Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Trichuris sp. (Nematoda: Trichuridae) in Crested Porcupines (Hystrix cristata; Rodentia: Hystricidae) from Italy

Adult specimens of Trichuris sp. collected from crested porcupines (Hystrix cristata) Italy were characterized using an integrative taxonomic approach involving morphological and molecular tools. The features this compared to data already available for spp. Hystrix sp., revealing diagnostic traits, such as spicule length in males or vulva shape females, which distinguish the other species. Evidence sequences analysis partial mitochondrial COX1 region indicated that taxon under study is a distinct lineage. Biometrical genetic suggested be valid separated taxon. However, since infecting Hystrix, T. infundibulus, hystricis, javanica, T.landak lenkorani, are missing public repositories, number identity lineages able infect remain only partially defined.