A New Host Record for Clinostomum cf. marginatum (Trematoda: Digenea: Clinostomidae) from the Endemic Salado Salamander, Eurycea chisholmensis (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from the Edwards Plateau, Texas, U.S.A.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Macroscopic examination of 622 Salado salamanders, Eurycea chisholmensis Chippindale, Price, Wiens and Hillis, 2000, collected between June 2018 and July 2020 from 3 springs in Williamson County, Texas, U.S.A., revealed the presence of encapsulated metacercariae of Clinostomum cf. marginatum (“yellow grub”) in 3 (0.5%) hosts. Two of these 3 salamanders were examined and released unharmed per permit requirements, but 1 was found dead, and it harbored 6 total metacercariae, 4 on the head region (including 1 behind the left eye), 1 near the left front leg, and 1 in the tail. Morphological identification of C. cf. marginatum was achieved by comparison to previous accounts. Molecular identification was accomplished by comparing sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis using an 828 base pair partial sequence of the internal transcribed spacer region. This is the first report of any parasite from E. chisholmensis, a federally threatened species.