The first record of the trematode Urogonimus certhiae (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) in the Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea

Abstract

Adult trematodes of the genus Urogonimus Monticelli, 1888 were found in the cloaca of a male Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758, the carcass of which was found in the Vyritsa Settlm. (Leningrad Prov., Northwest Russia). Based on morphological characters, the worms were identified as U. certhiae McIntosh, 1927. This is the first record of this parasite from the nuthatch and from Northwest Russia. We analysed nucleotide sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA of this species and found important differences with U. macrostomus (Rudolphi, 1803). Genetic and morphological data indicated that U. certhiae and U. macrostomus were two separate species. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Urogonimus and Leucochloridium Carus, 1835 were two distinct genera.