Phylogenetic Affinities Research Articles

Virome in the cloaca of wild and breeding birds revealed a diversity of significant viruses

BackgroundWild birds may harbor and transmit viruses that are potentially pathogenic to humans, domestic animals, and other wildlife.ResultsUsing the viral metagenomic approach, we investigated the virome of cloacal swab specimens collected from 3182 birds (the majority of them wild species) consisting of > 87 different species in 10 different orders within the Aves classes. The virus diversity in wild birds was higher than that in breeding birds. We acquired 707 viral genomes from 18 defined families and 4 unclassified virus groups, with 265 virus genomes sharing < 60% protein sequence identities with their best matches in GenBank comprising new virus families, genera, or species. RNA viruses containing the conserved RdRp domain with no phylogenetic affinity to currently defined virus families existed in different bird species. Genomes of the astrovirus, picornavirus, coronavirus, calicivirus, parvovirus, circovirus, retrovirus, and adenovirus families which include known avian pathogens were fully characterized. Putative cross-species transmissions were observed with viruses in wild birds showing > 95% amino acid sequence identity to previously reported viruses in domestic poultry. Genomic recombination was observed for some genomes showing discordant phylogenies based on structural and non-structural regions. Mapping the next-generation sequencing (NGS) data respectively against the 707 genomes revealed that these viruses showed distribution pattern differences among birds with different habitats (breeding or wild), orders, and sampling sites but no significant differences between birds with different behavioral features (migratory and resident).ConclusionsThe existence of a highly diverse virome highlights the challenges in elucidating the evolution, etiology, and ecology of viruses in wild birds.CqY729S1tGhRET_dUpiFdmVideo

The chloroplast genome of aromatic plants Cinnamomum pauciflorum (Lauraceae)

Cinnamomum pauciflorum is a valuable aromatic tree of the genus Cinnamomum Trew in the family Lauraceae. To better determine its phylogenetic location with other Cinnamomum species, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. pauciflorum was sequenced. The total cp genome size is 152,766 bp, consisting of a pair of inverted repeats (IRa/b) with a length of 20,074 bp separated by a large single-copy region (LSC) and a small single-copy region (SSC) which are 93,693 and 18,925 bp, respectively. The overall GC content of the cp genome is 39.14%. Maximum-likelihood analysis showed that C. pauciflorum has phylogenetic affinities with Cinnamomum osmophloeum, Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum mollifolium, and Cinnamomum tenuipile, providing new insight into the evolution of Lauraceae.

New holozoans with cellular resolution from the early Ediacaran Weng'an Biota, SW China

Embryo-like fossils from the early Ediacaran Weng'an Biota (SW China, 609 myr ago), widely interpreted as holozoans, potentially provide insights into the early evolutionary development of metazoans and the rise of the animal kingdom. However, the biodiversity of the embryo-like fossil assemblage is largely underestimated and its more precise phylogenetic affinities within the holozoan tree are still under debate. We describe a new species of embryo-like fossil, Ostiosphaera rara n. gen. n. sp., from the Ediacaran Weng'an Biota. These 3D, phosphatized specimens exhibit a spherical morphology, a thick ornamented envelope with a circular opening and a membrane-bound, multicellular inner body. In terms of biological characteristics, O. rara shows similarities with a number of extant and fossil analogues, including testate amoebae, unicellular green algae, the cellular slime mould Fonticuida and co-occurring Weng'an embryo-like fossils. Although the phylogenetic affinity of O. rara is difficult to constrain precisely based on the available evidence, it is reasonable to follow the holozoan interpretation for these fossils because they share the same grade complexity with co-occurring embryo-like fossils, such as Megasphaera and Helicoforamina , in terms of the combination of biological features. These new holozoans resemble asexual reproductive gemmules of fossil and living demosponges in size, morphology, circular opening and cellular anatomy. If this similarity reflects biological affinity rather than convergent evolution, this discovery would force us to rethink the evolutionary history of Precambrian sponges. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Advances in the Cambrian Explosion collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/advances-cambrian-explosion

Phylogenomic analysis of Syngnathidae reveals novel relationships, origins of endemic diversity and variable diversification rates

