Monogenea (Platyhelminthes), mainly gill and fin ectoparasites of fish, are often recognized as host specific and morphologically and ecologically diverse. These parasites exhibit high species diversity at the level of host species or individual fish specimens. Using case studies, especially those widely performed in Dactylogyrus parasitizing cyprinoid fish, this article presents current knowledge on the ecology and evolution of congeneric gill monogeneans. The important aspects of the ecology of congeneric monogeneans are highlighted, in particular: host specificity expressed at several host levels (from strict specificity to phylogenetic specificity), microhabitat specificity expressed by restricted positions on fish gills to facilitate intraspecific mating, and the link between microhabitat preference and morphological adaptation (i.e., sclerotized structures of the haptor) or reproductive isolation. From the evolutionary perspective, this study focused on the processes of the speciation and diversification of congeneric monogeneans, highlighting the role of host switch as the most prominent coevolutionary event, accompanied in some cases mostly by intrahost speciation or cospeciation, as revealed by cophylogenetic studies. Here, important knowledge on evolutionary patterns of host specificity, microhabitat specificity, and morphological adaptation is presented. Host-specific monogeneans may represent an important tool for studying the historical biogeography of their hosts. Specifically, in the case of freshwater fish hosts exhibiting disjunctive distribution, they reflect both historical and contemporary contacts. The role of host-specific congeneric monogeneans in revealing historical intercontinental and intracontinental contacts between freshwater fish is highlighted. Finally, the importance of the role of genetic coadaptation, limiting the presence of host-specific monogeneans in hybrid fish, is emphasized.

TITLE: Monogènes spécifiques à leur hôte parasitant les poissons d’eau douce : écologie et évolution des associations hôtes-parasites. ABSTRACT: Les Monogènes (Plathelminthes), principalement ectoparasites des branchies et des nageoires des poissons, sont souvent reconnus comme spécifiques à leur hôte et diversifiés morphologiquement et écologiquement. Ces parasites présentent une grande diversité d’espèces au niveau des espèces hôtes ou des spécimens individuels de poissons. À l’aide d’études de cas (en particulier celles largement réalisées chez les Dactylogyrus parasitant les poissons cyprinoïdes), les connaissances actuelles sur l’écologie et l’évolution des monogènes branchiaux congénères sont présentées. Les aspects importants de l’écologie des monogènes congénères sont mis en évidence, en particulier la spécificité à l’hôte exprimée à plusieurs niveaux de l’hôte (de la spécificité stricte à la spécificité phylogénétique), la spécificité du microhabitat exprimée par des positions restreintes sur les branchies des poissons pour faciliter l’accouplement intraspécifique, et le lien entre la préférence du microhabitat et l’adaptation morphologique (c’est-à-dire les structures sclérifiées du hapteur) ou l’isolement reproductif. Du point de vue évolutif, l’étude a été concentrée sur les processus de spéciation et de diversification des monogènes congénères, soulignant le rôle du changement d’hôte comme l’événement coévolutif le plus important, accompagné surtout dans certains cas de spéciation ou de cospéciation intra-hôte, comme le révèlent les études cophylogénétiques. Des connaissances importantes sont présentées ici sur les modèles évolutifs de spécificité d’hôte, de spécificité de microhabitat et d’adaptation morphologique. Les monogènes spécifiques à l’hôte peuvent représenter un outil important pour étudier la biogéographie historique de leurs hôtes. Plus précisément, dans le cas des poissons d’eau douce hôtes présentant une distribution disjonctive, ils reflètent à la fois des contacts historiques et contemporains. Le rôle des monogènes congénères spécifiques à leur hôte dans la révélation des contacts intercontinentaux et intracontinentaux historiques entre poissons d’eau douce est mis en évidence. Enfin, l’importance du rôle de la coadaptation génétique limitant la présence de monogènes spécifiques à l’hôte chez les poissons hybrides est soulignée.

