Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and house mice (Mus musculus musculus; M. m. domesticus) in Europe are each parasitized by their own distinct species ofAspiculuris(Nematoda, Oxyurida)

Abstract

SUMMARYThe molecular phylogeny and morphology of the oxyuroid nematode genusAspiculurisfrom voles and house mice has been examined. Worms collected fromMyodes glareolusin Poland, Eire and the UK are identified asAspiculuris tianjinensis, previously known only from China, while worms fromMus musculusfrom a range of locations in Europe and from laboratory mice, all conformed to the description ofAspiculuris tetraptera. Worms from voles and house mice are not closely related and are not derived from each other, withA. tianjinensisbeing most closely related toAspiculuris dinnikifrom snow voles and to an isolate fromMicrotus longicaudusin the Nearctic. BothA. tianjinensisandA. tetrapteraappear to represent recent radiations within their host groups; in voles, this radiation cannot be more than 2 million years old, while in commensal house mice it is likely to be less than 10 000 years old. The potential ofAspiculurisspp. as markers of host evolution is highlighted.