Staphylorchis cymatodes (Gorgoderidae: Anaporrhutinae) from carcharhiniform, orectolobiform and myliobatiform elasmobranchs of Australasia: low host specificity, wide distribution and morphological plasticity

Integrative taxonomy of Anaporrhutum mundae sp. nov. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae), a parasite of the Munda round ray Urotrygon munda (Urotrygonidae) in Costa Rica

A new species of trematode of anaporrhutine gorgoderid, from the gill chambers of the Munda round ray Urotrygon munda in Costa Rica is described, based on an integrative taxonomic approach that includes the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Anaporrhutum mundae sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeneric species by a combination of morphological traits and particularly by having the genital pore opening at the level of the intestinal bifurcation. The new species also can be distinguished from all other species of Anaporrhutum, except A. euzeti Curran, Blend & Overstreet, 2003, by having fewer testicular follicles per testis. Anaporrhutum mundae sp. nov. also differs from A. euzeti in its forebody shape and by having different morphology and location of the vitellaria. The study of the tegumental surface of A. mundae sp. nov., as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, allowed detection of new morphological characters for a member of Anaporrhutinae that may be of taxonomic value. These are: a stylet cavity dorsal to the oral sucker with a large penetration gland opening on each side of the cavity and small penetration gland openings located ventral to the stylet cavity, arranged in a circle around the mouth. This represents the first record of an Anaporrhutum species from Costa Rica. Further, A. mundae sp. nov. represents the first parasite described or reported in this host.

Selected Wildlife Trematodes

The trematodes are a species-rich group of parasites, with some estimates suggesting that there are more than 24,000 species. However, the complexities associated with their taxonomic status and nomenclature can hinder explorations of the biology of wildlife trematodes, including fundamental aspects such as host use, life cycle variation, pathology, and disease. In this chapter, we review work on selected trematodes of amphibians, birds, mammals, and their snail intermediate hosts, with the goal of providing a tool kit on how to study trematodes of wildlife. We provide a brief introduction to each group of wildlife trematodes, followed by some examples of the challenges each group of trematodes has relative to the goal of their identification and understanding of the biology and interactions these organisms have with their wildlife hosts.

Morphological and molecular data on Phyllodistomum (Digenea: Gorgoderidae) from Brazil, with the description of a new species parasitizing Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) (Osteichthyes, Erythrinidae)

Phyllodistomum pepirense n. sp. is described from the urinary bladder of Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), sampled in the Jacaré-Pepira River in São Paulo state, Brazil. The isolates of the new species were recovered as a monophyletic group in the phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rRNA gene, which showed the new species as the sister taxa of Phyllodistomum virmantasi Pinacho-Pinacho, Sereno-Uribe, Hernández-Orts, García-Varela & Pérez-Ponce de León, 2021, a species sampled from an eleotrid fish in Southeastern Mexico. The new species differs morphologically from P. virmantasi by having a larger body size, slightly lobed testes and ovary, a mostly intercaecal uterus, slightly diverticulated caeca, and vitelline masses irregularly shaped. The new species is also readily distinguished from other species of Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899 reported from freshwater fishes in Brazil - namely, P. rhamdiae Amato & Amato, 1993 and P. spatula Odhner, 1902. The new species is herein described based on morphological characteristics, molecular data from D1-D3 domains of the 28S rRNA gene, host association, and geographical distribution.

Integrated characterisation of nine species of the Schistorchiinae (Trematoda: Apocreadiidae) from Indo-Pacific fishes: two new species, a new genus, and a resurrected but 'cryptic' genus

We report nine species of the Schistorchiinae Yamaguti, 1942 (Apocreadiidae Skrjabin, 1942) from Indo-Pacific marine fishes. Molecular data (ITS2 and 28S rDNA and cox1 mtDNA) are provided for all species and the genus-level classification of the subfamily is revised. For Schistorchis Lühe, 1906, we report the type-species Sch. carneus Lühe, 1906 and Sch. skrjabini Parukhin, 1963. For Sphinteristomum Oshmarin, Mamaev & Parukhin, 1961 we report the type-species, Sph. acollum Oshmarin, Mamaev & Parukhin, 1961. We report and re-recognise Lobatotrema Manter, 1963, for the type and only species, L. aniferum Manter, 1963, previously a synonym of Sph. acollum. Lobatotrema aniferum is phylogenetically distant from, but morphologically similar to, Sph. acollum and Lobatotrema is recognised as a 'cryptic genus'. We propose Blendiella n. gen. for B. trigintatestis n. sp. and B. tridecimtestis n. sp. These species are broadly consistent with the present morphological concept of Schistorchis but are phylogenetically distant from the type-species; a larger number of testes and some other subtle morphological characters in species of Blendiella serve to distinguish the two genera. We report three species of Paraschistorchis Blend, Karar & Dronen, 2017: P. stenosoma (Hanson, 1953) Blend, Karar & Dronen, 2017 (type-species), P. seychellesiensis (Toman, 1989) Blend, Karar & Dronen, 2017, and P. zancli (Hanson, 1953) Blend, Karar & Dronen, 2017. Lobatotrema aniferum, P. stenosoma, and Sch. carneus each have two distinct cox1 populations either over geographical range or in sympatry. Available evidence suggests that most of these species, but not all, are widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific.

Chelatrematidae n. fam., a new family of digenetic trematodes from the South Western Ghats, India, erected on the basis of morphological and molecular studies

On the basis of the morphological characterization of Chelatrema neilgherriensis Manjula & Janardanan, 2006 recovered from the freshwater fish Barilius gatensis (Valenciennes, 1844) in the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats, the diagnostic features of the genus Chelatrema Gupta & Kumari, 1973 have been modified. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of C. neilgherriensis and comparative morphology studies relative to members of other families of Gorgoderoidea Looss, 1901, this genus is placed in a new family Chelatrematidae n. fam. The studies revealed the molecular and morphological closeness of Chelatrema with Paracreptatrematina limi Amin & Myer, 1982, and the latter is transferred to this new family. Hence the new family Chelatrematidae n. fam. comprises the genera Chelatrema and Paracreptatrematina.

Plesiochorus irwinorum n. sp. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae) from the urinary bladder of the hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae), off the east coast of Australia

Plesiochorus Looss, 1901 is a genus of Gorgoderidae infecting the urinary bladders of marine turtles globally. Currently, just two morphologically similar species are recognised, Plesiochorus cymbiformis (Rudolphi, 1819) Looss, 1901 and Plesiochorus elongatus Pigulevsky, 1953, which have been distinguished by molecular data and subtle morphological differences. Here we describe a new species, Plesiochorus irwinorumn. sp., infecting hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata (L.)), which is primarily distinguished from the other two species of Plesiochorus on the basis of ITS2, cox1 and 28S sequence data. Morphometric data for specimens examined during this study overlap between P. cymbiformis and P. irwinorumn. sp. for every measured feature, rendering them functionally cryptic. However, principal components analysis clearly distinguishes the two species. Additionally, we report new specimens of P. cymbiformis, and provide new sequence data for specimens from Australian loggerhead (Caretta caretta (L.)) and hawksbill turtles. There is little understanding of the host-specificity or geographical distribution of the three species of Plesiochorus, and it remains possible that some of the previously reported sequences have been attributed to the wrong species.

A world of taxonomic pain: cryptic species, inexplicable host-specificity, and host-induced morphological variation among species of Bivesicula Yamaguti, 1934 (Trematoda: Bivesiculidae) from Indo-Pacific Holocentridae, Muraenidae and Serranidae

The taxonomy of species of Bivesicula Yamaguti, 1934 is analysed for samples from holocentrid, muraenid and serranid fishes from Japan, Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia), the Great Barrier Reef (Queensland), New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Analysis of three genetic markers (cox1 mtDNA, ITS2 and 28S rDNA) identifies three strongly supported clades of species and suggests that Bivesicula as presently recognized is not monophyletic. On the basis of combined morphological, molecular and biological data, 10 species are distinguished of which five are proposed as new. Bivesicula Clade 1 comprises seven species of which three are effectively morphologically cryptic relative to each other; all seven infect serranids and four also infect holocentrids. Bivesicula Clade 2 comprises three species of which two are effectively morphologically cryptic relative to each other; all three infect serranids and one also infects a muraenid. Bivesicula Clade 3 comprises two known species from apogonids and a pomacentrid, and forms a clade with species of Paucivitellosus Coil, Reid & Kuntz, 1965 to the exclusion of other Bivesicula species. Taxonomy in this genus is made challenging by the combination of low resolving power of ribosomal markers, the existence of regional cox1 mtDNA populations, exceptional and unpredictable host-specificity and geographical distribution, and significant host-induced morphological variation.

Application of a Genus-Specific LAMP Assay for Schistosome Species to Detect Schistosoma haematobium x Schistosoma bovis Hybrids

Schistosomiasis is a disease of great medical and veterinary importance in tropical and subtropical regions caused by different species of parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The emergence of natural hybrids of schistosomes indicate the risk of possible infection to humans and their zoonotic potential, specifically for Schistosoma haematobium and S. bovis. Hybrid schistosomes have the potential to replace existing species, generate new resistances, pathologies and extending host ranges. Hybrids may also confuse the serological, molecular and parasitological diagnosis. Currently, LAMP technology based on detection of nucleic acids is used for detection of many agents, including schistosomes. Here, we evaluate our previously developed species-specific LAMP assays for S. haematobium, S. mansoni, S. bovis and also the genus-specific LAMP for the simultaneous detection of several Schistosoma species against both DNA from pure and, for the first time, S. haematobium x S. bovis hybrids. Proper operation was evaluated with DNA from hybrid schistosomes and with human urine samples artificially contaminated with parasites' DNA. LAMP was performed with and without prior DNA extraction. The genus-specific LAMP properly amplified pure Schistosoma species and different S. haematobium-S. bovis hybrids with different sensitivity. The Schistosoma spp.-LAMP method is potentially adaptable for field diagnosis and disease surveillance in schistosomiasis endemic areas where human infections by schistosome hybrids are increasingly common.

Galactosomum otepotiense n. sp. (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) infecting four different species of fish-eating birds in New Zealand: genetically identical but morphologically variable

Trematodes of the genus Galactosomum are cosmopolitan parasites that infect the intestines of fish-eating birds and mammals. Adults of named Galactosomum species have not been recorded from bird hosts in New Zealand, despite their cercarial stage being known from various studies of the first intermediate host, Zeacumantus subcarinatus. Here we describe a new species of Galactosomum infecting four different piscivorous birds in New Zealand: Caspian terns, red-billed and black-backed gulls and little blue penguins. Specimens from each of these hosts are genetically identical in the genes sequenced, but show considerable morphological variability. Galactosomum otepotiense n. sp. is distinguished from most other members of the ‘bearupi-group’ in having a single circle of spines on the ventral sucker, and spines, as opposed to scales, over most of the body. It is most similar to G. bearupi and G. angelae, both from Caspian terns in Australia, but differs in the relative sizes of the reproductive organs and in the possession of a very long forebody. Molecular data confirm that G. otepotiense is not conspecific with G. bearupi, but 28S and ITS2 phylogenies show its close relationship to G. bearupi and other Australian species. We use the cox1 sequence to confirm identity with the larval stage infecting Z. subcarinatus, as previously described in the literature. We discuss briefly the relationships between Australian and New Zealand Galactosomum spp. and their hosts, variability between genetically identical specimens found in different hosts and their potential for harm to mariculture economy.

