The life cycle of Magnivitellinum saltaensis n. sp. (Digenea: Alloglossidiidae) in Salta Province, Argentina

Description of Diegoglossidium maradonai n. g. and n. sp. (Digenea: Alloglossidiidae) through an integrative taxonomy approach, with an amended diagnosis of the family

This paper describes Diegloglossidium maradonai n. g., n. sp. a parasite of the intestine of Hoplosternum littorale (Hancock) from La Plata River basin. The new genus is morphologically similar to members of Alloglossidiidae and Macroderoidiidae although they also share some traits observed in both families. Those families can be differentiated from each other by the combination of morphological features, including the density and distribution of the tegumental spines, the distribution of the vitelline follicles and the extent of the post-testicular space. The molecular analyses based on the large subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions including ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 unequivocally place the new genus in the family Alloglossidiidae which is amended based on new observed features. Diegoglossidium n. g. is characterized by a combination of characteristics, being most notably the presence of a deeply lobed ovary. Lastly, the geographical distribution and host associations of the two closely related Neotropical genera of Alloglossidiidae: Magnivitellinum and Diegoglossidium are discussed, and the host and distribution range of Magnivitellinum saltaensis is expanded into Argentina.

A checklist of larval Digenea (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda) in molluscs from inland waters of Argentina: one hundred years of research

A checklist of larval digeneans parasitising molluscs from inland waters of Argentina is presented here. Based on the bibliographical survey of 113 scientific articles and nine theses published between 1930 and 2021, 213 digeneans were found, which were distributed within 13 superfamilies and 35 families. The parasites were identified in 102 locations, encompassing eight of the sixteen biogeographical provinces in Argentina. Digeneans were found in 34 mollusc species (31 gastropods and three bivalves) belonging to 17 genera. The available data are presented for each digenean species, and included host information, localities, prevalence values, type of habitat, life cycle information (natural or experimental host), and information on material and genetic sequences deposited in repositories. Only 21.1% of individuals were identified to species level, and 8.5% to genus level. In addition, the genetic sequences of only 10 species (4.7%) were available at GenBank. This survey constitutes the first checklist of parasitic helminths in molluscs from inland waters of Argentina.