuang Zoo, China. The results revealed some morphological and morphometric variation between the present specimens and some of those from previous studies, including oesophageal length of female, number and morphology of postcloacal papillae and morphology of tail of males. Present SEM observations clearly showed the detailed morphology of lips, cervical alae, cloacal ornamentation, precloacal medioventral papilla, phasmids and tail tip. These supplementary morphological and morphometric data enable us to identify this ascaridid nematode more accurately.

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Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 32170442, 31750002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Yuhua District, Shijiazhuang, 050024, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Liang Li & Hui-Xia Chen

  2. Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Shijiazhuang, 050024, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Liang Li & Hui-Xia Chen

Authors
  1. Liang Li
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  2. Hui-Xia Chen
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Contributions

LL and HXC identified the nematode specimens, wrote the manuscript and prepared figures 1-3. Both authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Liang Li.

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All applicable institutional, national and international guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Li, L., Chen, HX. Further studies on the morphology of Baylisascaris transfuga (Rudolphi, 1819) (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha: Ascarididae) from the polar bear Ursus maritimus Phipps (Carnivora: Ursidae). Syst Parasitol 100, 283–289 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-023-10087-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-023-10087-3

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