Haemoproteus bobricklefsi sp. nov. (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) was found in the dunnock Prunella modularis and represents the first blood parasite described in accentor birds of the Prunellidae. The description is based on the morphology of blood stages and includes information about a barcoding segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (lineage hDUNNO01) and the full mitochondrial genome, which can be used for identification and diagnosis of this infection. The new parasite can be readily distinguished from described species of haemoproteids parasitizing passeriform birds due to markedly variable position of nuclei in advanced and fully grown macrogametocytes. Illustrations of blood stages of the new species are given, and phylogenetic analyses based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences and the full mitochondrial genome identified the closely related lineages. DNA haplotype networks showed that transmission occurs in Europe and North America. This parasite was found in the dunnock in Europe and several species of the Passerellidae in North America. It is probably of Holarctic distribution, with the highest reported prevalence in the UK. The parasite distribution seems to be geographically patchy, with preference for areas of relatively cool climates. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that H. bobricklefsi sp. nov. belongs to the Parahaemoproteus subgenus and is probably transmitted by biting midges belonging to Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae). The available data on molecular occurrence indicate that this pathogen is prone to abortive development, so worth attention in regard of consequences for bird health.

New data on the complete mitochondrial genome of Azygia robusta (Azygiidae) were obtained by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of A. robusta had a length of 13 857 bp and included 12 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two non-coding regions. The nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial genomes of two A. robusta specimens differed from each other by 0.12 ± 0.03%. Six of 12 protein-coding genes demonstrated intraspecific variation. The difference between the nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial genomes of A. robusta and Azygia hwangtsiyui was 26.95 ± 0.35%; the interspecific variation of protein-coding genes between A. robusta and A. hwangtsiyui ranged from 20.5 ± 0.9% (cox1) to 30.7 ± 1.2% (nad5). The observed gene arrangement in the mtDNA sequence of A. robusta was identical to that of A. hwangtsiyui. Codon usage and amino acid frequencies were highly similar between A. robusta and A. hwangtsiyui. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA protein-coding regions showed that A. robusta is closely related to A. hwangtsiyui (belonging to the same suborder, Azygiida) that formed a distinct early-diverging branch relative to all other Digenea. A preliminary morphological analysis of paratypes of the two azygiid specimens studied showed visible morphological differences between them. The specimen extracted from Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) was most similar to A. robusta. Thus, we here provide the first record of a new definitive host, P. perryi, for A. robusta and also molecular characteristics of the trematode specimens.

The tapeworms of fishes (Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii) account one-third (1670 from around 5000) of the total tapeworm (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) species diversity. In total 1186 species from 9 orders occur as adults in elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and chimaeras), and 484 species from 8 orders mature in ray-finned fishes (referred to here as teleosts). Teleost tapeworms are dominated by freshwater species (78%), but only 3% of elasmobranch tapeworms are known from freshwater rays of South America and Asia (Borneo). In the last 2 decades, vast progress has been made in understanding species diversity, host associations and interrelationships among fish tapeworms. In total, 172 new species have been described since 2017 (149 from elasmobranchs and 23 from teleosts; invalidly described taxa are not included, especially those from the Oriental region). Molecular data, however, largely limited to a few molecular markers (mainly 28S rDNA, but also 18S and cox1), are available for about 40% of fish tapeworm species. They allowed us to significantly improve our understanding of their interrelationships, including proposals of a new, more natural classification at the higher-taxonomy level (orders and families) as well as at the lower-taxonomy level (genera). In this review, we summarize the main advances and provide perspectives for future research.

