Phylogenetic Position of Pseudosellacotyla lutzi (Freitas, 1941) (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae), A Parasite of Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch) in South America, through 28S rDNA Sequences, and New Observations of the Ultrastructure of Their Tegument

Revision of Cryptogonimus Osborn, 1903 and Caecincola Marshall et Gilbert, 1905 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae), supplemental description of Cryptogonimus chili Osborn, 1903, and description of a new species of Caecincola infecting basses (Centrarchiformes: Centrarchidae) in Tennessee and Alabama rivers

We provide a supplemental description of the type species for Cryptogonimus Osborn, 1903 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae), Cryptogonimus chili Osborn, 1903, based on newly-collected, heat-killed, formalin-fixed specimens infecting rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque), and smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède (both Centrarchiformes: Centrarchidae), from the Duck River, Tennessee (USA). We emend Cryptogonimus to include features observed in the present specimens of its type species and in the descriptions of its congeners: a broad (wider than long) oral sucker, an intestine that bifurcates in the posterior half of the forebody, a bipartite seminal vesicle, a hermaphroditic duct that is dorsal to the ventral sucker, a preovarian seminal receptacle, and a Laurer's canal that opens dorsally at the level of the anterior testis. We describe Caecincola duttonae sp. n. (Cryptogonimidae) infecting largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède), from Neely Henry Reservoir (Coosa River, Alabama, USA). The new species differs from its congeners by having a combination of a less elongate body, an intestine that bifurcates at the level of the ventral sucker, caeca that terminate at the level of the testes, diagonal testes in the middle of the hindbody, and a vitellarium predominantly distributed in the hindbody. We emend Caecincola Marshall et Gilbert, 1905 (type species Caecincola parvulus Marshall et Gilbert, 1905) to include features of the new species and recently-described congeners: an elongate body, an intestine that bifurcates in the posterior half of the forebody, caeca that extend posteriad beyond the testes, tandem testes, and a vitellarium that is wholly or primarily in the hindbody. Our 28S and ITS2 phylogenetic analyses recovered Caecincola and Cryptogonimus as sister taxa; Caecincola was recovered as paraphyletic with 28S but monophyletic with ITS2. This is the first phylogenetic study of Cryptogonimidae that includes a nucleotide sequence for a species of the type genus Cryptogonimus. We regard Cryptogonimus diaphanus (Stafford, 1904) Miller, 1941 as a species inquirenda.

Form and Function in the Digenea, with an Emphasis on Host-Parasite and Parasite-Bacteria Interactions

This review covers the general aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the major body systems in digenetic trematodes, with an emphasis on new knowledge of the area acquired since the publication of the second edition of this book in 2019. In addition to reporting on key recent advances in the morphology and physiology of tegumentary, sensory, neuromuscular, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems, and their roles in host-parasite interactions, this edition includes a section discussing the known and putative roles of bacteria in digenean biology and physiology. Furthermore, a brief discussion of current trends in the development of novel treatment and control strategies based on a better understanding of the trematode body systems and associated bacteria is provided.

A new species of Siphoderina Manter, 1934 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) infecting the Dory Snapper Lutjanus fulviflamma (Teleostei: Lutjanidae) from the east coast of South Africa

Parasitological assessment of marine fishes at Sodwana Bay in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area on the east coast of South Africa revealed a new species of cryptogonimid trematode infecting the pyloric caeca of the Dory Snapper, Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskål) (Lutjanidae). The new species is morphologically consistent with the concept of the large genus Siphoderina Manter, 1934; its phylogenetic position within this genus was validated through molecular sequencing of the ITS2 and partial 28S ribosomal DNA sub-regions. We name this species Siphoderina nana n. sp. and comment on the current state of understanding for this genus of cryptogonimids.

Metazoan endoparasites of Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) (Actinopterygii: Erythrinidae) from upper and middle São Francisco river basin, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

The endoparasitic fauna of Hoplias malabaricus (which is a species of paramount importance in the fishing and human food sectors) from Três Marias reservoir, São Francisco river, and from eleven marginal lagoons in the upper and middle São Francisco river basin, Brazil, was herein recorded for the first time. In total, 13 endoparasite species belonging to ten different families were found in 147 analyzed H. malabaricus specimens. The identified taxa comprised individuals belonging to phyla Apicomplexa-Calyptosporidae-Caplyptospora sp. (oocysts); Platyhelminthes-Trematoda-Diplostomidae (metacercariae)-Austrodiplostomum sp. and Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum, Clinostomidae (metacercariae)-Clinostomum sp., Gorgoderidae (adults)-Phyllodistomum spatula, and Eucestoda-Proteocephalidae gen. sp. (plerocercoids larvae); and Nematoda-Anisakidae (larvae)-Contracaecum sp. Types 1 and 2 and Hysterothylacium sp., Gnathostomatidae (larvae)-Spiroxys sp., Camallanidae (juveniles/adults)-Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus, Guyanemidae (juveniles/adults)-Guyanema baudi, and Cystidicolidae (juveniles/adults)-Cystidicoloides fischeri. Proteocephalidae gen. sp. and Contracaecum sp. Type 1 were the species presenting expressive parasitic indexes in the reservoir, in the river, and in nine of the eleven lagoons. Cystidicoloides fischeri was recorded for the first time in H. malabaricus. Guyanema baudi and S. musculosum had their geographic distribution expanded to São Francisco river basin.

