Lepocreadiidae (Trematoda) associated with gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidaria and Ctenophora) and fishes in Australian and Japanese waters

We examined gelatinous zooplankton from off eastern Australia for lepocreadiid trematode metacercariae. From 221 specimens of 17 species of cnidarian medusae and 218 specimens of four species of ctenophores, infections were found in seven cnidarian and two ctenophore species. Metacercariae were distinguished using cox1 mtDNA, ITS2 rDNA and morphology. We identified three species of Prodistomum Linton, 1910 [P. keyam Bray & Cribb, 1996, P. orientale (Layman, 1930), and Prodistomum Type 3], two species of Opechona Looss, 1907 [O. kahawai Bray & Cribb, 2003 and O. cf. olssoni], and Cephalolepidapedon saba Yamaguti, 1970. Two species were found in cnidarians and ctenophores, three only in cnidarians, and one only in a ctenophore. Three Australian fishes were identified as definitive hosts; four species were collected from Scomber australasicus and one each from Arripis trutta and Monodactylus argenteus. Transmission of trematodes to these fishes by ingestion of gelatinous zooplankton is plausible given their mid-water feeding habits, although such predation is rarely reported. Combined morphological and molecular analyses of adult trematodes identified two cox1 types for C. saba, three cox1 types and species of Opechona, and six cox1 types and five species of Prodistomum of which only two are identified to species. All three genera are widely distributed geographically and have unresolved taxonomic issues. Levels of distinction between the recognised species varied dramatically for morphology, the three molecular markers, and host distribution. Phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA data extends previous findings that species of Opechona and Prodistomum do not form monophyletic clades.

Integrative Taxonomy of Prosogonotrema bilabiatum Vigueras, 1940 (Digenea: Sclerodistomidae): A Parasite in Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet, 1782) (Acanthuriformes: Ephippidae) from Brazil

OBJECTIVES

The present work aims to expand the knowledge of the digenean species Prosogonotrema bilabiatum (Sclerodistomidae), a parasite of Chaetodipterus faber (Acanthuriformes) from Brazil, with an integrative taxonomic approach, using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, histology, and molecular biology.

METHODS

Forty-one digenean specimens were stained with hydrochloric carmine for morphological studies. Eleven parasites were dehydrated through a graded ethanol series, critical point dried with carbon dioxide, and coated with gold for scanning electron microscopy analysis. Four specimens were processed following histological routine and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Gomori trichrome. DNA extracted was amplified using 28S partial primer D1-D3. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were performed for phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

Morphometric and morphological data of the specimens studied ranged in accordance as observed in previous descriptions of the species. Observations from scanning electron microscopy and histology corroborated with those observed in stained whole mounts. Molecular analysis showed that specimens of P. bilabiatum from Brazil clustered with another two sequences of this species from different hosts and localities, with a high node support value.

CONCLUSIONS

The integrative taxonomic approach allowed to record and describe new characteristics of P. bilabiatum related to the tegument, the structure and the arrangement of its tissues. The use of molecular markers confirmed that specimens identified as P. bilabiatum from different hosts and localities are all conspecific. Further studies, mainly molecular with less conserved genetic markers, should be carried out to better understand the phylogenetic relationships of Prosogonotrema with Hemiuroidea.

Parasaturnius maurepasi n. gen. et n. comb. (Digena: Bunocotylidae) from the stomach of the silver mullet, Mugil curema (Perciformes: Mugilidae) in coastal lagoons of northern Yucatán, Mexico

Bunocotylid trematodes represent a group of 149 species with a rather complex taxonomic history. The current concept of the subfamily only includes three genera, Bunocotyle, Saturnius, and Robinia. Specimens of a bunocotylid were collected from the silver mullet, M. curema, from a coastal lagoon of Yucatán and identified as belonging to Saturnius. Further detailed morphological study revealed they corresponded to S. maurepasi, a species previously reported from the stripped mullet, Mugil cephalus in Mississippi, USA. Specimens were sequenced for the LSU of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (28S) to test their phylogenetic position. We discovered that they do not belong in Saturnius since they nest as an independent lineage which is the sister taxa of a clade formed by Robinia, and Saturnius + Bunocotyle; additionally, the new genus exhibits high genetic divergence (10-12%) with respect to species allocated in the other bunocotylid genera. The species S. maurepasi was then transferred to the new genus as Parasaturnius maurepasi n. gen., n. comb. that was created to accommodate it, and was redescribed based on newly sampled specimens.

