New Host Record for Nematodes of the Genus <i>Soboliphyme</i> (Nematoda: Soboliphymatidae) Obtained from Talpine Moles in Japan

Nematodes of the genus Soboliphyme (Nematoda: Soboliphymatidae) are often found in the alimentary canal of mammals belonging to the orders Carnivora [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] and Eulipotyphla [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] in the northern hemisphere.In Japan, S.baturini has been recorded from some carnivorans, including mustelids (Japanese marten, Martes melampus , Japanese weasel, Mustela itatsi and alien American mink, Neovison vison), and a domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) [11][12][13][14][15]. Soboliphyme abei and S. urotrichi have also been reported from three species of Japanese eulipotyphlans (large-clawed shrew, Sorex unguiculatus [15,21,22], Laxmann's shrew, S. caecutiens [21,22], and greater Japanese shrew mole, Urotrichus talpoides [23]).Here, we report the presence of two nematodes belonging to this genus in two larger Japanese moles (Mogera wogura).The first specimen was obtained from the stomach of a larger Japanese mole carcass found on a road in Ujitachi-cho in Mie Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan (N3426'09", E1364 5'27'') on July 7, 2016 (Case 1) [24].The specimen was removed macroscopically from the stomach of the host.The second specimen was obtained from the stomach of a larger Japanese mole trapped in a vegetable garden in Ena City in Gifu Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan (N35 28'07", E137 24'36'') on May 31, 2020 (Case 2).Both specimens were fixed in 70% ethanol and transported to the laboratory of the first author (YY) at the University of Toyama.The worm bodies were cleared with lacto-phenol for microscopic observation.All measurements are reported as Case 1 / Case 2. The nematode specimens collected in this study were donated to the Meguro Parasitological Museum, Tokyo (Accession Number: MPM Collection Nos.21673 (Case 1) and 21674 (Case 2).Both obtained specimens were female.The worm body was slender (21.1 / 39.7 mm long) with a well-developed buccal capsule (0.91 / 1.61 mm long by 1.31 / 1.80 mm wide) (Fig. 1).The maximum width (excluding the buccal capsule) was 0.56 / 0.95 mm (Fig. 2).The cylindrical esophagus was 3.93 / 6.