Phyllodistomum kupermani n. sp. from the European perch, Perca fluviatilis L. (Perciformes: Percidae), and redescription of Phyllodistomum macrocotyle (Lühe, 1909) with notes on the species diversity and host specificity in the European Phyllodistomum spp. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae).

Background: European species of the large genus Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899 had historically been erected based solely on morphological characters. Unfortunately, many of them are still poorly known and inadequately described. Molecular approaches are critical to delineate species which were impossible to differentiate based on morphology alone.

Diversity and phylogenetic relationships of European species of Crepidostomum Braun, 1900 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) based on rDNA, with special reference to Crepidostomum oschmarini Zhokhov & Pugacheva, 1998.

Background: Within the genus Crepidostomum Braun, 1900, identification of species and taxonomic decisions made only on the basis of adult morphology have resulted in great problems associated with evaluating actual diversity and validity of species. Life-cycle data, while equal in importance to adult characters, are scarce, controversial or incomplete for most Crepidostomum spp. In this study, rDNA sequences generated from adult and larval Crepidostomum spp.

Comments on species divergence in the genus Sphaerium (Bivalvia) and phylogenetic affinities of Sphaerium nucleus and S. corneum var. mamillanum based on karyotypes and sequences of 16S and ITS1 rDNA.

Chromosome, 16S and ITS1 rDNA sequence analyses were used to obtain reliable diagnostic characters and to clarify phylogenetic relationships of sphaeriid bivalves of the genus Sphaerium. The species studied were found to be diploid, with modal number 2n = 28 in S. nucleus and 2n = 30 in S.

Host specificity, molecular phylogeny and morphological differences of Phyllodistomum pseudofolium Nybelin, 1926 and Phyllodistomum angulatum Linstow, 1907 (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae) with notes on Eurasian ruffe as final host for Phyllodistomum spp.

Background: Host-specificity patterns are not well-defined for trematodes of the genus Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899. The Eurasian ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus L., has been recorded as a definitive host for Phyllodistomum folium (Olfers, 1816), P.

Phylogenetic relationships of some species of the family Echinostomatidae Odner, 1910 (Trematoda), inferred from nuclear rDNA sequences and karyological analysis.

The family Echinostomatidae Looss, 1899 exhibits a substantial taxonomic diversity, morphological criteria adopted by different authors have resulted in its subdivision into an impressive number of subfamilies. The status of the subfamily Echinochasminae Odhner, 1910 was changed in various classifications. Genetic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of four Echinostomatidae species - Echinochasmus sp.

Molecular and karyological identification and morphological description of cystocercous cercariae of Phyllodistomum umblae and Phyllodistomum folium (Digenea, Gorgoderidae) developing in European sphaeriid bivalves.

Two cystocercous gorgoderid cercariae of the genus Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899, Phyllodistomum umblae (Fabricius, 1780) and Phyllodistomum folium (Olfers, 1816), developing in sphaeriid bivalves from Norway and Lithuania, were studied and compared. Our previous molecular studies revealed very close phylogenetic relation of these two species and proved that cystocercous cercariae of P. folium develop in sporocysts in the gills of sphaeriid bivalves.

Rhipidocotyle fennica (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from Anodonta anatina and pike Esox lucius in Lithuania.

Ribosomal DNA sequences of Rhipidocotyle sp. adults from Esox lucius were shown to be identical to sequences of larval Rhipidocotyle fennica, occurring in Anodonta anatina in Lake Vilkokšnis, Lithuania. Morphological features and host specificity of this adult worm correspond with that, determinate in the first description of R.

Differentiation of European freshwater bucephalids (Digenea: Bucephalidae) based on karyotypes and DNA sequences.

Three species of bucephalid digeneans are known in European freshwater habitats. In this study parthenitae of Rhipidocotyle campanula (Dujardin, 1845) and R. fennica Gibson, Taskinen & Valtonen, 1992, infecting unionid bivalves, and adult Bucephalus polymorphus von Baer, 1827 from perch (Perca fluviatilis L.

Comparison of the developmental stages of some European allocreadiid trematode species and a clarification of their life-cycles based on ITS2 and 28S sequences.

Genetic data were used to examine the diversity in some allocreadiid trematodes. Nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS2 and partial sequences of 5.8S and 28S) was sampled from sexual adult and 'larval' stages.

Comparative karyological analysis of three members of Allocreadiidae (Digenea): taxonomic and phylogenetic implications.

Chromosome number and morphology were studied in three allocreadiid species from mitotic metaphases of intramolluscan stages using karyometric analysis. Bunodera luciopercae has a diploid number 2n=14, with two large pairs of metacentrics, one pair of submeta-subtelocentrics, and four pairs of acrocentrics. Karyotype of Allocreadium isoporum, 2n=14, with two large pairs of metacentrics and five pairs of acrocentrics was recognized to be closely related to that of B.