Microcotylidae (Monogena) parasites of snappers (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) collected from the northeast coast of Brazil

Monogeneans are a diverse group of flatworms, being ectoparasites of marine and freshwater fish, with great morphological and ecological variety. Analyzes of monogenetics in fish with great habitat diversity such as snappers are scarce in the literature, which already emphasizes the need for an update in this regard. The presente study found, morphologically characterized and mapped the geographic distribution and in known hosts the species Microcotyloides incisa and Microcotyloides impudicus, describing the first occurrence of these monogeneans for South America and in new hosts. The survey of hosts in the literature shows that M. incisa seems to have a greater Affinity with congener species of Lutjanidae and fish from other families, which may indicate a preference or specificity for fish of this family because they are congeners of their host type. The introduction of these parasites into South American waters may have occurred due to the migratory behavior of snappers, which are well distributed along the Mexican coast, where the parasites are usually reported. Here, we also bring the first occurrence of M. incisa for Lutjanus analis and Lutjanus jocu and M. impudicus for Ocyurus chrysurus and Lutjanus synagris, helping in the mapping and distribution of these monogenetic species in the Americas.

Polyphyly of the Dinurinae Looss, 1907 (Digenea: Hemiuridae) and resurrection of the Mecoderinae Skrjabin & Guschanskaja, 1954 based on novel collection of Tubulovesicula laticaudi Parukhin, 1969 from marine elapid snakes in Sri Lanka

With one exception, the only known hemiurid trematodes that do not use teleost fishes as definitive hosts instead occur in marine elapid snakes. These comprise six species across four genera and three subfamilies, and so presumably indicate at least three independent invasions of marine snakes from teleost fishes. Here, one of these taxa, Tubulovesicula laticaudi Parukhin, 1969 (= T. orientalis Chattopadhyaya, 1970 n. syn.) is reported from Sri Lanka, collected from Shaw's sea snake Hydrophis curtus (Shaw) (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae: Hydrophinii), the annulated sea snake H. cyanocinctus Daudin and the yellow sea snake H. spiralis (Shaw) off Nayaru in the Bay of Bengal, and from H. spiralis in Portugal Bay, Gulf of Mannar. Novel molecular data, for COI mtDNA and ITS2 and 28S rDNA, are the first for a species of Tubulovesicula Yamaguti, 1934. Nominally, Tubulovesicula belongs in the Dinurinae Looss, 1907, but in phylogenetic analyses based on 28S rDNA, our sequences for T. laticaudi resolved relatively distant from that for representatives of Dinurus Looss, 1907, the type-genus, rendering the subfamily polyphyletic. Tubulovesicula laticaudi resolved closest to data for the type-species of the Plerurinae Gibson & Bray, 1979, but that subfamily is also polyphyletic. These findings lead us to re-evaluate an alternative classification considered by Gibson & Bray (1979). We propose restricting the Dinurinae for forms with a permanent sinus-organ (Dinurus, Ectenurus Looss, 1907; Erilepturus Woolcock, 1935; Paradinurus Vigueras, 1958; Qadriana Bilqees, 1971) and resurrect the Mecoderinae Skrjabin & Guschanskaja, 1954 for forms with a temporary sinus-organ (Mecoderus Manter, 1940, Allostomachicola Yamaguti, 1958, Stomachicola Yamaguti, 1934 and Tubulovesicula).

