Morphologic and molecular (28S rDNA) characterization ofspp. inandin Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Dactylogyrids are a group of monogenean parasites that have a high species intensity on the gills of cyprinid fish. In this study, 89 common carpand 25 grass carpwere collected from Mashhad, in northeastern Iran. A total of 31specimens, 20 and 11 specimens from the gills of common carp and grass carp, respectively, were collected and studied by morphologic analysis and molecular analysis based on 28S rDNA. Four lineages were revealed:and a new species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 2 species, namelyandwere identical to those previously reported. In addition, nucleotide sequencing showed the greatest homology (93.01%) ofto be with a species registered asin the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool database. The newspecies formed a distinct clade of its own in the phylogram. From the morphologic, molecular, and phylogenetic evidence, we propose that this isolate is a single new species within the genusFurther phylogenetic analysis, however, including the incorporation of additional molecular targets, is required to infer relationships among species in thegenus.