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Achatz TJ, Gasperetti RM, Orlofske SA, Tkach VV. Phylogenetic Analysis of Pseudapatemon spp. (Digenea: Diplostomoidea) Reveals a Lineage Specific to Scolopacid Shorebirds. Acta Parasitol 2025; 70:115. [PMID: 40423729 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-025-01047-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2025] [Indexed: 05/28/2025]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pseudapatemon Dubois, 1936 is a small genus of diplostomoidean digeneans parasitic as adults in the intestines of scolopacid birds in the Holarctic and Indomalaya. Until now, no DNA sequences of any member of the genus were available and its phylogenetic affinities remained unknown. Herein, we sequenced 2 Pseudapatemon spp. from American woodcock in the United States and conducted molecular phylogenetic analysis to examine their relationships with other diplostomoideans. METHODS Two species of diplostomids belonging to Pseudapatemon were collected from American woodcock in Wisconsin (USA). Partial nuclear 28S ribosomal rDNA and mitochondrial CO1 genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28S ribosomal data was used for phylogenetic inference. RESULTS In the phylogenetic tree, both species of Pseudapatemon spp. formed a strongly supported cluster in a 100% supported clade with another diplostomoidean parasitic in scolopacid birds, Pulvinifer macrostomum (Jägerskiöld, 1900). Very low intergeneric difference in 28S sequences (2.5%) was detected between Pulvinifer and Pseudapatemon spp. The 2 Pseudapatemon spp. in our analysis differed by 1.2% in partial 28S sequences and 13.5-13.7% in CO1 sequences. CONCLUSION Representatives of the 2 currently sequenced genera of diplostomoideans from scolopacids proved to form a monophyletic clade. This provides evidence of an evolutionary host switch to scolopacid birds with subsequent radiation. Sequencing of other diplostomoideans from the Scolopacidae is needed to learn more about their phylogenetic relationships and address the question of the potential synonymy of Pseudapatemon and Pulvinifer Yamaguti, 1933.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Achatz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, GA, USA
| | - Roxanne M Gasperetti
- Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sarah A Orlofske
- Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA.
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Cribb TH, Barton DP, Blair D, Bott NJ, Bray RA, Corner RD, Cutmore SC, De Silva MLI, Duong B, Faltýnková A, Gonchar A, Hechinger RF, Herrmann KK, Huston DC, Johnson PTJ, Kremnev G, Kuchta R, Louvard C, Luus-Powell WJ, Martin SB, Miller TL, Pérez-Ponce de León G, Smit NJ, Tkach VV, Truter M, Waki T, Vermaak A, Wee NQX, Yong RQY, Achatz TJ. Challenges in the recognition of trematode species: Consideration of hypotheses in an inexact science. J Helminthol 2025; 99:e54. [PMID: 40260497 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x25000367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2025]
Abstract
The description and delineation of trematode species is a major ongoing task. Across the field there has been, and currently still is, great variation in the standard of this work and in the sophistication of the proposal of taxonomic hypotheses. Although most species are relatively unambiguously distinct from their congeners, many are either morphologically very similar, including the major and rapidly growing component of cryptic species, or are highly variable morphologically despite little to no molecular variation for standard DNA markers. Here we review challenges in species delineation in the context provided to us by the historical literature, and the use of morphological, geographical, host, and molecular data. We observe that there are potential challenges associated with all these information sources. As a result, we encourage careful proposal of taxonomic hypotheses with consideration for underlying species concepts and frank acknowledgement of weaknesses or conflict in the data. It seems clear that there is no single source of data that provides a wholly reliable answer to our taxonomic challenges but that nuanced consideration of information from multiple sources (the 'integrated approach') provides the best possibility of developing hypotheses that will stand the test of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Cribb
- Queensland Museum, Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, South Brisbane, Queensland4101, Australia
| | - D P Barton
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales2658, Australia
| | - D Blair
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Australia
| | - N J Bott
- School of Science, RMIT University, PO Box 71, BundooraVIC 3083
| | - R A Bray
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, LondonSW7 5BD, UK
| | - R D Corner
- Department of Primary Industries, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Queensland4102, Australia
| | - S C Cutmore
- Queensland Museum, Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, South Brisbane, Queensland4101, Australia
| | - M L I De Silva
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Western Australia
| | - B Duong
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, 4072Australia
| | - A Faltýnková
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelská 3, Brno, 613 00, Czech Republic
| | - A Gonchar
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, St Petersburg University, Universitetskaya emb. 7-9, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
- Laboratory of Parasitic Worms and Protists, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya emb. 1, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
| | - R F Hechinger
- Scripps Insitution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - K K Herrmann
- Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, USA
| | - D C Huston
