Discovery of adults of the gorgoderid trematode Cercaria duplicata with first morphological description, molecular identification and notes on host specificity.

Rhopalocercous Cercaria duplicata von Baer, 1827 develops in an intermediate host, the unionid bivalve Anodonta anatina (L.), but its adult form has been unknown. We examined eight fish species occurring in the presence of a highly infested population of A. anatina in the Zesławice reservoir (S Poland). Gravid Phyllodistomum specimens were obtained from the ureters of ide, Leuciscus idus (L.) and common rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.). One of the rudd specimens was doubly infected, a trematode was also found in the urinary bladder. In addition, a gravid Phyllodistomum specimen was found in the ureter of a tench Tinca tinca (L.), caught in Lake Ilmėdas (Lithuania). In order to clarify the phylogenetic position of larval and adult gorgoderids and to establish their life cycle, ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequences were analysed. The analysis showed that adult Phyllodistomum specimens located in the ureters are conspecific with C. duplicata. The trematode found in the urinary bladder of S. erythrophthalmus was P. folium (Olfers, 1816). It is suggested that adult stages of C. duplicata should be referred to as Phyllodistomum duplicatum n. comb. The intercaecal position of the uterus and the deeply-lobed ovary are the main features distinguishing it from other Phyllodistomum species. Host specificity and ecology are discussed.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)