Gyrodactylus sphinx Dmitrieva & Gerasev, 2000 is the only species of Gyrodactylus originally described from Aidablennius sphynx (Valenciennes) in the Black Sea. In the present study, monogeneans similar to G. sphinx are reported from the same host and from two other species of Blenniidae from the Black Sea, as well as from the Mediterranean Sea. This study aims to verify the taxonomic status of the specimens found in different hosts and localities, other than the type ones of G. sphinx. Twenty-two measurements of the haptoral structures of 169 gyrodactylids were used for the morphological study. Morphometric variability between different samples was analysed using analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Molecular studies were carried out using the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 and 5.8S ribosomal DNA regions. Network, Bayesian phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses were performed to infer the number of taxonomic units and the phylogeographic relationships occurring within and among them. MANOVA revealed a significant dependence of the morphometry of hamuli and marginal hooks on host species and regions, but a clear differentiation between samples was not confirmed by PCA. Moreover, the ranges of all dimensions overlapped between samples. However, molecular analyses suggested the occurrence of at least two taxonomic entities. The most common entity was present in individuals of the Black and Mediterranean seas, and is described here as Gyrodactylus gerasevi n. sp., whereas a second entity recognized as a G. sphinx was found only in individuals from two localities off Crimea. The monophyletic cluster grouping of these two species was placed within a large clade that also included a separate sister cluster with seven other species of the Gyrodactylus orecchiae cross-ocean species group.

Life cycles, and morphological and molecular data were obtained for Echinostoma chankensis nom. nov., Echinostoma cinetorchis, Echinostoma miyagawai and Isthmiophora hortensis from East Asia. It was established that, based on both life cycle and morphology data, one of the trematodes is identical to the worms designated as Euparyphium amurensis. Genetic data showed that this trematode belongs to Echinostoma. The complex data on biological, morphological and genetic characterizations establish that the distribution of the morphologically similar species, I. hortensis and Isthmiophora melis, in the Old World are limited by the East Asian and European regions, respectively. Data on mature worms of East Asian E. miyagawai revealed morphological and genetic identity with E. miyagawai from Europe. However, E. miyagawai from Europe differs from E. miyagawai from the type locality (East Asia) in terms of reaching maturity and the morphology of cercariae. These data indicate that the European worm, designated E. miyagawai, does not belong to this species. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Echinostomatidae was conducted based on the 28S, ITS2 and nad1 markers. Analysis using the nad1 gene for the known representatives of Echinostomatidae is carried out for the first time, showing that nuclear markers are ineffective separate from mitochondrial ones.

Amphistome species belonging to the genus Catadiscus are poorly studied intestinal trematodes found primarily in Neotropical anurans. Herein, developmental stages of an amphistome species found during herpetological and malacological surveys in a temporary marsh pond from Brazil were subjected to morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular analyses. Adult parasites recovered from anurans were identified as Catadiscus marinholutzi. Amphistome cercariae found in the planorbid snails Drepanotrema depressissimum and Drepanotrema lucidum from the same waterbody were used for experimental and molecular studies. Immature parasites, morphologically compatible with members of Catadiscus, were experimentally obtained in laboratory-reared tadpoles. Sequencing of a partial region of 28S rDNA gene of both adult and cercariae revealed 100% similarity between these developmental stages, confirming their conspecificity. Phylogenetic analyses were attempted for the first time to reveal the position of a species of Catadiscus in the superfamily Paramphistomoidea. Catadiscus marinholutzi falls in a virtual polytomy together with other paramphistomoids, which leaves its phylogenetic relationships within the group unclear. Moreover, the high genetic divergence to Diplodiscus spp. (10.06–10.84%) cast doubts on the placement of Catadiscus within Diplodiscidae. Hence the species composition of the Diplodiscidae should be re-evaluated in further studies using a broader spectrum of related taxa.

A description and the molecular characterization of two new species in the Haploporidae and Haplosplanchnidae families are provided herein. Parasaccocoelium armatum n. sp. was collected from the intestine of a Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 from the Primorsky region, Russia, and Pseudohaplosplanchnus catbaensis n. g. n. sp. was collected from Moolgarda seheli (Forsskål, 1775) in the coastal waters of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. The morphological features of P. armatum n. sp. closely resemble those of Parasaccocoelium polyovum, but these species differ from one another by hermaphroditic sac and vitellaria area length and by maximal egg size. The main difference between P. armatum n. sp. and P. polyovum is the presence of an armed hermaphroditic duct in the new species. Molecular data support the case for inclusion of the studied trematodes in P. armatum n. sp. Worms P. catbaensis n. g. n. sp. from the mullet from Vietnam are morphologically close to Haplosplanchnus (Haplosplosplanchninae). The only difference between P. catbaensis n. g. n. sp. and species of Haplosplanchnus is the presence of few (1–7) large eggs, measuring 135–142 × 92–104 μm, versus numerous small eggs with a maximal size of 75 × 50 μm. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there is a contradiction between the morphological similarity of the worms and their position in the Haplosplanchnidae system, based on the genetic data. Results of this study indicate that P. catbaensis n. g. n. sp. is genetically distant from other representatives of Haplosplanchnus, despite their morphological similarity. According to the molecular data, P. catbaensis n. g. n. sp. is close to Hymenocotta mulli Manter, 1961 (Hymenocottinae). However, these species are considerably different to each other morphologically. Molecular data argue for the possibility of establishing a new subfamily for P. catbaensis n. g. n. sp. However, considering earlier studies of Haplosplanchnidae, we support the view that creating new subfamilies within this family is unreasonable because of the lack of molecular data for most haplosplanchnid species, which are necessary to resolve the problematic systematics and phylogeny of this family.

A new species of Moniliformis Travassos, 1915 (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) is described from the hairy-tailed bolo mouse, Necromys lasiurus Lund, 1840 (Cricetidae: Sigmondontinae), captured in the Brazilian Cerrado, in Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The specimens were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular phylogenies were inferred from partial nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences and partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The new species is distinguished from other moniliformid species by the number of rows and number of hooks per row, size of the proboscis, size of the eggs, host species and geographical distribution. Molecular phylogenies and genetic distances analyses demonstrated that Moniliformis necromysi sp. n. forms a well-supported monophyletic group with sequences of other species of Moniliformis and is distinguished from them, which agrees with the morphological characteristics, allocating the new species to this genus and to the family Moniliformidae Van Cleave, 1924. This is the first moniliformid acanthocephalan described from a wild rodent in Brazil.

The genetic variation and taxonomic status of the four morphologically-defined species of Macropostrongyloides in Australian macropodid and vombatid marsupials were examined using sequence data of the ITS+ region (=first and second internal transcribed spacers, and the 5.8S rRNA gene) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results of the phylogenetic analyses revealed that Ma. baylisi was a species complex consisting of four genetically distinct groups, some of which are host-specific. In addition, Ma. lasiorhini in the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) did not form a monophyletic clade with Ma. lasiorhini from the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons), suggesting the possibility of cryptic (genetically distinct but morphologically similar) species. There was also some genetic divergence between Ma. dissimilis in swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) from different geographical regions. In contrast, there was no genetic divergence among specimens of Ma. yamagutii across its broad geographical range or between host species (i.e. Macropus fuliginosus and M. giganteus). Macropostrongyloides dissimilis represented the sister taxon to Ma. baylisi, Ma. yamagutii and Ma. lasiorhini. Further morphological and molecular studies are required to assess the species complex of Ma. baylisi.

The prevalence and community composition of haemoparasites can substantially differ among avian host populations, which may lead to different selection pressures. Therefore, information about these parameters is crucial for understanding, e.g. the inter-population variation in host life history traits. Here, we molecularly screened a population of a long-distance migrant, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, from central Poland for the presence of three genera of blood parasites: Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma. The infection rate in this population was the highest for haemosporidians (86·8%) and one of the highest for trypanosomes (39·7%) among the thus far screened breeding populations of this species. The haemosporidian community was composed of six Haemoproteus/Plasmodium lineages, and the trypanosome community – 4 species and a parasite assigned to genus level. Trypanosomes were dominated by T. culicavium, a recently described species, corroborating the prediction that insectivorous songbirds are vertebrate hosts of this parasite. Host sex and age did not explain variation in infection incidence except for the higher trypanosome infection rates in males. A comparison of the study population with three other breeding populations previously screened molecularly for haemosporidians showed some geographic differences. This study confirms the importance of examining local parasite communities across a host distribution range.

The present study compared the genetic variation among 14 different geographical isolates of Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato from Thailand and Lao PDR using sequence data for 2 mitochondrial DNA genes, the subunit 1 of NADH dehydrogenase gene (nad1) and cytochrome c oxidase gene (cox1). Four different nad1 haplotypes were detected among isolates, all of which were identical at the amino acid sequence level. Nucleotide sequence variation among 14 isolates ranged from 0 to 0·3% for nad1. Two different cox1 haplotypes were detected among isolates. These two haplotypes differed at 2 nucleotide positions, one of which resulted in a change in the amino acid sequence. Nucleotide sequence variation among isolates for cox1 ranged from 0 to 0·5%. Comparison of cox1 sequences of O. viverrini to those of other trematodes revealed nucleotide differences of 13–31%. A phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 sequence data revealed strong statistical support for a clade containing O. viverrini and 2 other species of opisthorchid trematodes; O. felineus and Clonorchis sinsensis.

An elachistacean epiphyte, Neoleptonema yongpilii E.-Y. Lee & I.K. Lee, gen. et sp. nov., is reported from Korean coasts. The plants are distinguished by having unbranched assimilatory filaments with intercalary plurilocular sporangia as well as lateral plurilocular sporangia from the cortex. The new genus differs from the genera Leptonematella P. Silva and Halothrix Reinke by having pod-shaped plurilocular sporangia on the medulla, and from Elachista Duby and Proselachista Y.P. Lee & Garbary by having intercalary plurilocular sporangia and a poorly developed medulla. The phylogenetic relationships of Neoleptonema yongpilii were inferred from the spacer sequences between the genes coding for the large and small subunits of the RuBisCO gene. The new genus is a member of a poorly resolved clade consisting of several genera within the Elachistaceae, within which it is more closely related to Halothrix and Elachista nipponica than to Leptonematella.

Companion cells in the secondary phloem of 125 Indian dicotyledonous species belonging to 43 families were examined by light microscopy. Four types of companion cell were identified: E-, S- and L-types which were equal in length, shorter, or longer, respectively, than the associated sieve tube element; and R-type, in which two or more companion cells in a vertical row were associated with the sieve tube element. The commonest was the E-type and the rarest was the L-type. E-type companion cells were most frequently found associated with short sieve tube elements (50–250 μm) which had a high frequency of simple sieve plates, considered phylogenetically advanced. R-type companion cells were most frequently associated with long sieve tube elements (>400 μm) with a high frequency of compound sieve plates, considered phylogenetically the least advanced. A strong positive correlation was found between the average number of companion cells associated with a sieve tube element and the lengths of the sieve tube elements. There was also a strong negative correlation between the average number of companion cells associated with a sieve tube element and companion cell lengths.

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1 and ITS-2) regions and the 5·8S ribosomal RNA gene of 2 Perkinsus spp. (G117 and H49) originating from the softshell clam, Mya arenaria, of the Chesapeake Bay were cloned and sequenced to obtain evidence for their genetic divergence. A high level of heterogeneity in both regions, probably resulting from deletions, insertions, and base substitutions, was evident from alignments of the sequences of the 2 isolates with published sequences of other Perkinsus spp. The isolate G117 and other Perkinsus spp. were highly divergent (13–26% and 19–20% sequence divergence in ITS-1 and ITS-2, respectively). These regions in the isolate H49 and Perkinsus marinus were similar (99·07% and 99% for ITS-1 and ITS-2, respectively). Evidence obtained from a phylogenetic analysis using the aligned sequences suggests that G117 and H49 belong to 2 distinct species of Perkinsus. The isolate G117 possibly belongs to an as yet undescribed species of Perkinsus, and H49 belongs to the species P. marinus. The conclusions drawn from the genetic analysis of H49 and G117 are supported by previously reported morphological characteristics (McLaughlin & Faisal, 1998b). Isolates H49 and G117 originated from the same molluscan species demonstrating that at least 2 different species of Perkinsus can co-exist in 1 host.