Cladistic analysis of Taxaceae s. l.

Taxaceae s. l. is a wider concept of classification treating five genera of Taxaceae s. str. and Cephalotaxus together. Cephalotaxus is morphologically very similar to the five genera of Taxaceae s. str. Various models of classification for six genera have already been published. However, the phylogenetic position and genuine relationships of these genera and species are still confusing. A cladistic analysis of Taxaceae s. l. has been carried out to resolve the problem existing in their phylogeny and to provide a new approach regarding the relationships of these six genera. Parsimony analyses were based on 28 characters and eight genera including two outgroups Agathis and Sciadopitys. The most parsimonious tree retained with branch length 38 and 194 rearrangement trials. Consistency index was 0.68 and retention index was 0.66. Principally, two main clades were found: one represented by Austrotaxus forming the base of the tree and another by the remaining five genera. Taxus + Pseudotaxus clade split after Austrotaxus, and Cephalotaxus was sister to Torreya + Amentotaxus clade. Taxus + Pseudotaxus clade was supported by the highest bootstrap value. Finally, cladistic analysis does not support existence of Cephalotaxaceae. Therefore, it would be better to classify Cephalotaxus within Taxaceae s. l. with the other five genera.     

Proceedings towards a natural classification of the worldwide taxa Phellinus s.l. and Inonotus s.l., and phylogenetic relationships of allied genera

The classification of Phellinus s.l., Inonotus s.l. and the phylogenetic relationships of allied genera were studied using nuc-lsu rDNA sequence data. The worldwide taxon sampling comprised 107 species, 99 of them belonging to the Hymenochaetales. The phylogenetic trees were discussed in relation to morphological and anatomical features of the fruit bodies. The Hymenochaetales formed no monophyletic group and several non-Hymenochaetales appeared as intermingled with the Hymenochaetales. Trichaptum abietinum and Oxyporus populinus showed no certain affinities within the Hymenochaetales, whereas Basidioradulum radula was closely related to Phellopilus nigrolimitatus, and Hyphodontia quercina and Schizopora paradoxa were related to Coltricia, Coltriciella and Pyrrhoderma adamantinum. Phellinus s.l. and Inonotus s.l. formed no monophyletic groups, and a subdivision in the following genera is accepted: Phellinus s.s., Inonotus s.s., Inocutis, Fomitiporella, Aurificaria, Phylloporia, Fulvifomes, Mensularia, Pseudoinonotus, Fomitiporia, Porodaedalea, Onnia, Fuscoporia, and Inonotopsis. Coltricia and Coltriciella were confirmed as seperate genera. The taxonomic status of Phellinidium and Pyrrhoderma remained uncertain. 16 new combinations are proposed.     

国产广义飞蛾藤属(旋花科)植物种子表面微形态及其分类学意义

首次报道用扫描电镜观察的国产广义飞蛾藤局10种1变种植物的种子表面微形态特征。该属种子表面微形态特征可分为两大类型,其中I类型又可细分为3个亚型。除模式种Porana volubilis Burm.f.外,广义飞蛾藤属的种子表面微形态特征较为一致。因此,种子表面微形态特征不支持将广义飞蛾藤属拆分为4属或5属。研究结果显示,种子表面微形态在作为属内种的分类鉴别特征具有一定价值,如种子表面微形态支持保留毛果飞蛾藤的变种等级。将种子表面微形态与该广义属的花粉形态,以及宏观形态学特征进行对比分析,结果表明,广义飞蛾藤属种子表面微形态在属下等级的划分上没有很大价值。此外,鉴于P.volubilis Burm.I.具特殊的种子表面微形态特征,该种与广义飞蛾藤属属内其余种的关系值得进一步深入研究。     

Phylogeny inLabiatae s. l., inferred from cpDNA sequences

Sequences ofrbcL andndhF were analysed independently and in combination to resolve phylogenetic relationships inLabiatae s. l. Monophyly ofLabiatae s. l was supported by all three analyses.Congea tomentosa (Symphoremataceae) is nested withinLabiatae s. l. in therbcL analysis, but emerges as the sister group ofLabiatae s. l. in thendhF and combined analyses. Four noteworthy clades ofLabiate s. l. also are supported by all analyses corresponding to subfamiliesNepetoideae, Lamioideae, Pogostemonoideae andScutellarioideae. Monophyly of subfamiliesChloanthoideae andViticoideae is not supported. A clade comprisingTeucrioideae plusAjuga is supported byndhF and the combined analysis.     

