Parasitic life and environment of monogenean: geometric morphometric study of haptoral anchors in seven Diplorchis species (Monogenea: Polystomatidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The development of larger monogeneans and their survival on more active hosts is thought to have led to the emergence of haptoral suckers and, in some instances, anchors, enabling a more stable anchorage. Because of their strict host specificity, the morphological variation of anchors in genus Diplorchis (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) may be determined to a large degree by adaptation to the host species, its habitat and ecological environment to ensure stable attachment.

Methods

In this study, we estimated the interspecific and intraspecific differences of haptoral anchors and other morphological characteristics in six recorded species of Diplorchis and one unidentified species parasitizing Sylvirana maosonensis (Bourret, 1937) in China using geometric morphometrics.

SUBMITTER: Jia T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11840983 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature