Phylogeny, taxonomy and intraspecific variation of the rocky-intertidal trematode <i>Opecoelus adsphaericus</i> (Opecoelidae: Opecoelinae), a parasite of <i>Clinocottus analis</i> (Perciformes: Cottidae) from Baja California.

ABSTRACT: The trematode Opecoelus adsphaericus is a common parasite of Clinocottus analis in rocky intertidal biotopes of southern California (USA) and northwestern Baja California (Mexico). Since the original description of O. adsphaericus, morphological and molecular data have been lacking. This study aims to characterize the morphological and molecular variation of this trematode to support future inter- and intra-specific comparisons in the genus Opecoelus. Over a year (August 2021-September 2022), ten sampling events were carried out to obtain biological material for morphometric and molecular analyses of O. adsphaericus at El Mosquito (n = 9) and Playa Piedra Blanca (n = 1), Baja California. Morphometric data were obtained from 44 specimens, alo

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Aquino A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12663033 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature