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Diversity of trematodes (Platyhelminthes) in Mexico with an assessment of the availability of genetic data for their conservation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2025

Y. Velázquez-Urrieta Open the ORCID record for Y. Velázquez-Urrieta [Opens in a new window] ,
V. Mendoza-Portillo Open the ORCID record for V. Mendoza-Portillo [Opens in a new window]  and
F. J. García-De León Open the ORCID record for F. J. García-De León [Opens in a new window]
Y. Velázquez-Urrieta
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Genética para la Conservación, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Calle IPN #195, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, C.P. 23096
V. Mendoza-Portillo
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Genética para la Conservación, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Calle IPN #195, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, C.P. 23096
F. J. García-De León*
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Genética para la Conservación, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Calle IPN #195, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, C.P. 23096
*
Corresponding author: F. J. García-De León; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Trematodes are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of platyhelminths. They parasitize all major groups of vertebrates as definitive hosts and therefore play an important role in ecosystem composition. It is estimated that 18,000 to 25,000 species of trematodes exist worldwide, of which 685 have been reported in Mexico. Although this group is an integral part of ecosystems, there are still no studies that highlight the importance of parasites, especially in conservation approaches. Here, we recompiled information on the occurrence and available genetic data of trematodes in Mexico to estimate the specific richness of their representation across the Protected Areas (PAs) and provinces of Mexico. We consulted national and international databases (e.g., GBIF, CONABIO, CNHE-UNAM) and genetic repositories (e.g., GenBank) to generate curated datasets. We obtained 6,780 records that represent 99% of species reported in Mexico (680 species), of which only 10.2% are included in PAs. For genetic data, we found information from five nuclear regions (28S, 18S, ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8S) and two mitochondrial genes (COI and NAD1) for 118 species, of which only 3.5% were associated with PAs. With these results, we provide a spatial distribution of records (occurrence and genetic data) of trematodes present in Mexico and its PAs and identify poorly represented biogeographic provinces (e.g., Sierra Madre del Sur). We also highlight that this is the first study in Mexico to include this group in a conservation approach, and we record valuable information for future studies.

Keywords

TrematodesdiversityMexicogenetic data
Type
Research Paper
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 98 , 2024 , e92
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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