Phylogeny of the bee subtribe Caenohalictina Michener (Hymenoptera,Apidae s.l., Halictinae s.l.)

Gonçalves, R. B. & Melo, G. A. R. (2009). Phylogeny of the bee subtribe Caenohalictina Michener (Hymenoptera, Apidae s.l., Halictinae s.l.). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 187–197. Recently, Caenohalictina Michener, 1954 was formally proposed as a group within Halictini based on a phylogenetic analysis using DNA data. Morphological synapomorphies for the subtribe are not stabilized and the relationships among its attributed genera were not completely reconstructed. Also, there are different propositions for the scope and classification of the genera. This study investigates the monophyly of Caenohalictina based on morphological characters and presents a hypothesis for the relationships among its genera and subgenera. For this purpose, a matrix of 36 terminals and 96 characters was coded. The cladistic analysis using character equal weighting resulted in one most parsimonious tree with 189 steps. According to this hypothesis, the subtribe is monophyletic with five synapomorphies supporting it. The relationships among Caenohalictina taxa are: Habralictus(Caenohalictus (((Agapostemon s.s. + Notagapostemon) (Agapostemonoides (Rhinetula (Paragapostemon + Dinagapostemon)))) + ((Ruizanthedella (Ruizantheda + Oragapostemon)) + (Brasilagapostemon (Pseudagapostemon s.s. + Neagapostemon))))). The subgenus Habralictus s.s. is paraphyletic with respect to Habralictus (Zikaniella) crassipes, hence both subgenera are not recognized. Comments on alternative generic classifications and biogeographic patterns are presented.     

Gynoecium and perianth inZanthoxylum s.l. (Rutaceae)

The question whether the uniseriate perianth ofZanthoxylum L. s. str. is homologous with the calyx or the corolla of taxa included inFagara, or of an independent origin, has been controversial for a long time, but the arguments mostly have remained theoretical. The present investigation of floral structures indicates that there are two different types of uniseriate perianth inZanthoxylum s. str. Therefore, this taxon does not represent a natural group and should be united withFagara asZanthoxylum s.l. The infrageneric taxonomy of this genus is still very ambiguous. It is shown that differences in indumentum, number of sepals and petals (5-4-3) resp. perianth segments (4–9), stamens (3–6), and free carpels (1–5) are of systematic relevance. Particularly important but so far neglected is carpel shape, where an acrostylous and an anacrostylous-basistylous type can be recognized. Stigmata of 2 or more carpels mostly fuse to form a compitum. 4–5-merous flowers with calyx and corolla, and acrostylous carpels are considered as plesiomorphic character states in the genus. On the basis of ± corresponding morphological and phytochemical progressions a working hypothesis about the relationships withinZanthoxylum s.l. is presented in graphical form (Fig. 9).Adapted from a lecture held at the 10th Symposion on Morphology, Anatomy, and Systematics in Göttingen, February 1991.     

Chromosome numbers and mode of reproduction in Picrishieracioides s.l. (Asteraceae), with notes on some other Picristaxa

Chromosome numbers for 88 plants of Picris hieracioides s.l. originating from 32 localities from Austria, Andorra, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Spain are reported. All analysed plants were diploid, with 2n=2x=10. In addition to P. hieracioides s.l., we also found diploidy (2n=2x=10) in P. nuristanica from Kirgizia and P. japonica from Japan. Our data confirmed previously published results in the literature. We also studied the mode of reproduction in all three taxa. Picris nuristanica and P. japonica s.l. were able to produce some seeds by selfing, and this is the first record of autogamy in this genus. In P. hieracioides s.l. only strict allogamy was found, demonstrating the presence of a self-incompatibility system in this species. Because apomixis, namely apospory, has previously been reported in P. hieracioides , castration experiments were performed in order to confirm or reject this report. However, no evidence of apomictic seed formation was found within this species. In the light of our results, P. hieracioides should be considered a strictly sexual taxon.     

