Title: Monogeneans parasitizing African cichlid fishes: currentknowledge and future perspectives.
Abstract: The evolution of African cichlid fishes is one of the most
dramatic examples of extensive radiation and diversification in
animals. However, the recent knowledge on parasitofauna of
cichlids is limited to several areas of Africa. Today, five
genera of monogeneans belonging to the Dactylogyridea,
Bychowsky, 1937 (Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960, Scutogyrus
Pariselle & Euzet, 1995, Onchobdella Paperna, 1968, Enterogyrus
Paperna, 1963 and Urogyrus Bilong-Bilong, Birgi & Euzet, 1994)
have been proposed on African freshwater fish of Cichlidae.
This year, the description of two new species of Cichlidogyrus
from freshwater fish in Africa was published. In addition, the
evolution and determinants of host specificity in gill
monogeneans of Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus species
parasitizing African freshwater fish of Cichlidae were
investigated. In September 2013, the new study focusing on
cichlid parasites was started within ECIP project. This study
is focused on the investigation of monogenean diversity in
different phylogenetic lineages of cichlid fish living in Lake
Tanganyika and phylogenetic reconstruction of both cichlid
hosts and their monogenean parasites. Lake Tanganyika hosts
morphologically, behaviorally and genetically the most diverse
cichlid fauna in the world. Our aims for 2014 are following:
(i) to study the morphological diversity of cichlid monogeneans
in Lake Tanganyika and (ii) to perform the molecular analyses
(18S rDNA and ITS1, 28S rDNA, COX1, 16S rDNA). Subsequently,
phylogenetic reconstructions and cophylogenetic analyses will
be performed.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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