Seasonal change and phylogenetic position of Kamegainema cingula (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) parasitic in Japanese giant salamanders

<i>Kamegainema cingula</i> (Linstow, 1902) (Nematoda: Dracunculidae) parasitizes subcutis of cryptobranchid salamanders in Japan and the U.S.A. <i>Kamegainema</i> is a monotypic genus including only <i>K. cingula</i>. Here, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of <i>K. cingula</i> in other dracunculid and micropleurid species. We also reported the seasonal change of the present species in the infection rate in the skin of <i>Andrias</i> species in Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, Japan. We collected this species from the skin of <i>Andrias japonicus</i> and hybrids (<i>A. japonicus</i> × <i>Andrias davidianus</i>) from spring to early summer. Female <i>K. cingula</i> likely mature and release larvae during this season in Japan. In addition, <i>K. cingula</i> formed a sister clade to <i>Micropleura</i> as well as <i>Dracunculus</i> in our phylogenetic analysis.