Phylogenetic studies of aberrant species are of considerable scientific interest because their taxonomic rank in traditional systems based on morphological characters is not infrequently overestimated. (Braun, ) is one of the few psilostomid digeneans devoid of the pharynx. This is considered a sufficient basis for assigning it and similar species to the subfamily Apopharynginae. We found in Linnaeus, 1758 from Belarus, described it morphologically, and genotyped it by the 28S rRNA gene and the ITS2 region. It is the first molecular data on and the first record of this digenean species in Belarus. The phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene showed that is closely related to the spp. (Sphaeridiotrematinae). However, this phylogenetic inference has not received yet support with data on the ITS2 region.

Gender equity and authorship diversity are believed to be the essential parts of building a dynamic scientific atmosphere. The purpose of the present study was to determine the status of gender equity in research on echinococcosis and the editorial diversity in major parasitology journals over the past four decades. All articles were retrieved from major databases from the years 1980, 2000, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Journals belonging to the four quartiles of parasitology journals listed in the Journal Citation Report were selected, and the gender and region of each editorial member were identified. Among the 3583 first authors of the articles published in all selected years, 2236 (62.4%) were men, whereas 1040 (29%) were women. There was a significant increase in women's contributions as the first author, from 6.8% in 1980 to 35.8% in 2020 ( < .001). A greater gender gap was found for the senior authors, showing 2391 (66.7%) men and 837 (23.4%) women. The gender gap has been narrowed in most of the six regions of the world, particularly for the Western Pacific region, where the gender inequity had almost diminished in 2020; i.e. the man-woman ratios of the first and last authors from this region were 2.25 and 1.75 in 1980, reaching 1.04 and 0.97, in 2020, respectively. Our findings also indicated that articles authored by men received 2.5 to 3.1 times more citations than women authors. Gender distribution of the editors-in-chief, associate editors, and editorial board members across all quartiles showed that 78.7%, 69.5%, and 72.7% were men, respectively, and mostly affiliated with the European and American regions. Findings of the present study showed that gender inequity is still present and women researchers continue to be the minority in the field of parasitology, particularly in the research on echinococcosis.

Despite a great effort made for almost 90 years, the diversity of freshwater fish trematodes in Mexico is still far from being fully known. The addition of molecular data to the description of trematode diversity in the last two decades added the potential to establish more robust species limits and a more accurate biodiversity estimation, but also led in some instances to the recognition of cryptic species complexes. Here, we used sequences of the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal gene (28S rRNA) as barcodes, and morphological data, to assess the diversity of freshwater fish trematodes from a lake within a tropical rainforest. Eighty freshwater fish specimens of eight species were studied, and 120 trematode specimens were collected. Morphologically, specimens were allocated into nine genera; molecular phylogenetic analyses along with sequence divergence data provided evidence for recognising 11 trematode taxa, six adults and five metacercariae; six of them were identified to species level. Geographical distribution and host association patterns are briefly discussed for each trematode taxa.

We described n. sp. from the intestine of the Brazilian catfish (Haseman, 1911) (= ) based on integrative analyses using morphological and molecular approaches. n. sp. closely resembles morphologically Vicente, Santos & Souza, 1978, which was described from a siluriform fish in Northern Brazil; however, the two species differ mainly in the oral and ventral sucker sizes and the distribution of the vitellaria. The phylogenetic analyses of the 28S rDNA placed the sequences of the new species in a monophyletic clade together with all other spp. and as sister taxon of Alcantara, Ebert, Ferreira-Silva, Forti, Morais, Pérez-Ponce de León & Silva, 2024, a parasite from a Brazilian anuran. Genetic divergences between the new species and other spp. varied from 0.2% to 4.3%, further corroborating the distinction of the new taxon. n. sp. is the 18th nominal species known from South America and the 22nd erected in the genus. This is the first study reporting a trematode in spp. hosts and the second parasitological survey carried out for , a poorly known small endemic fish.

In this study, we use an integrative taxonomic approach to redescribe (Malhotra, 1983) (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidae), based on newly collected specimens from the type-host (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 as a bothriocephalid closely related to the Asian Fish Tapeworm, (Yamaguti, 1934). This study elucidates the historical context and taxonomic ambiguities surrounding , emphasizing the key role of the scolex in both generic and species identification. Amendments to the diagnosis of Akhmerov, 1960 are proposed. A differential diagnosis of the two valid species within the genus, namely and , is also provided. An evaluation of the taxonomic status of Malhotra, 1984, and Malhotra, 1985 suggests that they may be Finally, we posit that none of the ten species of Lönnberg, 1889 described from Indian freshwater teleosts belong to this genus but instead appear to be a mix of species belonging to , 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 species in Indian cyprinoids.

A new species of bothriocephalid cestode in the genus is described from the intestine of the shorthead lizardfish from the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The new species is described based on an integrative taxonomic approach that includes the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, 28S rDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. sp. nov. is the third known member of this genus and can be distinguished from (Linton, 1905) and Jensen & Heckmann, 1977 by a combination of morphological and ecological traits and, in particular, by having a vaginal sphincter, different number of testes, and different type host and type locality. The molecular analysis and the phylogenetic reconstructions supported its status as a new taxon placing it within a well-supported separate branch of spp. subclade. According to the present finding, represents a new host record and Costa Rica a new geographical record for species, and, in general, for a bothriocephalid cestode.

Ascaridoidea (Nematoda) is a widespread superfamily of nematodes that comprises gastrointestinal parasites from all major groups of vertebrates. Although this taxon probably emerged in the Carboniferous, its Brazilian fossil record includes mostly eggs, found in ancient remains, collected in paleontological and archeological sites from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras. The Tremembé Formation (Oligocene of the Taubaté Basin) has become an important source for paleoparasitological studies in avian coprolites during the third decade of the 21st century, with reports of eggs only at only a single cell stage, of embryonic development. Here we present the first egg of Ascaridoidea preserved containing morula, from a bird coprolite recovered from the shales of the Tremembé Formation. Three coprolites, from the outcrop of Aligra Comércio de Argila S/A, Taubaté municipality (State of São Paulo), were rehydrated and subjected to spontaneous sedimentation. Based on morphological and morphometric features and diet and zoopaleontological context, the trace fossils were assigned to piscivorous birds. The egg found showed morphological characteristics typical of Ascaridoidea: namely spherical form, ornamented, and somewhat thick shell. Moreover, this superfamily includes several taxa that infect piscivorous birds and fish in heteroxenous life cycles and produce eggs with similar features as the egg found in the present study. The paleoparasitological information associated with the paleofaunistic diversity of birds and fish from the Tremembé Formation, reveal that the ancient Brazilian paleoenvironments provided subsidies for the rise and success of nematodes infecting these animals during the Paleogene.

The cyst nematodes, subfamily Heteroderinae, are plant pathogens of worldwide economic significance. A new cyst nematode of the genus within the Heteroderinae, n. sp., was isolated from rhizospheres of crops in the Guizhou and Sichuan provinces of southwest China. The new species was characterized by having the cyst with a length/width = 1.3 ± 0.1 (1.1-1.6), a fenestral diameter of 28.1 ± 4.3 (21.3-38.7) μm, vulval denticles present; second-stage juvenile with stylet 21.5 ± 0.5 (20.3-22.6) μm long, tail 59.4 ± 2.0 (55.9-63.8) μm long and hyaline region 28.7 ± 2.7 (25.0-36.3) μm long, lateral field with four incisures; the eggshell with punctations. The new species can be differentiated from other species of by a longer tail and hyaline region of second-stage juveniles. Phylogenetic relationships within populations and species of are given based on the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-rRNA), the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (28S-rRNA) D2-D3 region and the partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences here. The ITS-rRNA, 28S-rRNA and gene sequences clearly differentiated n. sp. from other species of A key and a morphological identification characteristic table for the species of are included in the study.

Three new species of s were identified from the body surface of the species from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, n. sp. on in northern Tibet, n. sp. on and and n. sp. on and in Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River. The three newly identified species share the nemachili group species' characteristic of having inturning hamulus roots. n. sp. shared a quadrate sickle heel and a thin marginal hook sickle, two morphological traits that set them apart from n. sp. However, they may be identified by the distinct shapes of the sickle base and marginal hook sickle point. n. sp. had much larger opisthaptoral hard part size than the other two species. The three new species show relatively low interspecific differences of 2.9-5.3% p-distance for ITS1-5.85-ITS2 rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the three new species formed a well-supported monophyletic group (bp = 99) with the other nemachili group species.

In this study, we describe a new species of (Allocreadiidae) from the mugilid collected in western Puerto Rico, where no allocreadiid has previously been reported, bringing the number of species in this genus to seven (five in , two in spp.). The new parasite species is distinguished from congeners by its overall size, oral-to-ventral sucker size ratio, pharynx size, cirrus sac, and oral lobe morphology, and by 0.64%-3.45% divergence in a 1019-bp alignment of 28S. We build on prior suggestions that the current concept of likely includes multiple species and provide the first mitochondrial data (whole mitochondrial genome) as well as the complete nuclear rDNA array from to facilitate future phylogenetic work. Within the Allocreadiidae, phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genomes and 28S provides conflicting topologies for the placement of and The 28S phylogeny of six species of resembles that of four lineages of in that in both host and parasite, Pacific coastal lineages branch earliest, and a Caribbean lineage is more recently evolved.

sp. n. recorded from Vietnam, is described and illustrated, and its phylogenetic relationship within the Mylonchulidae family and Mononchida order are analysed. The new species is characterized by medium body size (L = 1.0-1.5 mm); buccal cavity goblet shaped, 26-29 × 14-16.5 μm or 1.8 (1.7-1.9) times as long as wide; posterior position of dorsal tooth apex (79%-88% from the base of buccal cavity); a small subventral tooth present on subventral wall with faint and small (2.5 × 1.7 μm) teardrop-shaped pieces, short ; male with short spicules (54-57 μm) with rounded head. The molecular data (18S and 28S rDNA) are provided for the new species.

Clinostomids are a group of digeneans in which substantial diversity has been recently discovered, with some metacercariae specific to their fish hosts. Genetic analysis has been instrumental in elucidating species diversity within this genus. Recently, seven COI lineages were reported in Argentina, along with three metacercarial morphotypes lacking molecular data. Two of these were found parasitising Rivulidae fishes. The discovery of metacercariae in and from temporary ponds in the western Chacoan region allowed us to redescribe the metacercariae previously identified by other authors and provide the first sequences of this lineage. The morphology of the metacercariae in both hosts matched previously reported descriptions. Genetic analysis clustered the new lineage with , 7, L1, and CRA. This discovery leaves only two morphological records of metacercariae to be characterised using DNA sequencing: one in another Rivulidae () and one in a Loricaridae ( sp.). The present results represent the eighth clinostomid lineage sequenced from Argentina, highlighting the extensive diversity in South America and the many lineages yet to be described or identified, considering that only one of these lineages is formally described based on adult specimens found in the heron

The present study aims to describe a new genus and species of microphalloid digenean parasite of two species of bats of the genus from the Mexican Neotropics (in the states of Chiapas and Yucatán). Morphological and molecular data (28s rDNA ribosomal gene sequences) were used to study Digeneans. gen. nov. sp., nov., is diagnosed morphologically by having a sagittiform body, a genital pore in the midline of the body, posterior to the ventral sucker, and a cirrus sac running through much of the diameter of the ventral sucker. The nine sequences generated from the 28S rDNA gene were used to examine the phylogenetic affinities of this new taxon within the superfamily Microphalloidea Ward, 1901, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses. Both analyses resulted in trees with similar topologies and formed a well-supported clade (Bt = 100; pp = 1) with the sequences. Because of the new genus's phylogenetic position and that some sister families to the proposed taxa, like Pleurogenidae and Prosthogonimidae, are polyphyletic, we prefer to consider as a genus within Microphalloidea. A full systematic review of microphalloids is needed to confirm their phylogenetic position.

The entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), , is an effective biological control agent against a variety of important insect pests in South Africa. To develop a South African EPN product feasibly in South Africa, EPNs need to be mass-produced. This study aimed to record the population dynamics of with liquid production in shake flasks, with a protein source of powdered egg yolk. The Erlenmeyer flask results indicated variation between flasks, albeit still achieving high yields. The reasons for attaining such variability in the recovery, yield, and growth stages are unclear, hence requiring further studies seeking to increase consistency. The results obtained indicate that, when IJ recovery is low, yields are also low due to relatively few reproductive adults being present in solution, which, in turn, produces more offspring, which later converts to the desired infective juvenile used for product formulation development. For commercial viability, a consistent production system is required that produces predictable yields. This study showed comparable high yields achieved with the flasks and in an early-stage bioreactor setup, being a positive development for mass production. Prior to the bioreactor scale-up process, protocol of mass production, the population and growth dynamics of the nematodes in the flask environment requires understanding. This is a positive step, leading to the future commercialisation of a local EPN product.

The two stork species that nest in Central Europe, and , have been repeatedly shown to host the digenetic trematode (Rudolphi, 1809) in their esophagus and muscular stomach. These host species differ in their habitat and food preferences, and the morphologic characters of isolates ex and are not identical. These differences led to a previous proposal of two subspecies, C Macko, 1960, and Macko, 1960. We hypothesize that the isolates ex and represent two independent species. Therefore, in the present study, we performed the first molecular analyses of individuals that were consistent with the diagnosis of (ex ) and (ex ). The combined molecular and comparative morphological analyses of the central European individuals ex and led to the proposal of a split of into sensu stricto (formerly ) and sp. n. (formerly ). Morphological analyses confirmed that the length of the vitellaria is the key identification feature of the two previously mentioned species. Both spp. substantially differ at the molecular level and have strict host specificity, which might be related to differences in the habitat and food preferences of the two stork species.

Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) has emerged as an inflammatory biomarker of many essential functions. We investigated the level of sICAM-1 influenced by () co-infection in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients to explore the degree of liver tissue inflammation and liver function damage after co-infection. The study included data from patients with mono-infection (n=27), hepatitis B virus (HBV) mono-infection (n=32), and HBV co-infection (n=24), post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (n=18), post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis co-infected with (n=16), and healthy controls (n=39). The level of sICAM-1 was measured with specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Compared to the healthy control group, all the experimental groups had significantly higher serum sICAM-1 levels. The levels of sICAM-1 in co-infected groups were significantly higher compared to the mono-infection groups and were positively correlated with the levels of glutamate aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Our research findings confirmed that co-infection could exacerbate liver tissue inflammation and liver function damage in patients, could raise the sICAM-1 level, and may lead to the chronicity of HBV infection. These results provide clues for pathological mechanism study and formulating treatment plans.

We describe a new species of the genus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina) in the small intestine of (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) found in Itatiaia National Park (Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, PNI), state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished between the other two species previously described by the following morphological characteristics: pattern of the rays from the caudal bursa rays in males and the spherical-shaped appendage in the female. Additionally, we provide molecular genetic data from the new species. The discovery of sp. n. expands our understanding of nematode diversity and underscores the importance of parasite studies in biodiversity conservation. Its occurrence in a preserved area like the PNI emphasises the role of such habitats in maintaining unique ecological interactions.

Species-level delineation of digenetic trematodes is complex and can be best achieved by integrative taxonomy using both genetic characterisation and morphological analysis. Two new Bucephalidae species of the genus Diesing, 1858 are described here based on specimens collected from the intestine of Jordan & Seale following this approach. Adults of n. sp. and n. sp. possess tentacles and a tegument with scales. They are distinguished from their congeners by the arrangement of the digestive structures, the extent of the uterus relative to vitelline fields, and the arrangement of the reproductive structures. n. sp. differs from n. sp. in having the pharynx and mouth positioned in the pre-uterine field, tandem testes, longer body length, and shorter pre-vitelline and post-testicular distance. n. sp. differs from its congeners in having a tube-like intestinal caecum, pharynx and mouth opening positioned in the pre-vitelline field. n. sp. appears to be similar, morphologically and morphometrically, to (Nagaty, 1937). Despite their similarities, n. sp. has a shorter body length and egg size. Moreover, the molecular analysis of 28S and ITS rDNA fragments indicate that n. sp. and n. sp. are closely related phylogenetically but distinct from one another and other Bucephalidae for which molecular data are available.

Two new species of the genus were isolated from the intestines of the Lake minnow caught in the backwater of the Komissarovka River in the South of the Russian Far East. The morphology of n. sp. corresponds to that of sp. from Lake Khar (Mongolia) and sp. Belous, 1952 from the Primorsky region of Russia except for the preacetabular anterior border of the vitelline follicles in n. sp. from the Komissarovka River vs. at anterior half of ventral sucker in sp. Genetic analysis revealed the identity of n. sp. to sp. 1 from the Nezhinka River and Lake Khar. n. sp. was differentiated from Palaearctic spp. by having the following features: respectively large vitelline follicles extending from posterior extremity to anterior margin of the ventral sucker; relatively short caeca reaching the border of middle and posterior thirds of hindbody; and small testes in the middle of hindbody. Interspecific genetic p-distances between spp. were 0.16-7.23% in 28S gene and 18.62-31.54% in mtDNA gene. In the phylogenetic tree reconstructed with Maximum parsimony and Bayesian Inference methods, n. sp. and n. sp. were nested into different species groups of the genus - sister to and , respectively. Modified dichotomous keys were prepared for 31 Palaearctic species of including , , , , n. sp., and n. sp.

The relationship between (Sm) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been evaluated by many studies that point towards a co-relation between schistosomal infection and HCC. While many such studies demonstrated that Sm infection in the presence of another carcinogenic factors leads to HCC, none of these studies could conclusively prove the cancer-inducing ability of Sm in humans, independent of other carcinogenic factors. The aim of this work is to present the current understanding on the association of Sm with HCC. Many epidemiological, pathological, and clinical studies have shown the role of multiple events like chronic inflammation and fibrosis as well as hepato-toxic agents like soluble egg antigens (SEAs), which help in creating a micro-environment which is suitable for HCC development. The role of Sm infection and deposited eggs in causing persistent inflammation, advanced fibrosis, and the role of SEAs, especially IPSE/alpha-1, is emphasised. This work concludes that Sm infection has the potential to induce cancer independently but the same has not been reported in humans to date. Extensive research is required to establish a causal relationship between Sm infection and HCC induction, or a complete lack thereof. However, Sm infection definitely acts along with other carcinogenic factors to induce HCC at a much faster pace and also leads to an aggressive form of liver cancer, which the other carcinogenic factor could not have achieved alone.

(Baylis, 1927) is a widespread nematode in South America that infects different species of anurans from different families. Although the morphology of this species shows intraspecific variations and is well studied, does not have genetic characterisation. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide the first genetic characterisation of this parasite, based on 18S and 28S rDNA sequences, as well as to evaluate its phylogenetic position in the family Cosmocercidae. The present specimens showed no major morphological variations and were assigned to mainly based on the shape of spicules and the presence of mamelon-like structures slightly anterior to the vulva. The genetic characterisation confirmed the close relationship between and other cosmocercids, and the 28S sequences were more informative for phylogenetic reconstruction, especially for those relationships at higher and intermediate levels. was in a basal position within a clade formed by other congeners and species of The geographic origin may have influence in the divergence process of spp. and genus was non-monophyletic and closely related to , similar to previous findings. The present results will be useful for future studies on the phylogeny of Cosmocercidae, since several genera and species in this family still lack genetic characterisation. Furthermore, the 28S sequences can be useful in genetic studies of populations, since this species appears to have phenotypic variations.