Molecular phylogenies provide insights into the evolutionary relationships of the Spirurida (Nematoda), with special emphasis on the superfamily Physalopteroidea

The mitogenome of T. pudica is the first for the subfamily Thubunaeinae, and that of A. varani is also the first for the genus Abbreviata. Molecular phylogenetic results suggest that the subfamily Proleptinae should be elevated to full family level, i.e., Proleptidae stat. nov., and that the genus Crassicauda (Habronematoidea: Tetrameridae) should be assigned to Proleptidae stat. nov. Our results also indicate that the Physalopteridae sensu stricto currently comprises two subfamilies, the Thubunaeinae and the Physalopterinae, and that the genus Skrjabinoptera should be transferred from the Physalopterinae to the Thubunaeinae.