New mermithid nematode-spider associations, along with a molecular phylogeny of mermithids hosted in spiders

Abstract

Mermithid parasitoids are well known to infect spiders; however, their impact on hosts and their taxonomic identity are still poorly analyzed. We present the first record of a mermithid nematode infection in the spider genera Piratula (Lycosidae) and Coelotes (Agelenidae), and in the species Alopecosa pulverulenta and Pardosa paludicola (Lycosidae). We describe the maldevelopment of the spiders’ female genitalia induced by the parasitoid and summarize data on the impact of nematode parasitoids on spider development and behaviour. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the 18S rDNA, showed that spider parasitoidism arose independently in different branches of the phylogenetic tree of the family Mermithidae.

Keywords

• Araneae
• behaviour modification
• host
• maldevelopment of epigyne
• Mermithidae
• parasitoid