Genetic variation within species of the nematode genus Cloacina(Strongyloidea�:�Cloacininae) parasitic in the stomachs of rock wallabies, Petrogalespp. (Marsupialia�:�Macropodidae) in Queensland.

Four morphospecies of Cloacina, parasitic nematodes in the stomachs of rock wallabies (Petrogalespp.) from Queensland, were compared genetically using sequence data of the two internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The results suggest that two geographically isolated populations of C. ernabellafrom P. purpureicolliswere genetically distinct. Based on the autapomorphic species concept, these two C. ernabellapopulations represented different species. For the three other nematode morphospecies, there were genetic differences among individuals of a morphospecies present in different species of host. The results suggest that each may represent a complex of sibling species, with a different species present in each species of rock wallaby examined for that morphospecies. In the C. caenisand C. pearsonicomplexes, the lineage present in P. purpureicollisfrom western Queensland represents a sister taxon to those in the P. pencillatacomplex from the east coast. In the C. robertsicomplex, the taxon parasitic in P. persephonerepresents the sister taxon to those in the P. pencillatacomplex and in P. purpureicollis. C. robertsiwas found for the first time in P. purpureicollisfrom Winton in central Queensland, suggesting contact in the recent past between populations of P. purpureicollisand a member of the P. penicillatacomplex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Australian Journal of Zoology is the property of CSIRO Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)