Proposal of a new genus, Doorochen (Digenea: Lepocreadioidea), for reef-inhabiting members of the genus Postlepidapedon Zdzitowiecki, 1993

A new genus, Doorochen n. gen., is erected for four species of Postlepidapedon Zdzitowiecki, 1993, all of which inhabit members of the labroid genus Choerodon Bleeker, the tuskfishes, and which molecular phylogenies have indicated are not congeneric with the type-species, P. opisthobifurcatum (Zdzitowiecki, 1990) Zdzitowiecki, 1993. Doorochen secundum (Durio & Manter, 1968) n. comb. from Choerodon graphicus (De Vis), the Graphic tuskfish, from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and New Caledonia is designated the type-species of the new genus. Other species recognised are Doorochen spissum (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997) n. comb. from C. venustus (De Vis), the Venus tuskfish, C. cyanodus (Richardson), the Blue tuskfish, and C. graphicus from the GBR; D. uberis (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997) n. comb. from C. schoenleinii (Valenciennes), the Blackspot tuskfish, and C. venustus from the GBR and Moreton Bay; and D. philippinense (Machida, 2004) n. comb. from C. anchorago (Bloch), the Orange-dotted tuskfish, from Philippine waters. In addition to these four species, two new species are described: D. zdzitowieckii n. sp. from C. fasciatus (Günther), the Harlequin tuskfish, and C. graphicus from the GBR; and D. goorchana n. sp. from C. anchorago from the GBR and Palau. The genus Postlepidapedon is now considered to comprise just two species, P. opisthobifurcatum and P. quintum Bray & Cribb, 2001. The relationships of Doorochen, Postlepidapedon, Myzoxenus Manter, 1934 and Intusatrium Durio & Manter, 1968 in the family Lepidapedidae Yamaguti, 1958 are discussed.

Evidence that host ecology drives first intermediate host use in the Didymozoidae (Trematoda: Hemiuroidea): an asexual infection in a vermetid (Gastropoda)

The Didymozoidae (Trematoda: Hemiuroidea) is among the most speciose trematode families, known from a wide range of marine teleost fishes. Despite their richness, however, didymozoid life cycles are unusually poorly known; only two first intermediate hosts are known, a marine bivalve (Anadara trapezia) and a pelagic gastropod (Firoloida desmarestia). This study uses multi-locus molecular sequence data to identify a novel first intermediate host for the family, a sessile gastropod of the genus Thylacodes Guettard (Vermetidae). The didymozoid infection is not identified to species but, based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, it is close to Saccularina magnacetabula Louvard et al., 2022, which uses a bivalve as a first intermediate host. The distribution of known first intermediate hosts of didymozoids (a bivalve, a holoplanktonic gastropod and a sessile gastropod that feeds with the use of mucus nets) suggests that first intermediate host use within the Didymozoidae has been opportunistically driven by the trophic ecology of potential mollusc hosts and has involved significant host-switching events.

Digenean trematodes infecting the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Scombriformes, Scombridae) off the Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil, including molecular data

Although some parasitological efforts have focused on the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacepède) (Scombriformes, Scombridae) in Brazil, its digenean fauna remains poorly known. Combining morphological and molecular methods, we investigated the diversity of digenean trematodes of A. thazard collected from the coastal waters off the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2021. Six species belonging to four families were recorded: the bucephalid Rhipidocotyle cf. angusticolle Chandler, 1941, the didymozoid Didymocystis sp. 6 sensu Louvard et al. (2022), the fellodistomid Tergestia sp., and three hemiurids, Dinurus euthynni Yamaguti, 1934, Lecithochirium floridense (Manter, 1934), and L. synodi Manter, 1931. The current study brings the total number of digenean trematode species parasitising A. thazard in Brazil up to eight, with hemiuroid trematodes being most diverse. Auxis thazard is a new host record for L. floridense, L. synodi and potentially for R. angusticolle. The geographic distribution of several species found in our study appeared to be wider than previously known. Our study is the first to apply a DNA-based approach to digenean diversity in marine fishes in Brazil and we believe that both morphological descriptions and molecular sequence data provided in our study will aid future research assessing the diversity of digenean trematodes of A. thazard and other marine fishes in Brazil.

Diversity of European lissorchiid trematodes from fish and snail hosts with comments on the validity of the genus Parasymphylodora Szidat, 1943

Genetic markers, DNA sequences and karyotypes, of some European lissorchiid species from their intermediate and final hosts were obtained to clarify controversial data about their life cycles and taxonomy, and to reveal phylogenetic affinities. The life cycles of three species have been confirmed for the first time based on molecular data. Comparative analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and partial 28S rDNA sequences has undoubtedly proven that cercariaeum of type-species of the genus Asymphylodora, Asymphylodora tincae, develops in pulmonate snails, Anisus vortex and Stagnicola palustris, but not in the genus Bithynia. The faucet snail, Bithynia tentaculata, serves as the first intermediate host for Parasymphylodora (=Asymphylodora) markewitschi and Parasymphylodora parasquamosa; adults of both species were isolated from the common rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus. It has also been confirmed that B. tentaculata serves as the second intermediate host for P. parasquamosa. Phylogenetic analysis supports the validity of the genus Parasymphylodora. Two species, Parasymphylodora markewitschi and P. parasquamosa, with cercariaeum belonging to the Parasquamosum group, are closely related and are being recovered as a well-defined evolutionary lineage in phylogenetic trees. A significant divergence between Parasymphylodora spp. and Asymphylodora spp. was revealed. The diploid chromosome set of P. markewitschi is composed of 14 chromosomes and does not show similarities with karyotypes of other lissorchiid species. Asymphylodora progenetica and Asymphylodora tincae share the basal diploid value of the family, 2n = 20, and reveal very close morphology of the corresponding chromosome pairs. Karyotypic similarities of these species are in accordance with molecular phylogenetic data. Thus, the available molecular and cytogenetic data support the assignment of P. markewitschi and P. parasquamosa to a separate genus, meanwhile, the assignment of A. progenetica to the genus Parasymphylodora was not justified.

Immature trematodes of Lecithochirium sp. (Digenea: Hemiuridae) in the California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculatus) from Mexico

Immature trematodes of Lecithochirium sp. are recorded for the first time as parasites of the California two-spot octopus Octopus bimaculatus from Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California, Mexico. Thirty-nine O. bimaculatus were examined for trematodes and a total of 100 immature specimens of Lecithochirium sp. were recorded from the crop of seven infected octopuses. Based on these records, O. bimaculatus may act as a second intermediate or paratenic host for these parasites. Partial sequences of the 28S (region D1-D3) ribosomal gene corroborate the identifications based on morphological characters. DNA sequences of the 28S gene from GenBank were analyzed to include the immature samples of Lecithochirium sp. within a hemiurid phylogenetic framework. All immature specimens of Lecithochirium sp. were recovered as monophyletic and Pulmovermis cyanovitellosus was identified as the sister species of Lecithochirium sp. However, due to the lack of molecular data for species of the genus Lecithochirium, these phylogenetic inferences must be taken with caution. Therefore, the morphological and molecular data obtained here provide a foundation for future work to develop a systematic comparison among- and within-species of the genus Lecithochirium. Additionally, the present records of Lecithochirium in O. bimaculus add to the knowledge of the parasite fauna of cephalopods.

A new species, new host records and life cycle data for lepocreadiids (Digenea) of pomacentrid fishes from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

A new species of lepocreadiid, Opechonoides opisthoporusn. sp., is described infecting 12 pomacentrid fish species from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, with Abudefduf whitleyi Allen & Robertson as the type-host. This taxon differs from the only other known member of the genus, Opechonoides gure Yamaguti, 1940, in the sucker width ratio, cirrus-sac length, position of the testes, position of the pore of Laurer’s canal, and relative post-testicular distance. The new species exhibits stenoxenic host-specificity, infecting pomacentrids from seven genera: Abudefduf Forsskål, Amphiprion Bloch & Schneider, Neoglyphidodon Allen, Neopomacentrus Allen, Plectroglyphidodon Fowler & Ball, Pomacentrus Lacépède and Stegastes Jenyns. Phylogenetic analyses of 28S rDNA sequence data demonstrate that O. opisthoporusn. sp. forms a strongly supported clade with Prodistomum orientale (Layman, 1930) Bray & Gibson, 1990. The life cycle of this new species is partly elucidated on the basis of ITS2 rDNA sequence data; intermediate hosts are shown to be three species of Ctenophora. New host records and molecular data are reported for Lepocreadium oyabitcha Machida, 1984 and Lepotrema amblyglyphidodonis Bray, Cutmore & Cribb, 2018, and new molecular data are provided for Lepotrema acanthochromidis Bray, Cutmore & Cribb, 2018 and Lepotrema adlardi (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1993) Bray & Cribb, 1996. Novel cox1 mtDNA sequence data showed intraspecific geographical structuring between Heron Island and Lizard Island for L. acanthochromidis but not for L. adlardi or O. opisthoporusn. sp.

A paradigm for the recognition of cryptic trematode species in tropical Indo-west Pacific fishes: the problematic genus Preptetos (Trematoda: Lepocreadiidae)

Molecular data have transformed approaches to trematode taxonomy by providing objective evidence for the delineation of species. However, although the data are objective, the interpretation of these data regarding species boundaries is subjective, especially when different markers conflict. Conserved markers can lead to an underestimation of richness and those used for finer species delineation have the capacity to inflate species recognition, perhaps unrealistically. Here we examine molecular and morphological evidence for species recognition in an especially confusing system, the lepocreadiid genus Preptetos Pritchard, 1960 in acanthuriform fishes of the tropical Indo-west Pacific. We consider species boundaries within this genus based on combined data (ITS2 and 28S rDNA; cox1 mtDNA and morphometrics) for substantial new collections. Delineation of species using only morphological data suggest fewer species than analysis of the sequence data; the latter suggests the presence of potential cryptic species and analysis of different markers suggests the presence of differing numbers of species. We conclude that an integrative interpretation creates the most satisfying taxonomic hypothesis. In the light of the new data, we have chosen and propose a model of trematode species recognition that demands reciprocal monophyly in the most discriminating available molecular marker plus distinction in morphology or host distribution. By invoking these criteria, we distinguish eight species in our new tropical Indo-west Pacific collections. Six of these are new (Preptetos allocaballeroi n. sp., Preptetos paracaballeroi n. sp., Preptetos pearsoni n. sp., Preptetos prudhoei n. sp., Preptetos quandamooka n. sp. and Preptetos zebravaranus n. sp.) and we continue to recognise Preptetos cannoni Barker, Bray & Cribb, 1993 and Preptetos laguncula Bray and Cribb, 1996. Notably; two of the new species, P. allocaballeroi n. sp. and P. paracaballeroi n. sp., are morphologically cryptic relative to each other. Our criteria lead us to recognise, as species, populations with unvarying morphology and similar host relationships but which may have a complex population structure over their range. In our view, this paradigm has the capacity to render tractable the interpretation of the species status of the huge trematode fauna of the tropical Indo-west Pacific.

OPECHONA CHLOROSCOMBRI AND OPECHONA CORKUMI N. SP. (DIGENEA: LEPOCREADIIDAE) FROM THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO WITH PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS BASED ON 28S RDNA

This study investigated the identity of 2 lepocreadiid digenean species belonging in the genus Opechona Looss, 1907 that infect littoral fishes of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Opechona chloroscombriNahhas and Cable, 1964, a species previously known only from the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, is reported herein from the Atlantic bumper, Chloroscombrus chrysurus (L.), in the northern Gulf of Mexico. A second species infects the gulf butterfish, Peprilus burti Fowler, and the American harvestfish, Peprilus paru (L.), and it is described as a new species that occurs in coastal waters of the north-central and northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Metacercariae infecting the mesoglea of pelagic jellyfishes (Bougainvillia carolinensis [McCady], Chrysaora quinquecirrha [Desor], and Stomolophus meleagris Agassiz) and pelagic comb jellies (Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz and Beroe ovata Bruguière) were collected that resemble the new species but require further study to identify. Newly generated sequence fragments (28S rDNA) from both species of Opechona plus 2 other lepocreadiids collected during the study were aligned with publicly available sequences from 18 other lepocreadiids, 6 species of Aephnidiogenidae Yamaguti, 1934, and 2 species of Gorgocephalidae Manter, 1966. The alignment was subjected to Bayesian inference analysis rooted using a gorgocephalid. The resulting tree estimated the positions of both Opechona spp. as being unresolved within a group of taxa that included all available species of Opechona plus available species from the morphologically similar genera ProdistomumLinton, 1910, Preptetos Pritchard, 1960, and Clavogalea Bray, 1985. Although relatively similar in morphology, the 2 studied species of Opechona were surprisingly not closely related. Opechona cablei (Stunkard, 1980) Bray and Gibson, 1990 is herein considered to be a junior synonym of Opechona pyriformis (Linton, 1900) Bray and Gibson, 1990.

POSTHOVITELLINUM PSILOTERMINAE N. GEN., N. SP. (DIGENEA: LISSORCHIIDAE) INFECTING THE INTESTINE OF CYCLOCHEILOS ENOPLOS (CYPRINIFORMES: CYPRINIDAE) IN THE MEKONG RIVER, VIETNAM

Herein we describe a new species and propose a new genus, Posthovitellinum psiloterminae n. gen., n. sp. (Lissorchiidae: Asymphylodorinae), based on specimens that infect the intestine of Cyclocheilos enoplos (Bleeker, 1849) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), a migratory riverine carp from the Mekong River (Dong Thap province, Vietnam). The new species is assigned to Lissorchiidae by having a combination of features: spinous tegument, subterminal oral sucker, pre-equatorial ventral sucker, median and pretesticular ovary, submarginal genital pore at level of the ventral sucker, follicular vitellarium distributing in 2 lateral fields, and lacking eyespot pigment in the adult. It cannot be assigned to any existing asymphylodorine genus because it has the combination of a well-developed cirrus-sac, an unarmed ejaculatory duct and metraterm, a follicular vitellarium distributing in 2 lateral fields located between the posterior margin of the ventral sucker and the mid-level of the testis, and a sinistral, submarginal genital pore. The new species has an elongate, claviform cirrus-sac, a single, large, elongate-oval testis at the posterior extremity of the body, operculate eggs, and an I-shaped excretory bladder with secondary branches at the level of the testis and extending anteriad to the level of the pharynx. Bayesian inference analysis of the partial large subunit ribosomal DNA gene (28S rDNA) recovered the new species sister to Asaccotrema vietnamienseSokolov and Gordeev, 2019; these species differed by 118 nucleotides (12%; 983 bp fragment). This is the first lissorchiid reported from the Mekong River; only the second from southern Vietnam; and the fourth reported from a cyprinid fish in Vietnam. The aforementioned phylogenetic analysis included previously unpublished sequences representing lissorchiids infecting the intestine of North American suckers (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae): Lissorchis cf. nelsoni from spotted sucker; Minytrema melanops (Rafinesque, 1820) and Lissorchis cf. gullaris (immature) from smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque, 1818). Asymphylodora atherinopsidisAnnereaux, 1947, herein is treated as a species incertae sedis. The 28S tree topology suggests that Lissorchiinae may comprise more than 1 lineage, but additional species are needed to confidently assert this.

Lecithochirium monticellii digenetic trematode parasites of Trichiurus lepturus (Actinopterygii) from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with notes on its taxonomy

Trichiurus lepturus (Actinopterygii, Perciformes) is a commercially and economically important fish. A total of 60 specimens of this cutlassfish were collected of the coast the municipalities of Niterói and Cabo Frio, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fish were measured, necropsied, filleted and had their organs investigated for digenetic trematodes. Taxonomic identification was based on morphological and morphometric characters. The specimens of T. lepturus were parasitized with adult specimens of Lecithochirium monticellii. Parasite indices of prevalence, intensity, mean intensity, abundance, mean abundance, range of infection, and site of infection of parasitic species were evaluated. Notes on the taxonomy of the parasite were also included. This is the first report of L. monticellii parasitizing T. lepturus in Brazil.

