Nuclear Large Subunit rDNA Research Articles

Two new enigmatic species of Rhinebothrium (Cestoda: Rhinebothriidae) from the Persian Gulf: notes on generic traits and host specificity

In the course of a three-year study conducted from January 2017 till November 2019, a total of 279 individuals belonging to 11 batoid species off northern coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman were examined for the genus Rhinebothrium Linton, 1890 (Rhinebothriidea: Rhinebothriidae). Infection of Maculabatis randalli (Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Moore, 2012), M. arabica Manjaji-Matsumoto & Last et al., 2016, and Pateobatis fai (Jordan & Seale, 1906) with rhinebothriid cestodes is reported for the first time. In total, seven rhinebothriid species were recognized. Rhinebothrium klimpeli sp. nov. from Pateobatis fai and Rhi. atabaki sp. nov. from Maculabatis randalli are described herein. Both species differ from one another and their congeners on the basis of various characteristics of the scolex and proglottids. In order to create a DNA Barcoding library for local species and perform a phylogenetic analysis, different marker genes for seven species of Rhinebothrium were partially sequenced here for the first time; nuclear small subunit rDNA (SSU) and large subunit rDNA (LSU), and the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses using nuclear markers confirmed species boundaries recognized by morphological characteristics. Furthermore, both new species are classified into the genus Rhinebothrium based on molecular data. The description of Rhi. klimpeli sp. nov. leads us to modify the diagnosis of the genus Rhinebothrium in introducing the character 'bearing pre- and postvaginal testes' and 'lacking postovarian testes'. Rhinebothrium verticillatum (Subhapradha, 1955) is redescribed herein with designation of the neotype identified from the type host Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) deposited at the Collection of the Zoological Museum, University of Tehran (ZUTC). All parasite species except Rhi. verticillatum were found in more than one host species from different families. Among them, Rhi. atabaki sp. nov. infects seven of 11 host species and seems to have the lowest host specificity. Furthermore, some implications for host specificity of rhinebothriid species are discussed. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1CD0BC57-2741-4352-A7C5-CD6C36BF967C http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9AA8D331-7936-49D7-8CA4-0B6BC927D0AC http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5B21A19B-89E8-48E9-A0FF-FAB57387912F

Optimization, Purification and Antitumor Activity of Kodamaea ohmeri ANOMY L-Asparaginase Isolated from Banana Peel.

L-Asparaginase is an important enzyme that converts L-asparagine to L-aspartate and ammonia. Microbial L-asparaginase has important applications as anticancer and food processing agents. This study reported the isolation, screening of a local yeast isolate from banana peel for L-asparaginase production using submerged fermentation, optimization of the production, purification, and anticancer assay of L-asparaginase. The yeast isolate was identified as Kodamaea ohmeri ANOMY based on the analysis of nuclear large subunit (26S) rDNA partial sequences. It was a promising L-asparaginase producer with a specific activity of 3059±193 U/mg in a non-optimized medium. The classical one-variable-at-a-time method was used to optimize the production medium components, and it was found that the elimination of K2HPO4 from the medium increased L-asparaginase specific activity (3100.90±180 U/mg). Statistical optimization of L-asparaginase production was done using Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs. The production medium for the maximum L-asparaginase specific activity (8500±578U/mg) was as follows (g/L): L-asparagine (7.50), NaNO3 (0.50), MgSO4.7H2O (0.80), KCl (0.80) associated with an incubation period of 5 days, inoculum size of 5.60 %, and pH (7.0). The optimization process increased L-asparaginase production by 2.78-fold compared to the non-optimized medium. L-Asparaginase was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100 column. Its molecular weight was 66 KDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. The cell morphology technique was used to evaluate the anticancer activity of L-asparaginase against three different cell lines. L-Asparaginase inhibited the growth of HepG-2, MCF-7, and HCT-116 cells at a concentration of 20, 50, and 60 μL, respectively.

Two new species and a new record of Crepidotus (Agaricomycetes) from India

During ongoing studies of the mycoflora of Kerala State, India, three species of Crepidotus, namely, C. exilis A.M.Kumar & C.K.Pradeep sp. nov., C. globisporus A.M.Kumar & C.K.Pradeep sp. nov. and C. croceotinctus Peck, were discovered. These species are described and illustrated. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on maximum-likelihood analyses of nuclear ribosomal large subunit rDNA sequences are provided.

<p><strong>Two new species of <em>Calocybe</em> (Lyophyllaceae) from northeast China</strong></p>

Two new species of Calocybe (Calocybe erminea sp. nov. and C. badiofloccosa sp. nov.) are described from Liaoning province, China. Calocybe erminea is characterized mainly by its light khaki to dirty white pileus, slightly hygrophanous stipe, small basidiospores and cellular epicutis. The key characters of C. badiofloccosa are its light ocher yellow and rough pileus, villose stipe and large basidiospores. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU) region indicated that they belong to Calocybe, but they are distinct from other species in the genus. They are compared morphologically with other species which are phenotypically similar and the phylogenetic relationships between them and allied taxa are discussed. These results confirm the species is new to science.

First new species of Fulvifomes (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from tropical Africa

Fulvifomes is a hymenochaetoid polypore genus currently undergoing re-estimation of its taxonomic and morphological diversity. Numerous new species were described during the last decade but almost exclusively from Neotropics and Eastern Asia. Here, based on morphological and molecular evidence, we describe a new species of Fulvifomes growing on Pseudocedrela kotschyi in Benin. The new species named Fulvifomes yoroui is characterized by perennial, pileate, ungulate basidiomata, and subglobose to globose basidiospores 5.5–6.5 × 4.7–5.6 μm. Analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU) datasets with maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference methods show that F. yoroui represents a distinct lineage within Fulvifomes clade. It is the first time that a new species of Fulvifomes is described based on material from tropical Africa. This finding stimulates further investigations of Fulvifomes in tropical Africa.

<p><strong>A morpho-molecular re-appraisal of <em>Polystigma fulvum</em> and <em>P. rubrum </em>(<em>Polystigma</em>, Polystigmataceae)</strong></p>

Collections of eleven Prunus specimens infected with Polystigma species from Belarus and Russia yielded two existing taxa: Polystigma fulvum (sexual morph) and Polystigma rubrum (asexual morph). DNA based phylogenies of large subunit nuclear rDNA (LSU) and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) are provided for the first time for Polystigma fulvum and its placement is confirmed within Polystigmataceae. The concatenated LSU and ITS DNA sequence data for P. rubrum, analyzed to infer its potential relationship to other Polystigma species, also show that strains of P. rubrum are segregated into two subclades with sufficient genetic differences. No significant differences in morphology or morphometry among the strains of P. rubrum between the two subclades, especially vis-à-vis the conidiogenous cell and conidium sizes are observed (P>0.05). Subspecies concept of P. rubrum complex is discussed.

Phylogenetic Analyses of Some Melanoleuca Species (Agaricales, Tricholomataceae) in Northern China, With Descriptions of Two New Species and the Identification of Seven Species as a First Record.

Two new species (Melanoleuca galerina and M. subgrammopodia) and seven new recorded species from northern China are described here using morphological and molecular methods. Melanoleuca galerina is mainly characterized by its hygrophanous pileus, decurrent lamellae, fibrous stipe and spores with round warts. Key characteristics of M. subgrammopodia include its discolored pileus, fibrous stipe and urticiform cystidia. The divergence time of Melanoleuca fungi as well as the phylogenetic relationships within this genus were analyzed using DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU) gene fragments. Analyses revealed that morphological identifications and phylogenetic relationships were consistent with the results of divergence time, thereby confirming that M. galerina and M. subgrammopodia are new species.

