Description of a new species ofAuriculostoma(Digenea: Allocreadiidae) fromCharacidium heirmostigmata(Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from Argentina, using morphological and molecular data

Researchers have identified a new species of digenean flatworm, Auriculostoma guacurarii, parasitic in the intestine of Characidium heirmostigmata fish within Iguazu National Park, Argentina. This discovery is based on unique morphological traits and phylogenetic analysis, distinguishing it from four congeneric species through differences in egg size, body length, genital pore position, sucker size, and post-testicular space. The study also sequenced the partial 28S rRNA gene of a related specimen, Auriculostoma cf. stenopteri, revealing its close genetic relationship with A. guacurarii and A. tica. This is the first species in the genus to parasitize a member of the Crenuchidae family, marking it as the tenth described species within this group.

Montes, M. M., Barneche, J., Croci, Y., Balcazar, D., Almirón, A., Martorelli, S., & Pérez-Ponce de León, G. (2021). Description of a new species ofAuriculostoma(Digenea: Allocreadiidae) fromCharacidium heirmostigmata(Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from Argentina, using morphological and molecular data. Journal of Helminthology, 95. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022149x21000109