Validation of a Remote Sensing Model to Identify Simulium damnosum s.l. Breeding Sites in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background

Recently, most onchocerciasis control programs have begun to focus on elimination. Developing an effective elimination strategy relies upon accurately mapping the extent of endemic foci. In areas of Africa that suffer from a lack of infrastructure and/or political instability, developing such accurate maps has been difficult. Onchocerciasis foci are localized near breeding sites for the black fly vectors of the infection. The goal of this study was to conduct ground validation studies to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a remote sensing model developed to predict S. damnosum s.l. breeding sites.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Remote sensing images from Togo were analyzed to identify areas containing signature characteristics of S. damnosum s.l. breeding habitat. All 30 sites with the spectral signature were found to contain S. damnosum larvae, while 0/52 other sites judged as likely to contain larvae were found to contain larvae. The model was then used to predict breeding sites in Northern Uganda. This area is hyper-endemic for onchocerciasis, but political instability had precluded mass distribution of ivermectin until 2009. Ground validation revealed that 23/25 sites with the signature contained S. damnosum larvae, while 8/10 sites examined lacking the signature were larvae free. Sites predicted to have larvae contained significantly more larvae than those that lacked the signature.

Conclusions/Significance

This study suggests that a signature extracted from remote sensing images may be used to predict the location of S. damnosum s.l. breeding sites with a high degree of accuracy. This method should be of assistance in predicting communities at risk for onchocerciasis in areas of Africa where ground-based epidemiological surveys are difficult to implement.     

瓦形细胞在广义锦葵科中的分布及其系统学意义

基于文献和作者的研究,该文讨论了瓦形细胞的识别、类型、变异及在广义锦葵科中的分布及其系统学意义。瓦形细胞是一种特殊射线细胞,呈不定的横列,常分散在横卧细胞之间,常无细胞内含物,其宽度远比横卧细胞为小,根据瓦形细胞与横卧细胞高度、宽度的相对大小,分为榴莲型、中间型和翅子树型3种类型,目前为止仅在广义锦葵科9个亚科中的7亚科39个现存属和5个化石属中发现;榴莲型、翅子树型和中间型瓦形细胞分别在22、20和5个属中发现,具有中间型的属同时具有榴莲型或/和翅子树型。仅翅子树型和中间型瓦形细胞在化石中发现,榴莲型可能比翅子树型古老。瓦形细胞在广义锦葵科中的分布,对研究一些类群的系统发育有意义。     

Los domacios de Mortoniodendron (Malvaceae s.l.)

We describe the domatia of nine species of the genus Mortoniodendron, based on observations of cleared leaves and scanning electron micrographs. We recognize four kinds of domatia in Mortoniodendron species: cryptpocket, crypt, pocket and tufts of hairs, mostly associated with primary, secondary and tertiary veins. Mortoniodendron anisophyllum and M. costaricense have domatia up to the tertiary and quaternary veins. Moreover, domatia are absent in only two species, M. pentagonum and M. uxpanapense. Although there are reports on the occurrence of domatia in Malvaceae s.l., mainly in Brownlowioideae, Sterculioideae, and Tilioideae subfamilies, they are poorly described, and based on the different types of domatia found in Mortoniodendron we suggest reviewing other genera to better describe the diversity of domatia in Malvaceae s.l.

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Resumen  Se describen los domacios presentes en nueve especies del género Mortoniodendron utilizando la técnica de diafanización y el microscopio electrónico de barrido. En el género se observaron cuatro tipos de domacios: criptabolsa, cripta, bolsa y mechón de tricomas, la mayoría asociados a las venas primaria, secundarias y terciarias. Mortoniodendron anisophyllum y M. costaricense tienen domacios hasta las bifurcaciones de venas terciarias y cuaternarias. únicamente en dos especies, M. pentagonum y M. uxpanapense, los domacios están ausentes. A pesar de que se han registrado domacios en miembros de Malvaceae s.l., predominantemente en las subfamilias Brownlowioideae, Sterculioideae y Tilioideae; pocas veces se describe su tipo. Por ello, con base en los diferentes tipos de domacios encontrados en Mortoniodendron sugerimos estudiar otros géneros y confirmar la diversidad en Malvaceae s.l.

     

Effect of plant structure on oviposition behavior of Anopheles minimus s.l.