BackgroundSeahorses, seadragons, pygmy pipehorses, and pipefishes (Syngnathidae, Syngnathiformes) are among the most recognizable groups of fishes because of their derived morphology, unusual life history, and worldwide distribution. Despite previous phylogenetic studies and recent new species descriptions of syngnathids, the evolutionary relationships among several major groups within this family remain unresolved.ResultsHere, we provide a reconstruction of syngnathid phylogeny based on genome-wide sampling of 1314 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and expanded taxon sampling to assess the current taxonomy and as a basis for macroevolutionary insights. We sequenced a total of 244 new specimens across 117 species and combined with published UCE data for a total of 183 species of Syngnathidae, about 62% of the described species diversity, to compile the most data-rich phylogeny to date. We estimated divergence times using 14 syngnathiform fossils, including nine fossils with newly proposed phylogenetic affinities, to better characterize current and historical biogeographical patterns, and to reconstruct diversification through time. We present a phylogenetic hypothesis that is well-supported and provides several notable insights into syngnathid evolution. We found nine non-monophyletic genera, evidence for seven cryptic species, five potentially invalid synonyms, and identified a novel sister group to the seahorses, the Indo-Pacific pipefishes Halicampus macrorhynchus and H. punctatus. In addition, the morphologically distinct southwest Pacific seahorse Hippocampus jugumus was recovered as the sister to all other non-pygmy seahorses. As found in many other groups, a high proportion of syngnathid lineages appear to have originated in the Central Indo-Pacific and subsequently dispersed to adjoining regions. Conversely, we also found an unusually high subsequent return of lineages from southern Australasia to the Central Indo-Pacific. Diversification rates rose abruptly during the Middle Miocene Climate Transition and peaked after the closure of the Tethys Sea.ConclusionsOur results reveal a previously underappreciated diversity of syngnathid lineages. The observed biogeographic patterns suggest a significant role of the southern Australasian region as a source and sink of lineages. Shifts in diversification rates imply possible links to declining global temperatures, the separation of the Atlantic and Pacific faunas, and the environmental changes associated with these events.

A new species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) endemic to the Brazilian Pampa and its phylogenetic affinities

A new species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) endemic to the Brazilian Pampa and its phylogenetic affinities

Delimitation of Sri Lankan cycad species inferred from combined morphological and molecular analyses

Delimitations of Sri Lankan Cycas species have not been fully resolved, and hence propelled a comprehensive scientific investigation. By conducting an intense island-wide survey, we examined different cycad morphospecies in Sri Lanka, studied their vegetative and female reproductive morphological features, and analyzed genetic variation using two plastid markers (trnH-psbA and trnSGUC-trnGUCC) and one nuclear marker (ITS), together with cycad DNA sequence data already available in GenBank®, in order to delimit Sri Lankan Cycas taxa and to reveal their evolutionary relationships. Combined analysis of both morphological and DNA sequence data resolved Sri Lankan cycads into three species as C. circinalis and C. nathorstii (subsection Cycas), and C. zeylanica (subsection Rumphiae). The results revealed the presence of C. circinalis in Sri Lanka for the first time, which was previously reported as endemic to India. Differentiating C. circinalis from C. nathorstii is rather difficult if only morphological or genetic variation is considered, and this could be due to strong phylogenetic affinities that exist between these two species. Further, the combined analysis clearly identified enigmatic intermediate individuals in the population which possessed mixed morphological and genetic features of the two species of the subsection Cycas. We propose to implement combined analysis of both morphological and DNA sequence (both plastid and nuclear) data as a better approach in discriminating closely related cycad taxa, and in identifying enigmatic intermediate individuals in the population, compared to analysis of each data type separately.

Symbiotic bacteria of the gall-inducing mite Fragariocoptes setiger (Eriophyoidea) and phylogenomic resolution of the eriophyoid position among Acari

