Molecular phylogeny of Mesometridae (Trematoda, Digenea) with its relation to morphological changes in parasites.

ABSTRACT

Complete ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) ribosomal DNA sequences were obtained for the six species know at present time within the Mesometridae Poche, 1926. The adult stages are intestinal parasites of herbivorous sparid teleosts. Aligned sequences were analysed with Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic methods to infer evolutionary relationships among mesometrid species. The ITS-based phylogeny obtained showed the two Wardula species as a sister group to other Mesometridae, and as compared to morphological data, suggest some general tendencies in the morphological evolution of this group. It consists mainly in changes from elongated to subcircular forms, regression of the pharynx, and the development of a strong accessory attachment organ.