- Australian National Insect Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO, PO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
| | - P T J Johnson
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO80309, USA
| | - G Kremnev
- Laboratory of Parasitic Worms and Protists, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya emb. 1, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
| | - R Kuchta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - C Louvard
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University - Potchefstroom campus, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom 2531, North West, South Africa
| | - W J Luus-Powell
- DSI-NRF SARChI Chair (Ecosystem Health), Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, 0727, South Africa
| | - S B Martin
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, 6150, Western Australia, Australia
| | - T L Miller
- Queensland Museum, Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, South Brisbane, Queensland4101, Australia
| | - G Pérez-Ponce de León
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida, Yucatán, C.P. 97357, Mexico
| | - N J Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University - Potchefstroom campus, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom 2531, North West, South Africa
| | - V V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - M Truter
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University - Potchefstroom campus, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom 2531, North West, South Africa
| | - T Waki
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba274-8510, Japan
| | - A Vermaak
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University - Potchefstroom campus, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom 2531, North West, South Africa
| | - N Q-X Wee
- Queensland Museum, Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, South Brisbane, Queensland4101, Australia
| | - R Q-Y Yong
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University - Potchefstroom campus, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom 2531, North West, South Africa
| | - T J Achatz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, Georgia, USA
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Achatz TJ, Von Holten ZS, Binh TT, Tkach VV. PHYLOGENY AND SYSTEMATICS OF CYATHOCOTYLID DIGENEANS (DIGENEA: DIPLOSTOMOIDEA) PARASITIZING SNAKES WITH DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES OF GOGATEA FROM AUSTRALIA AND VIETNAM. J Parasitol 2024; 110:590-606. [PMID: 39551077 DOI: 10.1645/24-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The Cyathocotylidae Mühling, 1896 is a small but broadly distributed family of digeneans parasitic in a wide range of vertebrate definitive hosts, from fish to mammals. Despite existing taxonomic questions, only a few studies have generated DNA sequence data from cyathocotylids, and only a single publication included sequence data from a cyathocotylid parasitic in snakes. Four genera are known to infect snakes: GogateaLutz, 1935, Szidatia Dubois, 1938, MesostephanoidesDubois, 1951, and SerpentostephanusSudarikov, 1961. Members of these genera were known from only Asia and Africa. In the present study, we describe 2 new species of Gogatea from snakes in Australia and 1 from Vietnam. The new species from Vietnam described herein is the first member of the genus that lacks a ventral sucker. We used partial sequences of the nuclear large ribosomal subunit (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes to explore phylogenetic relationships among cyathocotylids and species differentiation. In addition, this is the first report of a cyathocotylid from snakes in Australia, thus posing interesting questions regarding the dispersal and historical biogeography of these parasites. Cyathocotylid genera from snakes have a long, convoluted taxonomic history. The genera Gogatea, Mesostephanoides, and Szidatia were distinguished from each other based on very small morphological differences. Therefore, the validity of Szidatia and Mesostephanoides was often questioned in the literature. Based on the detailed morphological analysis of our freshly collected high-quality specimens and comparison with published information, we synonymize Mesostephanoides and Szidatia with Gogatea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Achatz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, Georgia 31206
| | - Zoe S Von Holten
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, Georgia 31206
| | - Tran Thi Binh
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
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Tkach VV, Gasperetti R, Fernandes TF, Carrión-Bonilla CA, Cook JA, Achatz TJ. Uncovering further diversity of Ochoterenatrema Caballero, 1943 (Digenea: Lecithodendriidae) in South American bats. Syst Parasitol 2024; 101:43. [PMID: 38805139 PMCID: PMC11133110 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-024-10165-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Ochoterenatrema Caballero, 1943 is a genus of lecithodendriid digeneans that prior to this study included 8 species parasitic in bats in the Western Hemisphere. Species of Ochoterenatrema possess a unique morphological feature in form of the pseudogonotyl on the sinistral side of the ventral sucker. In this study, we describe 2 new species of Ochoterenatrema from bats in Ecuador. The new species are readily differentiated from their congeners by a combination of morphological characters, including the distribution of vitelline follicles, length of oesophagus, sucker ratio and the body shape, among other features. We have generated partial nuclear 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cox1 gene DNA sequences from both new species. The newly obtained sequences were used to differentiate among species and study the phylogenetic interrelationships among Ochoterenatrema spp. The internal topology of the clade was weakly supported, although the cox1 tree was much better resolved than the 28S tree. Comparison of sequences revealed 0-1.2% interspecific divergence in 28S and 3.3-20.5% interspecific divergence in cox1 among Ochoterenatrema spp. The new findings demonstrate that bats in South America likely harbor multiple additional undescribed species of Ochoterenatrema. More extensive sampling from broader geographic and host ranges, especially in North America, should allow for a better understanding of the evolution of host associations and morphological traits of this lineage of lecithodendriid digeneans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