Eriophyoid mites represent a hyperdiverse, phytophagous lineage with an unclear phylogenetic position. These mites have succeeded in colonizing nearly every seed plant species, and this evolutionary success was in part due to the mites' ability to induce galls in plants. A gall is a unique niche that provides the inducer of this modification with vital resources. The exact mechanism of gall formation is still not understood, even as to whether it is endogenic (mites directly cause galls) or exogenic (symbiotic microorganisms are involved). Here we (i) investigate the phylogenetic affinities of eriophyoids and (ii) use comparative metagenomics to test the hypothesis that the endosymbionts of eriophyoid mites are involved in gall formation. Our phylogenomic analysis robustly inferred eriophyoids as closely related to Nematalycidae, a group of deep-soil mites belonging to Endeostigmata. Our comparative metagenomics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy experiments identified two candidate endosymbiotic bacteria shared across samples, however, it is unlikely that they are gall inducers (morphotype1: novel Wolbachia, morphotype2: possibly Agrobacterium tumefaciens). We also detected an array of plant pathogens associated with galls that may be vectored by the mites, and we determined a mite pathogenic virus (Betabaculovirus) that could be tested for using in biocontrol of agricultural pest mites.

High Occurrence Among Calves and Close Phylogenetic Relationships With Human Viruses Warrants Close Surveillance of Rotaviruses in Kuwaiti Dairy Farms.

Rotavirus, one of the main pathogens causing morbidity and mortality in neonatal dairy calves worldwide, is responsible for 30–44% of cattle deaths. It is considered to be the most common etiologic agent of diarrhea in neonatal dairy calves and children, the dominant type being group A. Two hundred seventy animals from 27 farms from 2 regions of Kuwait were tested for the presence of Rotavirus serogroup A (RVA) using latex agglutination test (LAT) and reverse transcription–polymerase chain (RT-PCR) testing. RVA non-structural proteins NSP1-2, NSP4-5 and capsid protein genes VP1-7 were characterized by next generation sequencing. LAT was positive in 15.56% of the animals, and RT-PCR in 28.89%. Using RT-PCR as a reference method, LAT was 100% specific but only 83.33% sensitive. ANOVA analysis showed correlation only with the location of the farms but no significant correlation with the age and sex of the animals. Although there was a tendency of clustering of RVA positive animals, it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.035 for LAT). The phylogenetic analysis showed that Kuwaiti isolates of group A rotavirus clustered with human rotaviruses. Taken together, it seems that rotavirus was present in most of the dairy farms in Kuwait. The high occurrence of the virus in calves in Kuwaiti dairy farms and the close phylogenetic affinity with human isolates warrants urgent action to minimize and control its spread between calves in farms.

Refined taxon sampling discloses new quinone patterns and relationships among Sundews (Drosera, Droseraceae)

In a screening of 43 accessions of predominantly Australian sundew species (Drosera), naphthoquinones were detected convincingly for the first time in D. section Lasiocephala (D. petiolaris group, or ‘wooly sundews’), where these metabolites remain restricted to a minority of four closely related species. Great chemical similarity across the large geographic range confirms a close phylogenetic affinity between taxa of the D. peltata species group (of D. section Ergaleium, from tropical and Eastern Asia to New Zealand). Drosera barrettiorum (D. section Arachnopus) is chemically confirmed as a close relative of D. hartmeyerorum. The recently described species D. margaritacea in the same section is chemically different from the morphologically close D. finlaysoniana. Quinone data for African and South American sundews (D. sections Drosera, Ptycnostigma and Brasilianae) shed further light on the affinities between these taxonomically challenging plants.

Taxonomic Reappraisal of Periconiaceae with the Description of Three New Periconia Species from China.

As a result of an ongoing research survey of microfungi in Yunnan, China, several saprobic ascomycetes were collected from various host substrates. Preliminary morphological analyses identified a few of these taxa as Periconia species. We obtained DNA sequence data of the Periconia species from pure cultures and investigated their phylogenetic affinities. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined LSU, ITS, SSU and tef1-α sequence dataset demonstrated that five isolates of Periconia formed well-resolved subclades within Periconiaceae. Accordingly, three new Periconia species are introduced viz. P. artemisiae, P. chimonanthi and P. thysanolaenae, and new host and geographical records of P. byssoides and P. pseudobyssoides, are also reported from dead branches of Prunus armeniaca and Scrophularia ningpoensis. Periconia celtidis formed a monophyletic clade with P. byssoides in the present phylogenetic analyses. Results of the pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) test indicated significant recombination between P. byssoides and P. celtidis. Therefore, P. celtidis has been synonymized under P. byssoides. In addition, we re-illustrated and studied the type specimen of the sexual genus Bambusistroma. As a type species of Bambusistroma, B. didymosporum features similar morphology to the sexual morph of Periconia homothallica and P. pseudodigitata. We therefore synonymize Bambusistroma under Periconia based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Furthermore, our new isolates produced brown conidia of asexual morph in agar media typical of the genus Noosia. Based on morphological comparison with Periconia in vitro and phylogenetic status of Noosia, we also treat Noosia as a synonym of Periconia. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of three novel taxa and two new records of Periconia byssoides and P. pseudobyssoides as well as the illustration of P. didymosporum comb. nov. are provided. An updated phylogenetic tree of Periconiaceae using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses is constructed. Generic circumscription of Periconia is amended.

