Parasites as biological markers: evolutionary relationships in the heterospecific combination of helminths (monogeneans) and teleosts (Gadidae)

Abstract

Analysis of the genetic structure (11 loci) of helminth populations (Monogenea, Diclidophora), parasites of two teleost species (Gadidae, Trisopterus luscus and T. minutus minulus) which are sympatric in the Atlantic, revealed the existence of two species which were specific to each of the two hosts. A strong genetic similitude was found between one of these species (Diclidophora luscae), a parasite of T. luscus and a monogenean population parasitizing a third Gadidae (Trisopterus minutus capelanus) in the Mediterranean. These results led to a re-examinination of the evolutionary systematics of the three host taxa of the genus Trisopterus. Genetic analysis showed differences between the two subspecies T. minutus minutus (Atlantic) and T. minutus capelanus (Mediterranean) at eight of the 16 loci studied. However, there was no significant genetic divergence between T. luscus and T.m. capelanus. A new phyletic structure in the genus Trisopterus is proposed and the evolutionary trends within the Gadidae/Monogenea system are discussed.