Molecular phylogeny provides new insights on the taxonomy and composition of Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) and related genera

Abstract

Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 is one of the largest genera of the Dicrocoeliidae and is one of the best examples of the systematic complexity and taxonomic instability within this family. We present the molecular analyses based on novel sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial genes obtained from 56 isolates of adult flukes and larval stages of dicrocoeliids belonging to Lyperosomum, Skrjabinus , Zonorchis as well as previously available sequence data. According to obtained results we propose to return Zonorchis clathratus and Z. petiolatus into Lyperosomum , and to recognize L. alagesi as a synonym of L. petiolatum . Our study shows that L. petiolatum commonly occurs in Europe in corvids as well as in several species of migratory songbirds, e.g. Sylvia atricapilla . At the same time, the Turdidae appear to host a distinct species of Lyperosomum . The phylogenetic analysis has clearly demonstrated the paraphylepic nature of Lyperosomum and indicated the need of its thorough revision preferably using specimens from type hosts and type territories of nominal species. In addition, inclusion of numerous not yet sequenced dicrocoeliid genera into future phylogenetic studies is necessary to clarify the interrelationships of taxa within the family and stabilize its system.

Molecular phylogenetics and mitogenomics of three avian dicrocoeliids (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) and comparison with mammalian dicrocoeliids

“…In her latest revision of the family, Pojmańska [3] distinguished four subfamilies based on the relative position of gonads, vitellarium and uterus. The dicrocoeliid systematics is very complicated and controversial due to their high phenotypic plasticity, morphological homogeneity across multiple genera, poor descriptions and improper fixation of specimens [1,[8][9][10]. Therefore, DNA sequence data from the nuclear or mitochondrial genome provide a complementary or alternative source of characters for the diagnostics and taxonomy of the Dicrocoeliidae.…”

“…Until recently, molecular phylogenetic studies included only a few representatives of the Dicrocoeliidae [11,12], although the situation has been changing lately with a greater number of dicrocoeliid taxa being included in such analyses [1,7,10,[13][14][15]]. Among other systematic and nomenclatural changes, the molecular results have demonstrated the non-monophyletic nature of the majority of dicrocoeliid subfamilies, which resulted in the abandonment of the subfamily-based structure of the family [1].…”

Morphological and molecular evidence reveals a new species of Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) from Melanerpes aurifrons (Wagler, 1829) from northern Mexico

“…Dicrocoeliidae Looss, 1899 is a family of digenean parasites from the bile ducts, gallbladder and intestines of birds and, rarely, mammals distributed around the world, including approximately 400 species classified into 46 genera (Hildebrand et al ., 2016, 2019; Tkach et al ., 2018). The genus Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 is among the most diverse genera in this family, with approximately 33 recognized species, mostly parasitizing passerine birds (Hildebrand et al ., 2019).…”

“…Dicrocoeliidae Looss, 1899 is a family of digenean parasites from the bile ducts, gallbladder and intestines of birds and, rarely, mammals distributed around the world, including approximately 400 species classified into 46 genera (Hildebrand et al ., 2016, 2019; Tkach et al ., 2018). The genus Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 is among the most diverse genera in this family, with approximately 33 recognized species, mostly parasitizing passerine birds (Hildebrand et al ., 2019). The species of Lyperosomum are characterized by the following traits: oral sucker smaller than the ventral sucker, testes positioned closely to the ventral sucker, ovary posterior and distant from the posterior testis, genital pore located anterior to the intestinal bifurcation and vitellarium forming two relatively long lateral bands of follicles, beginning at the level of the testes and not reaching the caecal ends (Pojmańska, 2008).…”

“…Recently, Hildebrand et al . (2019) conducted one of the most extensive studies of the genus Lyperosomum , combining morphological and molecular data. Their analyses also included species representing the genera Skrjabinus Bhalerao, 1936 and Zonorchis Travassos, 1944 from Dicrocoeliidae.…”