Helminth Biodiversity in the Genus Melomys (Murinae: Hydromyini) From Australiaand Newguinea

AbstractThe rodent subfamily the Murinae (Muridae) has its origins in Southeast Asia. Ancestral rats migrated down the Indonesian Island chain, across Wallace's Line and into the Sahul (Australasian) Region. The genus, Melomys, a mosaic- tailed rat (Uromys Division: Hydromyini), has representatives in both New Guinea, including outlying islands (four species), and Australia (four species). The Australian species are thought to be relatively recent arrivals either using New Guinea as a staging post, or more likely forming part of a radiation in New Guinea prior to migrating to Australia in the Pleistocene. Examination of the helminth parasites of Melomys burtoni =M. lutillus and M. rufescens from New Guinea and M. burtoni and M. cervinipes from Australia, has shown that each host species harbours a diverse fauna. The helminth assemblage of M. cervinipes with 33 helminths was the most speciose and that of M. rufescens with 16 helminths the least. Nematodes of the genus Odilia (Trichostrongylida: Heligmonell...