• Keywords
• Fish parasites, Genetic coadaptation, Host specificity, Host-parasite coevolution, Monogeneans, Species coexistence,
• MeSH
• Biological Evolution * MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Host Specificity * MeSH
• Trematode Infections veterinary   parasitology   MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions * MeSH
• Fish Diseases * parasitology   MeSH
• Platyhelminths physiology   classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Fishes parasitology   MeSH
• Fresh Water * parasitology   MeSH
• Trematoda physiology   classification   genetics   MeSH
• Gills * parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Ribosomal DNA sequences are currently available for 32 morphologically recognized species of Dactylogyrus parasitizing Nearctic cypriniforms, but only 16 of them are assigned to nominal species. Herein, morphological data on 28 of the 32 species are provided, together with comments on their phylogenetic relationships in the context of the morphology of taxonomically important structures. Seven new species of Dactylogyrus are described from five species of leuciscids and one species of catostomids, as follows: D. aduncus n. sp. from Campostoma spadiceum, D. cloutmani n. sp. from Luxilus chrysocephalus isolepis, D. cornifrons n. sp. from Cyprinella venusta, D. fimbratus n. sp. from Rhinichthys cataractae, D. mcallisteri n. sp. from Semotilus atromaculatus, and D. chieni n. sp. and D. haneki n. sp. from Hypentelium nigricans. Four previously described species of Dactylogyrus, D. atromaculatus from S. atromaculatus, D. eos from C. neogaeus, D. parvicirrus from Notemigonus crysoleucas and D. perlus from L. c. isolepis, are redescribed and/or figured. As for the remaining 17 species, only the male copulatory organs (MCOs) taken from the respective hologenophores are illustrated. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, two main clades of Nearctic Dactylogyrus were recognized and supported by the different morphology of the MCO. The first one included 22 strictly Nearctic species sharing the same MCO type with Dactylogyrus spp. parasitizing cyprinids likely of Asian origin. The second clade encompassed Dactylogyrus spp. with diverse MCO morphology and was placed in the sister position to Dactylogyrus spp. parasitizing European leuciscids and North-West African cyprinids.

TITLE: Espèce néarctique de Dactylogyrus (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea) parasitant des poissons cypriniformes dans un contexte de morphologie et phylogénie, avec description de sept nouvelles espèces. ABSTRACT: Des séquences d’ADN ribosomal sont actuellement disponibles pour 32 espèces morphologiquement reconnues de Dactylogyrus parasitant les cypriniformes néarctiques, mais seulement 16 d’entre elles sont attribuées à des espèces nominales. Ici, des données morphologiques sur 28 des 32 espèces sont fournies avec des commentaires sur leurs relations phylogénétiques dans le contexte de la morphologie des structures taxonomiquement importantes. Sept nouvelles espèces de Dactylogyrus sont décrites à partir de cinq espèces de leuciscidés et d’une espèce de catostomidés, comme suit : D. aduncus n. sp. de Campostoma spadiceum, D. cloutmani n. sp. de Luxilus chrysocephalus isolepis, D. cornifrons n. sp. de Cyprinella venusta, D. fimbratus n. sp. de Rhinichthys cataractae, D. mcallisteri n. sp. de Semotilus atromaculatus et D. chieni n. sp. et D. haneki n. sp. de Hypentelium nigricans. Quatre espèces de Dactylogyrus précédemment décrites, D. atromaculatus de S. atromaculatus, D. eos de C. neogaeus, D. parvicirrus de Notemigonus crysoleucas et D. perlus de L. c. isolepis, sont redécrites et/ou figurées. Comme pour les 17 espèces restantes, seuls les organes copulateurs mâles (OCM) prélevés sur les hologénophores respectifs sont illustrés. Sur la base d’analyses phylogénétiques, deux clades principaux de Dactylogyrus néarctiques ont été reconnus et soutenus par des morphologies différentes de l’OCM. Le premier comprenait 22 espèces strictement néarctiques partageant le même type d’OCM que les Dactylogyrus spp. parasitant des cyprinidés probablement d’origine asiatique. Le deuxième clade comprenait des Dactylogyrus spp. avec diverses morphologies d’OCM et était placé en position sœur des Dactylogyrus spp. parasitant les leuciscidés européens et les cyprinidés d’Afrique du Nord-Ouest.

