Robinia aurata n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Hemiuridae) from the mugilid Liza aurata with a molecular confirmation of its position within the Hemiuroidea

Abstract

Robinia aurata n. g., n. sp. is described from Liza aurata (Mugilidae), the golden grey mullet, from the Ebro Delta, Spanish Mediterranean. The new genus differs from all other hemiurid genera in the combined possession of muscular flanges and a vestigial ecsoma. Within the Bunocotylinae, which currently accommodates 2 genera, Bunocotyle and Saturnius, the new genus exhibits a unique combination of blind caeca, Juel's organ, post-ovarian bulk of the uterus in the hind-body, and tegumental papillae surrounding the oral and ventral sucker apertures. Furthermore, Robinia n. g. differs from both Bunocotyle and Saturnius in the nature of the muscular extensions around the oral sucker, with the shape of a muscular belt in the latter and numerous muscular papillae in the former. The phylogenetic hypothesis for the Bunocotylinae developed from sequence data analyses based on partial lsrDNA and complete ssrDNA combined (22 species) and V4 domain of the ssrRNA gene (37 species) supports the erection of the new genus and confirms its position within the Hemiuroidea. Both molecular analyses confirmed the monophyly of the Hemiuroidea, its division into 2 major clades and the polyphyly of the Derogenidae, as in previous studies, and suggest that the Gonocercinae (with 2 genera, Gonocerca and Hemipera), may require a distinct familial status. Finally, there was poor support for the distinct status of the Lecithasteridae and Hemiuridae, following previous suggestions based on different sequence data sets. A key to genera of the Bunocotylinae is presented.

Macroparasites of allis shad (Alosa alosa) and twaite shad (Alosa fallax) of the Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers: ecological, phylogenetic and zoonotic insights

“…The relationships found within the superfamily Hemiuroidea, with two main clades separating the (Accacoelidae + Derogenidae + Syncoeliidae + Sclerodistomidae + Didymozoidae + Isoparorchiidae) and the (Hemiuridae + Lecithasteridae), are in agreement with previous studies (Blair et al 1998;Cribb et al 2003;Olson et al 2003;Pankov et al 2006). Nonetheless, our results differ slightly from those found by Blair et al (1998), since we found the Hemiuridae and Lecithasteridae to be polyphyletic, since more genetic data was included in the present analysis.…”

“…Nonetheless, our results differ slightly from those found by Blair et al (1998), since we found the Hemiuridae and Lecithasteridae to be polyphyletic, since more genetic data was included in the present analysis. The combined analysis of both ribosomal regions showed a topology very similar to that obtained by Pankov et al (2006), but in our analysis, the basal topology of the clade that includes the families Hemiuridae and Lecithasteridae was better resolved. The lecithasterid Machidatrema chilostoma, the hemiurid Opisthadena dimidia and the monophyletic hemiurid subfamily Bunocotylinae constitute a consistent clade that is basal in the hemiurid/lecithasterid clade.…”

“…When analyzing the LSU region considering the gaps, the latter relationship is strongly supported both by bootstrap 9 7% and posterior probabilities 1 (data not shown). These inconsistencies may be the result of multiple factors: (i) the phylogenetic signal found in both regions is not very strong, (ii) a consequence of including different taxa to the different regions, like the hemiurid subfamily Quadrifoliovariinae that is represented in the database with LSU data but is absent on SSU, and also (iii) the inclusion of an outgroup, which is not present in the combined analysis of partial LSU and complete SSU carried out by Pankov et al (2006).…”

A new cryptic species of Aponurus Looss, 1907 (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) from Mediterranean goatfish (Teleostei: Mullidae)

“…Aponurus sp. of Pankov et al (2006) Type-host: Mullus barbatus L. Other host: Mullus surmuletus L. Type-locality: Off Besòs, Spain. (Pankov et al, 2006) and HQ713441 (present study).…”

A revision of the species of Saturnius Manter, 1969 (Digenea: Hemiuridae), parasites of mullets (Teleostei: Mugilidae)

“…L. aurata and L. saliens are new host records for S. minutus. Pankov et al (2006) described Robinia aurata Pankov, Webster, Blasco-Costa, Gibson, Littlewood, Balbuena & Kostadinova, 2006 from Liza aurata (Mugilidae) from the Spanish Mediterranean. These authors developed a phylogenetic hypothesis for the Bunocotylinae from sequence data analyses based on partial lsrDNA and complete ssrDNA combined (22 species) and V4 domain of the ssrRNA gene (37 species).…”