Phylogenetic position of the family Orientocreadiidae within the superfamily Plagiorchioidea (Trematoda) based on partial 28S rDNA sequence

Trematodes of the family Orientocreadiidae are mostly parasites of freshwater fishes. Here, the phylogenetic position of this family is inferred based on the partial 28S rDNA sequence from a representative of the genus Orientocreadium s. str.-О. pseudobagri Yamaguti, 1934. Sequences were analysed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference algorithms. Both approaches placed the Orientocreadiidae within a clade corresponding to the superfamily Plagiorchioidea and supported the family Leptophallidae as a sister taxon.

Trematodes of fishes of the Indo-west Pacific: told and untold richness

The Indo-west Pacific is a marine bioregion stretching from the east coast of Africa to Hawaii, French Polynesia and Easter Island. An assessment of the literature from the region found reports of 2,582 trematode species infecting 1,485 fish species. Reports are concentrated in larger fishes, undoubtedly reflecting the tendency for larger hosts to be infected by more species of parasites as well as a collecting bias. Many hundreds of fish species, including many from families known to be rich in trematodes, have yet to be reported as hosts. Despite some areas (the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii and the waters off China, India and Japan) receiving sustained attention, none can be considered to be comprehensively known. Several regions, most importantly in East Africa, French Polynesia and the Coral Triangle, are especially poorly known. The fauna of the Indo-west Pacific has been reported so unevenly that we consider it impossible to predict the true trematode richness for the region. We conclude that the greatest gap in our understanding is of the geographical distribution of species in the Indo-west Pacific. This is highlighted by the fact that 87% of trematodes in the region have been reported no more than five times. The reliable recognition of species is a major problem in this field; molecular approaches offer prospects for resolution of species identification but have been little adopted to date.

A review of molecular approaches for investigating patterns of coevolution in marine host-parasite relationships

Parasites and their relationships with hosts play a crucial role in the evolutionary pathways of every living organism. One method of investigating host-parasite systems is using a molecular approach. This is particularly important as analyses based solely on morphology or laboratory studies of parasites and their hosts do not take into account historical evolutionary interactions that can shape the distribution, abundance and population structure of parasites and their hosts. However, the predominant host-parasite coevolution literature has focused on terrestrial hosts and their parasites, and there still is a lack of studies in marine environments. Given that marine systems are generally more open than terrestrial ones, they provide fascinating opportunities for large-scale (as well as small-scale) geographic studies. Further, patterns and processes of genetic structuring and systematics are becoming more available across many different taxa (but especially fishes) in many marine systems, providing an excellent basis for examining whether parasites follow host population/species structure. In this chapter, we first highlight the factors and processes that challenge our ability to interpret evolutionary patterns of coevolution of hosts and their parasites in marine systems at different spatial, temporal and taxonomic scales. We then review the use of the most commonly utilized genetic markers in studying marine host-parasite systems. We give an overview and discuss which molecular methodologies resolve evolutionary relationships best and also discuss the applicability of new approaches, such as next-generation sequencing and studies utilizing functional markers to gain insights into more contemporary processes shaping host-parasite relationships.

Phylogenetic relationships of the Gorgoderidae (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda), including the proposal of a new subfamily (Degeneriinae n. subfam.)

Phylogenetic analyses of a range of gorgoderid trematodes based on ITS2 and partial 28S rDNA data lead us to propose the Degeneriinae n. subfam. for the genus Degeneria in recognition of its phylogenetic isolation and distinctive morphology and biology. The current concepts of the subfamilies Anaporrhutinae and Gorgoderinae were supported. Within the Gorgoderinae, the large genus Phyllodistomum is shown to be paraphyletic relative to Pseudophyllodistomum and Xystretrum. Notably, the clade of marine Phyllodistomum does not form a clade with the other marine genus, Xystretrum. Distinct clades within the Gorgoderinae correspond variously to identity of first intermediate host, form of cercaria and their marine or freshwater habitat. We are not yet in a position to propose separate genera for these clades.