1
|
Truong TN, Whelan NV, Johnson PD, Buntin ML, Bullard SA. Description, life cycle, and phylogenetics of Proterometra wigglewomble n. sp. (Digenea: Azygiidae) from the Cahaba River, Alabama, U.S.A. Syst Parasitol 2023; 101:9. [PMID: 38127198 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-023-10132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
We herein describe Proterometra wigglewomble n. sp. (Digenea: Azygiidae: Azygiinae) from the Cahaba River, Alabama, USA, which asexually reproduces in the compact elimia, Elimia showalteri (Lea, 1860) (Cerithioidea: Pleuroceridae) and matures in the oesophagus of the blackbanded darter, Percina nigrofasciata (Agassiz, 1854) (Perciformes: Percidae). Adults of the new species differ from congeners by having a small body and eggs having a wholly fimbriated surface that appears as a cilia-like brush border. Live naturally-shed cercariae of the new species differ from those of its congeners by having a strongly claviform tail stem bearing aspinose mammillae, a single furca, excretory pores that open on the posterior margin of the single furca, and few eggs in the cercarial distome. The behaviour of the cercaria further differentiates the new species. Naturally-shed cercariae of P. wigglewomble secrete a jelly-like adhesive that coats the surface of the furca and evidently facilitates attachment to the surface of glass, plastic, and snail shell. Attached cercariae vigorously wiggle and thrash about once attached, as if mimicking the larva of a stream insect so as to lure the blackbanded darter to eat it. Phylogenetic analyses recovered monophyletic Azygiidae, comprising monophyletic Leuceruthrinae Goldberger, 1911 and polyphyletic Azygiinae Lühe, 1909. The present study is the largest taxon sampling for Azygiidae and the first to include 28S sequences of Leuceruthrus. Compact elimia and blackbanded darter are new host records for Proterometra. The new species is the 3rd congener reported from the Cahaba River, a region renowned for its fish and snail endemic biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Triet N Truong
- Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, 559 Devall Drive, Auburn, AL, 36832, USA.
| | - Nathan V Whelan
- Southeast Conservation Genetics Lab, Warm Springs Fish Technology Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Paul D Johnson
- Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2200 Highway 175, Marion, AL, 36756, USA
| | - Michael L Buntin
- Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2200 Highway 175, Marion, AL, 36756, USA
| | - Stephen A Bullard
- Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, 559 Devall Drive, Auburn, AL, 36832, USA
- Department of Zoology, School for Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|