Recommended terminology and advances in the systematics of the Cyathostominea (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) of horses.

This research paper details on naming conventions and advancements in categorizing a specific tribe of nematodes in horses, Cyathostominea. The effort, led by international working group, has replaced old, ambiguous term “cyathostomes” and proposed the term “cyathostomins”. The research also features the progress made in molecular and morphological systematics and in creating molecular diagnostic probes.

Naming Conventions

• The Third Internal Workshop on the Systematics of Cyathostominea of Horses that took place in Stresa, Italy proposed the new terminology for common names of this Tribe of nematodes, replacing the previously used ambiguous, inaccurate or synonymous ones. The new recommended terms include “cyathostomins” for the nematodes and “cyathostominosis” for the disease caused by these nematodes.
• The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature accepted the petition from workshop participants and included Cyathostomum tetracanthum Mehlis, 1831 in the “Official List of Specific Names in Zoology”, ending a centuries-long controversy over naming of cyathostomins.

Progress and Achievements

• The progress by this international working group across three workshops is summarized, including a comprehensive list of published works. The notable output includes an annotated checklist for genus and species comprising 93 species level names, the recognition of 52 species, redescriptions of seven species and the description of one new species.
• There have been strides in molecular and morphological systematics which deal with the classification and evolution of these nematodes. It paves the way for understanding the biology of these worms at a more granular level.
• Development of diagnostic molecular probes, which are tools used to detect specific sequences in a DNA or RNA molecule, has been substantial. They are crucial in diagnosing cyathostomin infections in horses.
• The workshop has initiated the preparation of a revised identification key tailor-made for the 52 recognized species of the Tribe Cyathostominea. This key would be instrumental in the precise identification of the different species.