Research on helminths from Mexican amphibians: gaps, trends, and biases
Por:
Cabrera-Guzman, E., Papes, M., Garcia-Prieto, L.
Publicada:
22 nov 2021
Resumen:
We present a taxonomic, spatial, and thematic overview of the current
state of knowledge on helminth parasites of Mexican amphibians.
Sixty-six host species have been studied so far, representing 17.5% of
the amphibian species distributed in Mexico. A total of 139 nominal
species of helminths - 68 platyhelminths, 62 nematodes, three
acanthocephalans, three annelids (hirudineans), and three arthropods
(pentastomids) - have been recorded parasitizing these hosts. Most taxa
found in larval stages have not been identified at the species level.
The gastrointestinal nematode Aplectana itzocanensis exhibits the
broadest host range, while the bladder fluke Gorgoderina attenuata and
A. itzocanensis show the widest geographic distribution. Our analysis of
helminthological studies evidenced gaps and biases on research efforts
that have been devoted to relatively few host species, regions, and
approaches. Most helminthological records come from two species, the
cane toad Rhinella marina and the Montezuma's frog Lithobates
montezumae, and most studies have focused on describing the helminth
fauna of a host species in a particular location or on the description
of new helminth species. The highest proportion of records corresponds
to the Veracruzan biogeographic province, and helminth richness is
significantly correlated with host richness and with total amphibian
richness by biogeographic province. Only three provinces (Yucatan
Peninsula, Pacific Lowlands, and Baja Californian) have positive, yet
still low helminth species discovery effort. Based on our findings, we
recommend pursuing research approaches unexplored in Mexico and we
provide guidelines to improve research on helminths parasitizing
amphibians.
Filiaciones:
Cabrera-Guzman, E.:
(Corresponding Author), Oklahoma State Univ, Dept Integrat Biol, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
Oklahoma State Univ, Dept Integrat Biol, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
Papes, M.:
Univ Tennessee, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary Biol, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
Garcia-Prieto, L.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Dept Zool, Lab Helmintol, Apartado Postal 70-153, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
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