Identity of Spirometra theileri from a Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in Tanzania

Abstract

In the present study, a <i>Spirometra</i> species of Tanzania origin obtained from an African leopard (<i>Panthera</i> <i>pardus</i>) and spotted hyena (<i>Crocuta</i> <i>crocuta</i>) was identified based on molecular analysis of cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase I (<i>cox1</i>) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (<i>nad1</i>) as well as by morphological observations of an adult tapeworm. One strobila and several segments of a <i>Spirometra</i> species were obtained from the intestine of an African male leopard (<i>Panthera</i> <i>pardus</i>) and spotted hyena (<i>Crocuta</i> <i>Crocuta</i>) in the Maswa Game Reserve of Tanzania. The morphological characteristics of <i>S</i>. <i>theileri</i> observed comprised 3 uterine loops on one side and 4 on the other side of the mid-line, a uterine pore situated posterior to the vagina and alternating irregularly either to the right or left of the latter, and vesicular seminis that were much smaller than other <i>Spirometra</i> species. Sequence differences in the <i>cox1</i> and <i>nad1</i> genes between <i>S</i>. <i>theileri</i> (Tanzania origin) and S. erinaceieuropaei were 10.1% (<i>cox1</i>) and 12.0% (<i>nad1</i>), while those of <i>S</i>. <i>decipiens</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>ranarum</i> were 9.6%, 9.8% (<i>cox1</i>) and 13.0%, 12.6% (<i>nad1</i>), respectively. The morphological features of the Tanzania-origin <i>Spirometra</i> specimens coincided with those of <i>S</i>. <i>theileri</i>, and the molecular data was also consistent with that of <i>S</i>. <i>theileri</i>, thereby demonstrating the distribution of <i>S</i>. <i>theileri</i> in Tanzania. This places the leopard (<i>Panthera</i> <i>pardus</i>) and spotted hyena (<i>Crocuta</i> <i>Crocuta</i>) as new definitive hosts of this spirometrid tapeworm.