Knowledge of factors that influence oviposition behavior of malaria mosquitoes is critical to vector control measures aimed at larval habitat modifications and source reduction. Anopheles minimus s.l., an important malaria vector in Southeast Asia, generally breeds in clear, unpolluted water along shaded grassy edges of slow-moving streams. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of vegetation and plant structure on An. minimus s.l. ovipositing females. Twenty gravid female mosquitoes per replication were given a choice to lay eggs in bowls surrounded by different combinations of bare soil, grasses, small-leaved plants, and large-leaved plants. An. minimus s.l. females generally preferred to lay eggs in bowls with vegetation. A significantly higher number of eggs were found in bowls with small-leaved plants compared to bowls with grasses (P<0.05). The results suggest that gravid females preferred oviposition habitats in the following order: small-leaved plants > large-leaved plants > grasses > soil. Further studies are needed to determine the possible roles of plant structure and factors such as semiochemicals in the different species of the An. minimus species complex. Knowledge of female oviposition behavior is essential for the development of locally adapted vector control approaches.     

Phylogeny of Orthotrichum s.l. and Ulota s.l. (Orthotrichaceae,Bryophyta): Insights into stomatal evolution

Orthotrichum Hedw. s.l. and Ulota Mohr s.l. are two of the most speciose genera of the xerophytic moss family Orthotrichaceae. We reconstructed the phylogeny of these two genera using three data matrices: (i) organellar genomes and 33 taxa; (ii) six loci from three genomes and 144 taxa; and (iii) two plastid loci and 163 taxa. The present phylogeny, based on the maximum sampling of genes or taxa to date, generally confirms the new classification of Orthotrichum and Ulota, and indicated that all Ulota species, except Ulota phyllantha Brid., form a clade and three lineages comprise the cryptoporous Orthotrichum clade. We provided new morphological characters that support the present division of the two genera. Ancestral state reconstruction of stoma indicates that superficial stomata in Orthotrichum represent a plesiomorphic character and semi-immersed stomata were derived from immersed stomata. The results also suggest that immersed stomata independently arose once in Orthotrichum, whereas semi-immersed stomata probably arose more than once. Molecular dating analysis reveals that the occurrence of immersed stomata is probably related to arid environments during the early Oligocene to late Miocene, whereas the appearance of semi-immersed stomata might be associated with the mesic–xeric or semiarid environments during the middle Miocene to Pliocene. Ancestral state reconstruction of habitat indicates that the saxicolous habitat is apomorphic and independently evolved multiple times in Orthotrichum and Ulota, which supports the former hypothesis. Considering morphological statistics, the development of the cryptopore in Orthotrichum could provide increased resilience to dry habitats, and might promote their habitat shift during evolution.     

Phylogeny of the Dipsacales s.l. based on chloroplast trnL-F and ndhF sequences

Sequences of the chloroplast trnL-F region and 3(') end ndhF gene were used to elucidate phylogenetic relationships and the delimitation of families within Dipsacales s.l. Parsimony analyses of individual and combined data were conducted using maximum parsimony method. The most parsimonious tree based on combined trnL-F and 3(') end ndhF data set recognizes seven major clades of Dipsacales s.l. with the following relationships: Apiales (Adoxaceae ((Diervillaceae, Caprifoliaceae s.str.) (Linnaeaceae (Morinaceae (Dipsacaceae, Valerianaceae))))). Both Sambucus and Viburnum have close relationships with Adoxaceae, supporting their inclusion in this family. Caprifoliaceae s.l. (excluding Sambucus and Viburnum) is polyphyletic, and comprises three clades or families, i.e., Linnaeaceae (Abelia, Dipelta, Kolkwitzia, and Linnaea), Diervillaceae (Weigela and Diervilla) and Caprifoliaceae s.str. (Heptacodium, Leycesteria, Lonicera, Symphoricarpos, and Triosteum). This study focuses on the systematic position of Heptacodium, Triplostegia, and Morinaceae; and suggests that Heptacodium is closely related to the other Caprifoliaceae s.str.; Triplostegia is a sister to Dipsacaceae; Morinaceae, which has an affinity with Dipsacaceae, is possibly a sister group with Dipsacaceae-Valerianaceae clade. Our results are highly congruent with those of and.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Sematophyllaceae s.l. (Hypnales,Bryophyta)

The Sematophyllaceae s.l. (Sematophyllaceae s.str. + Pylaisiadelphaceae) is one of the most diversified families of pleurocarpous mosses, distributed worldwide. The familial definition and subfamilial delimitation of the family have been controversial since their inception. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony analyses. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis using five molecular markers (nad5, rbcL, rps4, trnL-F, and 26S) from mitochondrial, chloroplast, and nuclear genomes revealed the paraphyly of the Pylaisiadelphaceae and the monophyly of Sematophyllaceae s.l. Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, the Sematophyllaceae s.l. were further divided into six subfamilies, Taxithelioideae, Isopterygoideae, Pylaisiadelphoideae, Aptychelloideae, Platygyrioideae, and Sematophylloideae. The Taxithelioideae is established to accommodate Taxithelium, Taxitheliella, and Vernieri, the Isopterygoideae is established to accommodate Isopterygium and Yakushimabryum, the Pylaisiadelphoideae is newly circumscribed to accommodate Brotherella, Pylaisiadelpha, and Orientobryum, the Aptychelloideae is established to accommodate Aptychella, the Platygyrioideae is temporarily established to accommodate Clastobryella, Clastobryum, Gammiella, Platygyrium, and Trachyphyllum, the Sematophylloideae is resurrected to accommodate the Sematophyllaceae s.str., and Isocladiella, Isocladiellopsis, Mastopoma, Heterophyllium, Pseudotrismegistia, Trismegistia, and Wijkia are transferred to the subfamily. A new classification for the Sematophyllaceae s.l. is then proposed.     

The thermal constant of the onchocerciasis vector Simulium damnosum s.l. in West Africa

The minimum water temperature for development (t(0)) and the thermal constant (K) for the development of immature stages of Simulium damnosum s.l. (Diptera: Simuliidae) in West Africa were estimated as 20.1 °C and 93 day-degrees, respectively, based on analyses of published data on development rates of eggs, larvae and pupae at different water temperatures (24.0 °C and 31.5 °C). Thus, at a constant water temperature of 30.0 °C (approximately 10 °C above t(0)), adult flies would emerge about 9 days after oviposition. Analysis of a dataset probably restricted to S. damnosum s.s., but for which the temperature for the egg stage varied, revealed a much lower t(0) (16.3 °C) and a much higher K (181 day-degrees), suggesting that the insects' thermal relations may be cytoform-specific. The results will aid control decisions and predictions of possible effects of climate change on sizes and geographic distributions of populations of onchocerciasis vectors in West Africa.     

Phylogenetic relationships among genera in theLiliaceae-Asparagoideae-Polygonatae s.l. inferred fromrbcL gene sequence data

The chloroplast gene encoding ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-carboxylase (rbcL) was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis of 13 species (10 genera) in the tribePolygonatae s.l. of theLiliaceae-Asparagoideae. The data were analysed using maximum parsimony and neighbour-joining methods. There were 233 phylogenetically informative sites out of 1368 base pairs compared. The results suggest that there are three monophyletic groups withinPolygonatae s.l. with high bootstrap confidence values. Group A representsPolygonatae s.str., with generaMaianthemum, Smilacina, Convallaria, Disporopsis, andPolygonatum. Group B containsUvularia andDisporum and group C includesStreptopus, Tricyrtis, Clintonia, andProsartes. The study suggests thatPolygonatae s.l. are not a monophyletic group, including at least three groups of different phylogenetic origin. Monophyly of the taxa within groups A, B, and C is supported by the high bootstrap confidence values (85–100%) of the bootstrap replications for both parsimony and neighbour-joining methods. The differences between each group (calculated as 100x base substitutions per site) were 6.99–9.03 for group A and B, 4.92–7.35 for A and C, and 6.66–7.57 for B and C.     

Targeted sequencing supports morphology and embryo features in resolving the classification of Cyperaceae tribe Fuireneae s.l.

