Morphological and genetic differentiation of Rodentolepis straminea (Goeze, 1752) and Rodentolepis microstoma (Dujardin, 1845) (Hymenolepididae)

The two related species, Rodentolepis straminea (Goeze, 1782) and Rodentole pis microstoma (Dujardin, 1845) (Cestoda, Hymenolepididae), both parasites of rodents, were compared morphologically and electrophoretically. Adult wo rms were isolated from three wild rodent species of the family Muridae (Apo demus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, and Mus musculus) from three differ ent sites in Spain and France. Although these two species were strikingly s imilar in morphological appearance, some of the morphological and metrical features analysed (scolex, mature segments and eggs) can be used for differ entiation. Fixed allelic differences were found. Of the ten enzymes detecte d by starch-gel electrophoresis, six (AAT, AK, GPI, MDH, NP, PGM) showed ch aracteristic isoenzyme profiles in each species. Only in MPI, PEPC, PEPD, a nd ME enzyme loci were no differences found. The study revealed that the tw o taxa can be clearly differentiated.