The Ordovician diversification of sea urchins: systematics of the Bothriocidaroida (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

The echinoids of the order Bothriocidaroida represent the initial burst of sea urchin diversification. They were the first echinoids to achieve widespread biogeographical dispersal and achieved high levels of species richness compared to other clades of stem group echinoids. Following long-standing controversy regarding their phylogenetic affinities within the phylum Echinodermata, bothriocidaroids are now regarded as echinoids. The species- and genus-level phylogenetic relationships of the bothriocidaroids, are, however, less clearly known. We herein compile a database of bothriocidaroid occurrences, undertake detailed phylogenetic analyses of all named species within the Bothriocidaroida, and provide updated diagnoses for all species. Our phylogenetic analysis includes species belonging to three genera: Bothriocidaris, Unibothriocidaris and Neobothriocidaris. Furthermore, we describe a new species, Neobothriocidaris pentlandensis sp. nov., from the Silurian of Scotland and Sweden, using micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. This species has implications for understanding the diversity dynamics of bothriocidaroids before and after the Late Ordovician mass extinction and the palaeobiogeographical distribution of bothriocidaroids in the Silurian. Using Bayesian and parsimony-based phylogenetics, we demonstrate that Neobothriocidaris is a distinct clade, and depending upon the analytical technique, Unibothrioidaris and Bothriocidaris are also resolved as monophyletic. Unibothriocidaris appears to have become extinct in the Sandbian, while Neobothriocidaris and Bothriocidaris survived the Late Ordovician extinction events and lasted at least until the Ludlow. Furthermore, we performed statistical time-calibration of our phylogenetic trees and show that bothriocidaroids originated in the Dapingian or Darriwilian, diversifying in the Darriwilian to Sandbian and reaching peak diversity in the Sandbian and Katian. This Sandbian and Katian peak is similar to that observed in other echinoderm clades, as well as other animal groups during the Ordovician radiation, and may be linked to heightened sea level and expansive tropical shelves present in the Upper Ordovician, and to new inhabitable environments linked with Ordovician oxygenation.

Morphological and phylogenetic investigations shed light on evolutionary relationships of the enigmatic genus Copemetopus (Ciliophora, Alveolata), with the proposal of Copemetopus verae sp. nov.

Copemetopus Villeneuve-Brachon, 1940 is a rare, poorly known sapropelic ciliate genus composed of only two valid nominal species. Over time, Copemetopus was taxonomically assigned to Heterotrichea and Armophorea classes, but its phylogenetic affinities remained unknown. Until the present study, there were no molecular data available for Copemetopus representatives. Here, we present the 18S and 28S-rDNA sequences and the phylogenetic position of Copemetopus verae sp. nov., as well as its detailed morphological description based on live observations, protargol impregnation, and scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron micrographs of the type species C. subsalsus Villeneuve-Brachon, 1940 reveal new morphological traits and a unique somatic ciliature pattern of Copemetopus, composed by short segments of dikinetids with one or two supplementary kinetosomes. The phylogenetic trees recovered Copemetopus as the sister group of the genus Protocruzia, both constituting early-divergent lineages that split first from a common ancestor of Intramacronucleta. Morphological and molecular evidence suggest that Copemetopus is neither a heterotrichean nor an armophorean ciliate, but a distinct clade related to Protocruzia.

A new species of Bundoksia Lucañas, 2021 with comments on its subfamilial placement, based on morphological and molecular data.

