The phylogenetic position of Choerodonicola Cribb, 2005 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) with a partial life-cycle for a new species from the blue-barred parrotfish Scarus ghobban Forsskål (Scaridae) in Moreton Bay, Australia

A Phylogenetic Re-Evaluation of the Stenakrine Opecoelids (Trematoda, Digenea: Opecoeloidea) with Some Taxonomic Novelties

The Opecoeloidea is a large group of xiphidiate digeneans parasitizing marine and freshwater fishes. According to the current taxonomic model, this superfamily contains only one family with numerous subfamilies. This study is devoted to the members of the Stenakrinae. Based on phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of 18S and 28S rRNA genes of stenakrine opecoelids Caudotestis dobrovolski, C. cf. dobrovolski, Hexagrammia zhukovi, Stenakron vetustum, as well as the deep-sea xiphidiate digenean Zdzitowieckitrema incognitum, which so far has had an ambiguous phylogenetic status, we erect a new opecoeloid family, the Zdzitowieckitrematidae fam. nov. The genera Holsworthotrema and Scorpidotrema are removed from the Stenakrinae to the Scorpidotrematinae subfam. nov. within the Opecoelidae. We also remove the Stenakrinae from the Opecoelidae and recognize it as a separate family within the Opecoeloidea. The Stenakridae stat. nov. is a sister taxon to a well-supported Opecoelidae. The Zdzitowieckitrematidae occupies a sister position relative to the stenakrids and the opecoelids taken together. All three families are clearly phylogenetically distinct, however convincing morphological differences are revealed only between the Zdzitowieckitrematidae and the Stenakridae and between the Opecoelidae and the Stenakridae.

A new subfamily for a clade of opecoelids (Trematoda: Digenea) exploiting marine fishes as second-intermediate hosts, with the first report of opecoelid metacercariae from an elasmobranch

Metacercariae of trematodes belonging to the family Opecoelidae were collected from small fishes of the Great Barrier Reef: a blenniid, two gobiids, two labrids, three pomacentrids, a monacanthid, an ostraciid and the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum. Sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA were generated from these metacercariae in an attempt to match them with adult worms. Three species of Allopodocotyle (Allopodocotyle epinepheli, Allopodocotyle heronensis and an unidentified species), two unidentified species of Hamacreadium and Pacificreadium serrani were detected. Among the Opecoelidae, these species all resolve to a single, phylogenetically and somewhat morphologically distinct clade. Species of this clade are the only known marine opecoelids to exploit fishes as second-intermediate hosts. The clade is proposed to warrant a new subfamily, the Hamacreadiinae subfam. nov. It includes Allopodocotyle, Bentholebouria, Cainocreadium, Choanotrema, Hamacreadium, Pacificreadium, Paraplagioporus, Pedunculacetabulum and Podocotyloides.

Podocotyle atomon (Trematoda: Digenea) impacts reproductive behaviour, survival and physiology in Gammarus zaddachi (Amphipoda)

The Trematoda are a group of phylogenetically diverse metazoan parasites that exhibit complex life cycles that often pass through invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Some trematodes influence their host's behaviour to benefit transmission. Their parasitic influence may impact host population size by inhibiting an individual's reproductive capacity. We assessed the impact of infection by Podocotyle atomon on the reproductive behaviour and fecundity of its amphipod intermediate host, Gammarus zaddachi, using laboratory and field studies. Parasite prevalence was high in the field, with males more likely to be infected (prevalence in males 64%, in females 39%). Males also suffered a higher parasite burden than females. Infected females were less active, but we found no evidence for a reduction in female reproductive success. Infected females also had comparable pairing success to uninfected females. In males, infection reduced survival and fecundity, with mortality being highest, and sperm numbers lowest, in heavily infected individuals. Trematode parasites are sometimes associated with altered host fecundity, but studies often lack the relevant experimental data to explore the evolution of the trait. We discuss this among information specific to the effect of P. atomon infection in G. zaddachi.

Intermediate host switches drive diversification among the largest trematode family: evidence from the Polypipapiliotrematinae n. subf. (Opecoelidae), parasites transmitted to butterflyfishes via predation of coral polyps

Podocotyloides stenometra Pritchard, 1966 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) is the only trematode known to infect anthozoan corals. It causes disease in coral polyps of the genus Porites Link (Scleractinia: Poritidae) and its life-cycle depends on ingestion of these polyps by butterflyfishes (Perciformes: Chaetodontidae). This species has been reported throughout the Indo-Pacific, from the Seychelles to the Galápagos, but no study has investigated whether multiple species are involved. Here, we recollect P. stenometra from its type-host and type-locality, in Hawaiian waters, and describe four new species from examination of 768 butterflyfishes from French Polynesia. On the basis of morphology, phylogeny and life-history, we propose Polypipapiliotrema Martin, Cutmore & Cribb n. gen. and the Polypipapiliotrematinae Martin, Cutmore & Cribb n. subf., for P. stenometra (Pritchard) n. comb., P. citerovarium Martin, Cutmore & Cribb n. sp., P. hadrometra Martin, Cutmore & Cribb n. sp., P. heniochi Martin, Cutmore & Cribb n. sp., and P. ovatheculum Martin, Cutmore & Cribb n. sp. Given the diversity uncovered here and the ubiquity, abundance and diversity of butterflyfishes on coral reefs, we predict that Polypipapiliotrema will prove to comprise a rich complex of species causing disease in corals across the Indo-Pacific. The unique life-cycle of these taxa is consistent with phylogenetic distinction of the group and provides evidence for a broader basis of diversification among the family. We argue that life-cycle specialisation, in terms of adoption of disparate second intermediate host groups, has been a key driver of the diversification and richness of the Opecoelidae, the largest of all trematode families and the group most frequently encountered in coral reef fishes.

Records of opecoeline species Pseudopecoelus cf. vulgaris and Anomalotrema koiae Gibson & Bray, 1984 (Trematoda, Opecoelidae, Opecoelinae) from fish of the North Pacific, with notes on the phylogeny of the family Opecoelidae

Opecoelid species Pseudopecoelus cf. vulgaris and Anomalotrema koiae Gibson & Bray, 1984 were found in fish collected in the boreal waters of the North Pacific. Pseudopecoelus cf. vulgaris differs from Pseudopecoelus vulgaris (Manter, 1934) in terms of the egg size. This is the first record of A. koiae in the North Pacific, and the second of Pseudopecoelus cf. vulgaris. Previously, A. koiae was recorded only in North Atlantic fish. Partial sequences of 28S rDNA obtained for these two species and six other previously unsequenced representatives of the family Opecoelidae were analysed together with data from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis supports the allocation of the six clades of opecoelids - Helicometrinae, Opecoelinae, Opistholebetinae, 'freshwater Plagioporinae', 'marine Plagioporinae B' and 'marine Plagioporinae C', and confirms the paraphyly of the group 'deep-sea Plagioporinae'. Our phylogeny does not support previous hypotheses about the monophyly of opecoelines with a uroproct.