| | - Roxanne Gasperetti
- Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, USA
| | | | - Carlos A Carrión-Bonilla
- Museo de Zoología QCAZ, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Joseph A Cook
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Tyler J Achatz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, GA, 31206, USA
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Kostadinova A, Pérez-Del-Olmo A. The Systematics of the Trematoda. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1454:47-72. [PMID: 39008263 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-60121-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The platyhelminth class Trematoda comprises two subclasses with largely disparate species diversity, with the small Aspidogastrea with c.80 species and the speciose Digenea with c.18,000 species, which has attracted much effort towards our understanding of evolutionary relationships among suprageneric taxa. This chapter focuses on insights into the classification of the Digenea, that have become apparent from our advanced understanding of both morphological and molecular data. The field of molecular systematics of the Digenea has experienced significant advances over the past 15 years. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data predominantly from the 18S and 28S rRNA genes have incorporated a considerable diversity of taxa, thus increasing the accuracy of phylogenetic inferences at higher taxonomic levels. As a result, the status of long-standing supraspecific taxa has been revised, new higher-level taxa have been defined, and inferences made in association with morphological and life-cycle evidence. A substantial effort has been made towards a classification reflecting a natural system of the Digenea by considering morphological evidence in conjunction with phylogenies inferred from molecular data; this has resulted in considerable congruence. However, limited taxon sampling in the phylogeny of the Digenea still remains relevant, especially in relation to some higher-level taxa, and an outline of these omissions is presented. A framework that has led to robust estimates of phylogeny is outlined, and the application of advanced morphological and molecular approaches in digenean taxonomy and systematics is illustrated using the most comprehensively studied digenean superfamilies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Kostadinova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Ana Pérez-Del-Olmo
- Unitat de Zoologia Marina, Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Parc Científic, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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Gudla B, Orlofske SA, Brant SV, Tkach VV, Dubay S, Holtz L, Achatz TJ. TAXONOMIC REASSESSMENT AND MORPHOLOGICAL REDESCRIPTION OF NEMATOSTRIGEA SERPENS ANNULATA (DIGENEA: STRIGEIDAE) FROM OSPREY IN NORTH AMERICA. J Parasitol 2023; 109:550-558. [PMID: 38018747 DOI: 10.1645/23-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Digenean trematodes in the strigeid genus Nematostrigea are parasites of various birds, most often ospreys (Pandion haliaetus). Nematostrigea currently contains 2 species, Nematostrigea serpens and Nematostigea hepatica. Nematostrigea serpens is divided into 2 subspecies: N. serpens serpens from the Palearctic and Indomalayan realms and N. serpens annulata from the Nearctic realm. In the present work, we studied the type material of N. serpens annulata and collected new specimens from an osprey in Wisconsin close to the type locality. The original description and illustration of N. serpens annulata were incomplete. Herein we provide a detailed redescription and new illustrations of N. serpens annulata on the basis of the type material as well as newly collected and sequenced specimens. Nematostrigea serpens annulata has a distinct tegumental thickening near the mid-length of the genital cone, which is absent in its congeners. Partial sequences of the large ribosomal subunit (28S) DNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial DNA gene sequences were generated from our specimens of N. serpens annulata. Comparisons with previously published sequences of N. serpens serpens from the Palearctic demonstrated 2.2% difference in 28S and 3.7% in COI. On the basis of morphological and molecular comparisons, we elevate N. serpens annulata to species status and recognize it as Nematostrigea annulata Dubois and Rausch, 1948.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharani Gudla
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, Georgia 31206
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
| | - Sarah A Orlofske
- Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
| | - Sara V Brant
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, Division of Parasites, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Vasyl V Tkach
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
| | - Shelli Dubay
- College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2100 Main Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
| | - Lauren Holtz
- College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2100 Main Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
| | - Tyler J Achatz
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, Georgia 31206
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