A revision of the trichostrongylid nematode Cooperia Ransom, 1907, from deer game: recent integrative research confirms the existence of the ancient host-specific species Cooperia ventricosa (Rudolphi, 1809)

• Published in: Frontiers in veterinary science 2024-02, Vol.11, p.1346417-1346417
• Main Authors: Albrechtová, Martina, Kašparová, Eva Štefková, Langrová, Iva, Hart, Vlastimil, Neuhaus, Birger, Jankovská, Ivana, Petrtýl, Miroslav, Magdálek, Jan, Špakulová, Marta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cooperia pectinata; Cooperia ventricosa; deer game; mitochondrial DNA; redescription; ribosomal DNA; Veterinary Science
• ISSN: 2297-1769; 2297-1769
• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1346417

The trichostrongylid roundworms of the genus , which are important in veterinary medicine, currently comprise 19 valid species that parasitize the small intestine of both free-living and domestic ruminants. Only four spp. have been reported in Europe, namely and . In 2018-2022, 25 red deer ( ) and 30 sika deer ( ) of both sexes and various ages from several remote locations in the Czech Republic were parasitologically examined. Intestinal nematodes of the genus were found only in two northern regions. Using the globally recognized key book on trichostrongylid nematodes, they were preliminarily identified as . However, a molecular analysis of 2 and ITS rDNA gene sequences revealed that sp. parasitizing Czech deer is a separate taxon that is more closely related to than to . A subsequent morphological analysis and literature survey confirmed the independence of deer sp., which is similar but not identical to bovid . Previous long-term correct identifications of bovid and misidentifications of deer species were caused by a fundamental error in the key book mentioned above. Interestingly, the ancient trichostrongylid nematode from the type host red deer ( ) shot near Greifswald (Germany) was described by Rudolphi in 1809. Rudolphi's type material (one male and four females) was deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin). Later, the ancient species was taken as a synonym for various spp. Our current re-examination of the type male indicated that there is a relatively good agreement with our new material from Czech deer regarding the most important characteristics of (i.e., the shape and size of the male spicules); however, Rudolphi's type material is in rather poor condition. The suggested resurrection of the deer sp. in this study as (Rudolphi, 1809) requires verification by collecting and analyzing new nematode material from the type locality near Greifswald.