One new species of Bundoksia Lucañas, 2021 from China is described. We construct a haplotype network from 21 COI sequences to display the relationships amongst populations of Bundoksialongissimasp. nov., mainly from Hainan Island, Yunnan Province and Guangxi Province, China. For the first time, we provide the details of female genitalia in addition to the known external morphology and male genitalia of the genus. Six molecular markers (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, COI and COII) from a total of 38 samples, including three samples of Bundoksialongissimasp. nov., are used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) to assess the phylogenetic affinities of Bundoksia. Photographs of the morphology and a key to the three Bundoksia species are also provided.

Short communication: Basic wood density and moisture content of 14 shrub species under two different site conditions in the Chilean Mediterranean shrubland

Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to provide information on species-specific basic wood density (g cm-3) and moisture content (%) in Mediterranean shrublands. Area of study: The study covers two sites of the sclerophyllous shrubland in central Chile, Cortaderal (34°35’S 71°29’W) and Miraflores (34°08’S 70°37’W), characterized by different climatic and topographic conditions. Material and methods: The sampling area covers 4,000 m2 over four plots at two sites. Shrub species were identified and size-related attributes such as height and crown size measured. A total of 322 shrubs were sampled at 0.3 m aboveground to determine basic wood density and moisture content. Species-specific differences and similarities were analyzed by multiple pairwise comparisons (post-hoc tests) and by ordination and hierarchical clustering. Main results: We found high variation across species in wood density (0.46-0.77 g cm-3) and moisture content (41.6-113.1%), with many significant differences among species in wood density and among sites in moisture content. Because intraspecific variability could not be explained by shrub size and pronounced differences in wood density (0.49-0.64 g cm-3) also occurred between species of the same genus (e.g., Baccharis linearis and Baccharis macraei), our results suggested that phylogenetic affinity may be less important than adaptation to local conditions. Research highlights: The values presented here were variable according to the type of species and environmental conditions, necessitating the determination of basic wood density (BWD) and moisture content at site – and species-specific level. The provided BWD estimates allow converting green volume to aboveground biomass in shrubland areas and are an essential source of information for estimating the carbon stocks.

A comparative analysis of crop pollinator survey methods along a large-scale climatic gradient

Safeguarding crop pollination services requires the identification of the pollinator species involved and the provision of their ecological requirements at multiple spatial scales. However, the potential for agroecological intensification of pollinator-dependent crops by harnessing pollinator diversity is limited by our capacity to characterise the community of pollinator species for each crop, and to determine how it is influenced by the different survey methods used, as well as by climatic variables at larger geographic scales. Here, we surveyed wild bees using a standardised protocol at an unprecedented scale including 62 commercial apple orchards in Western and Central Europe (i) to validate recent findings on pollinator community divergence as measured by common survey methods (netting and pan trapping) using conventional and alternative biodiversity metrics (phylogenetic and functional diversity), and (ii) to investigate the impact of climatic variation on the patterns observed. Our results confirm the significant divergence in pollinator communities measured using the two common methods at the larger, sub-continental scale, and we provide evidence for a significant influence of climate on the magnitude of pollinator community divergence (beta diversity and its turnover component) between survey methods, particularly when comparing colder to warmer sites and regions. We also found that warmer sites are more dissimilar than colder sites in terms of species composition, functional traits, or phylogenetic affinities. This result probably stems from the comparatively larger species pool in Southern Europe and because apple flowers are accessible to a wide spectrum of pollinator species; hence, two distant survey localities in Southern Europe are more likely to differ significantly in their pollinator community. Collectively, our results demonstrate the spatially-varying patterns of pollinator communities associated with common survey methods along a climate gradient and at the sub-continental scale in Europe.

Genetic Diversity Associated with Eco-geographical Parameters, Morphological Characteristics and Soil Analyzes of Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in Algeria

Background: In the present study, we have set a goal, to study the genetic variability and phylogenetic affinities of 26 spontaneous Vicia sativa L. accessions collected in Algeria, as part of the recovery and enhancement of the local genetic heritage and its integration into the breeding and varietal creation programs. Methods: Morphological traits, performance parameters and phenological stages of each accession were tracked during an experimental test in pots under greenhouse conditions from December 29, 2019 to June 1, 2020. An eco-geographical characterization of samples was also carried out through geographical coordinates. On the other side and for the first time in Algeria, soil analyses of each site were undertaken. Result: The phylogenetic study of accessions confirm the taxonomic complexity of the group V. sativa L. According to the principal component analyses and kruskal-Wallis test, the most segregating variables with the highest values and the largest K variance ratios are most of the attributes associated with the flower, pod and seed. The association of the two dissimilarity matrix carried out by a Mantel test between the morphological and eco-geographic parameters showed a significant effect with a p value = 0.004 at the threshold of alpha=0.05 and a correlation coefficient r (AB) = 0.156.

