First report of Hexametra angusticaecoides Chabaud & Brygoo, 1960 (Nematoda: Ascarididae) in a population of captive central bearded dragons, Pogona vitticeps Ahl (Squamata: Agamidae)

Abstract

Between 2022 and 2023 ascaridoid nematodes of the genus Hexametra were recovered from two captive central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps Ahl) in the Extremadura region of Spain. These nematodes were identified by an integrative approach combining morpho-anatomical and molecular data. We used two rRNA regions (D2–D3 expansion segments of the 28S, and ITS fragments), and the partial region of the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI mtDNA) sequences. Hexametra angusticaecoides Chabaud & Brygoo, 1960 (Ascarididae) was morphologically characterized and illustrated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic trees for these genetic markers established relationships that highlight the importance of using molecular and phylogenetic data for accurate species identification within the genus Hexametra. Phylogenetic trees indicated that the Spanish isolates of H. angusticaecoides were clustered in a well-supported clade together with other isolates from Central Europe of the same species. Molecular phylogenetic findings also reflect that there was a higher intraspecific variation for ITS genetic markers at the intraspecific level. Phylogenetic results based on 28S rRNA suggest that Ascarididea was divided into three monophyletic major clades. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this species parasitizing bearded dragons, extending the host range of this species. These findings represent the first formal record of H. angusticaecoides in Spain.