Six new species and two new records of Morchella in China using phylogenetic and morphological analyses

ABSTRACTIn this paper, species of the genus Morchella are investigated in China. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and the combined data set ITS + nuclear large subunit rDNA (28S) + the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) gene + RNA polymerase II first largest subunit (RPB1) + RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), six new phylogenetic species are illustrated and described: M. clivicola, M. confusa, M. odonnellii, M. owneri, M. yangii, and M. yishuica. Furthermore, two new record species, M. dunensis and M. palazonii, which were only known in Europe, are now reported for the first time from Asia. New species of morels will provide additional information on species diversity and genetic resource candidates for improving the cultivation of this economically important fungus.

Species Diversity, Phylogeny, Divergence Time, and Biogeography of the Genus Sanghuangporus (Basidiomycota).

“Sanghuang” is a popular fungus used as a Chinese traditional medicine. In fact, it represents a group of fungi belonging to the genus Sanghuangporus, but little is known about its origin and biogeography. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular relationships, origin and biogeographical distribution of Sanghuangporus. The multi-locus phylogenetic analyses were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships. In addition, based on Bayesian evolutionary analysis using sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α), and the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2), we used a fungus fossil-based approach to gain insight into the divergence time of species in Sanghuangporus. The molecular phylogeny strongly supports the monophyly of Sanghuangporus (MP = 100%, ML = 100%, and BPP = 1.00), and 13 species are recognized in this genus. The Bayesian uncorrelated lognormal relaxed molecular clock using BEAST and reconstructed ancestral areas indicate that the maximum crown age of Sanghuangporus is approximately 30.85 million years. East Asia is the likely ancestral area (38%). Dispersal and differentiation to other continents then occurred during the late Middle Miocene and Pliocene. The ancestor of Sanghuangporus probably originated in palaeotropical Northeast Asia and covered Northeast Asia and East Africa during the Oligocene-Miocene, hosted by plants that expanded via the “Gomphotherium Landbridge.” Six kinds of dispersal routes are proposed, including intercontinental dispersal events of three clades between Northeast Asia and East Africa, between East Asia and North America, and between Northeast Asia and Europe.

Surviving the marine environment: two new species of Mallomonas (Synurophyceae)

ABSTRACTThe genus Mallomonas consists of single-celled flagellates covered with siliceous scales and bristles and is well known in freshwater environments. Two new marine Mallomonas species were collected from Dongho Beach, Jeollabukdo, Korea. To fully understand the taxonomy of the new species, we performed molecular phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated dataset and observed morphological features using light and electron microscopy. For the phylogenetic analysis, we used a combined dataset from five gene sequences: nuclear small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA and plastid LSU rDNA, rbcL and psaA genes. The new species M. cuspis sp. nov. grouped with M. heterospina and M. oviformis in the section Planae. It had scales with a broad shield marked with V-shaped internal ridge that lacked submarginal ribs and a dome. The other new species, M. marina sp. nov., clustered with M. cratis, M. pseudocratis, M. asmundiae and M. striata var. serrata in section Striatae and had scale characters that matched the group, including a well-developed posterior submarginal rib and series of transverse ribs on the shield and dome. In addition, we investigated the effect of salinity on growth rate and cell morphology. The two marine species represented high growth rate between salinities of 10 and 30 psu, suggesting that both species are well adapted in marine environments. When exposed to salinities of 0 and 5 psu, they underwent cell enlargement.