Forensic features and phylogenetic analyses of the population of Nayagarh (Odisha), India using 23 Y-STRs

Aim The present study was designed to explore the STR diversity and genomic history of the inhabitants of Nayagarh district of Odisha, India. We also tested the proficiency of the most recent, new generation PowerPlexR Y23 multiplex system for forensic characterisation and to decipher the phylogenetic affinities. Subjects and methods The genetic diversity and polymorphism among 236 healthy unrelated male volunteers from Nayagarh district of Odisha, India was investigated. This investigation was carried out via 23 Y-chromosomal STRs using capillary electrophoresis. Result A total 223 unique haplotypes were reported. Discrimination capacity (DC), gene diversity (GD) and power of discrimination (PD) were observed as 0.945, 0.999999999998333, and 0.99999999999794, respectively. Polymorphic information content (PIC) and matching probability (PM) were reported as 0.999999999925535 and 2.06 × 10−12, respectively. Simultaneously, the haplogroup analysis characterised with C2, E1b1a, E1b1b, G2a, H1, I2a, J2a, J2b, L, O, O1, O2, Q, R1a, R2, and T haplogroups, disclosing the possible geographical relatedness of the studied population to different areas of the world. Conclusion Phylogenetic analysis with previously reported Indian and Asian populations showed the genetic closeness of the studied population to different Indian populations and the Bangladeshi population of Dhaka, whereas the Bhotra population of Odisha and Han population of China showed much less genetic affinity.

A phylogenetic assessment of Endocalyx (Cainiaceae, Xylariales) with E. grossus comb. et stat. nov.

The phylogenetic affinities of four representative Endocalyx taxa at the species and variety levels are studied based on materials collected on different palm hosts in Japan and the states of Hawaii and Texas, USA. They include specimens and their isolates belonging to E. cinctus, E. indumentum, E. melanoxanthus var. grossus, and E. melanoxanthus var. melanoxanthus. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data (ITS-LSU nrDNA) confirmed that Endocalyx belongs to the order Xylariales (Sordariomycetes) where all species and varieties treated form a strongly supported monophyletic lineage within the family Cainiaceae. They were also phylogenetically well resolved and consistent with their morphological and ecological circumscription. Species status is proposed for E. melanoxanthus var. grossus under the name E. grossus comb. et stat. nov. on the basis of its distinct morphological, molecular, cultural, and ecological characteristics. The putative placement of Endocalyx within the family Apiosporaceae (Amphisphaeriales), based on the presence of basauxic conidiophores, is rejected considering that all species treated clustered within the distant Cainiaceae (Xylariales). This characteristic mode of conidiophore elongation is determined to have evolved independently within distantly related ascomycetous lineages. Novel morphological and cultural features of Endocalyx taxa based on new isolates are described and commented. The recently described E. metroxyli is reduced to a synonym with E. melanoxanthus.

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.

A new species of Dermadena (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from the stone triggerfish Pseudobalistes naufragium (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae) in the South American Pacific Ocean.

The present paper describes a new species of Dermadena (Digenea) parasitizing Pseudobalistes naufragium in Puerto Pizarro, northern Peru, using light and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Additionally, molecular analysis was also performed to determine the phylogenetic affinities of Dermadena within the Lepocreadiidae. The new species is differentiated from Dermadena spatiosa, Dermadena stirlingi and Dermadena lactophrysi by presenting a curved and well-developed external seminal vesicle. Also, SEM revealed numerous dome-shaped tegument protuberances forming glandular papillae with transversal wrinkles arranged roughly in concentric rows around the acetabular region, varying in size from large at the middle of the body to small at the margin. In the molecular phylogeny, the new species formed a well-supported clade with sequences of species from the Lepocreadiidae, confirming that it belongs to this family.