Molecular characterisation of three species of Coitocaecum (Digenea: Opecoelidae) infecting Clinus superciliosus (Clinidae) in South Africa, with description of Coitocaecum brayi sp. n.
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
The genus Coitocaecum Nicoll, 1915 is part of the most speciose digenean family, the Opecoelidae Ozaki, 1925, which is found globally in both freshwater and marine fishes. Fifteen opecoelid species have been reported from marine fishes in South Africa, yet only one species of Coitocaecum has been described from this region: Coitocaecum capense Bray, 1987. During an explorative study of the digeneans of the endemic, intertidal fish Clinus superciliosus (Linnaeus) from the Saldanha Bay area, Cape Town harbour, Hermanus, the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park and Chintsa East in South Africa, a total of three distinct species of Coitocaecum were identified based on morphological and molecular (28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA and COI mtDNA) data: the previously mentioned C. capense, Coitocaecum brayi sp. n. and a third, unnamed species. We provide the first molecular characterisation of species of Coitocaecum from South Africa, accompanied by detailed morphological descriptions. This study illustrates the importance of an integrated taxonomic approach, especially when studying species with similar morphology. These findings further emphasise the lack of information on the true diversity and molecular data for trematodes of marine fishes in South Africa, creating a great capacity for future explorative taxonomic studies and highlighting the use of intertidal areas for conducting such research.
期刊介绍:
FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA, issued in online versions, is an international journal that covers the whole field of general, systematic, ecological and experimental parasitology. It publishes original research papers, research notes and review articles. Contributions from all branches of animal parasitology, such as morphology, taxonomy, biology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, molecular biology and evolution of parasites, and host-parasite relationships, are eligible. Novelty and importance in the international (not local or regional) context are required. New geographical records of parasites, records of new hosts, regional parasite and/or host surveys (if they constitute the principal substance of manuscript), local/regional prevalence surveys of diseases, local/regional studies on epidemiology of well known diseases and of parasite impact on human/animal health, case reports, routine clinical studies and testing of established diagnostic or treatment procedures, will not be considered. One species description will also not be considered unless they include more general information, such as new diagnostic characters, host-parasite associations, phylogenetic implications, etc. Manuscripts found suitable on submission will be reviewed by at least two reviewers.