Re-characterization of Potential Zoonotic Trematode Parasite Parasitizing Intestine of Snakehead Fish, (Channa striata) Utilizing Multiple Sequence Alignment Tools (MSA)

Abstract

Metacercariae of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 are frequently encountered in freshwater fish. The species configuration and taxonomic antiquity of the genus Clinostomum has been very unsteady and under discussion. Two species, i.e. Clinostomum complanatum Rudolphi, 1814 and Clinostomum marginatum Rudolphi, 1819, have been specifically troublesome and their taxonomic validation has been debated. 19 human incidences of Clinostomum complanatum have been reported to cause pharyngitis and lacramalitis from Japan, Thailand and Korea. Clinostomum marginatum is commonly known as yellow grub as it causes pinhead sized lumps in fishes that are white to yellow or black. In the present communication, we have made use of cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 gene as DNA barcode for validating the taxonomy of C. complanatum and C. marginatum harboring phylogenetic studies and multiple sequence alignment tools. Currently, in India species of this group are distinguished mainly on the basis of morphological characters that underlie possible confusions. Therefore, we disinterred the species through molecular analysis. The current findings are salient to authenticate the phylogenetic place and relationship among two trematode spp. and bypass misidentification regarding their validation, as it is more necessary in that case when many species harbours the same host and are of zoonotic importance.