Molecular phylogenetic studies based on Sanger sequences have shown that Cyperaceae tribe Fuireneae s.l. is paraphyletic. However, taxonomic sampling in these studies has been poor, topologies have been inconsistent, and support for the backbone of trees has been weak. Moreover, uncertainty still surrounds the morphological limits of Schoenoplectiella, a genus of mainly small, amphicarpic annuals that was recently segregated from Schoenoplectus. Consequently, despite ample evidence from molecular analyses that Fuireneae s.l. might consist of two to four tribal lineages, no taxonomic changes have yet been made. Here, we use the Angiosperms353 enrichment panel for targeted sequencing to (i) clarify the relationships of Fuireneae s.l. with the related tribes Abildgaardieae, Eleocharideae, and Cypereae; (ii) define the limits of Fuireneae s.s., and (iii) test the monophyly of Fuireneae s.l. genera with emphasis on Schoenoplectus and Schoenoplectiella. Using more than a third of Fuireneae s.l. diversity, our phylogenomic analyses strongly support six genera and four major Fuireneae s.l. clades that we recognize as tribes: Bolboschoeneae stat.nov., Fuireneae s.s., Schoenoplecteae, and Pseudoschoeneae tr. nov. These results are consistent with morphological, micromorphological (nutlet epidermal cell shape), and embryo differences detected for each tribe. At the generic level, most sub-Saharan African perennials currently treated in Schoenoplectus are transferred to Schoenoplectiella. Our targeted sequencing results show that these species are nested in Schoenoplectiella, and their treatment here is consistent with micromorphological and embryo characters shared by all Schoenoplectiella species. Keys to recognized tribes and genera are provided.     

Action of different monoterpenic compounds against Anisakis simplex s.l. L3 larvae.

Different natural monoterpenes (geraniol, citronellol, citral, carvacrol, cuminaldehyde and eugenol) are studied in vitro against Anisakis simplex s.l. L3 larvae, employing perillaldehyde as a reference substance. Final concentrations used were: 12.50, 6.25 and 3.12 microg/ml for each of the tested products. The parameters average survival, survival 50 and maximum survival were determined at 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours after the start of the experiment. All tested products, except eugenol, were active at the highest concentration (12.50 microg/ml). The damage caused to A. simplex s.l. L3 was by examining histological sections. The antioxidant activity of the tested products by DPPH free radical scavenging does not appear to be associated with their larvicide activity against A. simplex s.l. L3.     

A molecular phylogenetic study of Cucujidae s.l. (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea)

Of all the superfamilies within the megadiverse order Coleoptera (Insecta), Cucujoidea (Cucujiformia) is arguably the most problematic taxonomically. The families comprising Cucujidae s.l. (Silvanidae, Laemophloeidae, Passandridae and Cucujidae s.s. represent a large portion of cucujoid diversity. Herein we present the results of a rigorous molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cucujidae s.l. using maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian analyses of seven genes. Representatives of over half of the families of Cucujoidea (excluding the cerylonid series), as well as a broad sampling of Silvanidae and Laemophloeidae, were analysed. The monophyly of Cucujidae s.l. is rejected but a subgrouping of taxa that may form the core of a natural cucujoid lineage is recovered. This clade consists of two large monophyletic groups including several families each. Relationships among these smaller cucujoid groups are discussed, including several novel phylogenetic hypotheses, whereas morphological characters considered significant for classification in Cucujidae s.l. are evaluated in light of these phylogenetic hypotheses. Silvaninae, Telephanini, Brontini and Brontinae are recovered as monophyletic in the Bayesian analysis, but the former two are recovered as paraphyletic in the maximum‐likelihood analysis. Our results support the placement of Psammoecus Latreille within Telephanini and also recover a paraphyletic Telephanus Erichson. Silvaninae is divided into three lineages, each representing a potential tribal lineage. Laemophloeidae is rendered paraphyletic in all analyses by Propalticidae and the latter is herein formally transferred to Laemophloeidae stat.n . Several suprageneric laemophloeid clades are recovered and discussed as potential higher‐level groups. Laemophloeus Dejean is not recovered as monophyletic.     

Cross-reactivity between antigens of Anisakis simplex s.l. and other ascarid nematodes

A study of the cross-reactivity among somatic and excretory-secretory antigens of the third stage larvae of Anisakis simplex s.l. and somatic antigens of other ascarid nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, A. suum, Toxocara canis, Anisakis physeteris, Hysterothylacium aduncum and H. fabri) was carried out by immunoblotting. It was revealed a high degree of cross-reactivity among ascarids in the 30 and > 212 kDa range by using sera against somatic and excretory-secretory antigens of A. simplex s.l. It has been revealed also specific components of the Anisakis genus (< 7.2, 9, 19 and 25 kDa) that will be interesting in diagnosis.