Paracaesicola nanshaensis n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenea, Microcotylidae) a gill parasite of Paracaesio sordida (Teleostei, Lutjanidae) from the South China Sea

Paracaesicola n. gen., is erected herein to accommodate a new microcotylid species, Paracaesicola nanshaensis n. sp., collected from the Yongshu Reef, South China Sea. This species is the first monogenean to be recorded from the gills of Paracaesio sordida. The new species is characterized by the following features: (i) haptor short, with clamps arranged in two equal bilateral rows; (ii) testes numerous, arranged in two roughly alternating longitudinal rows, extending into the haptor; (iii) genital atrium armed with 16 robust spines, which are vertically arranged on top of the sausage shaped muscular male copulatory organ; and (iv) single vagina, bottle-shaped, with a distinctly bulbous vaginal atrium. The terminals of the reproductive system discriminate Paracaesicola n. gen. from all other genera in the Microcotylidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on partial 28S rDNA, places Paracaesicola nanshaensis n. sp. within the microcotylid clade, but its sequence differs from all known available microcotylid sequences.

Morphological and molecular data for species of Lecithaster Lühe, 1901 and Hysterolecithoides Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) from fish of East Asia and phylogenetic relationships within the Hemiuroidea Looss, 1899

Four representatives of the genus Lecithaster and one representative of the genus Hysterolecithoides were found during investigation of the trematode fauna of fish species in Vietnamese, Japanese and eastern coastal waters of the Russian Far East. Based on morphometric data, adult trematodes from Vietnamese Strongylura strongylura and Russian Acanthogobius flavimanus were identified as Lecithaster confusus, trematodes from Vietnamese Hemirhamphus marginatus as L. sayori and from osmerid fishes as L. salmonis. Further, a single specimen of Lecithaster sp. and representatives of Hysterolecithoides epinepheli were found in Vietnamese Siganus fuscescens. Morphological and molecular data, including 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) V4 fragment, 28S rDNA D1-D3 fragment, internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and a mitochondrial COI gene fragment were analysed for Lecithaster spp. The results revealed that L. sayori and L. salmonis are not synonyms of L. stellatus and L. gibbosus, respectively, but that Hysterolecithoides frontilatus and H. guangdongensis are junior synonyms of H. epinepheli. The 28S-rDNA-based phylogenetic tree of Hemiuroidea showed a distinct position for the genus Lecithaster with internal differentiation into three subclades, including L. confusus, L. sayori and Lecithaster sp. within the first subclade, L. mugilis and L. sudzuhensis within the second subclade and L. salmonis and L. gibbosus within the third subclade. Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions of Hemiuroidea showed four clades for members of Hemiuridae and Lecithasteridae. The first clade consisted of Hemiuridae representatives and the second clade represented the genus Lecithaster. The third clade included genera Aponurus and Lecithophyllum (Lecithasteridae) and the fourth clade combined members of lecithasterid Quadrifoliovariinae and Hysterolecithinae and hemiurid Opisthadeninae and Bunocotylidae with high statistical support.

Phylogenetic analysis of the superfamily Hemiuroidea (Platyhelminthes, Neodermata: Trematoda) based on partial 28S rDNA sequences

In the present paper, the phylogenetic relationships between genera, subfamilies and families of the Hemiuroidea are explored. Twelve new sequences of 28 rDNA and data taken from GenBank (NSBI) on 43 species affiliated to 34 genera were included in the analysis. Most of the hemiuroidean trematodes form two highly supported clades (A and B), which are sister groups to each other. Hemipera manteri joined with Gonocerca spp. with moderate statistical support. This clade is basal relative to the clades A and B. Сlade A is polytomic and contains representatives of the families Accacoeliidae, Syncoeliidae, Didymozoidae, Hirudinellidae and Sclerodistomidae, and derogenid subfamilies Derogeninae and Halipeginae. At the same time, the Syncoeliidae, Hirudinellidae and Accacoeliidae form a well-supported monophyletic group. The phylogenetic relationship between Derogeninae and Halipeginae is poorly resolved. Сlade B unites the isoparorchiid, bunocotylid, lecithasterid and hemiurid trematodes. Our data re-establishes the family Bunocotylidae, which consists of two subfamilies, Opisthadeninae and Bunocotylinae, and the Machidatrema chilostoma + Hysterolecithoides frontilatus group. The Bunocotylidae is the sister group to the Hemiuridae + Lecithasteridae group and the Isoparorchiidae is a basal relative to the representatives of these three hemiuroid families.