First molecular data for Digeneans from Antarctic fishes
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| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Four fish species of the families Nototheniidae and Bathydraconidae were examined from the Prince Gustav Channel off James Ross Island (Weddel Sea, West Antarctica) during two Czech Antarctic expeditions (2013 and 2014). A total of 109 fish specimens was examined from depths ranging between 15 and 30 m. Nine digenean species, including eight endemic to Antarctica, were recovered: six in Trematomus newnesi (overall prevalence in 2014, P = 65%), five each in Notothenia coriiceps (P = 57%) and Trematomus bernacchii (P = 53%), and three in Trematomus hansoni (P = 17%). Representative specimens of each digenean species were characterised morphologically and molecularly; these included the type-species of Elytrophalloides Szidat, 1955 and Neolebouria Gibson, 1976. Partial fragments of the 28S rRNA gene were amplified for a total of 35 isolates and were analysed together with sequences for related species of the families Opecoelidae Ozaki, 1925 and Lepidapedidae Yamaguti, 1958 and the Hemiuroidea Looss, 1899 available on GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the identification based on morphology and revealed: (i) close relationship between the hemiurid subfamilies Glomericirrinae Yamaguti, 1958 and Elytrophallinae Skrjabin & Guschanskaja, 1954; and (ii) paraphyly of the subfamily Elytrophallinae Skrjabin & Guschanskaja, 1954 (Hemiuridae Looss, 1899) and the genera Macvicaria Gibson & Bray, 1982 and Neolebouria Gibson, 1976 (both Opecoelidae). The taxonomic implications of these results will be discussed. |
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