Integrative taxonomy of sp. nov. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae), a parasite of the Munda round ray (Urotrygonidae) in Costa Rica.

A new species of trematode of anaporrhutine gorgoderid, from the gill chambers of the Munda round ray in Costa Rica is described, based on an integrative taxonomic approach that includes the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeneric species by a combination of morphological traits and particularly by having the genital pore opening at the level of the intestinal bifurcation. The new species also can be distinguished from all other species of , except Curran, Blend & Overstreet, 2003, by having fewer testicular follicles per testis. sp. nov. also differs from in its forebody shape and by having different morphology and location of the vitellaria. The study of the tegumental surface of sp. nov., as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, allowed detection of new morphological characters for a member of Anaporrhutinae that may be of taxonomic value. These are: a stylet cavity dorsal to the oral sucker with a large penetration gland opening on each side of the cavity and small penetration gland openings located ventral to the stylet cavity, arranged in a circle around the mouth. This represents the first record of an species from Costa Rica. Further, sp. nov. represents the first parasite described or reported in this host.