• Keywords
• Catostomidae, Dactylogyrus, Leuciscidae, Monogenea, Morphology, North America, Phylogeny,
• MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Cypriniformes * MeSH
• Platyhelminths * MeSH
• Trematoda * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• MCO MeSH Browser

This study reports on three species of Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Dactylogyridae) collected from tinfoil barb, Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (Bleeker) which were imported into South Africa as ornamental fish from Sri Lanka and Thailand. Supplementary morphometric characterisation and molecular data (partial 18S and 28S rDNA, and ITS1 region sequences) are presented for Dactylogyrus lampam (Lim & Furtado, 1986), Dactylogyrus tapienensis Chinabut & Lim, 1993 and Dactylogyrus viticulus Chinabut & Lim, 1993. Prevalence of Dactylogyrus spp. infection was 87% and 80% for fish from Sri Lanka and Thailand, respectively. Composition of the parasites between the fish of each origin differed. All three species were found to infect fish from Thailand, but only D. lampam was present on the fish received from Sri Lanka. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the position of studied species, with D. lampam clustering within the lineages of varicorhini-type species, while D. tapienensis and D. viticulus form a sister lineage to Dactylogyrus spp. associated with Cyprinus carpio L. and Carassius spp., species parasitising central African large cyprinids (Labeo Cuvier), and species parasitising African and Middle Eastern Carasobarbus spp.

TITLE: Dactylogyrus spp. (Dactylogyridae, Monogenea) de Barbonymus schwanenfeldii importé en Afrique du Sud : caractérisation morphométrique et moléculaire. ABSTRACT: Cette étude porte sur trois espèces de Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Dactylogyridae), prélevées sur des Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (Bleeker) qui ont été importés en Afrique du Sud comme poissons d’ornement depuis le Sri Lanka et la Thaïlande. Une caractérisation morphométrique et des données moléculaires supplémentaires (ADNr 18S et 28S partiels et séquences de la région ITS1) sont présentées pour Dactylogyrus lampam (Lim & Furtado, 1986), Dactylogyrus tapienensis Chinabut & Lim, 1993 et Dactylogyrus viticulus Chinabut & Lim, 1993. La prévalence de l’infection par les Dactylogyrus spp. était respectivement de 87 % et 80 % pour les poissons du Sri Lanka et de Thaïlande. La composition des parasites entre les poissons des deux origines différait. Les trois espèces infectaient les poissons de Thaïlande, mais seul D. lampam était présent sur les poissons du Sri Lanka. L’analyse phylogénétique a révélé la position des espèces étudiées, D. lampam se regroupant dans les lignées d’espèces de type varicorhini, tandis que D. tapienensis et D. viticulus forment une lignée sœur des Dactylogyrus spp. associés à Cyprinus carpio L. et Carassius spp., espèces parasitant les grands cyprinidés d’Afrique centrale (Labeo Cuvier), et espèces parasitant les Carasobarbus spp. d’Afrique et du Moyen-Orient.

• Keywords
• Barbonymus, Dactylogyrus, Monogenea, Ornamental fish, South Africa,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Monogenean parasites are often co-introduced with their fish hosts into novel areas. This study confirmed co-introduction of two dactylogyrids, Dactylogyrus squameus Gusev, 1955 and Bivaginogyrus obscurus (Gusev, 1955), and a newly described gyrodactylid species, Gyrodactylus pseudorasborae n. sp. into Europe along with their fish host, the invasive topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Temminck & Schlegel) from East Asia. All three species were observed in the lower Dnieper and middle Danube basin regions and had slightly larger haptoral hard parts than the same parasites in their native range. While dactylogyrids occurred sporadically, we recorded regular infection by G. pseudorasborae n. sp. at relatively high prevalence and abundance. This latter species was observed in both the native and non-native range of topmouth gudgeon, and resembles Gyrodactylus parvae You et al., 2008 recently described from P. parva in China. Both species were distinguished based on genetic analysis of their ITS rDNA sequence (6.6% difference), and morphometric differences in the marginal hooks and male copulatory organ. Phylogenetic analysis of dactylogyrid monogeneans showed that B. obscurus clustered with Dactylogyrus species parasitising Gobionidae and Xenocyprididae, including D. squameus, supporting recent suggestions of a paraphyletic origin of the Dactylogyrus genus. In addition to co-introduced parasites, topmouth gudgeon was infected with a local generalist, G. prostae Ergens, 1964, increasing the number of monogeneans acquired in Europe to three species. Nevertheless, monogenean infections were generally lower in non-native host populations, potentially giving an advantage to invading topmouth gudgeon.

TITLE: Les parasites d’un envahisseur à succès : les monogènes du goujon asiatique Pseudorasbora parva, avec description d’une nouvelle espèce de Gyrodactylus. ABSTRACT: Les parasites monogènes sont souvent co-introduits avec leurs hôtes poissons dans de nouvelles zones. Cette étude a confirmé la co-introduction de deux Dactylogyridae, Dactylogyrus squameus Gusev, 1955 et Bivaginogyrus obscurus (Gusev, 1955), et d’une espèce de Gyrodactylidae nouvellement décrite, Gyrodactylus pseudorasborae n. sp. en Europe, en même temps que leur hôte poisson, le goujon envahissant Pseudorasbora parva (Temminck & Schlegel) qui vient d’Asie de l’Est. Les trois espèces ont été observées dans les régions du bas Dniepr et du bassin moyen du Danube et avaient des parties sclérifiées haptorales légèrement plus grandes que les mêmes parasites dans leur aire de répartition d’origine. Alors que les Dactylogyridae étaient rares, nous avons enregistré une infection régulière par G. pseudorasborae n. sp. à une prévalence et une abondance relativement élevées. Cette dernière espèce a été observée à la fois dans l’aire de répartition indigène et non indigène du goujon asiatique et ressemble à Gyrodactylus parvae You et al., 2008 récemment décrit chez P. parva en Chine. Les deux espèces ont été distinguées sur la base de l’analyse génétique de leur séquence ITS de l’ADNr (différence de 6,6 %) et des différences morphométriques dans les crochets marginaux et l’organe copulateur mâle. L’analyse phylogénétique des monogènes Dactylogyridae a montré que B. obscurus se regroupait avec des espèces de Dactylogyrus parasitant les Gobionidae et les Xenocyprididae, y compris D. squameus, soutenant les suggestions récentes d’une origine paraphylétique du genre Dactylogyrus. En plus des parasites co-introduits, le goujon asiatique était infecté par un généraliste local, G. prostae Ergens, 1964, portant le nombre de monogènes acquis en Europe à trois espèces. Néanmoins, les infections par les monogènes étaient généralement plus faibles dans les populations d’hôtes non indigènes, donnant potentiellement un avantage à l’invasion du goujon asiatique.

• Keywords
• Bivaginogyrus, Monogenea, New species, Parasite loss, Phylogeny, Species invasion,
• MeSH
• Cyprinidae * parasitology   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Cypriniformes * MeSH
• Fish Diseases * epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Parasites * MeSH
• Trematoda * genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Host-specific parasites exhibit close co-evolutionary associations with their hosts. In the case of fragmented/disjunct host distribution, host-specific parasites may reflect the biogeographical history of regions and/or the role played by contacts of hosts. The present study was focused on Dactylogyrus (Monogenea) species almost exclusively parasitizing cyprinoid fishes. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships between Dactylogyrus parasites of Nearctic cyprinoids (Leuciscidae) and Dactylogyrus parasites of Palearctic cyprinoids and used Dactylogyrus phylogeny to explore the biogeography of fish hosts in Europe and North America. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that two Nearctic clades of Dactylogyrus spp. have different origins. Historical contacts between European and North American leuciscids were accompanied by the host switching of Dactylogyrus species. In the Nearctic region, Dactylogyrus parasites also colonized non-leuciscid fishes. Dactylogyrus spp. of three Nearctic leuciscid clades were included in the phylogenetic reconstruction; only Dactylogyrus spp. of the Plagopterinae had a common origin. Dactylogyrus species did not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among leuciscid clades, suggesting that past co-diversification was overshadowed by colonization events mediated by paleogeographic and climatological changes and extensive drainage reorganization. Host-specific monogeneans serve as a supplementary tool to reveal the historical biogeographical contacts between freshwater fish from the North America and Europe and also contemporary contacts of leuciscids in North America.

• Keywords
• Nearctic area, biogeography, cyproniforms, fish, host-parasite associations, host-specific parasites, monogenea, phylogeny,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Approaches using microsatellite markers are considered the gold standard for modern population genetic studies. However, although they have found application in research into various platyhelminth taxa, they remained substantially underutilized in the study of monogeneans. In the present study, a newly developed set of 24 microsatellite markers was used to investigate the genetic diversity of the generalist monogenean species Dactylogyrus vistulae. The analyzed parasite specimens were collected from 13 cyprinoid species from 11 sites in the Apennine and Balkan peninsulas. A total of 159 specimens were genotyped at each of the loci and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 16, with a mean number of 6.958 alleles per locus. Exceptionally high genetic diversity was observed among D. vistulae individuals in the southern Balkans (mean N A per locus = 3.917), suggesting that generalist D. vistulae expanded from the south to the north in the Balkans and later into central Europe. The initial clustering analysis divided all investigated specimens into three major clusters; however, the results of the subsequent analyses revealed the existence of various subpopulations, suggesting that the population structure of D. vistulae is associated with the diversification of their cyprinoid hosts. In addition, the partition of the parasite population was observed in regions of the sympatric occurrence of two host species, indicating that these hosts may represent a barrier for gene flow, even for generalist parasite species.

• Keywords
• Cyprinoidei, historical dispersion, host‐specific parasites, polymorphic markers, population genetics,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Freshwater fauna of the Middle East encompass elements shared with three continents-Africa, Asia, and Europe-and the Middle East is, therefore, considered a historical geographic crossroad between these three regions. Even though various dispersion scenarios have been proposed to explain the current distribution of cyprinids in the peri-Mediterranean, all of them congruently suggest an Asian origin for this group. Herein, we investigated the proposed scenarios using monogenean parasites of the genus Dactylogyrus, which is host-specific to cyprinoid fishes. METHODS: A total of 48 Dactylogyrus species parasitizing cyprinids belonging to seven genera were used for molecular phylogenetic reconstruction. Taxonomically important morphological features, i.e., sclerotized elements of the attachment organ, were further evaluated to resolve ambiguous relationships between individual phylogenetic lineages. For 37 species, sequences of partial genes coding 18S and 28S rRNA, and the ITS1 region were retrieved from GenBank. Ten Dactylogyrus species collected from Middle Eastern cyprinoids and D. falciformis were de novo sequenced for the aforementioned molecular markers. RESULTS: The phylogenetic reconstruction divided all investigated Dactylogyrus species into four phylogenetic clades. The first one encompassed species with the "varicorhini" type of haptoral ventral bar with a putative origin linked to the historical dispersion of cyprinids via the North African coastline. The second clade included the majority of the investigated species parasitizing various phylogenetically divergent cyprinid hosts. The morphological and molecular data suggest the ancestral diversification of the species of this clade into two groups: (1) the group possessing the haptoral ventral bar of the "cornu" type, and (2) the group possessing the "wunderi" type. Dactylogyrus diversification apparently occurred in the Middle East, which is indicated by the presence of species with all morphotypes in the region. The last two clades included species parasitizing cyprinids with an East Asian origin, and species possessing the "magnihamatus" type of ventral bar. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular data suggest that some morphological characters of host-specific parasites may undergo convergent evolution in the divergent lineages, and therefore, to fully resolve the phylogenetic relationships among host-specific parasites, an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular data is still needed. In addition, our study indicates that parasite diversity in many regions is still under-explored, and thus we highlight the importance of studies of host-associated parasites, especially in the context of freshwater fish biogeography.

• Keywords
• Cyprinoidei, Historical dispersion, Parasites, Phylogeography, Platyhelminthes,
• MeSH
• Biodiversity MeSH
• Cyprinidae parasitology   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Host Specificity * MeSH
• Fish Diseases parasitology   MeSH
• Platyhelminths anatomy & histology   classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Fresh Water MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Africa MeSH
• Asia MeSH
• Europe MeSH
• Middle East MeSH

Cyprinid fishes are known to harbour highly host-specific gill-associated parasites of Dactylogyrus. High similarity in the morphology of sclerotized structures among Dactylogyrus species, especially those parasitizing congeneric cyprinoids, makes their identification difficult. In this paper, four previously known species of Dactylogyrus are characterized and illustrated under a reliable taxonomic framework integrating morphological and molecular evidence, and their phylogenetic relationships are investigated using molecular data. The species are as follows: D. borjensis from Luciobarbus zayanensis; D. draaensis from Luciobarbus lepineyi; D. ksibii from Luciobarbus ksibi and Luciobarbus rabatensis; and D. marocanus from Carasobarbus fritschii, L. ksibi, L. zayanensis and Pterocapoeta maroccana. Our results revealed intraspecific genetic variability among specimens of D. ksibii collected from two different hosts and geographically distant basins. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that Dactylogyrus spp. parasitizing Moroccan cyprinids are representatives of three main lineages corresponding to morphological differences and host specificity. Our records of D. marocanus on L. zayanensis and P. maroccana increase the range of available host species i.e.,eight species of four cyprinid genera representing two phylogenetic lineages (i.e., Barbinae and Torinae).

• Keywords
• Carasobarbus, Cyprinidae, DNA, Dactylogyrus, Host specificity, Luciobarbus, Monogenea, Morocco, Parasite, Phylogeny, Pterocapoeta,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Seven new species of Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Dactylogyridae) are described from the gills of seven endemic species of cyprinoids (Cyprinidae, Leuciscidae) inhabiting the Balkan Peninsula: Dactylogyrus romuli n. sp. from Luciobarbus albanicus (Greece), Dactylogyrus remi n. sp. from Luciobarbus graecus (Greece), Dactylogyrus recisus n. sp. from Pachychilon macedonicum (Greece), Dactylogyrus octopus n. sp. from Tropidophoxinellus spartiaticus (Greece), Dactylogyrus vukicae n. sp. from Delminichthys adspersus (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Dactylogyrus leptus n. sp. from Chondrostoma knerii (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Dactylogyrus sandai n. sp. from Telestes karsticus (Croatia). To delineate species boundaries, we used an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and genetic data. With these tools, we illustrate that some species of monogeneans considered as cryptic might be designated as pseudocryptic (morphologically similar, not easily differentiated) after a posteriori detailed morphological examination, as happened with D. romuli n. sp. and D. remi n. sp. Thus, for accurate species characterization, it is particularly important to acquire both morphological and molecular data from the same individual specimens, ideally along with illustrations of taxonomically important structures directly taken from hologenophores. Using phylogenetic reconstruction, we investigated the phylogenetic position of newly described Dactylogyrus species within Dactylogyrus species from Balkan cyprinoids with regard to morphological characteristics, host range, and geographical distribution.

TITLE: Découverte de la diversité des Monogènes (Plathelminthes) des poissons cypriniformes endémiques de la péninsule balkanique : nouvelles espèces de Dactylogyrus et commentaires sur leur phylogénie et les associations hôte-parasite dans un contexte biogéographique. ABSTRACT: Sept nouvelles espèces de Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Dactylogyridae) sont décrites à partir des branchies de sept espèces endémiques de cyprinoïdés (Cyprinidae, Leuciscidae) habitant la péninsule balkanique : Dactylogyrus romuli n. sp. de Luciobarbus albanicus (Grèce), Dactylogyrus remi n. sp. de Luciobarbus graecus (Grèce), Dactylogyrus recisus n. sp. de Pachychilon macedonicum (Grèce), Dactylogyrus octopus n. sp. de Tropidophoxinellus spartiaticus (Grèce), Dactylogyrus vukicae n. sp. de Delminichthys adspersus (Bosnie-Herzégovine), Dactylogyrus leptus n. sp. de Chondrostoma knerii (Bosnie-Herzégovine) et Dactylogyrus sandai n. sp. de Telestes karsticus (Croatie). Pour la délimitation des espèces, nous avons utilisé une approche taxonomique intégrative combinant des données morphologiques et génétiques. Avec ces outils, nous illustrons que certaines espèces de Monogènes considérées comme cryptiques pourraient être désignées comme pseudocryptiques (morphologiquement similaires, pas facilement différenciées) après un examen morphologique détaillé a posteriori, comme cela s’est produit avec D. romuli n. sp. et D. remi n. sp. Ainsi, pour une caractérisation précise des espèces, il est particulièrement important d’acquérir des données morphologiques et moléculaires à partir des mêmes spécimens individuels, idéalement avec des illustrations de structures taxonomiquement importantes directement prises à partir d’hologénophores. En utilisant la reconstruction phylogénétique, nous avons étudié la position phylogénétique des espèces de Dactylogyrus nouvellement décrites au sein des espèces de Dactylogyrus des cyprinoïdés des Balkans en ce qui concerne les caractéristiques morphologiques, la gamme d’hôtes et la distribution géographique.

• Keywords
• Balkan Peninsula, Cyprinidae, Dactylogyridae, Dactylogyrus, Leuciscidae, Monogenea,
• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Phylogeography MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions * MeSH
• Cypriniformes * parasitology   MeSH
• Parasites * MeSH
• Trematoda * classification   genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Balkan Peninsula MeSH
• Croatia epidemiology   MeSH

The epicontinental fauna of the Iberian Peninsula is strongly influenced by its geographical history. As the possibilities for dispersion of organisms into and from this region were (and still are) limited, the local fauna consists almost exclusively of endemic species. Almost all Iberian freshwater fishes of the families Leuciscidae and Cyprinidae are endemic and on-going research on these taxa continually uncovers new species. Nevertheless, information on their host-specific parasites remains scarce. In this study, we investigate the diversity and phylogenetic relationships in monogeneans of the genus Dactylogyrus (gill ectoparasites specific to cyprinoid fish) in the Iberian Peninsula. Twenty-two species were collected and identified from 19 host species belonging to Cyprinidae and Leuciscidae. A high degree of endemism was observed, with 21 Dactylogyrus species reported from Iberia only and a single species, D. borealis, also reported from other European regions. Phylogenetic analysis split the endemic Iberian Dactylogyrus into two well-supported clades, the first encompassing Dactylogyrus parasitizing endemic Luciobarbus spp. only, and the second including all Dactylogyrus species of endemic leuciscids and four species of endemic cyprinids. Species delimitation analysis suggests a remarkable diversity and existence of a multitude of cryptic Dactylogyrus species parasitizing endemic leuciscids (Squalius spp. and representatives of Chondrostoma s.l.). These results suggest a rapid adaptive radiation of Dactylogyrus in this geographically isolated region, closely associated with their cyprinoid hosts. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis supports that Dactylogyrus parasites colonized the Iberian Peninsula through multiple dispersion events.

• Keywords
• Cyprinoidea, Iberian Peninsula, Monogenea, host-specificity, phylogeny, species delimitation,
• MeSH
• Biodiversity MeSH
• Adaptation, Biological MeSH
• Biological Evolution * MeSH
• Cyprinidae * MeSH
• Trematode Infections parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Fish Diseases parasitology   MeSH
• Trematoda physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Portugal MeSH
• Spain MeSH