Integrative taxonomy reveals two new species of Maritrema Nicoll, 1907 (Digenea: Microphallidae Ward, 1901), parasitizing birds in the Gulf of Mexico

• DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x24000403
• Publication Date: 2024-10-28T08:33:08Z
• Authors: Y. Aldama-Prieto; M.T. González-García; B. Mendoza-Garfías; G. Pérez-Ponce de...; M. García-Varela
• Keywords: Digenea; Sucker; Type locality

Abstract Members of the genus Maritrema Nicoll, 1907 include endoparasites aquatic birds and mammals, distributed worldwide. Adult specimens were collected from intestines three bird species (the great black hawks, Buteogallus urubitinga Gmelin; laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla Linnaeus; willet, Tringa semipalmata Gmelin) in localities along Gulf Mexico. Photogenophores sequenced for large subunit (LSU) nuclear rDNA, new sequences aligned with other microphalloid available GenBank. The maximum likelihood Bayesian inference analyses revealed independent lineages, one corresponding to a previously described species, corai Hernández-Orts, Pinacho-Pinacho, García-Varela & Kostadinova, 2016, two representing undescribed species. These are current study. itzamnai n. sp. can be morphologically differentiated its four congeneric occurring coastal areas Mexico by having smaller oral (20–29 × 20–38 μm) ventral (20–39 19–33 suckers. In addition, possess annular vitellarium instead horseshoe-shaped vitellarium. kukulkanni distinguished reported possessing larger oesophagus (44–117μm) both hindbody forebody. is third recorded this study parasitizing hawk ( ); represents host locality record, expanding distribution range Mexican Pacific Ocean