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The discovery of Moniliformis saudi (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) in the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus in Malta: morphological, molecular, and metal analyses

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Abstract

The acanthocephalan Moniliformis saudi Amin, Heckmann, Mohammed, Evans, 2016 was originally described from the desert hedgehog, Paraechinus aethiopicus (Ehrenberg) in central Saudi Arabia. The distribution of P. aethiopicus extends to North Africa and west to Mauritania. Moniliformis saudi was recently found in the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus (Lereboullet) in Malta. The distribution of A. algirus is restricted to the North African and east Iberian Mediterranean coast and associated islands. Both host species cohabit and share the same feeding grounds in northern Algeria where common infections appear to take place. The morphology of specimens from both acanthocephalan populations was similar, with minor variations mostly related to the relatively larger Maltese specimens especially the trunk and the male reproductive system. Taxonomic features like the cone-shaped anterior trunk, size and formula of proboscis and hooks, the receptacle, size and shape of eggs, anatomy of the apical proboscis sensory pores, and the stellate body wall giant nuclei were, however, practically identical. SEM and microscope images of specimens of the Maltese population emphasize their qualitative characteristics such as the degree of the extreme spiral muscle development and the development of the posterior nucleated pouches of the proboscis receptacle. Proboscis hooks of specimens from both the Maltese and the Saudi populations had similarly high levels (percent weights) of calcium, moderate levels of phosphorus, and minimal levels of sulfur, magnesium and sodium marking the diagnostic value of the Energy Dispersive x-ray analysis in species recognition. Newly generated partial sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) of the mitochondrial gene were generated from M. saudi from Malta. Moniliformis saudi from Malta, when compared with other available sequences of the same species isolates available in the GenBank database, formed a strongly supported clade with other congeners. The comparison of the molecular profiles of specimens from populations in Malta, Spain, and Saudi Arabia shows no or low genetic variation between them. Ultimately, we provide a morphological and molecular description of a new population of M. saudi from a new host species in a new geographical location, vastly exceeding the originally described ones from Saudi Arabia. A Cox 1 haplotype network inferred with 10 sequences revealed the presence of eight haplotypes, one of which was shared between the populations of Malta and Spain of M. saudi.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Department of Biology, Brigham Young University (BYU), Provo, Utah, and by an Institutional Grant from the Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI), Scottsdale, Arizona. The valuable support provided by Dr. Richard Gill, Chair, Biology Department and Dr. Michael Whiting, Bean Life Science Museum of BYU is gratefully appreciated. The EDXA and SEM methodologies used in this project have been pioneered by Dr. Richard A. Heckmann (deceased) (BYU) to whom we shall always dedicate our highest gratitude. We are grateful to the Electron Optics Laboratory (BYU) for technical help and expertise, especially noting Michael Standing. The authors thank the Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, India for providing laboratory facilities. Last but not least, we would like to extend our grateful appreciation for Dr. Nataliya Rubtsova at the Scottsdale Parasitology Center for her expertise in the production of the map and the final light microscope images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Parasitic Diseases, 11445 E. Via Linda 2-419, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259, USA

    Omar M. Amin

  2. Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, 250004, India

    Anshu Chaudhary & Hirdaya S. Singh

  3. Department of Biology, 401 WIDB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Solinus Farrer

  4. Wildlife Rescue Team Malta, Nature Trust-FEE Malta, Valletta, Malta

    Angelique Lofaro

  5. Maa Shakumbhari University, Punwarka, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 247120, India

    Hirdaya S. Singh

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Contributions

O.A.: Did the research and wrote wrote the manuscript except the molecular part A.C.: Did the molecular work S.F. :Did the SEM and EDXA work A.L.: Collected the specimens H.S.: provided the molecular laboratory facilities

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Correspondence to Omar M. Amin.

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Amin, O.M., Chaudhary, A., Farrer, S. et al. The discovery of Moniliformis saudi (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) in the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus in Malta: morphological, molecular, and metal analyses. Syst Parasitol 101, 12 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-023-10128-x

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