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Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819) Lühe, 1899 is the type species of the genus Clestobothrium Lühe, 1899, originally described from Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its apparently wide host and geographic ranges, this species remains poorly understood due to the lack of detailed morphological, genetic and epidemiological data. In the present study, newly collected materials of C. crassiceps from M. merluccius off Barcelona, Spain (NW Mediterranean) were used to provide the first complete description from its type-host and locality. An integrative approach was applied, combining traditional morphological techniques with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), molecular, histological and epidemiological data. Confocal microscopy revealed key diagnostic features of the female reproductive system ( i.e. vagina, Mehli’s gland, uterus tube), while SEM analysis showed, for the first time, different distribution patterns of microtriches along the scolex and strobila. Histological observations showed the attachment mode of the scolex to intestinal folds, causing mild epithelial alterations such as attenuation of the intestinal epithelium. Prevalence and intensity of infestation with C. crassiceps were higher in larger fish, suggesting a role for dietary shifts and potential paratenic hosts in transmission. Phylogenetic analysis based on newly generated 28S and cox1 sequences confirmed the monophyly of the genus Clestobothrium and highlighted an intraspecific variation comparable to the genetic divergence observed between congeners C. splendidum and C. cristinae . Based on these results, a morphological reexamination of paratypes of both species was conducted, proposing C. cristinae as a junior synonym of C. splendidum .

In this first report of endoparasites from endemic land-mammals of the Galápagos Islands, we describe a new species of cestode of the genus Raillietina (Cyclophyllidea: Davaineidae) from a species of Nesoryzomys and summarize the extent of helminth parasitism in both oryzomyine endemics and introduced species of Rattus. Up to the current time, no helminth parasites have been reported from rodents of the Galápagos, and little work has yet been done describing and synthesizing Galápagos parasite diversity. In historical times, several species of autochthonous rodents have occupied the islands including: Nesoryzomys narboroughi Heller 1904, N. fernandinae Hutterer and Hirsch 1979, N. swarthi Orr, 1938, and Aegialomys galapagoensis (Waterhouse, 1839). Colonization of the islands by humans brought 3 known species of synanthropic rodents: Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, and Mus musculus which are suspected to have caused the extinction of at least 3 other oryzomyines in historical times.

Rodents serve as hosts for many species of parasites, including cestodes, but the taxonomy of rodent-infecting tapeworms, especially in Central Europe, is still understudied. Therefore, the current study was conducted to identify larval and adult cestodes in free-living rodents from Northeastern Poland. The fieldwork was conducted between 2014 and 2023 in three forest sites. Cestodes were collected from five rodent species ( Clethrionomys glareolus, Alexandromys oeconomus , Microtus agrestis, Apodemus agrarius and A. flavicollis , and were identified through morphology and by several genetic markers (12S rDNA, cox1, nad 1 , 28S rDNA , 12S-16S rDNA) using phylogenetic analyses. A total of 58 cestode specimens were analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic analyses. Species identified included Catenotaenia henttoneni, Spasskijela kratochvili, Mesocestoides litteratus, Mesocestoides melesi , and others. Three Paranoplocephala specimens were identified as P. kalelai based on nad1 sequences. Morphological and genetic analyses indicated that the dominant adult cestode in bank vole was C. henttoneni and Mesocestoides spp. were the dominant larval cestodes. This study combined genetic and morphological methods to identify the cestodes infecting rodents in Poland. It confirmed the existence of P. kalelai in Poland, suggesting that previously reported Paranoplocephala spp., identified by morphological characters, may have corresponded to this molecularly identified species. Our study also highlighted gaps in genetic databases that currently still do not allow precise species identification.

The Neodermata is a group of parasitic flatworms that includes the classes Trematoda, Cestoda, and Monogenea. Understanding the phylogenetic relationships within the Neodermata has been a longstanding challenge. Molecular studies utilizing different datasets have produced variable results, leading to differing evolutionary hypotheses. Resolving the phylogenetic relationships requires careful consideration of the molecular targets and sequences used. In this study, our objective was to investigate the topological variability of phylogenetic trees by examining different mitochondrial genes, molecular datasets (nucleotides and amino acids), as well as the 18S and 28S nuclear rRNA genes, and three software packages used for phylogenetic analysis. To evaluate the utility of different markers, we constructed 96 unilocus trees and nine multilocus trees. Our findings revealed that each gene provided unique information and resulted in different topologies depending on the sequences used, with only few mitochondrial genes indicating the monophyly of the Monogenea. Multilocus analyses mitochondrial and mitochondrial + 18S + 28S produced a consistent topology, supporting the monophyly of each of the four major neodermatan lineages (Cestoda, Trematoda, Monopisthocotylea, and Polyopisthocotylea). Notably, the monophyly of the Polyopisthocotylea and Cestoda consistently appeared in the different analyses. Conversely, we observed discrepancies between results obtained from mitochondrial genes and nuclear genes. This study contributes to our understanding of the phylogeny of the Neodermata by examining the topological variability of phylogenetic trees using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Our results emphasize that carefully selected molecular markers and multilocus approaches are crucial for illuminating the complex evolutionary history within the Neodermata.

The caryophyllidean tapeworms (Cestoda) of the genus Isoglaridacris Mackiewicz, 1965 are revised on the basis of the study of type specimens and newly collected material from suckers (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) in North America. Molecular data reveal the presence of 14 lineages, each representing a separate species. An overview of all nominal species is provided, with updated information on their hosts, distribution and phylogenetic relationships. Isoglaridacris multivitellaria Amin, 1976 is excluded from Isoglaridacris, but its generic affiliation remains unclear, and it is considered incertae sedis. Homeomorpha mackiewiczi Dutton et Barger, 2014 from Minytrema melanops is transferred to Isoglaridacris as I. mackiewiczi (Dutton et Barger, 2014) new combination. Based on molecular and morphological data, four new species are described: Isoglaricris mattisi n. sp. from Moxostoma collapsum in South Carolina, USA, I. mcallisteri n. sp. from Erimyzon claviformis in Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA, I. mexicanus n. sp. from Moxostoma cf. austrinum in Chihuahua, Mexico, and I. floriani n. sp. from M. macrolepidotum in South Carolina. A key to the identification of all 16 valid species is provided. Isoglaridacris species exhibit strict host specificity, with most species parasitising only a single host species (strict specialists), while a few species occur in more than one species within the same host genus (congeneric specialists). The distribution range of Isoglaridacris species includes southern Canada, the United States and northwestern (nearctic) Mexico.

As training in helminthology has declined in the medical microbiology curriculum, many rare species of zoonotic cestodes have fallen into obscurity. Even among specialist practitioners, knowledge of human intestinal cestode infections is often limited to three genera, Taenia , Hymenolepis and Dibothriocephalus . However, five genera of uncommonly encountered zoonotic Cyclophyllidea ( Bertiella , Dipylidium , Raillietina , Inermicapsifer and Mesocestoides ) may also cause patent intestinal infections in humans worldwide. Due to the limited availability of summarized and taxonomically accurate data, such cases may present a diagnostic dilemma to clinicians and laboratories alike. In this review, historical literature on these cestodes is synthesized and knowledge gaps are highlighted. Clinically relevant taxonomy, nomenclature, life cycles, morphology of human-infecting species are discussed and clarified, along with the clinical presentation, diagnostic features and molecular advances, where available. Due to the limited awareness of these agents and identifying features, it is difficult to assess the true incidence of these ‘forgotten’ cestodiases as clinical misidentifications are likely to occur. Also, the taxonomic status of many of the human-infecting species of these tapeworms is unclear, hampering accurate species identification. Further studies combining molecular data and morphological observations are necessary to resolve these long-standing taxonomic issues and to elucidate other unknown aspects of transmission and ecology.

In this study, we use an integrative taxonomic approach to redescribe Schyzocotyle nayarensis (Malhotra, 1983) (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidae), based on newly collected specimens from the type-host Raiamas bola (Hamilton, 1822) (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) in Fulbari, Siliguri, West Bengal, India. The detailed morphological assessment, from whole mounts, histology and scanning electron microscopy, offers additional insights into the scolex structure, vitelline follicles, and egg morphology. Molecular data from this and previous studies corroborate the identity and systematics of S. nayarensis as a bothriocephalid closely related to the Asian Fish Tapeworm, Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (Yamaguti, 1934). This study elucidates the historical context and taxonomic ambiguities surrounding S. nayarensis, emphasizing the key role of the scolex in both generic and species identification. Amendments to the diagnosis of Schyzocotyle Akhmerov, 1960 are proposed. A differential diagnosis of the two valid species within the genus, namely S. acheilognathi and S. nayarensis, is also provided. An evaluation of the taxonomic status of Bothriocephalus teleostei Malhotra, 1984, and Capooria barilii Malhotra, 1985 suggests that they may be S. nayarensis. Finally, we posit that none of the ten species of Ptychobothrium Lönnberg, 1889 described from Indian freshwater teleosts belong to this genus but instead appear to be a mix of species belonging to Schyzocotyle, Senga Dollfus, 1934, and possibly even Proteocephalidae La Rue, 1911; all require further study based on newly collected, properly fixed specimens and an integrated taxonomic approach. Finally, future survey studies may reveal hidden diversity of Schyzocotyle species in Indian cyprinoids.

Terminology for microtriches, the surface features both unique to and ubiquitous among cestodes, is standardised based on discussions that occurred at the International Workshops on Cestode Systematics in Storrs, Connecticut, USA in 2002, in Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic in 2005 and in Smolenice, Slovakia in 2008. The following terms were endorsed for the components of individual microtriches: The distal, electron-dense portion is the cap, the proximal more electron-lucent region is the base. These two elements are separated from one another by the baseplate. The base is composed of, among other elements, microfilaments. The cap is composed of cap tubules. The electron-lucent central portion of the base is referred to as the core. The core may be surrounded by an electron-dense tunic. The entire microthrix is bounded by a plasma membrane, the external layer of which is referred to as the glycocalyx. Two distinct sizes of microtriches are recognised: those < or = 200 nm in basal width, termed filitriches, and those >200 nm in basal width, termed spinitriches. Filitriches are considered to occur in three lengths: papilliform (< or = 2 times as long as wide), acicular (2-6 times as long as wide), and capilliform (>6 times as long as wide). In instances in which filitriches appear to be doubled at their base, the modifier duplicated is used. Spinitriches are much more variable in form. At present a total of 25 spinithrix shapes are recognised. These consist of 13 in which the width greatly exceeds the thickness (i.e., bifid, bifurcate, cordate, gladiate, hamulate, lanceolate, lineate, lingulate, palmate, pectinate, spathulate, trifid, and trifurcate), and 12 in which width and thickness are approximately equal (i.e., chelate, clavate, columnar, coniform, costate, cyrillionate, hastate, rostrate, scolopate, stellate, trullate, and uncinate). Spiniform microtriches can bear marginal (serrate) and/or dorsoventral (gongylate) elaborations; they can also bear apical features (aristate). The latter two modifiers should be used only if the features are present. The terminology to describe the overall form of a spinithrix should be used in the following order: tip, margins, shape. Each type of microthrix variation is defined and illustrated with one or more scanning electron micrographs. An indication of the taxa in which each of the microthrix forms is found is also provided.

The genus Rhinebothrium (Cestoda: Rhinebothriidea) comprises tapeworm species parasitizing elasmobranch hosts, particularly batoids. Despite numerous recent findings regarding the ecological importance of marine fish parasites throughout the world, the biodiversity of cestodes inhabiting fishes of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman remains understudied. Here, two new species of Rhinebothrium from stingrays from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are described: Rhinebothrium gossi sp. nov. and Rhinebothrium palmeri sp. nov. from Maculabatis arabica and Maculabatis randalli, respectively. However, each new cestode species is found with a lower frequency in the other host species, too. These new species were already subjected to a molecular analysis and the revealed genetic distinctiveness requires detailed morphological examinations at the species level. A combination of morphomeristic characteristics including body size, scolex features, proglottid morphology, and reproductive structures distinguish the new species from the other congeners. Although these new species are morphologically similar, however, they differ from each other in the number of testes (6–8 and 8–14), and bothridial loculi (50 and 42 in R. gossi sp. nov. and R. palmeri sp. nov., respectively). These findings contribute to our understanding of marine cestode diversity and underscore the importance of further research in this ecologically significant region.

The cestodes of the genus Mathevotaenia Akhumyan, 1946, are parasites of mammals, although some species also occur in reptiles. The genus comprises 61 species distributed worldwide, 25 of which occur in the American continent. During a collection of mammals in Yucatán, Mexico, six specimens of a cestode belonging to Mathevotaenia were found in the Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana Kerr. The aim of this study is to morphologically describe these specimens, which represent a new species, and to evaluate their phylogenetic position within the Anoplocephalidae, based on cox1, 28S rDNA and ITS sequences. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: a high number of ovarian lobes, comparable only with Mathevotaenia wallacei (Chandler, 1952), and a body proper size similar to that of M. diminuta Navone, 1988, M. oklahomensis (Peery, 1939) and M. brasiliensis Kugi et Sawada, 1970.