Morphological phylogeny on the unnatural grouping of Demidospermus-like species (Monopisthocotyla, Dactylogyridae) with the proposal of new genera, genera resurrections, and descriptions of new species.

ABSTRACT: Dactylogyrids are flatworms of ecological and economic significance, parasitizing fish worldwide. In recent years, there has been a surge in the description of Neotropical dactylogyrids, particularly those infecting siluriform fishes. While these studies have contributed to the organization of some genera and refined species boundaries through integrative taxonomy, certain groups within the family, such as Demidospermus, remain taxonomically unstable. This study focuses on Demidospermus, aiming to reclassify species of uncertain status into appropriate genera and establish a morphological framework to support future evolutionary analyses and taxonomic revisions within the Demidospermus-like species group. Supported by morphological phylogenetic analysis, we propose the new genera Rhabdolac

SUBMITTER: de Aguiar JCC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12324567 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature