Neither Diplectanum nor specific: a dramatic twist to the taxonomic framework of Diplectanum (Monogenea:...

The taxonomy of the genus Diplectanum has been exclusively based on morphological features, with 28 nominal species parasitic on perciform fishes recognised. We used molecular data, to our knowledge for the first time, to evaluate the taxonomic framework of Diplectanum, infer the relationships amongst species attributed to this genus, re-assess the degree of host specificity and explore the population genetic structure of Diplectanum spp. parasitising Mediterranean sciaenids, which are potential target fish species for aquaculture diversification in the region. A minimum of 10 specimens of Diplectanum spp. were sequenced per host species (Argyrosomus regius, Sciaena umbra, Umbrina canariensis and Umbrina cirrosa) and locality (Burriana, Sant Carles de la Ràpita and Santa Pola (Spain)) together with five individuals of the type species Diplectanum aequans. Sequences of partial 28S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer region of Diplectanum spp. were analysed together with those from other Diplectanidae spp. in GenBank using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods. Population genetic analyses were performed using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences for a diplectanid species with a wide distribution across host species and localities. Results showed that Diplectanum was not monophyletic, nor were the specimens infecting sciaenids. Instead they formed two separate clades, 26.1-28.6% divergent for the internal transcribed spacer and 13.2-16.9% for the 28S region from D. aequans. Altogether, our results suggest that these specimens represent two distinct new genera from Diplectanum and five putative species with low host specificity. It is likely that morphological variability has led to the description of more species than were detected by molecular methods. In contrast to other monogeneans, Diplectaninae gen. spp. are chiefly generalists. Nonetheless, intraspecific genetic divergence in the internal transcribed spacer region of Diplectaninae gen. spp., and population genetic analyses of one presumed generalist species, Diplectaninae gen. sp. 1.2, showed significant variation between subpopulations living on different hosts. The intraspecific genetic structure by host also suggests different cross-infection potential amongst sciaenid species.