Identification and molecular characterization of digenean trematode parasites of Aylacostoma chloroticum (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) from a Neotropical Basin

Thiarids are pantropical gastropods distributed from South America to Australia and found in lentic and lotic freshwater environments. These gastropods act as intermediate hosts for several species of digeneans. There are difficulties in the correct identification of these digeneans in certain stages of the life cycle as the larvae have a reduced size and few morphological characteristics for diagnosis. Because of this, techniques based on molecular markers have become an extremely useful tool. Our objective was to molecularly characterize the digeneans found in gastropods from the Ivaí River, Paraná, Brazil, using the mitochondrial molecular marker cytochrome c oxidase (COI) and the 28S ribosomal marker. With the molecular marker COI, gastropods showed high genetic similarity with Aylacostoma chloroticum. For the parasites, four different taxa were characterized with both markers. The 28S ribosomal marker proved to be more effective for the identification of Ivaí River parasites, being possible to suggest the identification of two species among the four groups found. Considering that there are no records in the literature of studies involving parasites and gastropods as intermediate hosts in the Ivaí River, this study is the first regarding these relationships.

An opisthorchiid concept of the genus Liliatrema (Trematoda: Plagiorchiida: Opisthorchioidea): an unexpected systematic position

Liliatrema is a small genus of trematodes consisting of two species. Its systematic position has long been debated, partly because of the confusing reports about the structure of male terminal genitalia. Here we test the phylogenetic position of the genus Liliatrema using data on complete 18S rRNA and partial 28S rRNA gene sequences obtained for Liliatrema skrjabini. We also provide a detailed description of terminal genitalia in adult specimens of L. sobolevi and metacercariae of both Liliatrema species. The results of the 28S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis indicate that Liliatrema falls within a well-supported clade, which also includes Apophallus and traditional opisthorchiids. This clade, in turn, is nested within a well-supported clade, containing Euryhelmis, Cryptocotyle and Scaphanocephalus. In the 18S+8S rDNA analysis, Liliatrema appears as a sister-taxon to the Cryptocotyle + Euryhelmis group. The Liliatrema + (Cryptocotyle + Euryhelmis) clade is a well-supported sister-group to the traditional opisthorchiids. The morphology of the terminal genitalia of the liliatrematids also corresponds to that of the opisthorchioids. Thus, the results of our morphological and phylogenetic analyses favour an unexpected conclusion that the genus Liliatrema belongs to the Opisthorchioidea. We propose that the genera Liliatrema, Apophallus, Euryhelmis, Cryptocotyle and Scaphanocephalus belong, respectively, within the subfamilies Liliatrematinae, Apophallinae, Euryhelminthinae and Cryptocotylinae of the family Opisthorchiidae.

Molecular characterization and identification of digenean larval stages in Aylacostoma chloroticum (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae) from a neotropical floodplain

Digeneans (Trematoda: Digenea) are endoparasites that present a complex life cycle, generally involving an intermediate invertebrate host and a vertebrate host. There is limited information about which species of molluscs may act as intermediate hosts in the upper Paraná River floodplain (UPRF), where Aylacostoma chloroticum can be considered a potential candidate. The study of digeneans in this region is important because some of these parasites are potentially zoonotic, and, therefore, are relevant to public health. However, the correct identification of these organisms during the larval stages is difficult because of the lack of morphologically diagnostic characteristics. The objective of this study was to identify and molecularly characterize the larval stages of digeneans found in A. chloroticum in the UPRF, using the mitochondrial marker of subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase and the 28S nuclear marker. The molluscs were examined in the laboratory and three morphotypes of cercariae were found. DNA was extracted from the specimens obtained and was then amplified and sequenced. The morphotypes exhibited high genetic similarities with Pseudosellacotyla, Paralecithodendrium and Philophthalmus, indicating that these organisms belong to these genera. This is the first record of larval stages of these genera in molluscs collected in the UPRF.

Heterophyid trematodes (Digenea) from penguins: A new species of Ascocotyle Looss, 1899, first description of metacercaria of Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis Hernández-Orts et al. (2012), and first molecular data

Two species of heterophyid trematodes were found in the Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus (Forster), from Patagonia, Argentina. Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) patagoniensis Hernández-Orts et al. (2012) is re-described based on new, properly fixed specimens (original material from South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens Shaw, was from frozen hosts). Metacercariae of this species are reported and described for the first time from the heart of the silversides, Odontesthes argentinensis (Valenciennes) and O. smitti (Lahille), from Patagonia. Ascocotyle (Phagicola) cameliae n. sp. is described from the intestine of S. magellanicus. The new species is placed into the subgenus Phagicola Faust, 1920 because of the presence of a single row of circumoral spines and uterine loops and vitelline follicles being confined posterior to the ventral sucker. However, it differs distinctly from other members of this subgenus by the number (19-24) and length (23-31 μm) of massive circumoral spines and by the morphology of the ventrogenital sac with a large, simple gonotyl devoid of refractile bodies. Molecular data (partial 28S rDNA sequences) for both species are also provided. Matching sequences from metacercarial and adult stages helped elucidate partially the life-cycle of A. (A.) patagoniensis. The interspecific relationships and phylogenetic position of Ascocotyle were further assessed on a broad phylogeny on the Opisthorchioidea Looss, 1899. Ascocotyle (P.) ornamentata Shalaby et al. (1993) described from decomposed worms (all circumoral spines were detached) found in a dog in Egypt, with no type-specimens of this species deposited in a repository collection, is considered to be species inquirenda.