New information on adults pentastomids (Crustacea: Pentastomida) found in ophidians from Argentina: Insights from 28S rDNA and COI mtDNA

Abstract

Pentastomids are a group of crustaceans adapted for parasitic life. In South America, twenty-five species have been recorded, with only nine species reported in Argentina. Only three studies have focused on the molecular analysis of pentastomids in South America. Therefore, the aim of this work is to report the sequences of two pentastomids found in Argentina. A "yarara grande" (Bothrops alternatus) and a common swamp snake (Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus) were found dead on roads in northeastern Argentina and examined for parasites. Pentastomids were found in the lungs, removed, and preserved in 96% ethanol for molecular analysis. DNA was extracted, and the 28S and COI genes were amplified. The genetic analysis revealed the presence of Procephalus cf. crotali in B. alternatus and Kiricephalus cf. coarctatus in E. poecilogyrus. This study provides the first South American COI sequences for adults of these species. Additionally, we report the first 28S sequence for K. cf. coarctatus. Furthermore, these results suggest discordance between morphological classification and molecular data at the family and subfamily levels. Further research on genus morphology and more comprehensive genetic data are required to definitively resolve the taxonomic placement of these families and their constituent genera.