Publication details
PHYLOGENY OF VIVIPAROUS Gyrodactylus (MONOGENEA: GYRODACTYLIDAE) REVEALS INSIGHTS ON HOST EVOLUTION, BIOGEOGRAPHY ACROSS CONTINENTS, AND MORPHOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS IN THE NEARCTIC REGION
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Gyrodactylid monogeneans offer a unique perspective to study the evolutionary trajectories of their teleost hosts, providing invaluable insights into host-parasite coevolution, biogeography, and ecology. We employed phylogenetic reconstruction to elucidate the relationships among diverse lineages of Gyrodactylus spp. using ITS sequences. We aimed to uncover lineage diversification, dispersal patterns, historical biogeography, and morphological evolution based on taxonomically significant haptoral features and DNA sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a paraphyletic origin of Nearctic Gyrodactylus indicating the historical connection of fish faunas between North America and Eurasia. These connections, driven by a combination of natural and anthropogenic processes, facilitated the exchange of fish species and contributed to the shared diversity of aquatic biota across continents. The close relationship between Gyrodactylus species infecting both freshwater and marine fish underscores the complex evolutionary dynamics and ecological versatility of these parasites. We observed a trend in the evolution of haptoral structures in Gyrodactylus spp., from relatively simple to more complex forms, in the Nearctic region. The haptoral sclerites of Gyrodactylus spp. displayed a spectrum of morphotypes, ranging from structures similar to those found in globally distributed Gyrodactylus species to configurations predominantly found in Nearctic lineages parasitizing Cypriniformes. Characteristic features of "Nearctic" morphotypes included a median knob in the ventral bar and plate-like membranes or additional filaments attached to the handles of the marginal hooks. The unique morphological features in Gyrodactylus species parasitizing North American cypriniforms reflects the interplay between host-parasite interactions, ecological factors, and historical contingencies shaping the evolutionary dynamics of these parasites in the region. |
| Related projects: |