Molecular characterization of Baylisascaris devosi Sprent, 1952 (Ascaridoidea, Nematoda) from Kamchatka sables

The nematodes of the genus Baylisascaris are common intestinal parasites of sables (Martes (M.) zibellina kamtschadalica Birula, 1916) on the entire territory of Kamchatka peninsula. Partial sequences of Cox I mitochondrial gene were used for molecular characterization of these nematodes, which confirmed the identification based on morphological data as B. devosi Sprent, 1952. Phylogenetic relationships of this Baylisascaris species were also inferred from the ITS rDNA and LSU rDNA sequences. SEM images were provided for taxonomically important morphological features.