The First Record of a North American Poplar Leaf Rust Fungus, Melampsora medusae, in China

A wide range of species and hybrids of black and balsam poplars or cottonwoods (Populus L., sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca) grow naturally, or have been introduced to grow in plantations in China. Many species of Melampsora can cause poplar leaf rust in China, and their distributions and host specificities are not entirely known. This study was prompted by the new susceptibility of a previously resistant cultivar, cv. ‘Zhonghua hongye’ of Populus deltoides (section Aigeiros), as well as by the need to know more about the broader context of poplar leaf rust in China. Rust surveys from 2015 through 2018 in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu, Henan, Shanxi, Qinghai, Beijing, and Inner Mongolia revealed some samples with urediniospores with the echinulation pattern of M. medusae. The morphological characteristics of urediniospores and teliospores from poplar species of the region were further examined with light and scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the rDNA ITS region (ITS1, 5.8S rRNA gene, and ITS2) and the nuclear large subunit rDNA (D1/D2) was used to further confirm morphology-based identification. Based on combined analyses, five of the fifteen fully characterized samples were identified as Melampsora medusae: one from Shaanxi and four from Sichuan. Two of the five were from Populus deltoides cv. ‘Zhonghua hongye’. Three others were identified on Populus szechuanica, P. simonii, and P. yunnanensis. Additional samples of M. medusae were collected in Shaanxi in 2017 and 2018, and from Henan in 2015 through 2018. Altogether these findings show that this introduced pathogen is widespread and persistent from year to year in China. This is the first report of this North American poplar leaf rust species, Melampsora medusae, in China. It has previously been reported outside North America in Argentina, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Russia.

Redefinition of the genus Thecadinium (Dinophyceae) using morphological and molecular data, and description of Thecadinium pseudokofoidii sp. nov.

ABSTRACTThe type of the polyphyletic genus Thecadinium, T. kofoidii, differs from other species of the genus in the position and number of thecal plates. We sequenced partial nuclear small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA and ITS-5.8S of two T. kofoidii ecotypes collected in winter and summer and compared molecular phylogenetic inferences with morphological observations. Molecular phylogenies based on SSU, LSU, and ITS-5.8S sequences, including sequences of summer and winter strains and those from GenBank, revealed two distinct Thecadinium lineages. The first contained two phylogroups: (1) winter strains together with Atlantic T. kofoidii from GenBank that showed obvious differentiation from (2) summer strains. The second lineage contained sequences of T. yashimaense and showed that species of the second lineage should be placed in a separate genus. Genetic differences between the winter and summer strains suggested that they are two different species: T. kofoidii and T. pseudokofoidii sp. nov. Morphologically, T. pseudokofoidii differed from T. kofoidii in number, size, and position of pores on the large lateral hypothecal plates. Thecadinium pseudokofoidii had about 28 to 48 (37 ± 4.2) pores (diameter: 0.31–0.76, 0.51 ± 0.08 µm) located mainly along the margins of large lateral plates; whereas T. kofoidii had about 24 to 72 (48 ± 11) pores (diameter: 0.22–0.49, 0.36 ± 0.06 µm) scattered over the entire surface of these plates. Moreover, cells of T. pseudokofoidii were 23–37 µm (31.2 ± 2.2) long and 19–32 µm (26.2 ± 2.3) deep and had a stronger ornamented theca, in particular cingular and third postcingular plates, compared to T. kofoidii cells that were 27–34 µm (30.7 ± 1.7) long and 21–27 µm (24.0 ± 1.5) deep and less ornamented. Both species had a unique feature: the right anterior sulcal plate contacted the Po plate. According to morphological and molecular data, Thecadinium was separated into two groups: Thecadinium sensu stricto including T. kofoidii and T. pseudokofoidii sp. nov., and Thecadinium sensu lato including the rest of the genus.

Diversity and Ecology of Marine Algicolous Arthrinium Species as a Source of Bioactive Natural Products.

In our previous study, all Arthrinium isolates from Sargassum sp. showed high bioactivities, but studies on marine Arthrinium spp. are insufficient. In this study, a phylogenetic analysis of 28 Arthrinium isolates from seaweeds and egg masses of Arctoscopus japonicus was conducted using internal transcribed spacers, nuclear large subunit rDNA, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor region sequences, and their bioactivities were investigated. They were analyzed as 15 species, and 11 of them were found to be new species. Most of the extracts exhibited radical-scavenging activity, and some showed antifungal activities, tyrosinase inhibition, and quorum sensing inhibition. It was implied that marine algicolous Arthrinium spp. support the regulation of reactive oxygen species in symbiotic algae and protect against pathogens and bacterial biofilm formation. The antioxidant from Arthrinium sp. 10 KUC21332 was separated by bioassay-guided isolation and identified to be gentisyl alcohol, and the antioxidant of Arthrinium saccharicola KUC21221 was identical. These results demonstrate that many unexploited Arthrinium species still exist in marine environments and that they are a great source of bioactive compounds.

Fungal diversity of the hypersaline Inland Sea in Qatar

Abstract The hypersaline Inland Sea in Qatar constitutes a unique ecosystem characterized by salinities up to saturation, extreme temperature fluctuations, and limited rainfall. To reveal the fungal diversity of this environment, we isolated fungi from water samples collected at the Inland Sea. Taxonomic identification of the isolates was done via DNA barcoding of the ITS1 and ITS2 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) domains and the D1/D2 domains of the nuclear large subunit rDNA. Additional genes, including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), were included for isolates of Alternaria, actin (Act) for Cladosporium, part of the beta-tubulin (BenA) and calmodulin (CaM) genes for Aspergillus and Penicillium. In total, 159 fungal isolates, including 85 Ascomycota and 74 Basidiomycota, were obtained from the water samples collected during four samplings in the winter and summer seasons. About 14% (22/159) of the strains, presumably novel species, were preliminarily identified to the genus level. This is the first report highlighting the diversity of fungi from the hypersaline Inland Sea in Qatar.

Morphometrical and molecular evidence suggests cryptic diversity among hookworms (Nematoda: Uncinaria) that parasitize pinnipeds from the south-eastern Pacific coasts

Hookworms of the genus Uncinaria parasitize pinniped pups in various locations worldwide. Four species have been described, two of which parasitize pinniped pups in the southern hemisphere: Uncinaria hamiltoni parasitizes Otaria flavescens and Arctocephalus australis from the South American coast, and Uncinaria sanguinis parasitizes Neophoca cinerea from the Australian coast. However, their geographical ranges and host specificity are unknown. Uncinaria spp. are morphologically similar, but molecular analyses have allowed the recognition of new species in the genus Uncinaria. We used nuclear genetic markers (internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA) and a mitochondrial genetic marker (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)) to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Uncinaria spp. parasitizing A. australis and O. flavescens from South American coasts (Atlantic and Pacific coasts). We compared our sequences with published Uncinaria sequences. A Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) analysis was also used to delimit species, and principal component analysis was used to compare morphometry among Uncinaria specimens. Parasites were sampled from A. australis from Peru (12°S), southern Chile (42°S), and the Uruguayan coast, and from O. flavescens from northern Chile (24°S) and the Uruguayan coast. Morphometric differences were observed between Uncinaria specimens from both South American coasts and between Uncinaria specimens from A. australis in Peru and southern Chile. Phylogenetic and GMYC analyses suggest that south-eastern Pacific otariid species harbour U. hamiltoni and an undescribed putative species of Uncinaria. However, more samples from A. australis and O. flavescens are necessary to understand the phylogenetic patterns of Uncinaria spp. across the South Pacific.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Macrolepiota: two new species from Brazil

ABSTRACTMacrolepiota is a poorly known genus in the Neotropics. In order to increase knowledge about this group, we collected specimens from the Atlantic Forest in southern and northeastern Brazil. Macrolepiota cyanolamellata and M. sabulosa from subtropical and tropical regions, respectively, are proposed as new species. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and the combined data set ITS + nuclear large subunit rDNA (28S) + RNA polymerase II second largest (RPB2), as well as morphological analyses. Two lineages with unique morphotypes were found. The species proposed were strongly supported as the sister lineage closely related to M. clelandii and M. subcitrophylla. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of their macro- and microscopic characters are provided.

Morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis reveal a new species of Phellinus with hooked hymenial setae from Vietnam

Phellinus vietnamensis sp. nov. is described from Vietnam based on morphological characters and molecular data. Morphologically, it is characterized by perennial, pileate basidiomata, a dimitic hyphal system, hooked hymenial setae, and colorless, broadly subglobose to ovoid, thick-walled basidiospores 5.5–6 × 4.8–5.2 μm. Phylogenetically, the status of Phellinus vietnamensis is strongly supported based on sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (EF1-α) nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU) and the second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB2).

Phylogeny, divergence time and historical biogeography of Laetiporus (Basidiomycota, Polyporales)

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to characterize the molecular relationship, origin and historical biogeography of the species in important brown rot fungal genus Laetiporus from East Asia, Europe, Pan-America, Hawaii and South Africa. We used six genetic markers to estimate a genus-level phylogeny including (1) the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), (2) nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU), (3) nuclear small subunit rDNA (nrSSU), (4) translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), (5) DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (RPB2), and (6) mitochondrial small subunit rDNA (mtSSU).ResultsResults of multi-locus phylogenetic analyses show clade support for at least seventeen species-level lineages including two new Laetiporus in China. Molecular dating using BEAST estimated the present crown group diverged approximately 20.16 million years ago (Mya) in the early Miocene. Biogeographic analyses using RASP indicated that Laetiporus most likely originated in temperate zones with East Asia and North America having the highest probability (48%) of being the ancestral area.ConclusionsFour intercontinental dispersal routes and a possible concealed dispersal route were established for the first time.

A new species of Antrodia (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) from juniper forest of Uzbekistan

Antrodia uzbekistanica sp. nov. is described and illustrated from juniper trees in Uzbekistan based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. It is characterized by producing annual, resupinate basidiome with large pores (1–2 per mm), a dimitic hyphal structure with clamp connections on generative hyphae, hyaline, thin-walled and cylindric basidiospores (6.5–8 × 2.7–3 µm), the presence of thick-walled and cyanophilous chlamydospores, and by causing a typical brown rot of Juniperus seravschanica in arid and semi-arid regions of Uzbekistan. The new species resembles Antrodia sinuosa macroscopically, but this species differs by having smaller basidiospores (4–6 × 1–2 µm), lacking of chlamydospores, and growing on wood of Pinaceae species. In nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) based phylogenies, the new species formed a distinct lineage in the Antrodia clade, and it is closely related to A. juniperina, which differs by having perennial, effused-reflexed basidiome with nodulose or round edged pilei, daedaleoid to labyrinthine pores, and larger and narrowly ellipsoid basidiospores (6.5–9 × 2.5–3.5 µm).

Acanthocotyle gurgesiella n. sp. (Monogenea: Acanthocotylidae) from the deep-sea skate Gurgesiella furvescens (Rajidae) in the south-eastern Pacific.

Little is known about the diversity of parasites of the deep-sea fish of the world's oceans. Here, a new species of monogenean parasite of the deep-sea skate Gurgesiella furvescens is described. Specimens of parasites were obtained from the skin of two specimens of the dusky finless skate, G. furvescens (Rajidae), in the vicinity of Valparaiso (33°S, 72°W), central Chile, from midwater trawl fishing at depths of 350-450 m. Both morphological and molecular analyses were conducted to provide a full description of the new species, named Acanthocotyle gurgesiella. For the molecular analyses, nuclear large subunit (LSU) rDNA and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) were used. From the morphological analysis and a comparison with the known species of the genus, A. gurgesiella can be identified by a combination of morphological characteristics, including the number of testes, number of radial rows of sclerites in the pseudohaptor, aperture of the genital pore and shape of the vitelline follicles. The results from the DNA analysis indicated that A. gurgesiella has a genetic divergence of 3.2-3.7% (LSU rDNA gene) from A. urolophi, the only congener species for which molecular data are available.